Chapter 4 Lights, Camera, Rides

As I stood there wide-eyed, I noticed the camera men had already started taking pictures. This went on for a few seconds until I heard a voice cry out. "Are you going to keep standing there or actually pose, Miss?" The camera director said. Just opposite was the star model, Jojo Lopez. She was showing off her killer styles while another photographer took pictures of her. A thing I noticed was she was stern and serious. I decided to copy her poses. The only difference I did was smile brightly to the camera. According to mum, "You're never fully dressed without a smile." Thus, I smiled.

I heard various shutter sounds. It was like I was a kind of very good model. "Perfect!" I heard the photographer say. Looking behind again, she did a pose with her two hands at the back of her head. I followed it, using a smile with my teeth. I tried to make it as sincere with the edges of my mouth firmly pressed. The photographers took more snap shots of me with me in different poses. Just as we finished, I breathed a sigh of relief. === After that, I had discussed my contract with Pink Moda. The terms were fair enough and I adhered immediately. The minute I signed the contract, I headed home because I didn't have any more shoots today. Because of my lack of money for cab, I decided to walk to the nearby bus top. The street was busy as ever. As I treaded the road lane, a white motorcycle halted just by my side. I looked at it immediately only to see the guy from the office earlier. "Jackson!" I called out at him. "Need a ride home?" he asked cutely, handing me a helmet. That was a nice offer... but we just met... "Oh, no. It's ok." I said swiftly. I was about to continue walking when he said something. "Well, not for me. The sun's hot and a model shouldn't be sunburnt. Consider this ride for your career." He acknowledged, with a wink. This made me timidly grab the helmet he gave me. I placed it on my head. "Thank you." I voiced out. After getting on the motorcycle, he asked me, "Where are you heading?" "North." I immediately said. "Hold on tight." He directed. I did as he asked. He immediately sped off with a gush of wind, slipping past my forehead. As he rode, my hair flew loosely in the air. I mouthed off my direction exactly with various thoughts on my mind. I had to get past the land lady of our house. Me and mum haven't paid rent for over two months now. She gave us two weeks grace. If by then, we weren't able to produce any funds, we'll be kicked out. The motorcycle immediately halted. I looked forward, sighting my house. I quickly got down. "Thanks for the ride home, Jackson." I mouthed off. I was heading back when I heard him say something. "You are forgetting something." He said. "What?" I asked. His hands directed to his head. "The helmet." He told me. I felt so embarrassed. "Oh... sorry, I forgot!" I voiced out. I returned it to him after removing it from my head. "I understand, it happens. Bye bye, sugar plum!" he voiced out. He kicked the motorcycle and zoomed off while I just stood there with a thought on my mind. Did he just call me sugar plum? ... "Mum, I'm back!" I called out. "So? How was it?" she asked from inside her room. I ran happily to her room to give her the good news. "I got the job, mum. I got the job!!" I told her, grabbing her hands away from the knitting pin. We danced happily before sitting down. "Tell me about it, dear. How are the people there? Hope they aren't mean?" she asked, looking at me. "No, mum. In fact, they are the exact opposite. Although there is this one man who makes my life hell... " I trailed out, referring to Liam James. I hated him with blood and sand. I mean who did he think he was? "But, apart from that, the pay's good. We are going to be rich, mum!" I cried out, hugging her. "Thank Goddess, dear. I told you we'll figure something out." She said. "I told you." She added again. ... "So, how did it go? I'm sorry for leaving you all alone there." Chloe said, over the phone. "Chloe? You're a genius!" I said over to her with lots of happiness. "Really? Ok, girl. What happened?" she asked. I could practically picture her face in front of me. "I got accepted. In fact, I started today. I also signed the modelling contract and the pay's mind blowing. I love you so much, Chloe. You changed my life with this amazing idea of yours!" I said truthfully. "Girl, you flatter me too much. I like the fact that it went well. Do you know what this means?" she asked. "What?" I answered, with a question. "This calls for celebration girl!!" she said. "Oh, really. Is that necessary?" I replied. "Off course, it is." She said. "But-" "No buts. Meet me at my place by 5. I have plans for tonight girl." She said. I gave in, knowing she could be so stubborn. "Ok, then. See ya till then." I told her. Just as I hung up, there was another incoming call from an unknown number. I sighed before answering. "Hello?" I called out. "Am I speaking to Miss Eleanor Reyes?" The caller asked. "Yeah, that's me." I replied. "I'm Margaret from Pink Moda, the company you work for." She said. "Ok... " I trailed out. "This probably sounds crazy but you've been listed by the Hollywood fashion magazine, Miss Reyes." I hesitated before replying. "S-Sorry what?" I asked, knowing I didn't apply for anything. "Yes, earlier today when you did the photoshoot, the distributions were immediately sent across the globe. If you check today's headlines, it reads: WHO'S THIS NEW MODEL?" she said. "Do you know what this means, Miss Reyes?" she asked me. "No," "It means you're now famous darling!" she answered immediately. ------------------------------------------