Doll (MikaYuu)

♦23♦ - Welcome to Work

A couple of days passed again, and I didn't hear from Mika for all four. I wasn't requested to return to work for any of the days, either. So once again, I sat in my hotel room as he worked on my résumé and we awaited our profession approvals.

Work was getting weird.

One morning, I happened to watch the news for once in an eon, and to my surprise, Mika's probation was already the hot topic. I was hit with the realization of just how important and popular he truly was. I sat on the edge of my bed, munching on a plain waffle as I listened to the ridiculousness.

"Alright, so... Is the incorporation going through withdrawals?"

"Even if so, why would Mikaela, of all, be put on probation? That's a let down."

"Celebrities go berserk all of the time. Maybe there's a scandal that hasn't reached the feed yet."

"Well, we'll definitely have the updates on Mikaela's profession, but for now, can we discuss these pictures caught in the incorporation building of Mikaela and another minor?"

I swallowed the dry substance nervously, my heart nearly stopping as a picture of Mika and I rushing to close the elevator doors came onto the screen. Laughter from the reporters emerged from the speakers, and I felt like I had suddenly slipped from life.

My phone went off immediately.

I didn't even have to look at the screen to know it was my mother. She watched the news every single morning, and today, I would not hear the end of it.

I was still in shock, staggering as I nervously answered the phone. "Yes, mom?"

"It's about nine in the morning," she yawned, "am I actually seeing my son on the television right now?"

I gulped, glancing back at the TV screen. "No, mom."

"Okay. Well, goodbye sweetie."

Then the line went dead. That went better than expected.

I tossed my phone on the bed, but it was already erupting in texts and phone calls. How many people actually watched the news?!

I raced towards the mini fridge, choking down the bottled waters so I didn't die attempting to eat the damned waffle. I heard the TV in the background, my heart racing at each word.

"I think this just might be the scandal!"

"What do you think was happening?"

"Had to be paps, I mean, that kid never gets privacy."

"Let's hope we get more intel on this volatile scandal!"

I heaved, taking a break from the bottle. "Oh, God," I choked out, embarrassment exploding throughout my body.

This job was way more than I ever expected.

I was notified to return to work for a brief meeting, which of course had me in a mess of confused emotions. But I still got dressed and caught my taxi there, my eyes wide and my consciousness stale.

Instead of going to Mika's estate, I had to report to Eustis's office. Something was definitely off about the day already.

"It's been awhile, hasn't it?" he chuckled as soon as I showed up. I nervously smiled, approaching his desk. "Last time you were here, it was because of coffee."

I forced a small laugh, "Yeah, times have changed..."

He took a deep breath, "Now you're here because you are a new model."

If relief was a substance, it would've drowned me in its ocean. Our plan had worked. I was finally accepted... Mika's résumé of me clearly had done us justice.