Winning My Ex-Crush

Fenella’s POV

“How do you feel about it?”

Laird asked with a small smile. I was sure he was nervous right now. He looked at me closely with his emerald green eyes, observing every movement of my face.

Truly, I was starting to understand that my opinion mattered to him. There was a fear that I might criticize him, perhaps, but of course, I wouldn’t shatter his dreams like that.

“Baby, I think you’re amazing. I’ve always believed in you since we were kids,” I said, holding Laird’s hand.

“I still remember how you were always the star student in school. I’m confident you can do it and will do a great job.” I spread a genuine, wide smile on my face.

He used to dream of becoming a professional baseball player, but now he wants to be a businessman. Well, that’s great. Whatever Laird does, I know he will excel at it.

Laird held my hand tightly. His thumb gently stroked the back of my hand, and he smiled broadly after hearing my words of encouragement.

“Thank you, Fenella. Your support means a lot to me right now,” he said before pulling me into a tight hug.

“Yes, dear.” I hugged him tightly in return.

After all we’ve been through together since childhood, I feel like I know him so well. I know we’ve changed rapidly in these seven years, even experiencing traumatic events we couldn’t have imagined when we were kids. Now, with this new dream, I feel like I’m getting to know a new and different Laird Evans.

Interestingly, that just makes me fall more in love with him.

“Ah, this is so touching. I love this.” Dave interrupted our conversation with a wide smile on his face.

“What about you, Fenella? What’s your dream now?” Dave asked.

“From my teenage years to now, my dream has been to become a dream girl,” I answered proudly.

“A dream girl,” Dave nodded approvingly, murmuring in admiration.

“Yes, a girl with many talents and liked by many. A girl who will inspire many women out there with self-confidence and self-respect. You know, Laird came up with that idea for me,” I said to Dave.

“Oh, come on, Fenella. I told you, I just threw it out there.” Laird grumbled irritably, but I could see a hint of embarrassment in his cheeks.

“Is that so? So, what do you do now?” Dave asked eagerly. Leaning forward in his chair, he gazed at me intently.

“I’m a model now,” I replied.

“Aha, Laird! I’m sure you didn’t just throw it out there. You used to have some sexy female model posters on your bedroom wall,” Dave chuckled briefly.

“Hey, every boy has at least one poster like that hanging in their room,” Laird protested, his face turning red.

“Really?” I asked, staring at Laird intently. My lips curled, my forehead furrowed, and a judgmental look might have been clearly visible in my eyes.

“Don’t listen to his nonsense,” he defended himself.

“It’s okay, Laird. At least you made Fenella into a beautiful and attractive model,” Dave laughed again.

“Thank you, Dave. At least there’s one honest person in this room,” I said softly.

“So, what’s it like to be a fashion model? I’m curious,” Dave folded one leg over the other.

“Mostly showcasing new designs from fashion designers. Runway fashion weeks, cover model for magazines, editorial model in magazines, but my work so far hasn’t been limited to just clothes,” I explained as I adjusted my hair.

“Do you often do photoshoots as a watch or perfume model?” he asked.

“Yes, like that. Music video models for singers, advertising models for various food products, cosmetics, and beverages, and also modeling for places like beauty clinics, clubs, gyms, and many others,” I quickly elaborated.

“Tell me more. It seems like I’ve got a brilliant idea for next month’s presentation,” he said, taking out his notebook and pen from his pocket.

“Really? Are you going to make a game about being a model like me?” I asked, my eyes widening in disbelief at this sudden change of topic.

“Yes, Fenella. I know it’s still a rough idea, but you can help me brainstorm,” Dave began jotting notes in his notebook.

“Is it okay, Laird? What do you think? Would a game about modeling be interesting?” he asked Laird.

“We can explore some alternatives for next month’s presentation. As long as Fenella is comfortable and willing to discuss it, I think there’s no problem.” Laird rubbed my arm and looked at me with a questioning gaze, asking if I was willing or not.

“Yes, of course. I’ll help you with this new idea,” I said firmly.

For nearly an hour, we discussed many aspects of my job as a model. All the portfolio experiences I’ve had, the business models of modeling agencies, and the procedures in the fashion world. Then we also discussed some ideas about the game Dave wanted to create. Shortly after, Rowan joined our small discussion after making sure Bravo was playing comfortably in his pen.

Eventually, Dave’s attention gradually drifted away from the conversation. He seemed to immerse himself in his own world behind the computer screen, typing rapidly with both hands. He read out some alternatives and research results that had formed in his mind.

Gradually, Dave no longer paid attention to our conversation. Then Laird got up from the couch and approached Dave.

“Ah, here he is. I think Dave’s entered a semi-conscious state that’s hard to disturb,” Rowan remarked to me and Laird.

“You’re good?” Laird asked him.

“Yeah, Laird. I think I can do this. Yes, I’ve got it!” he exclaimed enthusiastically.

“Hey, Fenella, can I get your contact number? So I can ask you for your opinion and fact-check,” Dave asked briefly, shifting his gaze from the monitor screen.

“Try not to demand a quick response, okay? Be patient and give her time to answer,” Laird warned Dave lightly.

“Sure, Laird.” Dave nodded in agreement.

“One more thing, Dave. She’s still my girlfriend, so I hope you won’t communicate with her too often.” Laird smiled awkwardly and chuckled softly.

“Meh, alright. Is he really this possessive?” Dave asked with a slight furrow on his nose. We laughed for a moment, then Laird walked towards me.

“Let’s go home now,” he said, checking his watch.

“Yes, let’s go. Dave seems deeply immersed in research and program design mode right now,” Rowan said, getting up from the couch too.

“Is this some kind of artistic phase for a programmer? Like fashion designers getting lost in their designs?” I asked, also getting up from the couch.

“Yeah, I think it’s something like that.” Rowan nodded with a small smile.

***

“Wow, I didn’t expect to give you ideas like that,” I said as Laird and I drove back to Gene’s office.

“Well, for artists like Dave, inspiration can come anytime and from anyone,” Laird shrugged, accompanied by a small chuckle.

“I thought programmers would be rigid and serious, but it seems they’re considered artists too.” I nodded.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

“Yeah, when it’s like that, Dave can hardly sleep or eat. He’ll be researching programming and various other things related to game development. I don’t quite understand it all,” Laird said.

“Wow. That’s really high dedication. No wonder you seem comfortable working with them. Plus, they were your college friends.”

“Yeah, and they’ve never been as toxic as the lawyers at my firm,” he muttered, expressing a hint of anger.

I observed Laird’s expression. It was clear he didn’t like his job as a lawyer or the office environment. During our discussion earlier, Laird’s face was brighter and more carefree, completely different from when he spoke with Derek, let alone Rebecca.

“Hey, look. What is that long line over there?” I asked, suddenly pointing at a crowd, seeing a queue in front of a restaurant on the roadside.

“Oh, that’s the famous street pizza restaurant around here. Want to try it? We could order a vegan cheese pizza,” he offered.

Ah, he’s still attentive to my diet.

“Sure. Look, many people are carrying their pizzas and having lunch in that park.”

I pointed to someone crossing the street in front of our car with a large pizza box in hand, heading towards the park.