by Mara Lynne
He must be so pissed right now that I woke him up from his sleep. It’s almost midnight, and I am sure he’s got something important in the morning, but here I am, bothering him in the middle of the night. Well, serves him right. It’s his fault, anyway.
“Will I hear something nice from you now?” I swear I hear him smirk. I can already imagine the evil grin on his face.
“No. As a matter of fact, I’m going to tell you that I got a job.” I feel the sense of pride and courage overflowing from within me, I just have to let go of the excess.
“Is it the PA position in MediaOne?”
I drop my jaw for a while, but when I realize there is no place for defeat this time, I quickly recover with grace, my head held up high. I just have to show this man what I am made of and what I am capable of.
“Mr. Stone… I am not afraid of you, and I will not yield to your demands no matter how you try to make my life miserable. You can’t threaten me forever.”
“Wow! You have grown some guts, haven’t you, Angel?”
“If you try to mess with me this time around, you’re going to regret it!” I hear myself, and I think I sound menacing.
Let him try to take this PA job from me, and Hunter Stone will definitely regret the day he met me. I am not even kidding.
“You are really scary. My knees are shaking,” he says. He doesn’t sound terrified or threatened, though. In fact, I can detect a tinge of sarcasm and humor in his voice. “You called me in the middle of the night just to say that? How convenient!”
“Why? Are you the only one allowed to pester other people’s lives?” I think he deserves a dose of his own medicine.
“I would enjoy your friendship, Angel, and I don’t think you doing this is a disturbance.” I hear him sigh and the sound of crumpling blanket coming in contact with his skin. Hunter might be climbing out of bed. “It’s refreshing to experience the other side of the coin.”
If he means he enjoys my trouble of disturbing him tonight and that he thinks this act is the first step to friendship, he better forget I ever did such silliness. Hunter Stone really has this whole other way of dealing with people. Even if he has to distort things just to place all the odds in his favor, he’s not going to hesitate to do it.
“Well, forget it, Hunter. I just called to warn you!”
“And what shall I get if I go against you?”
“The ire of the devil,” I say in one breath and promptly disconnect the call with trembling hands.
My reflection in the mirror looks flustered. What has gotten into me to speak that recklessly? Hunter obviously has heard it, and I wish I could read what is on his mind.
I can hear my heart screaming, reprimanding me for acting so bold and brazen. Just a while ago, I was so brave that I thought I could slap Hunter on the face if he were in front of me, but now that I have dropped that bomb, all my courage vanishes into thin air.
Chapter 14: Magazine
A desk.
A computer.
And a welcome mug that has a caption printed in blue: ‘To the new PA!’
Honestly, I could just stare at my own desk for the entire day without flicking my eyes. I even have my own cubicle! It feels so great to be back in the working class after so many days of being jobless.
However, what concerns me most is the possibility of Hunter Stone interrupting with my affairs again… and again, and again.
Last night, our conversation, however short it was, was deadly. I won’t say I did not regret what I did because I was kept awake the entire night. I barely had time to rest my eyes in fear that Hunter was going to mess up this job again. I was holding onto my heart the whole time I was in front of Ms. Ross, my boss, afraid it would jump off my chest when she says the job wasn’t for me. Fortunately, the opposite thing happened, and here I am enjoying every second of my first day in MediaOne.
Perhaps, Hunter got scared and wet his pants when I warned him last night.
Perhaps, I was really scary for him to capitulate.
I can hear the evil Angel laughing behind my back.
If this victory is indeed forever, then it is forever goodbye to Hunter Stone, too.
“Ms. Mohr.” Ms. Ross comes in with her hands on her hips. She’s a gorgeous red-haired woman with eyes so green like an emerald. She looks like a model from a magazine. “Here is your first assignment. Donnie is waiting for you at the studio. Everything is set, you just have to check the pictorials and the quality of the photos before we present them to our client.” She hands me a two-page document that lists down the important things I must do in this project.
Then with a classy smile on her face, she sways her hips from side to side as she walks away from me, her heels click-clacking against the fully carpeted floor.
I quickly grab my phone and leave my seat, taking a final look at my shining desk.
I took the elevator to reach the tenth floor where the photo studio is. Ms. Ross said that Donnie is waiting for me there. I don’t exactly know who Donnie is, but I don’t think he’s a photographer. I think he’s the company stylist who’s in charge of the fashion projects—the ones that are printed in the fashion section of the magazine. Based on what I read on the document, today’s project client is the clothing company Beetz that specializes in denim pants. A model specifically picked by the Beetz CEO is already on the tenth floor, probably waiting for his photos to be checked by none other than yours truly, MediaOne’s newest Publicity Assistant.
I am fully smiling the entire time I am trekking along the hallway to the studio, but horror washes over me when I set foot in the studio room, where camera flashes hurt my eyes like flaring airport lights at a landing strip. However, the horror and surprise were not caused by the camera flashes, or the grandiose size of the room, or the thickness of the crowd inside… but by the single human specimen in the middle of the room where everyone’s utmost attention is in.
I know I look like a fool standing stunned in the entryway with my jaw dropped and my feet glued to the ground. It’s a good thing that the staffs are minding their own business, barely noticing my presence, or they would have found me as pale as a ghost.
Colin Verne? Modeling for Beetz? Working in the same project as me?
I manage, however, to move my legs to the left corner where a table jammed with papers, water bottles, and boxes of body accessories stood people-free. Carefully, I watch Colin do his thing. He’s actually good—projecting in front of the camera, doing awkward face expressions and body poses, and getting comfy with everyone around seeing his bare trunk. If Ray were here, I bet he would grab the golden ticket to the front where he’d get the best view of the subject. It’s a no-brainer that Colin has really evolved. He’s not anymore the Colin I used to know many years ago. He’s changed so much—physically. Now, I bet he could get all the girls he wants because of his tremendous good looks and appeal. The pair of denim jeans he’s wearing fits him like a glove.
“Hi!” A dark-skinned man with piercing on his nose blocks my view. “You’re Angel Mohr, aren’t you? The new PA?”
“Yes.” I shyly nod, trying to hide the sudden shock Colin caused me.
“I’m Donnie. I’m in charge of the model’s look, their clothes, and everything that is needed to make them look good in photos,” he states with a flashy smile. His set of teeth is sparkling white. “Much like their overall package.”
“Oh! You’re doing a great job.” It was the only words my mind could come up. Well, Donnie surprised me too. I was totally consumed by Colin’s unexpected presence, so Donnie appeared like a ghost to me. I hardly had time to think of a more proper response.
“I know,” he gracefully answers as he crosses his arms and turns around to face his model. “The photos will be ready in a while. Do you have any specifics, Ms. Mohr?”
“Like what?”
He purrs and answers comically. “Like how you want the photos to be taken? If you want the model to change costumes or poses… or anything just to make the pr
oject more than passable. I presume you know what Beetz needs.”
I wobble my head gently, hoping it helps me regain my senses.
He chuckles at my expense. “You can easily make the model pose nude, you know.”
I know I am turning red because I feel my cheeks burn with fire. However, I’m also aware that Donnie just said it to break the ice. He must have seen how easily I got distracted, considering that I am new to this line of work.
“Maybe I really need to double my effort learning my job,” I hiss.
“You’ll be an expert in no time, sweetie,” he answers. “Now, I think the shoot is over. Let me introduce you to the team.”
Before I can even start my protest, Donnie starts to call on some of the staff. I am really okay with working behind the camera or under everyone’s radar, but to be introduced to everyone like this makes me feel like throwing up. I just don’t like being the center of everyone’s attention. Besides, I will get to know each one of them when I start doing the real job. Just not like this.
However, I don’t think I have any other choice now, do I?
I manage to give the best smile I could give—modest, sweet, and shy.
“This is Pablo, MediaOne’s official photographer.”
“What’s up, Angel?” The way he speaks makes it easy for me to identify his Latino roots.
“And he’s got a team of talented photographers and editors. You can get from Pablo the finished product later,” Donnie adds. “And this is Kim.”
“Hi!” She greets me. I think she’s as tall as Michael Jordan. No kidding. She’s really tall and petite. “Nice to meet you, Angel.” On top of that, she’s very welcoming, too, taking my hand for a handshake. Kim’s name sounds Korean, and she does look Asian. Maybe the little bows she makes are part of the Asian tradition.
“She contacts the clothing companies for, you know, the clothes. She has Arnold and Sophie on her team.” He points to a blonde girl with thick-brimmed eyeglasses and a man whose short hair is dyed silver standing by the racks of clothes in one corner. “And lastly, this is Liza.”
“Hello, Angel!” A pale-faced girl with purple lipstick and a pixie haircut meets me with a nod.
Donnie continues, “She manages the models. You can come to her when the bosses give particulars about the models. She’s the girl for that.”
“I will really need all your help,” I state bashfully.
Liza comes forward and pats me on the shoulder. “No worries, new girl. We have your back!”
The others beam as well.
“Angel?”
All heads turn to the man who is coming our way. Colin has just finished buttoning up his polo shirt, but his gaze is fixed on me.
“You know each other?” I hear Donnie ask subtly.
“Ah…” I stammer.
“Wow, Angel!” Colin’s face looks all pink, and his eyes show this uncanny glimmer. “What are you doing here? I thought you work in… Never mind! You work here now?”
“Hold it right there, Verne!” Donnie cuts him out. “How did you two know each other?”
Colin beams and confidently answers, “We’re friends.”
All attention shifts to me.
“We knew each other since grade school,” I tell them, totally clueless if what I just said was the right thing to say.
“Really?” Donnie’s eyes seem to glow. “Oh, wait a sec!”
His phone ringing suddenly saved me from another mental torture of questions. I am just not into being asked about personal things, especially when at work—and most especially if it’s about relationships. The way Colin threw himself at me with excitement just revealed his schoolboy crush on me, and I bet Donnie and the others are quicker than a cheetah to pick up on the hints.
While Donnie is busy with the call, Colin’s sole interest is on me. Not even Liza or Kim could drag him back to his dressing room. I feel his sticky glare eating me up all the time.
Perhaps, Colin is waiting for Donnie to evaporate and leave me all to himself. I can’t just leave without knowing what to do next, though. Donnie knows what I am ought to do in the next six hours, and here he is, totally busy with his phone while I have my fingers crossed, hoping Colin won’t start with something utterly unthinkable.
Donnie releases a long, heavy sigh after putting down his phone.
“Beetz called. They want the photos as soon as possible.”
“Are they ready now?” I see Pablo all focused on his computer, probably doing some photo editing.
Tummy in and buttocks out, Donnie walks his pair of fur boots in a zigzag pattern until he reaches Pablo’s desk. Before I could follow behind him, I feel a soft tug on my elbow.
Colin smiles shyly. The scarlet coloration across his face spread under my scrutinizing gaze.
“Um, Angel…” He tilts his head as his hand reaches for his scalp. “Are you free tonight? Maybe we can go out for dinner.”
One, two, three seconds, and I still don’t know what to say.
Colin has been staring at me, waiting for something good to come out of my mouth.
“I will be in town for a week before I fly back to New York. Maybe we can go out sometime. Tonight, perhaps.”
“Ray might—”
He cuts me out immediately. “Just you and me… if it’s okay with you.”
All of a sudden, I feel my knees shaking.
A date with Colin Verne? Several thoughts swarm my head, and I fear it will cloud my judgment.
Everything’s still fresh—the pain, anger, and regret. I think it’s quite too soon to be opening my doors to new possibilities. It’s not a bad thing. It’s just too early.
Maybe I should decline.
Or maybe I should just accept.
Colin looks like a puppy in front of me, wagging his tail, and waiting for a piece of bone. His eyes are saying I should give him a chance.
“I can’t tonight.” The words come out smoothly. However, it isn’t what I originally thought I was about to say yes. What just happened?
“Dad’s not feeling well, and I have to look after him tonight.” It’s partly a lie, I know. Dad is well, but not totally, so he might be needing me tonight even though Mom will be there to look after him.
“George? What happened to him?”
“He got a little stressed recently, so he was sent to the hospital after a mild heart attack. But he’s okay now. A little care is all he needs.”
Colin steps three inches forward, making the gap between us shorter. He’s towering over me, and yet he does not look threatening at all.
“Angel, if you need help looking after George tonight or anytime in the future, I’m just one call away.”
“Thanks, Colin.”
Oh, I just hope he doesn’t ask me how I got into MediaOne. I honestly don’t know if I still have the patience to reminisce all those misfortunes. I intend to bury the bad memories to the grave, but more important matters have to be settled first like finding employment. Now that luck is slowly gearing towards my side, perhaps I could start with it
“So when do you think we can have dinner together?” Steadfastly, he walks behind me. I thought marching toward Pablo and Donnie will make him stop, but it seems like Colin has developed this annoying determination—a quality I did not know he has.
“I don’t know.” I shrug my shoulders. “Maybe tomorrow or the next day. I’ll just let you know.” I don’t really mean it. I just want Colin to stop.
Donnie spots us coming, so he calls me with a gesture of his finger.
“Take a look at the shots,” he states, beaming widely. Pride is drawn all over his face. Pablo is grinning as well.
“My, oh my!” I hear Colin speak from behind me. “I look extraordinary in those, Pablo! Good job!”
“Indeed, Pablo is one of the best photographers in town,” Donnie says. “A certified gem of MediaOne, isn’t he, Angel? What do you think?”
Arguing whether Pablo is a first-class photographer or not is not worth my
time. The guy is a genius. He managed to make Colin not look like Colin. Aside from the fact that I am still in denial about the man achieving this godly figure and alpha-male status, the photos are way too far from the Colin I used to know. I don’t think I could even gain the courage to ask Colin how he made himself like this.
“I know the model is gorgeous. Your eyes don’t have to say it, sweetheart,” Donnie teases me.
I shudder with unexpected warmth. From the corner of my eyes, I see Colin smirk.
I shake my head. “They are amazing. I am sure Beetz will love them. Can I bring them to Ms. Ross now?”
“Here you go, sweetie.” Pablo hands me a plastic portfolio with Colin’s denim pictorial shots and a USB with a soft copy of the photos. “Ross will know what to do with them.”
From the looks of it, I think Ms. Ross will have to send the soft copy to Beetz through e-mail.
I hurry back to the office before Colin could even say a word and cause me delays.
“Are they good?” Ms. Ross asks after I gave her the USB.
“Yes. Actually, they are more than good,” I answer.
Ms. Ross begins to plug the USB into the port and starts uploading the files.
“You can take a look at the portfolio, ma’am.”
She chuckles. “I’m not a connoisseur when it comes to photos, honey. They all look the same to me. Every time I present photos of my own choosing, they always end up rejected. So I always make sure Donnie and the team have sorted them out before I show them to the clients. As a matter of fact, I am nervous about Beetz right now. I just hope they like them.”
I can see how nervous she looks.
“There. All sent!” she exclaims after hitting the send button.
“How will we know if they approve of it?”
“They’re going to send an email.”
“But if they don’t?”
She heaves a sigh and answers, “They’ll set for an appointment immediately.”
“What for?”
“To personally check the photo shoot.”
“They can demand a reshoot?”
Ms. Ross turns her heels on me. “They are our client, Ms. Mohr. They can always make demands as big as the sun.”
