Page 61 of Blue Gold

“You know the drill, kid. Go to the gym, do a workout, sweat those last pounds off, then get to bed early. Okay?”

Pressing my lips together, I smiled like a good boy and nodded. “Okay.”

Finally alone, I dashed toward my room so I could get changed into workout clothes. While this would be my first Fashion Week in New York, I was sure it would be no different from London, Milan, or Paris. Okay, maybe it was different from Paris because I got to see Maman and Aloïs there, but other than that? I was pretty sure it would be the same.

Back in my suite, I stripped out of my clothes and reached for my closet, which was bigger than the Brooklyn apartment I’d rented when I first arrived in this city almost two years ago. No more clothes hanging on the windows for you, Elliot.

A lot had changed since I’d gotten here, even more since I became a model. A rather popular one, at that. I won’t lie and say I didn’t enjoy this new life because fuck, it was fun. Flying around the world, visiting other countries, doing campaigns, partying, and seeing new places. It was all insane and just what I had dreamed of. Only my fun was limited to knowing that this was all temporary. Just another way to run away from my past and all the pain that it carried.

Before putting on my shirt, I stopped in front of the mirror. I was thin, but not like some of the other models I saw every day. In fact, when I first signed up with Robert, he’d told me to lose weight. So, I did. It never felt like enough, but what was enough? Walking over to the bathroom, I got on the scale. Per usual, it was in pounds, but by now, I’d learned to translate it to kilograms.

I hate the imperial system.

Noticing I’d gained about half a kilogram made me unhappy, and I hurried to put on a shirt and my running shoes before grabbing my Discman and headphones. Yeah, despite it all, I still couldn’t get rid of it.

The fancy hotel where I was staying was located right next to Central Park, which was awesome because it meant I couldn’t get lost on my way there like I used to. I put on my headphones, hit Play, and started running to the music. After twelve kilometers, the CD reached the last track for the second time, yet it still didn’t feel like enough. Because I had plenty of energy left, and my T-shirt was still its original color, I decided to go for a few more laps. I only stopped when my shirt became so soaked with sweat that it darkened in color, and I was too exhausted to think. It was why I loved running so much because I’d learned that once you pushed yourself to the limit until every part of you burned and ached, nothing else mattered. No stress from work, no passing thoughts, bad memories… they were all as good as gone.

I knew I did well when my kneecaps buckled after I switched to walking, and satisfied, I began making my way back to the hotel. The sun had already set, and I knew I’d have to quickly get into bed so I’d catch enough hours of sleep before tomorrow’s first show. After all, I had to look my best. I replayed the CD and was on the third track when someone touched my shoulder. Turning around, it took me a second to recognize who it was, and the second I did, my heart paused. So shocked, I didn’t immediately take off my headphones so I could actually hear what Claudia was saying to me.

“I saw you from afar and thought it was you…” I caught the last part of her sentence. “Anyway, dear, how are you?” She beamed while smoothing a hand over the iconic pink tracksuit she wore.

“I-I am good.” My breath caught, and not because of my workout. “You?”

“Oh, I’m just great.” She reached forward and patted my arm. “I went for a short walk in the park, you know, just to keep in shape?” She eyed my drenched shirt. “Looks like you did the same, huh?”

As she went on to speak about how great the weather was today, my heart raced incredibly fast because if she was here, did it mean he was, too? I hated myself for wanting to ask if she was alone or not, because I shouldn’t care, not after what he had done. Forcefully, I swallowed the question that stood on the tip of my tongue.

“Well, I won’t lie and say I didn’t expect to meet you this week, but still. To see you here, in the Park, of all places?” She laughed. “And to think we only talked about you the other day.”

Just like I remembered, Claudia was chatty. I liked that about her because I was chatty, too. Only sometimes, I struggled to understand her. Still, one word I understood perfectly.

“We?” I frowned at her, my stomach turning with nerves. Honestly, I was never the type of person to be eaten up with stress and fear, but I guess America had rubbed off on me. One American, to be specific.

“Daniel and I, of course. You’re practically on every billboard in Times Square, hon. It’s impossible not to see your gorgeous face everywhere. So you know, we just spoke about how well you’re doing and said that it would be fun to meet you this week.”

My confusion and worry grew stronger.

“You are going to one of the shows?” My brows drew close as I waited for her answer.

“Just one?” She burst out laughing before slapping my shoulder. “Honey, I will come to see you whenever I can. Hopefully way more than just once. And Daniel, too.”

What?

My blood ran cold, but before I could ask Claudia why he’d come, her phone rang.

“Oh, just one sec, sweetie,” she told me before flipping open her cell phone and taking the call. The whole time, my heart was racing at a hundred.

My skin started to itch, so I scratched my wrist right when Claudia hung up the call.

“Sorry, sweetie, it was from home.” She shoved the phone back in her small pouch. “Are you going back to your hotel or something?” she asked, looking around.

“Non.” I scratched my wrist harder. “I have more to run.”

Her brows rose. “Really? And here I thought you were all done with how sweaty you are. Well, I guess all that energy is part of being young. Right?” She laughed, and I tried laughing with her, even though it fell flat, and an awkward silence took place.

“I should probably leave you to run,” she said with a soft smile. “But how about we meet up for dinner? I’m sure Daniel would love that, too. You still got my number, right? Just call me. Okay?”

“Hum… écoute, I mean, oui. Yes, maybe. If there is time,” I muttered, feeling choked by their complicated language and my nerves. I quickly said goodbye, put my headphones back on, and started running.