Chapter 5

“Can you move a little to the left? Chin up, yes, that’s it.”

Harper’s camera kept snapping pictures as he gave instructions. She was in the studio, doing a photo shoot for an author who had written several romance novels. She told her she wanted a new set of headshots for her profile. She even gave her a couple of books as a gift the last time she had sent her pictures over to her.

“I think that will do, Miss William.” Harper lowered her camera after a few minutes of taking different-angled shots and smiled, holding out her hand.

The author grinned and shook her outstretched hand firmly. “Thank you so much, Harper. You always make me feel so comfortable. And I look so pretty in all your photos!”

Harper chuckled. “You’ll have to thank Dami for that, miss William . He is a genius.” She said, referring to the company’s ex photo editing expert. “It’s always a pleasure working with you. We’ll have your pictures ready in about two weeks. I’ll send you a preview when I’m done sorting through the shots we did today so you can choose which ones you like best.”

“Thank you. I can’t wait!” Miss Williams said  her goodbye as she stepped past the space that separated the studio from the office.

Harper had just turned off the reflectors when Anna poked her head into the studio. “Harper, your 1pm appointment is here.”

She nodded at her best friend. “Thanks, Anna. I’ll be right out.”

“You and Me. We will eat when you’re done.” The other omega lifted a plastic bag filled with food. “I took a peek at your schedule. Your next appointment isn’t until four later so I’m allowed to feed you.”

“Okay, Mum.” Harper smiled. Anna knew her well enough to know that she hadn’t had lunch yet. Anna hung out at the studio often when she didn’t have work and because her mate worked with Harper. The other omega had access to everything Harper had at her office with the exception of her cameras so she wasn’t surprised that Anna knew her schedule for the day.

Harper and her staff had done two set designs and more than five studio shoots and an outdoor shoot in this week alone. It was busy and exhausting but she wouldn’t give it up for the world.

The two split ways and Harper entered her office. It was small but cozy, decorated in warm brown tones. She set her camera down beside her laptop and settled into her chair. “Good afternoon, Miss Cassy and Mr James, I'm honored to be at your service.”

The dark-haired alpha sitting on the other side of his desk was the daughter of Minister Storm, who headed the Ministry of Trade and Industry. She was a well-known philanthropist, favoring organizations that promote education for less privileged children.

Her fiancé was an actor. He was standing beside Cassy  with a hand on her shoulder. The news of their engagement had been brief and Harper had hoped but was awed all the same when Casey’s

publicist called to set up an appointment with DreamCatchers  Studios.

“Good afternoon, Miss Harper. We,Cassy  threaded her fingers though James’s own as she glanced at him fondly, “would love for you to document our bonding.”

Harper found herself tugging down her sleeve to hide the silver mark on her left wrist and pasting a smile on her face. She has done a good job of steering clear of talking about her own bonding so far. “It would be an honor. We have different packages that we can customize just for your ceremony.”

She pulled out a portfolio containing their available services and packages and slid it over to the couple.

Harper spent about an hour interviewing them about what they envisioned for their wedding. They told her that they wanted a small, intimate ceremony but they would love to have a pre- wedding location shoot a few weeks before  the bonding day. Harper went over the logistics involved in the project.

She would probably be able to do the pre-wedding shoot on her own and her staff of five photographers and videographers would be able to take photos of the entourage, the ceremony and the wedding party.

There were still quite a bit more details to hash out but the couple had to leave for another appointment so Harper promised to follow them up on it and thanked them profusely for choosing her company.

“Please tell me you have hot chocolate for me.” Harper clapped her hands together when Anna swept into her office with Knox, her alpha mate, on her tail. The other omega laughed and set the food containers on Harper’s table as Knox pulled up another chair.

“Eat first, Harp,” Knox nudged a bowl containing braised beef toward her.

“No dessert if you haven’t eaten anything yet,” Anna added, throwing a pout in Harper’s direction.

“I had breakfast—”

Anna lifted a big piece of beef and shoved it into Harper’s mouth before she was even done talking.

“Hey!” Knox protested, placing a hand over Anna’s arm. “Your mate is over here, Anna.”

She scooped up another piece of beef and handed it to him . “I haven’t forgotten, dear.” Her voice dropped to a sultry level as their gazes mate.

“Hey! hey!” Harper held a hand in front of her face and rolled her eyes skyward. “None of this while I’m eating! Please!”

Anna snickered shamelessly and stroked a hand down her mate’s arm, throwing the alpha one last adoring look before digging into her own lunch.

“How was the meeting with Cassy Storm?” Knox  asked, changing the subject quickly.

Harper was reminded of how Knox had been instrumental in building the company up from scratch. She had met the alpha after just graduating college and was trying to set the studio up. She’d known enough of photo and video editing but the sound engineering graduate was the man behind the magic in the videos that hooked her earliest clients. She probably wouldn’t have been able to grow DreamCatcher to what it is without Knox.

Anna had helped out in her spare time too. She and Knox eventually fell head over heels in love

with each other. Harper was glad she had them by her side, despite having her eyes scorched when she caught them getting frisky—which was practically every day.

Harper grinned. “It may be our biggest project yet. Here are some of the details we’ve discussed,” she indicated the file she had just  set aside, “but I still have to meet with them again.”

“That’s awesome!” Jimin was stunned. Knox’s smile was smug.

Harper happily shared more of what she and the couple to be wed had considered and went on to ask Knox for updates on the other projects they were currently working on as they ate. Cassy Storm's wedding would keep them busy and it was perfect since they were wrapping up a number of projects next week.

Her phone suddenly chirped, signaling a message. Harper’s brow knitted. It was from Lucas' number and there wasn’t anything in it. It was the third she had gotten in the past two weeks, along with a couple of calls that she deliberately didn’t answer.

“I have to go in a bit.” She pocketed her phone, tamping down the unease that went with it as she finished her lunch and took a sip of her coffee. She had  to prepare a set  for a birthday party on another side of town and she liked being on sets at least two hours earlier so she would be able to make changes if she needed to.

“See you tomorrow, Harper.” Anna waved as Harper exited her office.

She groaned as the door clicked close, only then realizing that her best friend was smiling a little too widely. She stuck her head back in, shooting her friends with what she hoped was a warning glance. “Leave my couch alone, Anna. You too, Knox. Just—” Harper fake-shuddered. “Just not in my office. Please. I am begging you.”

Her best friend’s laughter followed her even as she rushed into the elevator.