Page 102 of Blue Gold

Once Daniel turned to look at me and our eyes met, I realized what this odd sensation was.

Joy.

Utter joy.

With the blush all but gone, his lips formed a small smile.

“I’m glad to be your first.”

I held his stare, my smile now matching his.

“Boyfriend,” I repeated in English. “I like the sound of it.”

Daniel let out a small laugh before he pulled me into a hug.

“Me too.” He kissed the top of my head.

33

ELLIOT

Sitting in the waiting room, I kept my hands on my lap, doing my best not to chew my nails off. My stomach had been in a knot ever since I left Daniel’s place, and not even the “Good Luck” note he left me, along with a breakfast tray next to the bed, was enough to help me relax. Scared I’d be rejected for the third time, I didn’t want to come here at all. But when Robert called to tell me that Renieri were looking for an exclusive model, I realized this was my chance to stay close to Daniel. And speaking of Robert, where was he? Checking my watch, I saw he was supposed to be here fifteen minutes ago, and yet, there I was, alone.

For the past year and a half, I’d been traveling around the world nonstop. I was grateful for the opportunity, but it was tiring. And the worst part? It kept me away from Daniel. I didn’t want to be away from him, let alone have oceans between us. Even now, being on other sides of the same city was too much, and I felt like I had a hole in my chest. Taking a deep breath, I looked around the fancy lobby. Unlike other high-couture brands in the city, Renieri had gone for something different—a town house in a nice neighborhood instead of a downtown office. I liked how the room felt clean and smooth, with a lot of sunlight getting in from outside.

“Mr. Dufort?”

“Oui?” I turned my head to see a tall, suited man standing at the entrance to the other room. His dark suit complemented his tawny skin, and along with his strong jaw structure and height, I wondered if he was also a model.

“We are ready to see you now,” he said with a slight accent.

My brows drew close as I slowly got up. “But my agent isn’t here yet⁠—”

“I’m afraid Mr. Renieri is short on time and cannot wait.”

My eyes widened with shock as I jumped to my feet. “M-Mr. Renieri?”

In my last two interviews, I’d only met executives, never Vito himself.

The tall man’s expression remained unfazed as he gave a short nod. “Yes. Today, Mr. Renieri would like to meet you himself. So, if you will, please come with me.”

My panic doubled in size, and I brushed my hands over my jeans, then followed him. The distance to the office was short, but with my heart beating fast, it felt much longer. Before I knew it, the door closed behind me, and I was left alone in the office with Vito Renieri—the fashion legend.

I’d imagined someone much more intimidating in demeanor and size, probably a man matching Daniel’s appearance, when, in reality, Vito was a tiny man, about half my height, with tanned skin and bleached short hair. Actually, he looked like a mouse. A cute mouse, but still, a mouse—he had pointy ears that stood out and a mouth that was too big for his narrow face. Not that his looks mattered, considering he was the one doing the interview, while I crossed my fingers he’d be interested in signing me on a contract.

“Ah, bello, what are you doing standing over there? Sit, sit,” he said, waving at the chair in front of him.

“Oui, yes, of course.”

Moving my ass, I quickly sat down, trying not to look too awkward, when I noticed his unique eyes. I couldn’t remember the name for this condition, but one of his eyes was pitch-black while the other was bright blue.

“Heterochromia.”

I snapped out of my daydream to look at him.

“Pardon?”

Vito’s big mouth stretched into a wide smile as he pushed away from his desk and sank deeper into his leather chair. He then pointed at his right eye. “The condition of having two different eye colors, it’s called heterochromia. Cool, isn’t it?”