Episode 7

"No, you don't need to answer. I sing and dance to all kinds of music."

"One day I’d like you to come with me to a party or an event we have, I'd like to see how good you are."

"Count on it."

"I want you to assess what they are doing, someday you’ll be the one doing it."

Every time you address me as ‘you’, it feels as if years pile onto me.

"I don't like you."

She twisted her neck almost like in The Exorcist and looked at me.

"What did you say?"

"I meant that I don’t like being addressed as ‘you’, it’s like the years are already showing on me, Mr. Jasper."

That sounded very strange coming from me.

"Oh, I’m sorry. I guess it's habit" he sighed ". Then I’ll call you Miss Nichole, if that makes you more comfortable."

"Yes, better."

I know I shouldn't be asking you that, but it’s so odd for you to treat me that way, we’re almost the same age. Jasper explained the process to me and everything I needed to know, while I took notes of what he said. His memory and calm explanation impress me. I’d like to be like him, too bad I'm such a disaster at remembering things. I don't lose my head only because it’s attached.

After evaluating the response and the mini parade of each one, Sally and Jasper convened to vote for the chosen models. It must be so tough to be a model. I could never do that. Diets aren't for me, neither is exercise, not even wearing heels, and now even less so. I now panic at the thought of wearing them for work.

When they finished, they selected the three models and we moved on to the changing area. Jasper gave them instructions, and while doing so, I happened to glance at his agenda and noted he had a meeting in 10 minutes.

"Excuse me, I don’t mean to interrupt, but you have an appointment in 10 minutes. I’m very sorry I didn’t realize sooner."

"Keep explaining to them what they must do, call me if anything, Sally. Do a good job, girls."

We walked quickly to his car and he insisted on driving.

"It’s at the Kishiuo Restaurant" I informed him.

"We'll make it in time."

I looked at the watch, and there were 7 minutes left. The restaurant is 10 minutes away from here, even more with traffic.

"In time? There are only 7 minutes left, Mr. Jasper. I’ll call to delay the appointment and apologize. It's my fault."

"You clearly don’t know me" he accelerated suddenly, and I almost wet myself.

"You shouldn't drive so fast. We could have an accident, Mr. Jasper" I said, frightened.

"Don't tell me you're afraid of speed or I’ll drop you off right here."

"I have a lot of respect for it, a lot of respect" I covered my mouth and he glanced at me sideways.

"Don’t throw up in the car, or I’ll leave you on the highway."

"Do you have to be so drastic?"

"Certainly" he sped up the car and I felt fear, not just because of the speed, but also of the police.

We could get stopped and it would be all my fault. If I had been attentive to everything, none of this would be happening.

Arriving, he slammed on the brakes and had I not been wearing the seatbelt, I would've hit the windshield.

"You drive like a maniac!" I yelled out of fright.

He is my boss and all, but did he intend to give me a heart attack? My heart was racing. He turned suddenly toward me and confronted me.

"You shouldn’t yell at me like that. Don’t tell me you’re wishing so hard that I punish you?"

For the first time, I was speechless. He smiled and stepped away.

"It’s been a while since I last did that. It's therapeutic" he stretched out and glanced at me again ". Pull down your skirt, I can clearly see your legs. You should get a tan" he stared, and I quickly pulled it down.

"And why were you looking there?" I so wanted to call him a pervert.

"Eyes are meant for looking, it’s your fault for being careless and letting me see them. We have to go" he got out and I had to exit quickly to follow him.

What a brazen man! He's so lucky he’s my boss, or otherwise, I would have responded with a lot of things he wouldn't like. I was so scared I hadn't even realized it. What's worse, he didn't even pretend not to look.

"Good afternoon, Reporter Kim. This is my assistant, Miss Nichole."

"A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Kim" I greeted him and bowed my head.

"The pleasure is mine, Miss Nichole. Please, take a seat."

Jasper helped me into the chair and sat next to me. I was about to grab my notebook, but he held my hand, stopping me.

"You won’t need this here, don't worry."

His hands were very soft and small. I hadn't noticed that until now.

"I heard about the firing of your previous assistant. Seems it was definitive."

"Yes, it was."

"I thought you two were dating. I'm not the only one who thought that."

"You are mistaken. She was just an employee, nothing more, nothing less."

"I understand. There’s a rumor about you and a bad rapport with Los Robles. Is there truth to you tampering with the votes last season?"

"We didn't do that. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was them trying to make us look bad. Besides, it's just a rumor; without proof, why waste time talking about it, Mr. Kim?"

"It's one of the questions I had for later, but since you are here, I must make the most of it. How is your father’s condition? I heard he's been having health issues, seen leaving a clinic several times in less than a month."

I sensed that Jasper was annoyed by the question. Kim just smiled as if he had noticed. The atmosphere felt somewhat tense.

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