Chapter Text
He furrowed his eyebrows even as he watched each of the models walk down the runway. Brick couldn’t help the frustrated exhale he let out through his nose.
“It’s no use wasting your time on these amateurs Bricky. We’ll try tomorrow.” A woman had come up behind him, hand on his shoulder.
“Princess, we can’t afford to spend more time than necessary with choosing the top model for Red. We’ll have to choose one of them.”
The doors to the studio burst open, a disheveled man with dull grey eyes and dirty blonde hair rushing in, out of breath.
“Believe! What have I told you about knocking?”
Michael Believe frowned, “I’ve never listened to you.” He walked up to the two redheads.
“We have a woman waiting in the lounge area, refuses to tell the security or anyone her name.” Michael pressed a kiss to the top of the Morebucks’ heiresses head.
Brick arched an eyebrow. “She give you a reason why she’s here?”
“She said she was here for the interview for top model.” Michael raised both eyebrows, pushing his glasses up on his face.
“She feels familiar. She knew my name.”
Brick scoffed and shook his head. “Everyone knows your name Michael. Just as they know mine and Princess’.”
“You’re not seeing what I’m seeing Jojo! I really recognise her. I just can’t put my finger on it.”
Brick sighed deeply. “Whatever you say, Believe,” he muttered dismissively.
Bricks eyes scanned over the models lined up beside the runway. He went up to them, features hardening almost immediately, unlike the mood he had showcased to his friends.
The former Rowdyruff examined all of the young women lined up. One of his Brand’s specialty was redheads. All of his models were redheads, with the exception of the Believe heir. As such, he had trained his eyes to recognise dyed hair from natural.
The model right in the middle of the line stood out from the rest, and he knew why. Brick went up to her.
“Name?” He inquired with all the authority of a prestigious public figure. He had the right anyway.
“Melissa,” she replied, eyes in front, not once flickering to him.
Out of all the models, Melissa was the only one in this particular batch with genuine copper locks. They were a bit messier than Brick’s standards, but passable in his eyes.
With a snap of his fingers, he ordered, “Everyone but Melissa out. All of you have been rejected. Have a good day.” Even to the untrained ear you could tell how sarcastic he was with his last statement.
Some of the models cursed under their breath as they left.
Bold of them. Brick thought to himself. They even knew he was superhuman and they dared.
He casually sent a small fireball at each of the ones that had said some… things. Each girl yelped at the sudden heat on their backs, making the man grin.
Brick turned back to Melissa as Michael and Princess led the rest out.
“You can relax. I’m not that bad,” Brick couldn’t help but chuckle at her stiff posture. Not top model quality, but definitely worthy of working here.
Melissa immediately let her shoulders slump as she groaned. “I thought you’d kick me out if I acted unprofessional,” she mumbled.
Brick simply shook his head and held out a hand for her to shake. “Brick Jojo, and welcome to the company.”
Melissa shook his hand, then looked him straight in the eye. “I heard you talking about another woman in the lobby coming for the interview.”
Brick scoffed. “I’m not entertaining that. I have no time.”
Melissa levelled him with a stare. “I know her. She’s my neighbour. You should give her a chance you know.”
“Are you her neighbour or best friend? I don’t think I have the time.” The man’s patience was running out.
“I barely know her! But you should really let her try. What if she’s the one you’re looking fo-“
Brick cut her off. “I don’t have the patience to deal with this. You’re hired but just because I hired you and acted cordial does not mean you get to speak so casually to me.”
Brick adjusted his blazer and dismissed her. “Work starts at 10 on Monday morning and ends at noon. Don’t be late.” And with a wave of his hand she left.
Brick sent off a quick text to his two friends, telling them he’d be headed to his office.
But before he could even make it to the door, it slammed open, revealing an out of breath Princess. And right behind her followed Michael.
“What now? Intruder? Still the mystery woman?” Brick couldn’t help the scowl that crept into his face as he glared at the couple.
“Still her. Let’s go to your office. I swear we’ll explain.” Princess told him sternly, glaring at him despite knowing it had no effect.
Brick’s eye twitched, not in the mood for this. “I already told you I don’t want her here today! Why is that so hard for you guys to understand?”
Michael simply shrugged as he tugged the stubborn redhead along.
Brick tried to reign in his annoyance as he allowed himself to be pulled to his office.
When Michael sat him down on one of the couches, him and Princess sitting across from his in another, he immediately started tapping him foot on the floor impatiently.
“She really wants to see you, Brick. I doubt I can stop her. And she might have a chance.” Michael tried lightening the mood.
“How so?” Sarcasm laced Brick’s voice.
“Well for one she’s a natural redhead. Good figure too.”
Brick pinched his forehead with two fingers, feeling a migraine coming on.
“She’s also not free any other day so we kinda don’t have a choice.” Michael muttered under his breath, knowing full well the Jojo son could hear.
Brick scoffed and shook his head. “Tell her she has to leave. We finished for the week. Tell her to come back on Monday.”
Michael chuckled, “She knew you’d say that apparently. She told me she wasn’t free next week. Or anytime after that.”
Brick massaged his temples with two fingers. “I don’t care. Tell her she has to leave. And why are you so quiet Morbucks?”
The usually chattery Princess Morbucks was unusually silent. Princess fiddled with her fingers, avoiding both mens’ eyes. “Well…”
Something clicked in the red rowdy’s mind. The room heated up almost immediately. “Princess! What’s wrong with you?! You know I’m busy and I already barely have any time for these interviews. Why would you call this woman here?”
Princess simply stood her ground, her own eyes narrowed as she levelled him with a glare of the same intensity.
“Well, it’s my choice to make as well. I know you’re busy but give her a chance. I know she’s the top model you’re so desperately looking for.”
Michael started tugging at his shirt collar. “Brick? Heat. Down now.”
Brick forced himself to bring the temperature back down, still glaring at Princess. The glare-off lasted for a minute, until Brick exhaled deeply, shaking his head in defeat.
“Bring her up.”
Princess brightened immediately, grinning as she made her way out of the office.
Michael turned to look at Brick. “Hey man?”
Brick sighed and looked at him, “Yeah Believe?”
“You know how I said she felt familiar? I meant she felt cold. Literally.”
Brick perked up and Michael had to stop himself from snickering at how puppy like that was. “What do you mean cold?”
Michael grinned at him, just as Princess had done. “Oh you’ll see. I feel like I know who she is.”
Brick scowled at him best friend, not really enjoying being left in the dark by both his middle school friends.
The door opened to the office, though not slammed open like before. Princess stepped in, bringing the mystery lady in with her.
Brick’s jaw almost dropped at how beautiful she was. Copper hair flowing all the way to her hips. Delicate features and long lashes. Plump lips and a gorgeous figure. Strange enough, she was wearing shades to conceal her eyes. But she still looked gorgeous. Were his friends bride hunting or model hunting?! Then, she spoke.
She tilted her sunglasses down to reveal her eyes. He almost fainted from the colour.
“Long time no see, Jojo”