Gods of Old, Part 3: Vesna

Vesna sets foot in her favourite casting agency’s lobby at eight in the morning. Her irritation can be plainly seen, her anger simmering just under the surface and all and sundry went silent at her approach. Allegra is her usual cheerful self and is skipping happily behind her boss. Not even her happy puppy routine can bring Vesna out of her funk and she is trying hard to ignore her assistant today. “Morning Vesna.” The casting director smiles warmly. “ At least someone is happy to be here. I see you found a replacement for Marco.” “Morning Grazia.” Vesna mumbles. “Don’t mind Allegra, she’s always happy.” “I liked Marco, we’ll see about her.” Grazia answers carefully. “We have a full lobby and a diva that will come later, as he said. A new face for you, but he has some quirks and issues.” “Oh, really? A model with issues?” Vesna lets the sarcasm flow freely. “What else is new?” “You’ll see, if he shows up.” Grazia leads them in an office where she has three chairs lined up behind a desk and a lot of free room before it. “I have his number and a name, Ty. An empty folder and nothing to tell you. But he is a looker. I tried to sign him up with Armani, but he said he’ll only work with you.” “Now there is a tibid!” Vesna exclaims as she takes her place in the center. “Where is he from? Do you know that?” “I have no idea. I can’t place him. He speaks perfect Milanese Italian and he switched to proper Queen’s English when I told him you don’t really speak Italian. I got the vibe of a rich kid that has too much time on his hands.” “Something to look forward to. “Vesna tells her. “We have three positions to fill. Donatella nabbed two of my best models.” “And Fabio broke his leg.” Grazia adds. “And the photoshoot is in two days.” Vesna sighs. “I can always blackmail my brother into modeling if you need me to.” Allegra finally finds her voice and speaks up. “Alessio? Are you sure?” Vesna asks with raised eyebrows. “As a last resort, sure.” Allegra smiles wickedly. “Ok. Keep that in mind.” Vesna tells her assistant. “Let the parade begin.” “No.” “No.” “No!” “Oh, come on, Vesna!” Grazia sounds desperate. “I know your standard, but they’re not all bad. You just said no to about a 100 models!” “I said yes to one. So we have that.” Vesna answers gloomily. “Allegra? Can I see a picture of Alessio?” Grazia leans behind Vesna to see her assistant slouched in the chair on the other side. “Sure. I have a few.” Allegra quirks up and hands her phone over. “He’s a professional firefighter.” “Oh. My. God!” Grazia is stunned at the sight of a dark haired gorgeous guy in the photo. He’s got blue eyes and perfect chiseled features. “We have that here?! Why am I ordering the Australian calendar every year?” “Because the hardheads here are only interested in fires and beer. He’s a total asshole once you hear him speak.” Allegra explains. “But I do have leverage. I can make him behave for a while.” “Get him to come and you get a raise. My headache can’t stand any more of this torture.” Vesna murmurs. “You got it, boss.” Allegra smiles cheerfully. Grazia’s assistant pokes her head through the door with a glazed over expression and a faint smile on her lips. And Vesna thinks she wants some of whatever she’s on. If only drugs would work on gods, she can’t even get properly drunk. “Ty is here, boss.” She grins wide. “What did he do this time?” Grazia asks her assistant. “He smiled at me.” The girl answers dreamily. “Send him in and go cool off. Do keep in mind you’re engaged.” Grazia drawls. “Mhm.” The girl turns in the door and disappears from their sight. “Damn! He ruined my assistant for today.” Grazia mutters to herself, but Vesna can still hear her. The door opens again and the person of interest walks in. Well, saunters in is more like it. He moves fluently, like a graceful ballet dancer, which is a hard contrast to his height of at least 195 centimeters. Tall and graceful don’t really walk hand in hand, but he makes it work somehow. His tall frame is showing off all of his muscles in the tight white t-shirt he chose to wear today. His legs are encased in a pair of dark blue jeans that look like they’re painted on him. But the main feature are his lavender eyes, framed with long dark lashes in a face that looks like a greek statue. High cheekbones, an imperial straight nose and a chiseled jaw. And that perfect light skin tone, just barely sun-touched. One dark eyebrow raised up in a silent question and a slight smile on his lips.  A perfect Adonis and he knows it, Vesna thinks for herself. There is something about those eyes that draws her in. A faint recollection deep inside stirs her memories. “Well, well.” Vesna smiles. “I know those eyes! You are Lothor’s son.” “I am.” Ty inclines his head. “He sends his regards.” “How is your father?” Vesna inquires politely. “The same.” He answers. “But I think he mellowed a bit lately.” “That’s not a word I would use for him, but I guess married life suits him.” Vesna smiles. “Does he still have that fabulous villa in Baden Baden?” “He does, but it got renovated a few years back. Mother got rid of that old victorian kitchen and she updated everything.” Ty answers. “Oh. Does the orchard still stand? I just loved it in spring.” Vesna dares to hope. “No. There is a tennis court, now. Mother got father addicted to tennis, uniforms and all.” He tells her. “You’re joking!” Vesna exclaims. “No. I have pictures to prove it.” He laughs and brings both Allegra and Grazia out of their trance-like state.  But the sound of his laughter does some weird things to Vesna. Her skin tingles and she can swear there are butterflies gathering in her stomach. And she didn’t even realise that she left her chair and walked closer to Ty, but she turns around when she hears a gasp from Allegra. The expression on the young girl's face is so comical that she needs to snap a picture of it. She smiles fondly and teases the poor girl merciless. “What, Allegra? Did you see a ghost?” She smiles wickedly. “Or do you see something you like?” “N-no.” Allegra shakes her head. “I’m confused. I’m sorry.” “Riiight!” Vesna draws out the word. “Add Ty to the list for the photoshoot and start working on your brother. You have only two days.” “Right away.” Allegra practically escapes the room before she embarases herself even more. “Anything else you need?” “I’ll call you.” Vesna laughs at the girl. “That was funny!” Grazia speaks up. “Yeah. She’s so amusing. I could never get a rise out of Marco so fast.” Vesna continues to laugh. “And your expression was not that different from hers.” “Shhh. I don’t munch on my clients.” Grazia shushes Vesna with a guilty look on her face. “Nothing wrong with looking, though.” “You can look all you want. Munching is out of the question.” Ty states firmly. “Oh, you’re just like your father sometimes.” Vesna can’t stop laughing. “This will be fun!” “Can I invite you to lunch?” Ty asks Vesna when they leave the interview room. “You can. I am a bit hungry.” Vesna answers. “There is this great little restaurant down the street, they serve the best risotto in Milano.” “I never tried that before.” Ty is enthusiastic about new things. “And you can tell me more about yourself. Why do you want to work in modeling?” Vesna inquiries as they walk to the restaurant. “It’s not so much about modeling, I wanted to meet you, to get to know you.” Ty confides in her. “Father used to tell me stories about you when I was younger. When mother wasn’t around.” “Oh. He talks about me?” Vesna is surprised. “He used to.” Ty smiles. “What happened between you two, if I may ask? He never told me that.” “Nothing, actually.” Vesna smirks. “We were friends. Maybe there was some sort of infatuation at some point, but we both knew I wasn’t his mate. So, nothing ever happened. His dragon was quite adamant about it.” “Wow.” Ty wonders. “The way he talked about you, I thought you broke his heart and left him all alone.” “Lothor is prone to exaggerate things somewhat.” Vesna laughs. As they enjoy their saffron risotto and a glass of pinot grigio, Vesna comes to realise that this companionable silence is something she’s desperately missing in her life. It’s not awkward at all if they don’t talk for a few minutes. And for once, she is not the center of attention, he is. A novelty all in it’s own. And she likes it. “Where are you staying here in Milano?” She asks him a bit later as they wait for a dessert. “In a castle, about two hours drive out of the city.” He says with nonchalance. “A real castle?” Vesna asks for more. “Yeah. It was in my mothers family for generations and I inherited it. They came to the conclusion that I’m responsible enough to care for a castle.” Ty explains to her. “I got it for my centennial birthday.” “When was your birthday?” She wants to know and she’s already planning for a party. “Last week.” He smiles with a wink. “Congratulations!” Vesna exclaims. “Can I throw you a party? I just love any excuse for a good party.” “I don’t have anyone to invite.” He is a bit sad. “I doubt father and mother would come.” “I’ll invite lots of people, you can make some new friends here.” Vesna tries to cheer him up and she even offers him some of her panna cotta to try. “Wolves? Like your assistant?” He asks and returns the courtesy and offers her some of his apple pie. “A few, but mostly people from the fashion industry.” She says. “And you get to meet my brother Veles. Did Lothor ever mention him?” “He did, a few times.” Ty perks up a bit. “Is he here in Milano?” “Yes. And married to my best friend.” Vesna tells him. “Ok. I would love to meet new people.” Ty smiles at her and melts her heart just a bit. Vesna remembers a thing from the past. The dragons are solitary creatures and they tend to stay away from people most of the time. They are guarded and very careful of their surroundings. She thinks that Ty might be lonely and that he didn’t exactly have friends growing up. Especially since dragon offspring are rare and treasured more than gold and jewels.  “Were you homeschooled?” She asks him. “Yes. For the most part.” He tells her. “Father did let me go to college about fifteen years ago. He thought I was ready.” “Good for you.” Vesna smiles. “What did you study?” “Economics. I got a PhD in investment management.” He laughs. “It comes handy to upkeep that castle. I never thought that a castle is so expensive to own.” “How big is it? And can you turn it into a hotel or a B&B? That is all the rage right now.” She gives him a few ideas. “I have to think about it.” He smiles at her enthusiasm. “You can tell me more at the party.”