Winning My Ex-Crush

Fenella’s POV

I and Laird slowly ate Chinese food in front of the sofa. Wearing Laird’s loose and comfortable hoodie jacket, I could think more freely about everything related to the law.

“Hm, you’re right. This tastes good,” I said after finishing the last piece of vegetable spring roll.

“Try this one too,” Laird said, handing me a piece of browned meat on his chopsticks.

“Is this pork?” I asked quickly before moving to open my mouth.

“Yes, it’s very tender, isn’t it?” he asked.

I chewed for a moment and immediately widened my eyes. With my mouth still busy chewing, I exclaimed and raised both thumbs.

“Yes, this is really good,” I said between bites.

Of course, I chewed more and drank tea while he explained the law. Actually, I didn’t quite understand what Laird was saying, but he explained slowly and made sure I understood each topic.

That’s what made me more infatuated with him: he’s handsome, smart, and perfect in bed. He also says things I don’t understand, which I find very sexy.

“Hm, so basically I’ll get 60% of each job contract?” I confirmed.

“Yes, that’s the largest percentage for a model at Gene Talent Management,” he said.

“Really? Do you know the percentage for other models besides me?” I asked before chewing on boiled vegetables again.

“I don’t know,” he said, shaking his head.

“Oh, come on. Aren’t you the one drafting all their contracts?” I asked.

“No. Alan has already drafted their contracts. I just legalize and ensure there are no burdensome clauses,” he said before chewing meat again.

“Oh, I thought you were making all the contracts from scratch,” I muttered.

“No,” he chuckled and shook his head.

“But do you know what percentage other models besides me get?” I asked again.

“Fenella, even though I know, I can’t tell you. It’s confidential,” he gently pinched my nose.

“Oh, come on, tell me. Am I really the lead model, or is it all just Alan’s play?” I asked again, coaxing.

This time I moved closer, even pressing my body against Laird’s. I wrapped my arms around his neck to coax him into revealing what I wanted to know.

I still couldn’t believe I could be the lead model at Gene Talent Management. Jessy also said my requests for projects were steadily declining.

That’s why I wanted to try acting, because actresses can still have careers until they’re old, at least in cameo roles, but I’ve never been acting before. Thus, I was afraid to try it.

If I really become the lead model, it means I’ll be promoted more aggressively, and my modeling career might last longer than I thought. Then, even if my acting was bad, at least they would forgive me and keep giving me some roles, even a cameo.

Laird embraced my waist and stroked my cheek. He whispered softly.

“No, Fenella. This is all real. Just like my relationship with you, it’s real,” he said.

“Although I can’t disclose about other models, I’m honest with you. Alan indeed made you the lead model at Gene.” Laird then kissed my temple gently.

“Thank goodness, I’m so relieved to hear that,” I said, tightening my embrace on Laird momentarily with a broad smile.

“I know how precious this is to you, and I don’t want to burst your bubble of happiness, but I have some concerns about the contract.” His forehead wrinkled, and his face turned serious.

“Is there a problem?” I asked.

He released the embrace and picked up the contract document covered in scribbles again. His hands searched among the stack of contract papers. His gaze was sharp as he read the papers seriously.

“This one,” Laird handed me a contract sheet filled with his notes.

“What about this clause?” I asked.

“Read the article first, then read my notes,” he said.

He continued to finish the remaining pork on his plate while I started reading slowly through all the sentences in the contract. I tried hard to read every word there. Indeed, it took about three repetitions for me to fully understand it.Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

Even though he had written small notes and highlighted sentences he deemed important, I still didn’t grasp the full meaning. But because I didn’t want to look too foolish, I read those sentences over and over.

Until I gave up.

“Laird, help me? I guess I’m not used to all these legal clauses,” I said.

“Just say what you understand from those sentences, even if it’s just a little,” he insisted.

“Hm, okay,” I sighed.

“Well, basically, they will give me jobs. Then I have to follow everything in one batch,” I finally said after studying each word.

“Okay, good. Now do you understand what the problem is with that clause?” he asked.

“I don’t know; I think everything’s fine.” I shrugged.

“It’s not fine, Fen,” he said, encircling his arm around me again.

One hand embraced my shoulder, while the other pointed at the contract sentences. His face looked serious with his sharp green eyes, low voice, and how he hugged me affectionately.

“Do you see this?” he asked. I immediately shifted my gaze from my admiration of him back to the paper.

“You will be given jobs in one group at the beginning between Gene Management and you. Your agent, in this case Jessy, will collect job projects within a certain period, and you must complete all agreed projects,” he explained slowly.

“From the agreed group of jobs, you must complete them all. Neglecting to fulfill just one project obligation will be considered unilateral contract termination and will result in a penalty,” he explained further.

“So they’re asking me to really commit to every agreed-upon job?” I confirmed.

“Yup,” he nodded.

“Who will choose the projects?” I asked.

“You will choose and approve them. You have to discuss the project agreements with Jessy,” he said.

“So basically, Jessy will negotiate the project agreements with me?” I asked again.

“Yes, Fenella.”

“Well, then everything should be fine,” I said with a wide smile.

“What do you mean?” Laird asked with a furrowed brow.

“Well, because Jessy will choose the projects for me, I can make sure everything will be fine and safe,” I shrugged.

“So, do you trust him?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, of course.”

“How can you trust him so much?” he snorted, genuine confusion evident in his voice.

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I? He’s been my agent for seven years, and there hasn’t been any problem at all,” I said lightly.

“But this is a new contract with new management, and Jessy also has new responsibilities. If you’re not careful, I’m afraid you’ll be disadvantaged by having to pay a penalty for contract termination.” He still frowned, then drank the water in his glass until it was empty.

“No, Laird. Back in the early days of my career, Jessy handled two to three models at once, but there was never a problem.” I explained in confidence.

“So, I’m sure your worries won’t come true. Jessy is very professional in his work, and he can always handle various problems. A clever man, if I may say so,” I said as I helped him place the empty glass on the coffee table.

“Hm, really? If you trust him that much, I guess I can relax,” he stroked my back.

“If I didn’t know he was gay, I might already be jealous of him,” he said, looking into my eyes.

Hearing Laird’s words, I laughed. Then my hand was raised to pinch Laird’s cheek affectionately. Indeed, he was very funny.

“You’re jealous of everyone. Even Alan, who openly admits he’s gay, you’re still jealous of him,” I teased with a chuckle.

He stared at me intently. Then his hand gently stroked my head again. His touch made my heart soar, and I blushed shyly, seeing my reflection in his eyes.

“How can I not be jealous? You’re so beautiful, and I’m sure everyone’s curious to touch you even a little,” he whispered in my ear.