Chapter 8

• INFINITEX
• I widened my eyes. “No way!” I replied, disagreeing. There is no way I am going to ask those boys to run for my fashion show. Not with that Hunter Looney. He had pestered me during my high school and college days. And that is enough for me.
• “But, Shan, that is all the options we’ve got,” Min told me.
• “How did that happen?” I asked. “Aren’t they joining the fashion show as well?” I asked again.
• Min and the rest shook their heads. “They are under another brand, so, no.” Min replied.
• I sighed. “I’m going to solve this,” I said as I went to my table and sat.
• Min walked to me. “Ashanti, we will still talk to InfiniteX if ever you will change your mind. Or if ever you won’t be able to look for a solution.” She told me.
• I sighed and nodded.
• She looked at me. “Don’t worry. We will solve this. We will not let all your efforts on this fashion show go to waste.” She told me.
• I smiled and nodded. “Thanks,” I replied, really grateful that I have friends like them.
• She smiled at me and patted my shoulder. “We can do this,” she said as she gave me a power smile before leaving me.
• I sighed and got on it. There is only one person I would run to at this moment. My best friend.
• “Hello?” I said as Genevieve picked her phone up.
• “Ashanti! Why? It’s too early in the morning!” She groaned. I sighed. “Wait! Is there something wrong?” she asked as soon as she heard me sigh.
• I sighed again. “It’s just that my fashion is at stake right now,” I replied with a really lonely voice.
• “Oh, my gosh! What happened?” she asked. I was about to answer when she stopped me. “No wait. I’ll be in your office in thirty minutes. You tell me the whole story personally,” she said as she hung up.
• I exhaled a heavy breath.
• This is the fashion show that I have been dreaming for my whole life. And now that it is about to happen, there are a lot of things that is hindering it from happening. I don’t even know what to do anymore.
• And how could Kristoff give his artists on that Jewel Shoppe launch?! I told him ahead that I am going to borrow his idols for a day! I am really disappointed at him. I thought he will always be there when I need him?
• Now his idols are at the launch and my fashion show is going to be in a big mess and waste of time.
• I sighed as I dialed numbers of the agencies I know.
• ***
• “Oh, thank you.” I hung up at the thirteenth agency I called that turned me down. I sighed as I leaned on my chair.
• Then the door burst open. Of course it is Genevieve
• “Hey!” She called me.
• I looked at her with my really tired eyes and smiled weakly.
• She gave me a serious look. “What were you saying over the phone?” she asked.
• I sighed. “My fashion show is in danger,” I replied.
• She took me to sit on the couch. “What?” she asked in disbelief. “What happened? I thought all that’s missing is Kristoff’s artists?” she asked.
• I nodded. “Yes. And now, his artists will attend the Jewel Shoppe launch,” I said. “I can’t even believe my fashion show and the Jewel Shoppe launch is going to be happening in one same day!” I replied, stressfully combing my hair with my fingers.
• She sighed and looked at me. “Wait. Have you called other agencies already?” she asked me.
• I nodded. “I have called thirteen agencies and all of them had let me down,” I replied.
• She sighed sadly as she looked at me. “Don’t you have plan C?” she asked me.
• I sighed. “We actually have,” I replied.
• She looked at me. “What is it?” she asked.
• “InfiniteX,” I replied.
• Her eyes widened. “What?!” she asked in disbelief. “You agreed on that?” she asked me.
• I shook my head.
• Genevieve knows that I don’t really like InfiniteX because of Hunter Looney. She knows how pissed I am with that guy ever since the day that I met him. I really, really, really condemn him to death.
• “Is that the only choice you have right now?” she asked me.
• I shrugged. “I don’t know. You know I don’t know most of the idols. I just know the ones from Kristoff’s agency,” I replied.
• She sighed. “Okay. I am friends with Bisk’s stylist,” she said.
• My eyes widened. “Bisk?” I asked really shocked.
• She nodded. “Didn’t I tell you that?” she asked. “I am going to call her and ask her about that group and maybe we can take them to your fashion show,” she said.
• I nodded. I actually like Bisk. I usually hear their songs on the radio most of the time.
• She gave me a queer look. “But Bisk is only six people,” she said. “You might really need InfiniteX this time,” she said. “Sorry, Shan, but I think you should take InfiniteX.” She added.
• I sighed. “But Bisk and InfiniteX are all boys.” I pouted.
• She smiled. “I can take my model friends to come in as well,” she said. “They like Bisk and InfiniteX.” She added. “Especially Kirk and Malone.” She continued.
• I rolled my eyes.
• She chuckled. “Wait. I am going to contact Bisk’s stylist. You better go check InfiniteX now before it’s too late.” She told me.
• Reluctantly, I sighed and went to see Min to ask about InfiniteX. I don’t want it but there is no other way to save the fashion show that I have been dreaming for.
• I never thought I would need InfiniteX’s help!
• “They are actually on their way here now,” Min told me.
• My eyes widened and my jaw dropped. “What?” I asked.
• She grinned. “Sorry, Ashanti, but they said they want to see you,” she replied.
• I sighed hard. “What?” I asked again.
• Why would InfiniteX want to see me?
• Min smiled. “I’ll just prepare your office,” she said as she walked to my office.
• I sighed hard.
• Genevieve looked at me chuckling. “Guess what?” she asked.
• “What?” I asked back.
• She smiled. “All of Ciube’s artists are coming.” She revealed.
• My eyes widened. “What?!” I asked in disbelief.
• She smiled and came to me jumping. We are now jumping in happiness. I don’t care how she did it. But I am probably thankful I have this friend with me.
• Without her where would you see me now?
• Min looked at us like she was watching a gag show. “Shan?” she asked.
• Genevieve and I both looked at her. “What?” I asked.
• “In ten minutes, they will be here.” Min replied, pertaining to InfiniteX.
• My excitement died down.
• Genevieve looked at me. “Who’s coming?” she asked me.
• I gave her a bored look. “InfiniteX,” I replied.
• Her eyes widened. “Really?” she asked in disbelief.
• I nodded helplessly.
• Genevieve just chuckled. “Good luck with your meet up, Shan,” she said. “I better go. Chester is waiting for me,” she said as she waved and left.
• I nodded and sighed. I really envy those two. And then my heart sank.
• “Good morning, Ashanti Michaels.” Hunter Looney came smirking on my office door as the other six men came from behind.
• Oh god, I hate this guy!