Chapter 147 - An Old Friend

A month passed quickly and Alex couldn't help but be excited. Even though this was for work, it was less stressful than everything else she had been doing. Claire still wasn't happy that she chose to take on such a suspicious job but there was nothing the manager could do once Alex made up her mind. Instead, the manager increased the security details around Alex and the model can only sigh at the excessive number of bodyguards accompanying them for this job. To avoid suspicion, they were taking the Wilde Family's private jet instead.

Still, the new Tipton's casino hotel sounded like a lot of fun. The director for the commercial shoot was someone whom Alex worked with previously. He was a nice man and Alex didn't think Claire's worries were valid.

"Remember to always have two guards around you," Claire warned after Alex got into the car waiting for them. Hollywood was a bustling place full of life and Alex was thrilled to be in the centre of the activities.

"Got it," she told her worrisome manager. Alex looked out of the tinted windows and smiled. The signature Hollywood signboard greeted her as they left the city and headed to a less crowded spot of the town where the Tipton resort was located. It was quite the drive but Alex preferred it this way. If she wanted to go back to the hustle and bustle of city life, it was only a twenty-minute drive away.

When she got out, the hotel's butler was there to greet her and escort her to the suite room they'd prepared for her stay. The director and his crew will arrive later that afternoon and the shooting will start only tomorrow. Other than the welcome dinner prepared by the hotel and the introduction session, Alex's schedule was free.

It has been a while since the teen had a good relaxing trip. Alex decided to spend some time alone and told Claire that she will be exploring the resort. The manager didn't hesitate to assign two guards to follow the future heiress around. Alex didn't complain. She was more than happy to put up with two guards trailing behind her as she explored the resort's facilities.

As expected of the Tiptons, the hotel's interior was very classy. Other than the restaurants that were within Alex's expectations of their reputation, she also checked out the spa that the receptionist told her about. They had a gym, a pool, some golf course and a casino that Alex wasn't allowed to enter but she didn't mind.

The shooting tomorrow will take place in the lounge, a suite room, the poolside and the golf course with a view of the famous Hollywood signboard in the distance. Alex visited all those locations and noted where the best angles would be. Naturally, there will be a mini photoshoot after the commercial filming that the Tiptons will use to create a brochure for their marketing and advertising purpose. Alex wondered if it was possible to bump into that mysterious person who gave her the gifts. She wanted to know who it was that knew her so well enough to send her such nostalgic things.

After walking around for about an hour without much luck, Alex decided to return to her room and change into more comfortable clothes. The spa reservation had been made earlier when she passed by the reception and Alex sighed. If only Scarlet or Lin Lin was here to accompany her… Claire wasn't the spa type of lady and Alex didn't feel like joining her in the gym now that she finally had a break from work. Being a model isn't as easy or as glamorous as many people thought. Alex wished that being pretty was all it took to walk down the runway. Sadly, that wasn't enough. Alex had to constantly monitor what she ate and workout daily to keep her figure. The teen actress-model wished that she could return to the days when she would hole herself up in her room back in the penthouse with her canvas, brushes and paint. Unfortunately, kids won't stay kids forever.

Ever since Britannia's disbandment, Alex understood something important. Wilmer wasn't coming back and Alex didn't want to spend her entire life waiting for him like her mother. Watching Scarlet and Jasper try so hard to build a path of their own, Alex also made her decision. She wasn't going to sit and wait in the safety and comforts of her home. She wasn't going to let her father do all the work trying to protect the Wilde Empire alone. She was going to support her father in the way that only she could. Her mother was a powerful socialite but her contact's powers were waning with age. If Alex wanted to continue guarding the Wilde Empire in the future, she was going to need her own inner circle in high society. With that, Alex decided to debut as a model-actress to rub shoulders with the up and coming screen stars of the new generation.

She didn't really expect Scarlet to dabble in the same field even after continuing her career as a musician. Alex was initially ecstatic that her sister was joining her but soon realized that Scarlet's goal wasn't the same. She was more interested in building her name in the East as an all-rounder using a different name. Alex respected her wishes and didn't try to convince her sister to join her. Instead, Alex made the decision to leave Si-Han's companionship and become a freelancer to build her own reputation instead of working for an agency. With the Wilde's name, it wasn't difficult for Alex to secure jobs in the industry despite not having an agency to back her up. Ultimately, Alex wanted to start her company using the Wilde name in the showbiz and launch a brand using her family's name to keep the position as top dog stable. Scarlet was helping her with the brand name and Alex couldn't be more thankful.

The spa session was very relaxing and Alex found herself thoroughly rejuvenated after it. The guards weren't allowed to follow her in so Alex was very thankful that she had some alone time for once. While resting in the spa's lounge, Alex looked around. There were a few other customers but they were few in numbers at this time. The new hotel wasn't famous yet which explains the lack of hotel occupancy but Alex was ok with it. The spa's employee served her some refreshments and a drink before leaving and Alex accepted them with thanks. As she drank, her phone vibrated.

Thinking that it was work-related, Alex checked it immediately. The filming crew should be arriving any time now. After Alex opened her mailbox and read the message, the relaxed atmosphere around her quickly changed into one full of excitement.

Elfie: I'm here. Wanna meet up at the golf terrace café?

Attached with the short message was a picture of Elfie in sunglasses smiling at the camera with the background of the golf terrace café behind him. That was the exact golf terrace café that Alex walked past earlier when she was touring the place. The teen quickly replied that she would be there and ditched the refreshments. She quickly found her shoes and changed into the clothes she came in earlier before rushing to the café they agreed to meet at. The Wilde princes completely forgot about the guards that Claire told her to bring along with her and left alone.

When Alex came to the café, her heart was racing. How many years has it been since their tearful parting? Alex didn't believe in coincidences. If Elfie was here, it must mean that he knew she was coming. Then again, there was another question. How did Elfie know? Sure, they talked a lot in the chat room but Alex never remembered telling him about her schedule. Could it be Claire?

"Elfie!" she smiled and the hacker stood up, walking over to her and giving the model a hug. Elfie grew since the last time she saw him but he was still nowhere as tall as her. Still, he was taller than Scarlet and Alex made a mental note to tell her sister all about it. The hacker's surprise visit was something worth celebrating about.

"Why are you here? This is so sudden but it's nice to see you again!" she gushed and Elfie grinned.

Once they sat down and ordered some drinks, Elfie took a good look at Alex. Indeed, Scarlet and Jasper never told this clueless teen anything. After a long private discussion with Jasper, the boys agreed to let Alex in on their plans just so that Alex could keep a leash on Scarlet and find out if her sister was trying anything dangerous behind their backs. It would be better to have Alex and Scarlet in the loop but not too involved with Anastasia's matters any longer. The girls were now too famous and any movement from them can trigger a huge chain of events.

"It's been a while, Alex. I hope you like the gifts I sent you along with the job invitation? It's been many years so I don't know if you still paint in your free time."

Alex's jaw dropped. "It was you?"

Elfie smiled bashfully. "I didn't want anyone else knowing it was me. I still thought that you might get a hint and decide to take the job so we can meet up secretly. It must be tough having Claire and all those guards around you the whole time."

Alex sighed and groaned. "Don't remind me. I ditched the guards earlier after you texted me. I think Claire is going to kill me when she finds out. So, what's the secret all about that we had to meet in person without my guards?"

The programmer took a sip of his drink and became serious. "It's something related to Scarlet that Jasper and I have known for a while. You must promise not to be angry and not to tell Scarlet about it after I tell you everything. We had to keep this from you for so long because we wanted to keep you safe. No offence, but you're not exactly the brightest bulb around when it comes to such matters."

Alex nodded and gave her word. Then, Elfie started.