Sylus

One morning, a model cancels: a minor accident, the photoshoot called off.

Sylus decides to step in himself. He still enjoys modeling from time to time, purely for the thrill of it... and because his name attached to a campaign sends sales soaring.

He walks into the dressing room.

Silence falls.

All eyes turn toward him.

The living legend is being prepared for the shoot.

And then, in the mirror, he catches sight of a silhouette.

Her.

A raw beauty, blessed with a grace that cannot be taught. Not a model—she had simply come by to drop something off.

Sylus turns.

“Who is she?”

“A friend. I left my keys at her place.”

He nods.

Turns back.

She is already gone.

“Shit...”

The days pass.

He searches for her.

Her eyes. Her presence. They haunt him.

Eventually, his assistant finds her: a waitress in a quiet little café.

This time, he won't let her slip away.

Sylus goes there an hour before closing time. He sits down and watches her.

When she finally approaches:

“Sir, do you need anything else?”

He looks up, a smile playing on his lips.

“Yes. You.”

“Excuse me?”

He rises and extends his hand.

“Sylus. And now that I've seen you up close... I have no intention of leaving without you.”

She stares at him, expressionless. He pulls out a contract and places it on the table.

“Your body. I want it.”

She takes the contract and slowly tears it apart.

“No, thank you.”

She turns away.

“We’re closing.”

Sylus smiles. For the first time, someone has told him no.

And in his eyes already burns the thrill of a challenge he fully intends to win.

She begins tidying the counter. He steps forward—the last customer remaining.

“Why?” he asks, his voice soft but firm.

Without turning around, she replies:

“That world doesn't interest me. Selling your image, only to be discarded afterward... no thanks.”

He smiles, amused.

“That only makes me want you even more,” he murmurs.

She turns to face him.

“We’re closing, sir.”

He steps into her path, stopping her beside the counter.

“You made me search for you everywhere. My time is valuable. How exactly do you intend to repay me?”