31. Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-One

Sage

" S age, it's going to be okay!"

I pull the blanket off my face and look over at August.

"Really, gorgeous?" He mumbles before lifting her off of the counter with ease and reaching whatever she was trying to get.

"I could've reached it had you given me another second." She grabs the cookies from him, and a smile tugs at my lips.

"You're going to fall, angel. Just ask me to help you."

Hazel is already walking away from him with the box of cookies, and August only smiles as he watches her.

"You don't know that it's going to be okay." I sink further into their couch, and Hazel flops on the other end.

"This Florida girl sounds like a bitch." She picks up her phone, and I can't help but laugh at how horrible she is with names.

"It's Florence." I remind her once again. I have my meeting with Vincent today and, of course, I came to see August first to make me feel better because I also have another meeting with Florence.

Angie spoke to her, and I was told there was a lot of yelling, so I won't be surprised if I'm no longer a Magic Model by the end of the day. She technically can't fire me since we have a contract that I haven't broken, but she's released girls in the past.

"I don't really care," Hazel voices, and when August sits between us, she swings her legs onto his lap. "She's being a hater, just like that Holly girl. I don't like her."

I stifle a laugh at her name for Helena. "You don't like anyone?"

She glances over at me for barely a second before looking back at her phone. "I like everyone in this room." She shrugs, but I sit up in my seat.

"Really?!"

Hazel is far from affectionate, at least with everyone but my brother. I can count on one hand how many times she's said she loves me, and all of those times, August or I told her to tell me.

When I hear the front door open, I turn just as Vidia and Sire walk in, hand-in-hand. It's good to see them happy together. I wasn't trying to be nosy, but August told me why Vidia missed Sire's soberversary, and I know Sire was pretty upset. That was a few days ago, though, and I think they're simply tired of fighting for the last four years because they made up pretty quickly.

Liam and I haven't made up, though; we're in a weird space. He keeps coming to my house to see me and apologize. I got three more bouquets and they were gorgeous, but I don't want flowers. I want to know how bad his relationship with my brothers is.

My heart races whenever Liam walks into a room; I know what he did was messed up, and I'm mad he lied, but I can forgive it if my brothers do. I want to be with him, but not if my brothers absolutely hate him. I couldn't do that to them. I just don't know how to bring it up to Sire and August.

"I take back what I said. I do not like everyone in this room," Hazel teases, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I stifle a laugh, and Sire shakes his head at our brother's girlfriend.

"I literally just walked in."

"Walk back out."

The room fills with everyone's laugh besides Sire's. He flips Hazel off, although she isn't sparing a glance at him.

I rise from the couch to hug Vidia, and the minute she's in my embrace, a whiff of her vanilla perfume hits me. "You always smell so freaking good."

"Thanks, babe!"

I give Sire a hug before returning to my seat, and Vidia sits next to Hazel.

"Seriously?"

I glance at the end of the couch, and Sire looks between the girls. I'm assuming he wants to sit next to his girlfriend, but there's clearly no room for him in that corner.

"Leave us alone, Sire. Can't you go away for five minutes?" Hazel lays her head on Vidia's lap and with her legs still on August, she's sprawled out comfortably.

"No, I want to sit with her. Move down."

"No."

Sire looks over at Vidia, and when she shrugs, he looks like she just told him they need to break up again.

"Fine." He flops next to me, and I try not to be offended by how upset he is to sit with me instead.

August wraps his arm around my shoulder before pulling me into him. "Both of your meetings are going to be fine, Sage. Even if the worst case scenario happens with both of them, everything happens for a reason and–"

"That's bullshit."

We turn to Sire.

"I really hate that saying. Everything happens for a reason? There should be no reason for why a lot of fucked up shit happens in this world," he voices his words casually, but I can't help but think about his childhood, and he's right. No reason is good enough for what he went through with his bio mom or a lot of other bad things in this world, so the motto is a pretty bad one, but I get what August was trying to say.

"Florence isn't firing you, and Vincent is going to be so sweet during the meeting." August plants a soft kiss on the top of my head, and I smile up at him. "And if he isn't, Sire and I will have a nice chat with him."

I glance over at our brother and he has a smirk on his face. I shake my head at them but genuinely appreciate them more than anything.

"Vid." Sire has his eyes on Vidia now, and when I look over at her, she's playing with Hazel's curls. "Are you seriously not going to sit with me?" And he says August is clingy.

I bite back my laugh, and Hazel sighed so loudly that I'm sure the neighbors heard.

"Come, I'll sit on your lap, mi amor."

Hazel sighs again, obnoxiously loud, and this time, we all laugh, but Sire stands with a smile and settles back down with V on his lap.

Hazel has to readjust herself and sighs while doing it. I know she's just doing it to mess with Sire, but his reaction is what kills me.

"Shut up already, she's mine."

"She's literally not, though." Hazel plops her head onto V's lap again, and she returns to playing with her curls. "I tell you this every day, she's my wife."

"No, the fuck she isn't."

Hazel shrugs, and I watch them as if they were on TV. "Ask her what she was doing this morning before work."

August looks down at Hazel before laughing quietly, and Sire only looks between all of us before glancing back at Vidia.

"What were you doing?"

"She was in bed with me," Hazel answers for her, and Sire shoves her head off of Vidia.

"You fucking wish." When Sire wraps an arm around V protectively, she lets out a laugh, and I keep my gaze on her. Vidia is one of the most beautiful girls I know, and her laugh is somehow more beautiful. Even now, with her curls in a loose ponytail and in my brother's oversized hoodie, she's just… beautiful.

I glance down at Hazel next, and they really are two pretty best friends. Hazel looks airbrushed perfect every day, and she doesn't even wear makeup. My nieces and nephews are going to be adorable.

"You okay?" August slightly moves his arm that's still around me to get my attention and I smile up at him.

"Yeah," I pull in a deep breath before leaning into him again. "You're right. Both meetings will be fine." Being with my twin will always bring me comfort. Even on my absolute worst days, a simple text from August somehow makes my day better, and there has to be a scientific reason behind the whole twin bond thing because I'm certain I could be dying, and a hug from him can save me.

"Ugh! I have to leave soon, but I don't want to." I hug August, and he rests his head on top of mine.

I stay with them for a few more minutes, and I can't bring myself to ask about Liam, so I rush off to meet with Vincent. We're discussing over coffee, and I really wanted Angie here, but she was busy, and since she already read through these exact same contracts, she doesn't really need to be here unless anything new is brought up.

When I reach the coffee shop he chose downtown he's already sitting outside and stands when he sees me. "Sage, how are you?" He plants a soft kiss on both of my cheeks, and I smile at him before sitting.

"I'm good, how about you? Your flight just landed last night, right?"

He tells me about his recent trip back home, and at the reminder of all of the traveling he does, I grow more excited because I know as a Moore Girl, I would also be traveling twice as much as I already do.

When we start discussing business, it goes smoothly and feels so easy, almost too easy, but once I hand him the contract I had for the last week, it's officially set in stone.

"Words can't express how pleased I am that you're now one of my models."

I feel my entire body flush as I return his words and thank him. I've been modeling for a while now, but I never fail to get shy when people compliment me. It always feels surreal that this is my life.

"As we discussed over the phone, you will be flown to Italy for a month to learn the ropes as a Moore Girl. All of my girls go through a similar training."

"Yes, I'm so excited to go! You also mentioned a show that will be happening while I'm there?"

He looks like he just remembered as he looks for something on his laptop. "Yes, I know it's so soon, but you'll be in that show. That actually brings me to what I needed to share with you."

He types something into his laptop before my phone dings. It's a link to a calendar for the next month, and it's loaded with everything I need to do while I'm in Italy. I'll be busy almost every day while I'm there, but it only excites me.

I text August to let him know the meeting went perfectly with Vincent. I thankfully get to do the photo shoot with the girls since Florence pushed it back by an hour for some reason, but when I walk into her office, I think I'm holding my breath.

"Sage, hey."

I send her a smile although, I'm not sure what's happening. We haven't spoken since she basically said she would be replacing me, yet today she's genuinely smiling in my face and rearranged the photo shoot she said she won't rearrange… something is up.

"Hey." I take a seat in front of her, and she finishes typing something before shutting her laptop and sliding a folder towards me. "What's this?"

"Our new contract." I freeze with the folder halfway open as I study her. "I'll save you the trouble of reading it all, although I'm sure your damn agent will be sure to read it three times every day before you sign it." She rolls her eyes, and I'm glad Angie isn't here because she hates it when people do that.

"You can miss a Magic Model show if the time conflicts with a Moore show, but you can't miss three in a row, and you can't miss our anniversary shows." Her last part was a given, and I wouldn't miss those, not even for Vincent.

"Thank you, but I'm a bit confused, Angie said–"

"Your agent wasn't the reason I changed my mind."

I'm only even more confused, but she's looking at me as if I should know what she's talking about.

"Your boyfriend came to see me? Or should I say, demanded."

My. Jaw. Drops. I'm stuck for a second then immediately start apologizing for whatever the hell Liam threatened her with because I won't be surprised if he dognapped her German Shepherds and threatened to snap their poor necks. Florence laughs as I blurt out an apology and I must be dreaming because what is happening?

"He really didn't tell you he was coming to meet with me?"

I shake my head, and a smile grows on Florence's face.

"What is it with athletes and their arrogance? Is it all the money they make? Because your brothers also waltzed into my office just a few months ago when you had the flu and demanded I let you miss the show. The common factor with all three boys is the sport they play."

I actually cringe at the reminder of Sire and August doing that. I was so sick but adamant to be in the show. They made it their mission to tell Florence to let me rest, and me missing one show wouldn't kill her, but she certainly acted like it would kill her, considering it was an annual show I would've been missing, and those are huge for us. Agencies around the world know not to plan anything for that day because everyone comes to watch us.

"I'm sorry, I'm still confused. What exactly did Liam say?" When he came to see me the last few days, I talked about my worries about the contract headaches since he asked. I even cried about it, but I wasn't expecting him to talk to the damn CEO. I might actually die to know what got her to change her mind because not even Angie could get her to cave, and everyone caves for Angie.

"He asked me how much money I'd be losing if you didn't model in a show for me. I did the math, and as I said, the majority of our audience come for you, and I told him how much it'll cost the company not to have you."

I wait for her to add more, but she doesn't. "And?" I don't see where this is going…

"He doubled the cost of losing you if given the possibility you were to miss my show for Mr. Moore."

I feel my eyes squint as I focus on her lips because I can't seem to comprehend what came out of her mouth.

"He. Did. What ?"

She says it so casually. Like this was just another business deal for her, and I guess, in a way, it was. I'm sure this was all a bribe in his eyes. Either way, we make millions at just one show… how much did this cost him?

I waste no time going home since Royal is throwing my congrats party tonight, but I text Liam to meet me here, and it takes him five hundred years for whatever reason. I'm already ready for the party by the time he knocks on my door.

"Dory."

"Hey." I look up at him, and I love that even though I'm 5' 10, he's still taller than me with my heels on. I watch him as he drinks in my outfit, and a small smile tugs his lips.

"You look perfect."

I thank him before his smile widens.

"How was your day, beloved?"

I step into my apartment, and he follows me in before we settle on my couch.

"You went to see my boss?" I turn to him.

He shakes his head as he lays back on my couch.

"I told her not to tell you," he says more to himself. When he looks over at me, his smile grows, but it looks sad. "I told you you'd have your way."

"How much?"

"None of your business."

"It's all of my business. How much money did you give her?"

He lets out a soft sigh as he rubs my thigh, but he doesn't make a move to answer me, and I move his hand from my thigh. "Hello?"

"I don't remember." He rubs my leg again.

"Tell me."

"Couple million, I don't know, but it was way less than what you're worth." His eyes meet mine and he watches me with such sincerity. "I would've paid triple what she asked for. You're priceless, baby."

"Liam–"

"Stop asking."

I tilt my head to the side, and he mirrors me. "How much is a couple million to you because a couple is like two or three." When he doesn't answer, I feel my brows raise. "You paid more than that?!"

"Shh, why do you always get so shocked when I spend a bit of money on you? Didn't you just officially become a billionaire a few days ago?"

I smile at his reminder. That's also what my congratulations party is for, although I didn't really want to celebrate that bit. I found out through social media that I'm officially a billionaire, and I didn't even believe it at first, but it's true, and it just adds to how surreal life has been lately.

"Yes, which is why I'll be paying–"

"No, the hell you're not."

"Yes, I am, and bribing my boss isn't going to get me to forget that we're not on the best of terms."

His brows furrow now as he watches me. "I didn't do that because you were mad at me." He looks genuinely confused as he watches me. "You and I both know I would've done that if you weren't mad at me, so don't think for a second that I did that to win you back." His voice is stern, the weight of their truth looming in the air.

"Then why'd you do it?"

"You were crying," he says as if that's reason enough.

When I first slept with this man, he didn't even have the decency to walk me back to the bar or open a single door for me. I knew under all that gruff attitude, there was this thoughtful person. It's not even the cost, but the thought behind it that makes this so much more important. He went completely out of his way, and my tears surely put a pretty dent in his bank account. I know he didn't do it because we're fighting because he sits here and watches me like this is all he wants out of life. Me.

"I hate seeing you upset," he goes on. "Now you can have the best of both worlds with both agencies just like you wanted." His eyes fall on my lips, and I watch him have a million different thoughts.

"You just said we're not on good terms, not taking space . Does that mean I can kiss you now because it's been five days?"

I bite back a smile at how he sounds as if he's been suffering.

"Sure, but only if you tell me how much you paid her."

"Seven million," he quickly answers, and before I can react, his lips are on mine. He kisses me slowly, like he's trying to savor the moment.

When he pulls away, I keep my eyes on him, and my heart aches and flutters all at once. While he lied, he's exceeding those standards I once told him he didn't meet. The way I feel about him has nothing to do with the money, but everything to do with the way he makes my heart skip several beats when he walks into a room, but I refuse to tell him that now because I don't want him to think I'm forgiving him for spending some money on me.

"I'm paying you back." I stand.

"You better not."

"I am, and I need to get to my party."

"You're not, and I'll drive you there." He gets up and grabs my hand, pulling me out before I can counter.

We walk down to his car and make it to the hall that Royal booked. I glance out the window and freeze at the sight of my brothers. "What a coincidence that we all got here at the same time."

I turn to Liam, but he doesn't say anything.

"I should go in…" He was supposed to come with me, but we both know that can't happen. I let out a disappointed breath, and I hate that I'm hiding this from the boys. "What if we just tell them right now?" I look back out the window, and both August and Lisette's nosy selves are trying to see into the car, although it's blacked out. I stifle a laugh, and I appreciate how easily they can fix my mood without trying.

"That isn't going to go well."

I turn back to Liam, and he offers me a sympathetic look.

"Do they really not like you that much?"

When he doesn't answer, my heart sinks.

"I should go." I grab the door as he calls out to me.

"Congratulations again. I'm so proud of you."

I mumble thanks as I force a smile and catch up with my siblings, Hazel, and V.