Chapter 2
Her eyes went wide as tears streamed down her face, as if I’d utterly humiliated her.
Alexander couldn’t help but stand up. “Isabella, why do you have it out for her specifically? Models are human
beings too, born of parents just like everyone else!”
Rage shot straight to the top of my head, and I hurled my paintbrush at his feet. “Art work is respectable! Body models are called ‘model teachers‘ by art students–what kind of filthy garbage are you all imagining in your
heads?!”
I turned to glare at Bessie. “And you! If I remember correctly, I paid you the full nude rate from the start and only let you keep undergarments on because there were guys here. Now when it’s time to do the actual job you’re paid for, you’re acting all coy and weepy–what, did I give you too much and now you think you can have it both ways?!”
Bessie’s face went pale, tears frozen on her cheekbones as she stared at me in shock.
I smiled coldly. “Since you don’t want to do it, get out. Don’t turn my studio into your hunting ground for sugar
daddies.”
“Isabella.” Alexander stepped in front of her again. “That’s way too harsh!”
“Oh, and you.” I rubbed my forehead. “Since you’re paying, you can get out with her.”
I walked out of the studio. Seriously–art students shouldn’t lose their temper like that; we have limited energy and poor circulation.
With Alexander gone, the other two followed me downstairs. Henry ordered some ginseng tea with red dates. ‘Bella, why’d you blow up like that? It wasn’t that serious.”
He nudged Keith. “Hey, say something–you know I’m bad with words.”
Keith was staring at his phone. “Alexander just posted on social media.”
“What?”
Henry looked for himself and gasped. “What the hell does he mean? Is he really going to ditch Bella for some model? Can’t he see that girl’s totally fake?”
My eyes fell on his phone screen. Alexander had posted: “Met a new friend–she’s really sweet and genuine. Looking forward to introducing her to everyone.”
He’d included a photo of Bessie in a white dress, hugging her knees on a grassy field, smiling with shy innocence.
Keith’s eyes reflected my expressionless face. “Isabella, don’t be sad.”
15:04 O
Dumped by My Three Crushes for a Gold Digger Now I’m Dating Their Rival
Chapter 2
Actually, considering the Art Portfolio Review timeline, it didn’t really matter if I lost the body model. I just hadn’t expected this drama right before boot camp.
I had plenty of paint supplies to buy before leaving, and I’d completely forgotten about their basketball game tomorrow until Henry texted me–I’d promised ages ago to cheer them on.
When I arrived, I discovered Bessie was there too. Private schools generally don’t let outsiders in unless they have invitations from at least two people.
As I scanned the faces around me, a sweet perfume hit me–Bessie had settled down beside me.
“Miss Lopez, we meet again.”
“Did you bring tissues?”
She understood my meaning but just laughed. “No tears today, Miss Lopez. Don’t hate me–you know my family situation. What I make from modeling isn’t enough.”
So the people around me had become useful idiots worth exploiting.
I stayed silent as she placed a water bottle in front of me. “I still owe you an apology.”
I respected her honesty but couldn’t forgive her methods. “When something’s done deliberately, there’s no point in apologizing.”
The game on court was intense, but Alexander, their star player, kept getting distracted and looking our way.
Suddenly Bessie collapsed. Alexander immediately dropped the basketball mid–game and sprinted over at top
speed.
“Bessie?!”
The game ground to a halt as every eye in the stadium focused on us. She was helped up, tears welling in her eyes.
“My knee… it hurts so bad…”
She didn’t explain how she’d fallen, just kept making pained hissing sounds.
Alexander frowned at me. “Was that really necessary?”
15:04
