#(ALSO HINTS TO OTHER THINGS THAT HAPPEN ERMM GUYSSS THATS CRAZYY)

[sillycyan]

「 Daydreamtober 2024 」

I'm using the prompts to write, explain, draw, or just daydream more about the first events or facts that come to me when I see the word. Some things will be longer or higher quality than others, so please bear with me a lil bit. I gotta post lore somehow..

⟻ Day 17 — Justice ⟼ Word Count : 2,119

Reign sat at his desk in the NumberWon building, his fingers tapping uncontrollably against it. The office was fairly quiet, with the hum of low conversations and the distant clatter of keyboards creating an almost peaceful moment. However, all of his attention was on the file of a child model he represented, an "anonymous" girl, whose talent had piqued the fashion world's interest for some reason. For the first few months, he'd been constantly present at her shoots, acting as a guardian almost while she faced the murky waters of the modeling industry. He knew firsthand how quickly things could turn dark in an industry plagued with creeps and weirdos.

As the months passed, other projects drew his attention away from the girl. He had worked out a careful plan with her parents to ensure her safety, setting up trusted transportation and hiring security personnel he had worked with in the past. But no amount of planning could prepare him for the day everything began to unravel.

The announcement of a director swap caused an air of unease throughout Reign. Grace, the original director, had gone on vacation, leaving the project in the hands of someone new, someone unknown. He felt a knot form in his stomach as he remembered all the warnings he had received about replacement directors and their actions behind closed doors. He could not shake the feeling that something was wrong.

After the shoot wrapped up, Reign received a message from the girl, requesting that her car be sent to his office. As he arranged the details, he prepared himself for their conversation. She arrived, her face a mix of clear exhaustion and some uncertainty, and he quickly motioned for her to sit.

“Well, how was the shoot?” he asked, trying to boost her mood.

“It was fine, I guess…” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Reign leaned forward, concern all over his face. “You can tell me if something’s bothering you or if anything happen. It’s okay. I am here to help with these things.”

After a moment’s pause, she looked down at her hands, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. “I don’t think I want to work on the magazine anymore.” she confessed, her voice trembling.

“What’s going on?” Reign prompted her gently. “You know you can tell me if anything happen. I will have them removed.”

She hesitated before speaking again. “The new director… she made some weird comments. I don’t know.”

Reign’s heart raced, a protective instinct flooding his senses. “What kind of comments?”

As she began to explain, her words came out quickly, the weight of her discomfort pressing down on her small shoulders. Reign felt a surge of rage rise within him. This was more than just an annoyance. This was crossing a line.

“Was it Grace, the original director?” he asked, needing some clarity.

“No—” she said, shaking her head a bit. “It was the new one. I think she’s a friend of Grace’s or something. I can’t remember what she said”

Reign’s jaw clenched. This was unacceptable. “I need you to repeat everything you just told me, okay? I need to record it.”

She nodded, her eyes wide and trusting. As she recalled her experience, Reign pressed record on his phone, capturing every word and tremor in her voice. His mind was racing with plans. This new director needed to go.

But he hesitated to involve her parents. It felt selfish to keep this from them, but he wanted to handle it and protect her from any extra stress. He had seen the harm that could result from these situations before, and he didn't want her to bear the burden of the adult world's problems. She had been so excited to work under a magazine of her own...

As he finished recording, Reign felt a sense of responsibility settle on his shoulders. He would not let this escalate any further. He would fight for her safety and innocence at any cost. The industry already had enough shadows, it was time he shed light on the darkness that threatened those most vulnerable.

And he wouldn’t rest until he had secured her safety, one way or another.

****

Reign paced the small conference room, glancing at the girl sitting cross-legged on the couch, absorbed in her phone. The air was thick with pressure as her parents sat across from him, their faces a mix of concern and confusion.

"Thank you both for coming in," Reign began, trying to remain calm despite the anxiety churning in his stomach. “I wanted to discuss the incident at the shoot and what we need to do moving forward. I'm sorry this has turned into such a serious issue."

The mother leaned forward, her brow furrowed in concern. She question him. "What are you doing about it, Reign? I need to know you are taking this seriously. What is your plan?"

"I'm taking it very seriously." he said, matching her intense stare. "I have already consulted with our legal team. They're ready to take action if necessary, and I've spoken with several crew members who are willing to comment on the new director's behavior."

The father's face was a combination of confusion and concern. “Wait, why does it have to be that serious? It sounds like a few harsh comments from a director, right?” He ran his hand through his hair, clearly attempting to grasp the gravity of the situation, or what the situation was at all.

Reign felt an extreme feeling of frustration. “It’s not just a few comments. In this industry, comments can lead to unwanted advances and much worse situations. I can’t allow that to happen to your daughter. Her safety was and still is my top priority.”

The girl eventually looked up from her phone, her expression changing to one of concern. "Are you sure it has to be this serious?" she asked, her voice low and hesitant. "I mean, it sounds kind of… intense."

Reign's heart sank from her worry. He leaned closer to her and lowered his voice. "I understand why you might feel this way, but it is better to be safe than sorry. We cannot ignore any potential risks. It’s important to address this before it gets out of hand.”

The mother's expression softened as she saw the exchange. "I just want to keep her safe, but it feels like you're escalating this," she said, looking at her husband. "I need to know we can trust you, Reign. What if this blows up more than it needs to?”

Reign took a deep breath, his eyes serious as he met her stare. "It is better than nothing. I know it’s hard to trust me right now, but I care about your daughter’s well-being more than anything right now. I won’t let anything happen to her. This isn't just about the comments, it's about keeping her safe from any future threats."

The father seemed baffled still trying to understand the situation. "So, what exactly is the plan? I don’t want to feel like we’re overreacting, but I also don’t want to ignore a potential threat, as you said. How far are we going with this?"

"Okay, questions I can answer..." Reign replied with a steady tone as he went on "First, I'll contact the legal team to assess the situation fully. They will compile all of the statements and prepare any legal actions against the director. At the same time, I'll make sure she's safe during shoots, getting extra security if necessary, and I'll be replacing both directors fully."

The girl bit her lip, her gaze switching between her parents and Reign. "But what if it gets really complicated? I really don't want to be in the middle of a huge mess—

Reign gently placed a hand on her shoulder. “I just want you to finish your magazine shoot like you planned. You shouldn’t have to give up on your dreams because of someone else. I’ll handle everything and make sure you stay safe.”

The mother nodded, her expression relaxing as she thought about Reign's words. "Please keep us updated on everything. We need to be in the loop.”

"I will." Reign said, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders. "You will not be left in the dark on this. I’ve got good lawyers ready to tackle this, and I’ll be covering all the bases. Just be there for her, and I will take care of the rest."

As the conversation came to a close, Reign felt an almost renewed sense of determination. He would defend her at all costs, ensuring that her dreams remained unchanged even with obstacles. The girl managed a small smile, her anxiety easing as she heard Reign's go on about the plan.

“I just want to do my best.” she said quietly, her confidence beginning to return.

“And you will.” Reign assured her. “With me in your corner, you won’t have to face any of this alone. Let’s focus on getting you back on that set doing what you love.”

****

A few weeks later, the air in Reign's office felt different. The old buzz of NumberWon had settled back into its usual rhythm after the whole ordeal with the creepy director, who was now officially blacklisted. Yet, a weight still hung over Reign as he sat at his desk, staring at the stupid award pin nestled in its box—a small token for “Outstanding Commitment to Client Safety.”

He rolled his eyes, a bitter smile forming on his lips. “What a joke.” he muttered to himself, lifting the box and letting it fall back onto the desk with a soft thud.

Just then, Donis popped his head into the office. “Hey, I got your usual… Will you finally let me in?”

“I guess.” Reign gestured in the empty office, his eyes still fixed on the award.

Donis stepped inside, placing the food on the desk as he sat down across from him, eyebrows raised at the sight of the pin. “Is that what I think it is?” He leaned in, squinting at the box. “An award for keeping kids safe? Cool!”

Reign chuckled but shook his head. “More like a reminder of how messed up things can get in this industry.” He sighed, leaning back in his chair. “I mean, I’m glad the kid got some justice. But getting an award for something that shouldn’t even have happened feels… wrong.”

“What do you mean?” Donis crossed his arms, looking genuinely confused. “You did a good thing! You protected her from some creep. That’s something worth recognizing.”

“Yeah, but it’s stuff like this that makes me so strict about everything,” Reign explained, his voice growing heavier. "I have that creep director's name in my files, blacklisted, and ignored. It shouldn't be surprising that someone had to step in, but it is." He picked up the award again, staring at it as if it were the source of all his problems. Do you want it? "It is a stupid award."

Donis laughed lightly and shook his head. "No, you should keep it." It's a reminder that you care. "You care about justice, Reign."

"Yeah, I guess," Reign said, still unconvinced. He placed the award back in its box, a look of conflict on his face.

Donis leaned back in the chair and spoke in a more serious tone. “Look, man, it’s okay to be proud of what you did. Not everyone would go out of their way to ensure a child's safety. You took action when it mattered, and that’s what counts.”

Reign rubbed the back of his neck and finally looked up at Donis. "Maybe. But I wish it didn't have to be like this. I don’t want to be recognized for keeping someone safe because that means someone else was out to hurt them in the first place. My client, just a kid.”

"I get it." Donis replied, his voice softer now. "But you made a difference. You helped her when she needed it the most. Don’t let that go to waste by feeling guilty about it.”

Reign fell silent, considering Donis' words. He genuinely cared about the girl, about all of his clients, about justice. Perhaps the award was not a symbol of failure, but rather a reminder of what he fought for every day.

“I guess.”

“Oooh I forgot the drinks… I’ll go grab some from that cool new vending machine. You stay here!”

“As if I was going anywhere.”

As the door closed behind Donis, Reign let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. He picked up the box again, staring at the pin, and for the first time, he felt a bit of pride…