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"You're not how I pictured," I comment. Annie had already left to return to her post where she has to deal with her colleague and my annoying ass friends while Thea and I have our meeting in her office.

I'll be honest, she's quite the opposite of what I expected her to be on the first meeting. When Erwin first told me that he has a sister, I was half expecting a fair-skinned blonde woman with icy blue eyes, just like her brother but without his bushy eyebrows. Erwin never showed me any photo of her, nor did I ask or question and based my assumption of her physical appearance on their sibling bond.

Her curly hair is styled into a pixie cut and has a platinum peach colour that compliments her light brown skin. Her full lips are stained dark brown, and her eyelids are painted with mascara with a touch of bronze eyeshadow. She's wearing a pair of cat-shaped spectacles with a rose gold frame. The small mole on the right side of her hooded eyes is not hard to miss and her irises are a striking jade colour. She's wearing a black high shirt and a mini plaid skirt that shapes her voluptuous hourglass body and if it weren't for her high-heeled boots, she would probably be shorter than me by two inches.

"Were you expecting a bombshell without any melanin on her?" she asks, arching an amused eyebrow.

"Well, kind of," I answer cautiously. "I mean, I have nothing against people with different skin tones. It's just that - well - you're Erwin's sister."

She lets out a low chuckle. "It's to be expected," she answers. "Erwin doesn't go around telling people that he has a stepsister.

Ah! So that explains it, I think.

"You're a bit shorter than I imagined. But beggars can't be choosers, I suppose," she comments as her eyes move up and down my body.

"Wow! I don't know if I should be flattered or offended," I remark dryly.

"Relax, darling. I don't discriminate," she waves her hand. "Have a seat. We have a lot to talk about."

I take a seat on the couch provided in the room while she settles back down on her office chair.

"I've had a look at your pictures on your Instagram account," she puts her leg on top of the other as she leans back comfortably in her seat. "You don't post very often it seems."

"I'm not all that active on social media," I reply. "I do lurk around here and there to pass time, but I don't spend too much time on it. Plus, I value my privacy."

"I see," she says. "You mentioned that you've never had you have no experience modelling."

"No ma'am," I answer. "The closest thing to it would be some of my Instagram posts. I guess." I shrug.

She hums as she squints her eyes slightly. "What do you do? Are you working or..."

"University student. I'm currently studying Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and in my final year."

Her eyes widen with astonishment. "A grown man studying an undergraduate degree," she asks. I arch an eyebrow. "I'm just surprised a man your age is studying an undergraduate degree."

You mean a man with a low-class background. I mentally roll my eyes. "Well, not a lot of people are as lucky and privileged to have access to a decent education," I shrug.

"I suppose," she sighs. "I take it that you're a full-time student then?"

"Yes, but my schedule isn't too packed."

"Do you have any other commitments I should know about?"

I think for a second. I could vaguely tell her that I have a night job, but there's a fifty-fifty chance she might ask the specifics of my job and I'm not going to risk it. Besides, it's not like she's going to organise photo shoots in the evening.

"Aside from picking up my sister and niece from school, no," I answer.

"Okay. Final question; are you comfortable with nude photo shoots?"

I choke on my spit and gawk at her astonished. "I thought I was signing for modelling - not a porn star."

She rolls her eyes. "Don't get your knickers in a twist and listen. I'm asking because I'm experimenting with various concepts for my exhibition and nudity is one of them," she explains. "But I obviously need your consent since it's your body."

"Okay," I reply. "For a moment I thought you were some pervert."

"Don't flatter yourself. I've seen plenty of naked men all my years as a photographer. You're not special," she says with a smile.

I feel a chill run down my spine and not the good kind. I'm not one to get intimidated by anyone, but something about Thea is telling me I should be. Her smile appears sweet and harmless, but her tone is coming off as condescending - almost as if she's talking down at me. Her jade eyes are silently telling me to know my place.

I don't know why, but something in my gut is telling me that I should be cautious around her, and I can't help but feel a twinge of curiosity.

"How nude are we talking about?" I ask.

"You don't have to worry about people seeing the size of your penis."

I feel my eye twitch. "Then that should be fine."

She grins. "Okay, I guess that concludes our meeting."

"So does that mean I have the job?"

"Seeing that you're the real deal and not a scammer, I don't see why not."

I feel my body relax. "When do I start?"

"I'd say as soon as possible. Of course, I'll need your personalised school timetable so I can work around setting up your schedule," she tells me. "Your education is important, and I wouldn't want you to compromise it for my project."

I nod my head with appreciation. "Thank you."

We both stand up and shake hands.

"I'll be looking forward to working with you?" she smiles.

"Likewise," I reply.

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