Filed to story: The Breaking Point (Maya & Julian) Book PDF Free
Wait. Did Alana use her advantage to get into Julian’s room? But Selena was the one who got kicked out. Ooh, a love triangle, hehe.
Everyone started whispering among themselves excitedly. The camera was pointed at them as well, recording the scene that would make good content.
Selena wasn’t sure if Alana was the one who went into Julian’s room, but she had been observing everyone that morning, and everyone had heard about the news regarding Julian. The only exceptions were Luna and Maya. Moreover, Julian’s room was near Luna’s, but Maya’s room was in between theirs.
She then looked at Maya. She’s dressed in simple clothes. She then looked away and sheepishly said, “Let’s dig in. There’s no way Julian would even spare this lowly assistant a look.
…
Once breakfast was over, the host started hyping up the next segment, and the competition was underway. The rules had been explained the day before, and now, they would be announcing the theme of the day.
After a short video, the screen behind the host read ‘Sweet Whispers’.
That was the theme of the draft Maya dropped the night before, and she tightened her grip on her pen. Damn it. Murphy’s Law is at work again.
This segment was a competition between the designers’ different styles. There was no size restriction for the canvas, and every designer could come up with a draft of their own imagination according to their understanding of their model’s style.
Since it was a live show about professionals, there was barely any fluff. The screen time was almost all for the contestants. They would have to hand in their first draft before four in the afternoon, and then they would start a discussion and merge things together.
In other words, the designers needed a lot of alone time to gain their inspiration. As the assistant, Maya had to talk to the models and ask for their measurements to make things easier during the discussion. She and Luna weren’t in the same venue, so she didn’t have time to come up with another sketch.
Once the host was gone, things in the hall got livelier. The designers were talking about the concept. Maya was worried, but all she could do was follow Selena to her room. She then took out her notebook and tape measure. “Miss Palmer, I’ll need to take your measurements.”
Selena was in no hurry. Before the cameraman could come in, she leaned on the door and looked at Maya. “Did Luna meet up with Julian last night? Tell me the truth, and I’ll give you fifteen grand.” That’s probably her annual salary.
Maya paused for a moment, then she looked at Selena calmly. “No. Mr. Graham is not her cup of tea.” Man, she thinks everyone likes Julian.
Selena didn’t believe it at all, and her gaze turned icy. No one here, so I don’t have to hide myself. She put on a scornful look. “So, you want more? Fine. How about seventy-five grand?” She paused and added, “If you refuse to talk, I have my own ways to find the answer I want, but it might or might not affect you.”
With Julian backing her up, she could bully anyone she wanted, especially a lowly assistant like Maya.
Frustration and irritation welled up in Maya’s heart. “It’s not about the money, Miss Palmer. I can’t just come up with a story about something that never happened.”
“Something that never happened? Do as I say, and I’ll have Julian assign you to a designer from a better studio even if Luna fires you. You don’t want to just be her assistant all your life, do you?” Selena scoffed.
Maya cocked her eyebrow. “What’s wrong with that? I mean, someone’s willing to pay me seventy-five grand.” She’d rather refuse the money than collude with this woman. In fact, Selena was willing to give her that much money just to get close to Luna.
Selena felt humiliated, and she shoved Maya away. “Trying to annoy me, are you?”
Maya staggered backward for a moment before she found her bearing. Furious, she looked at Selena, but she held her tongue. I need that diamond.
Just when she was about to take Selena’s measurements, that woman took two steps back, contempt flaring in her eyes. “Did you even wash your hands? And is that tape clean? Buy a new one. I don’t want to catch any diseases from your tape.”
Maya really wanted to slap this woman and stomp on her face. You’re just an influencer, not a real model. If they weren’t unlucky enough to be assigned as her teammates, Maya wouldn’t even spare her a look, much less design her clothes. She’s not even an actual lady, but she acts like she’s one.
“Where am I supposed to get a new tape? We’re at a resort. I’ll just tell the production team that you won’t be taking part in today’s segment. You can join once I get a new tape. Deal?” she snapped, no longer polite.
Selena threw her arms up as well. “I’m telling Luna about this. You have a bad attitude, and you’re unprofessional. I can get rid of you if I want, you understand that?”
Of course, she knew. Julian could give her that power. She heaved a silent sigh and put on a smile. “I understand, but can you work with me before that? The camera for the live show aside, there’s also a camera here that records the behind-the-scenes footage.” She pointed at the camera behind Selena. Selena shivered.
Maya said, “I turned it off when I came in.” She didn’t want Selena to flip out at this moment. If Julian decided to take Selena’s side, then the staff members would be the ones taking the brunt of the heat.
Maya ignored Selena’s contorting face and went into the bathroom. She then came back out with a washed tape. Once again, she asked, “May we begin work now, Miss Palmer?”
Selena snapped, “Make a cup of coffee for me. I can’t work before I have my coffee.”
Maya forced a smile and did it without complaining, and she was smooth, almost like she did it a lot of times before.
Selena froze for a moment, then a contemptuous smile curled her lips. “You seem used to this. Bet you’ve been doing menial jobs for years.”
Maya did learn a lot of things back in the Graham Residence just to please Julian.
And now that’s the very reason this woman is mocking me. Maya smirked. She quietly served the coffee to Selena. Only then did she stop whining. Despite her awkwardness, Maya managed to get some of her measurements. Selena then languidly walked to the bathroom for a shower.
While she was doing that, Maya went to a corner and texted Luna. ‘How’s it going on your end?’
Luna texted a reply with three dots before adding, ‘Take a guess.’ She could bluff her way out of any situation and praise Maya’s designs to high heavens, but it had been years since she made a drawing, and her skills had deteriorated to nil. Even if she could make something, it wouldn’t be outstanding, and that would be a hit to Alana’s reputation.
Even through the phone, Maya could imagine the look on Luna’s face. She stood up and tucked the tape away, then she knocked on the door. “Miss Smith needs my help. Once you’re done, knock on my door. I’ll take the remainder of your measurements.”
Taking her measurements is not a top priority; the draft is. I need to get back and deal with the draft first.
Selena said nothing but didn’t stop her. She’s giving me attitude? When they get stumped on the design, she’ll be begging for my help.
Taking her silence as agreement, Maya left the room and took a deep breath when she was outside. She had decided to seek Julian out and ask for the draft she left behind. First, she had no time to come up with another draft, and two, she was too annoyed to come up with a new design for someone like Selena. That woman was not worth it.
Maya hung her head low in hesitation, then she texted Julian and asked if he was in his room.
Julian didn’t answer.
Maya couldn’t stay in the corridor for too long, or the camera might catch her. She went back to her room and leaned on the cabinet beside her to change her shoes, and then she felt herself touching something that wasn’t wood.
She turned her head and saw the draft she left behind in Julian’s room sitting on the cabinet, and she froze. I couldn’t even find it last night no matter how much I tried. Did he put it back? Maya had no idea what to feel, though she said in her mind, At least he did one good thing in his life.
The draft was a little dirty so she patted it, yet she couldn’t clean off the mark. She couldn’t be bothered with it and quickly went to seek Luna out.
Luna was in her room, calling Kevin. Anger was festering within her, but she held it back. “Mr. Stewart. We just want to take her measurements, and my assistant has been gone for half an hour. If she’s not working with us, how should I carry out my job?”
Kevin might sound relaxed and nonchalant, but he had a headache as well. He knew that Luna and Maya were friends, so he put on a smile. “Oh, calm down. We have time. If she won’t do it today, there’s always tomorrow.”
Lots of celebrities would start to get arrogant once they had a rich backer, and now that Selena had Julian backing her, she was probably as haughty as hell. She would not work with them unless they satisfied her ego.
Frustrated, Luna spun her pen, her temples throbbing. “What did you promise me when you invited me, Mr. Stewart?” Just the thought of Maya getting tripped up by a homewrecker filled her with rage.
What the f*ck is Julian doing letting that b*tch give his wife the bird?
“Calm down.” Kevin wanted to scream. On one hand, he had to deal with Julian’s wife, and on the other, he had to deal with Julian’s lover. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place. If he tried to lecture Selena, Julian would demand an explanation from him.
Luna hissed, “You think we’re pushovers? You rigged the team composition and forced us to team up, and now she’s slowing the whole process down. If I’d known this was what you’d do, I would never have joined!”
She hung up right after that.
That was not what Kevin did, but still, he had no defense for himself.
…
Maya had returned to the room and was standing at the doorway. She looked icy, but there was warmth in her eyes.
Luna hid her fury away and put on a smile. “You were quiet. Why didn’t you tell me you were back?”
“You don’t have to get mad at him for me. He’s the client, and this is how jobs go. Not everything will go smoothly.” Maya approached her, waving the draft.
Noticing the draft, Luna smiled. “How did you get it back?” She wasn’t really happy at all. If it were someone else who bullied Maya, she wouldn’t even get that mad, but that woman just had to be Julian’s mistress of all people.
