Chapter 5 Boundaries

Remy walked out of the hospital just as the sleek black car rolled over.

"Get in," Jaxon called from the window.

Taking a deep breath, Remy pulled the door open and got in the car.

Silence fell as the car drove off.

Remy stared at his phone, pretending to text someone.

"You haven't told me who I paid the hospital bill for," Jaxon said quietly, breaking the silence.

Remy bit his lip, looking out the window. 

"My private life is not of your concern," Remy reminded.

Jaxon frowned, a brow arching slightly.

"Okay," he nodded anyway, keeping his eyes on the road. 

"Yeah..." Remy replied.

He didn't need to tell Jaxon anything about himself; all he owed him was appearance. 

"You did great yesterday," Jaxon murmured, glancing at Remy.

Remy almost scoffed. "No need to praise me. I was simply doing my job," he said.

Again, a frown marked Jaxon's face.

"Alright," Jaxon muttered.

"About this model job... I'm not very sure–"

"You don't have to worry about it," Jaxon inserted.

"I know working with me isn't part of the deal... this is off the contract and you will be compensated duly for your time," he explained. 

Remy chuckled. "Then that means I can refuse and go back home now?" he asked just as they stopped at a traffic light.

Jaxon turned his head. "Would you?" 

Remy shrugged. "I did sign a contract. But that doesn't mean my life revolves around you. I had things I wanted to do today and it wasn't modelling," he stated, tapping his fingers on his knees.

He was yet to fully understand what he was doing with Jaxon. But he could already tell that this was dangerous for him.

Jaxon tapped his thumb on the steering wheel, frustrated.

"I just said you're getting compensated for your –"

"Is that all that matters? Money?" Remy interrupted, glaring at Jaxon.

Annoyed, Jaxon simply shrugged and unlocked the car. "I do want a peaceful eight months, Remy. But if that's not what you want too, then leave the car before the light turns green. I'll understand," he said calmly, his shoulders tensed.

Remy lifted his eyes to the traffic at the same time the light turned green.

"What the..." he gasped quietly as Jaxon sped off.

Remy was left speechless, staring at Jaxon in disbelief. 

Jaxon never meant to give him a choice on this. 

"You're unbelievable," he muttered. 

Jaxon smirked. "I'm sorry, Remy. But I can't let you go." 

Remy glared at Jaxon. "You haven't changed one bit," he muttered under his breath, angry.

Jaxon held his gaze, steady, unreading. "You have changed a lot," he murmured. 

Remy scoffed and turned back to the window, ignoring Jaxon's comment.

"We're here," Jaxon said as he pulled into a modern company.

Remy stared at the silver skyscraper and wondered just what they were about to model.

"Hey," Jaxon's voice turned serious, "Inasmuch as I appreciate what you did last night, this time I'd like you to follow my lead. Alright?" he asked.

Remy nodded. "You're the boss, Jaxon," he said, leaving the car.

Jaxon sighed and followed him out.

"This way," he pointed to the VIP entrance by the side of the building, away from regulars. 

"Welcome, Mr. Throne," a lady handed Jaxon a card as he stepped through the door, nodding politely at Remy. 

They walked over to the private elevator and Jaxon scanned the card on the door.

With a soft hiss, the door slid open.

Remy went in, standing at the corner and staring at the floor.

"What are you doing?" Remy snapped his head up as Jaxon came and stood right next to him.

"There's a camera, Remy..." Jaxon discreetly pointed at the camera above them. 

"Oh..." Remy murmured.

He wasn't sure why he felt disappointed. 

Did he think Jaxon wanted to be near him for real?

He scoffed, straightening.

"I see," Remy nodded, slowly adjusting closer to the elevator wall.

Silence took over.

Jaxon looked relaxed, a hint of a smile on his face.

Remy... looked caged.

He didn't realise how suffocating it would be to get locked up in a small space with Jaxon. 

He unfortunately discovered that even though his mind was made up on giving up on the jerk, his heart might be telling a different story.

He hated it. 

"Let's go."

Jaxon's voice brought Remy back to the present. 

He took a deep breath and lifted his head.

'Eight months, and I'm done,' he thought as he watched the doors slide open.

He was expecting to walk into some hallway, then an office, but the moment the doors parted, he was blown away.

The doors opened to reveal a sprawling atelier—mannequins lined in rows, tailors moving like clockwork beneath soft golden lights.

"Jaxon, Remy, you made it," Mr. Hop suddenly appeared in front of the elevator, smiling broadly.

"Morning, Hop," Jaxon stepped forward and shook the man's hand, smiling.

Remy followed, summoning his smile.

"This place is really nice, Hop. Awesome," Remy came forward, his charming smile activated.

"Ah, my man, Remy. I'm glad you like the place," Mr. Hop placed a hand on Remy's shoulder, steering him toward a particular direction. "Come on, I'll show you my latest masterpiece," he said, leading them toward a short hallway.

Jaxon walked behind them, watching the way Remy blended easily with Hop's energy. He couldn't stop wondering who Remy had visited in the hospital and why he looked so sad behind closed doors.

Yes, they didn't part in the happiest way in the past, but the Remy he knew then was totally gone, buried. What was left was this unfeeling, straight-to-the-point Remy, who wanted nothing but to complete his work and leave.

That's what he wanted too, but he just thought there could be a little life in Remy when they were behind the cameras.

They were partners, not enemies.

"Right in here, boys," Hop led them into a spacious room.

This one held a few designers and a few selected designs.

"Mr. Hop," a lady in a brown suit pushed over a mannequin dressed in a corporate suit.

"I just finished the last touches. It's ready now," a tall, handsome young man said with another mannequin wearing an Aloha resort wear. 

"Ah, thank you, Sol," Mr. Hop looked over ecstatic.

"Jaxon," Sol exchanged handshakes with Jaxon before his eyes fell on Remy.

"You brought a companion?" Sol questioned, a hint of a smile on his lips as he stared at Remy.

"He's my partner," Jaxon nodded.

"Ah, yes. He's the one to model your creation, the resort wear," Mr. Hop informed, taking Remy's hand and tugging him over to Sol.

"Here, dress him up real quick. We'll be shooting in five," Mr. Hop nodded at Remy. 

"You got it," Sol gently wrapped his hand around Remy's wrist, nodding at him. "Come with me?" he asked softly.

Remy nodded. "Sure." 

Sol nodded curtly at Jaxon before leading Remy to the dressing room.

"And you'll be wearing my all-time favourite..." Mr. Hop paused as he saw Jaxon looking carried away.

"Jaxon?" He snapped his hand in front of the distracted player, frowning slightly. "We have five minutes. Can you dress up with Natalie?" he asked, pointing at the young lady who had pushed the suit over.

Jaxon cleared his throat, frowning as he looked away from the dressing room.

"Sure," he said and turned to Natalie. "You're my stylist for the day?" he questioned. 

Natalie nodded shyly. "Yes, Ms. Burton went on maternity leave." She explained. 

"Figures. Let's go," Jaxon said and headed straight for the dressing room.