Dominate Showbiz: Media Tycoon Discovered My Talent-Chapter 25: Why Did You Pull Away?

"What’s the point of saying that?" Antony said, still not turning around.

"I’ll make it up to you."

"Will making it up to me help you debut? You’re still dancing like a broken worm, and you’re irresponsible with your own schedule. I don’t want to hear your apologies."

She closed her mouth shut. His tone was flat, but she could tell Antony wasn’t just displeased. He was angry.

"And if you’re still serious about becoming an artist for KE," he added coldly, "at least learn to cover up your neck properly."

Her body stiffened, hands shooting up to her neck. Did Charles really leave that many marks on her? She’d been in such a rush she hadn’t even checked herself properly in the mirror.

Antony marched off before she could say another word. She let out a long sigh. It seemed things between were only getting worse by the day between the two of them. She had no choice but to rush back to her flat to grab a coat.

When she passed by the mirror, she almost passed out. Her skin was a war zone of reddish-brown marks in all shapes and sizes. She grabbed her foundation and smeared it all over her neck like it was sunscreen, cursing Charles while she was at it. Even then, the marks were barely covered.

She sighed. There was no time left to go out and buy a decent high-collar top, and she had none in her closet. She quickly threw on a high-collared coat, and headed for the modeling session.

When she entered the studio, Juho only gave her a brief glance, said a curt "hi" with a half-hearted smile, then turned back to his camera, fiddling with the settings. The air between them grew awkward fast after Kaija replied "hi" and went quiet.

After a long while, he gestured toward the white backdrop. "Let’s do some basic modeling today," he said.

"Okay," she replied curtly, avoiding his eyes.

"Imagine we’re doing an album cover today," he went on. "Nothing complicated—just think of the kind of music that reflects you the most, and deliver it through your facial expressions. Take off your coat too, be comfortable."

Her shoulders stiffened at his words. If Juho saw the marks on her neck, what would he think of her after I’d just rejected him last week?

She pushed the thought away, turned around, and slowly took her coat off, trying to pull her sweater a bit higher. Still, it was no use. The moment she turned back around, Juho’s face darkened.

"Um... this is, uh..." Kaija muttered.

"It’s fine," Juho said quickly, his tone flat. "I understand. Let’s start."

She followed quietly and stood in front of the backdrop.

Juho started snapping his camera, his professional focus slipping back into place. He told her what to do — where to place her hands, which direction to look — and she followed without a word. Only when he paused to check the photos did his expression tighten slightly. She could only pray the marks didn’t show too much.

In the middle of the shoot, the door suddenly opened. They both turned toward the sound. It was Charles. He was wearing his usual all-black suit, wearing a pair of glasses now.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, surprised.

Seeing Charles again after everything that happened last night felt painfully awkward, especially in front of Juho. If Juho ever figured out those marks on her neck were Charles’s handiwork, she couldn’t even imagine what he’d think.

"Mr. Kosonen," Juho greeted, seemingly startled as well. He stood from his chair and gave Charles a polite bow.

Charles only gave him a small nod before turning to her, his tone displeased. "Why didn’t you answer your phone?"

Kaija blinked. "I must’ve put it on silent before the shoot," she said, checking it. He’d called five times since lunchtime. "I’m sorry," she told him. "Did you need to tell me something?"

Her question only seemed to irritate him more. "Didn’t I tell you I’d be back soon?" he asked, voice cold again.

She gave him a wry smile. "Can we talk after the shoot? Let’s not keep Juho waiting." She had to stop Charles before he said something Juho might pick up on.

Charles wasn’t having it. His scowl only deepened. "The photographer can wait. In fact, he can leave now. You can wrap up your session."

She stared at him. "Huh? But, but—"

"It’s okay," Juho said, smiling brightly. "We can continue next week."

At that point, Kaija couldn’t refuse anymore. "Thank you, Juho," she said, smiling back.

"I’ll wait outside," Charles said curtly before leaving the room.

As she gathered her things, Juho did the same. Just as she turned to say goodbye, her breath caught. Juho’s face was cold and expressionless, like he was seconds away from murder. The bright smile on his face just minutues earlier had completely vanished.

When Juho finally noticed her stare, his face relaxed again, warmth flickering back into his eyes. "See you next week," he said with his usual easy smile.

"See you next week," she echoed, though forcing a smile felt impossible. She left the room right after. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Outside, Charles stood by the window, a cigarette in his hand, the same brand as the last time they stood in front of the hotel.

When he saw her approaching, he stubbed it out, reached for her wrist and pulled her in. His lips pressed against hers, still tasting faintly of smoke.

Her brain shortcircuited at once, first from the kiss, then upon hearing the door behind her opened.

A chill shot down her spine. She startled, pulled back from the kiss instantly and turned around.

Juho’s face was calm as still water, his emerald eyes landed on her, then slid to Charles. A faint smile curved his lips. Without a word, he turned and walked off, leaving the two of them behind in the quiet corridor.

Once Juho was gone, Kaija turned to Charles, her voice rising. "Why did you have to do that?!"

"Why did you pull away?" Charles shot back, his tone flat.

"Because other people might see! People like Juho, and who knows who else!"

Charles stepped closer, his expression unreadable, completely unbothered by her frustration. His hand reached out, cupping her face, tilting it toward his as he pressed another deep kiss down on her lips before she could respond.

In a low, steady voice, he asked, "And what if they did?"

She pulled away again, hands shot up to steady her forehead, as if that could stop the rising headache. She knew this man practically owned this entire place, but she was just one of his employees, and she’d only been here a week.

"Listen," she said, trying to sound composed, "I’d appreciate it if you could be a little more... careful when we’re in public. Especially when my neck is already like this." Then she pulled her coat open and pointed at the constellation of hickeys that was his handiwork.

Charles’s gaze followed where she pointed. The corner of his lips curved up. "I did quite a good job, didn’t I?"

She frowned, zipping her coat back up. "Yes, very good indeed. Now I can’t go anywhere without this coat. I don’t even have a single high-collar top."

He merely shrugged. "Then maybe we could go shopping."