He pointed to a few photos on the monitor and turned to Nick. "Are you going to use these photos? I really like the poses. If you're not going to, I'd like to use these poses for the outdoor session later."

"You changed the subject," Nick said with a smile. Even so, he didn't pursue the matter as he shook his head. "I won't be using those. You can use them."

"Thank you," London sincerely said. He noted something in his notebook before talking with some of the studio staff to discuss matters regarding the next photo session, which would take place in a park not far from the building.

"Sorry I can't come," Nick told. "The doctor said I shouldn't be exposed to too much sun."

"It's okay," London responded, giving a thumbs up. Eddie was going to accompany him in the outdoor session. London had never done a professional photo shoot for a magazine before, after all.

When everything was ready and they were about to leave for the park, Nick gathered everyone and gave a few pointers. Of course, he also didn't forget to praise L who, according to him, was very professional.

"Alright, thank you for your cooperation, L. You're very pleasant. We can finish our work earlier this way," Nick commented while patting L's shoulder. He then pointed his chin towards London. "The next session is an outdoor session, with the concepts already discussed at the meeting earlier. Killian will take care of you. I should go rest now."

L looked stunned hearing Nick's words. She didn't think Killian would work by himself in the next session. But the girl didn't protest. She just slowly nodded.

***

Their group arrived at the park in three cars. London, Eddie, and the shooting assistants were in the first car, L, her manager, and the stylist were in the second car, and London's bodyguards, who followed him in secret, were in the third car.

The concept of the outdoor session was Welcoming Spring. There were so many flowers beginning to bloom, welcoming spring in the park. London didn't know which was more beautiful, the flowers or L.

This time, the girl only wore light makeup, so her appearance was more natural and her short dress made her look more relaxed and pleasant. London felt elated, because to him, L looked the most beautiful when she looked natural.

After the equipment was set up, they immediately began working.

London felt very grateful that he chose to disguise himself as a photographer because it allowed him to be near L and direct her style. Sometimes, he would deliberately touch the girl's chin and direct her to look at a certain angle, or hold her hand and ask her to hold a flower, or straighten her shoulders.

L wasn't dumb. She knew the photographer really enjoyed his work, and it wasn't only a few times did the girl roll her eyes while obeying London's orders to look this way or that way, put her hands to her waist, or brush her hair...

Eddie frowned when he saw how the photographer's face was always filled with smiles and eagerness to work.

"You're really talented. All the photos I took were really good," London praised her after the photo session was over. "Do you want to see the results?"

L shook her head, "No thanks. I have to go. I believe in your skills."

"Oh..." London nodded with a smile. However, in his heart, he was disappointed. "Alright. Thanks for your cooperation."

L reciprocated his nod and immediately left with her manager, Pammy. London ordered the photoshoot assistants to clean up the equipment and bring them back to Luxe's ??office while he reasoned that he wanted to have some coffee before returning home, parting ways with them.

"Bring the camera to the office as well and give the photos I took to Nick. Yes, let him choose the photos from this session. I want to warm up my body by drinking some coffee," he said before he went.

Going for coffee was only an excuse for London because he wanted to go home with his two bodyguards who were waiting for him in the car. After walking to the end of the park and making sure no one saw him, London hurriedly get into the BMW car Dave was driving.

"Let's go home," he said when he got into the car and sat in the rear seat while enjoying cold drinking water.

Dave nodded and drove the car to London's penthouse at the St. Laurent Hotel.

"Ouch... Why does my face hurt like this," London complained after gulping down the water. He stroked the sides of his jaw and realized he had been smiling incessantly until his face unconsciously became numb.

What's wrong with me? He inwardly asked himself in astonishment. He recalled when Jan and Nick accused him of having a crush on L and how he denied it many times.

Did he really like that girl?

Impossible!

They've only met twice, and L was always rude toward him. While it may be true that the girl slowly lessened her annoying attitude, it didn't change the fact that L was very materialistic, and London had to protect himself from gold-diggers who only wanted his wealth.

If London really liked L, he should wake up and see that the girl wasn't suitable for him and he should never see her again.

After all, even if he did feel responsible for L for having s.e.x with her, he had compensated the girl by giving L what she wanted, which was to make her very famous.

He still remembered how L only wanted to be famous so she could enter the upper-class circle and capture the hearts of super-rich men. By giving her what was essentially her life dream, it goes without saying that London didn't need to take any more responsibility.

***

The next day, as promised, Jan held a press conference to announce that Schneider Group had bought Brilliant Mind Media. The move indirectly killed the nasty rumors among BMM employees that the new artist that the company signed was the boss' mistress.

The respectable and reclusive Schneider family's reputation was too great that no one dared to make any accusations or gossips that some inappropriate things happened between the Schneider family members and any artists.

People learned from experience when there were rumors for years about a relationship between Elios Linden, the boss of RMI, and a Virconnect ex-ambassador, Elien Mikhailova. Years later, the rumors were proven to be false, since he had actually been married to the eldest daughter of the Schneider family for ten years. Now, they didn't dare gossip about the owner of Schneider Group with L.

"It's settled, Sir. They should know by now that BMM is a subsidiary of the Schneider Group." Jan informed London in his office during lunchtime. "It did create a scene at the press conference. The purchase of BMM was quite surprising to many."

"Hm." London nodded. "After this, don't forget to include L in some of the international events that we sponsor."

"I've prepared them. She'll be opening for Rainfall Band in their European tour, starting next month. Anna has arranged everything," Jan said as he took the last strawberry from the fruit plate in front of him. "In the meantime, we've got the best team to prepare her first album. We'll make L the second Billie Yves."

London remembered Aunt Billie, who was now enjoying her retirement in Australia, taking care of her two children with Neo. Ah, Jan was right... No singer was more famous and legendary than Billie Yves. If L could enjoy popularity like Billie's, then London would be satisfied and consider his efforts to help L enough.

Until then, he would continue to monitor and make sure L would get what she had always wanted: to be a superstar.

Then he'll slowly back away and let the girl follow her own path.