^^^

I was feeling very uncomfortable. Apart from Alora leaning against my shoulder to allow herself to sleep, I was exposed to a new setting. Some people might say this would've been an opportunity, mostly for aspiring models.

But I thought of it differently. Maybe I was not used to being around famous or highly respected designers and photographers. The main reason I felt uncomfortable was cause I didn't belong here.

I sat on a black chair behind the cameras of a white backgrounded studio. "One minute left till showtime!" A man wearing a button up shirt and light brown trousers poked his head from behind a thick curtain which lead to a dressing room and yelled out toward a group of employees.

In response, the group separated and scurried around the room, adjusting the setting where three cameras surrounded it. The setting had a peach colored background and consisted of an oak stool presented as a centerpiece. I cuddled and kissed Alora when she whined at the hustling sounds. "It's okay." I whispered in her ear and clasped her tiny hand in mine for comfort.

As if on cue, the bundle of curtains was pushed away from where the man had just announced from.

That was when I saw Adrian dressed in a pair of designer dark blue jeans, a white shirt that reached until his wrists and a pair of shoes. He looked very different, more fierce. His shirt fit him like a glove, allowing a clear trace of his muscles through the fabric and his hair was pushed back so that a few strands rested upon his forehead gracefully.

Adrian was an attractive person and that was undeniable by me. It was no surprise that he was a successful model. Adrian professionally strolled over to the stool and met his eyes with mine. I felt my face burning when he grinned and winked at me.

How did he make me blush so easily?

Thankfully one of the photographers stood in front of me and blocked me from Adrian's view. "Mr Hayes, I would like you to first place your right hand on the stool and left in your pocket. You'll need to lean on it and look at the camera." The photographer requested and the other photographers began to take their positions.

Adrian complied to his instructions looked at the photographer again. "This okay?" The photographer nodded in response and soon flashes and clicks played throughout the room.

"Next pose. Jacqueline, you take this one." The photographer called out and the other photographer, Jacqueline, took the role. "Mr Hayes, take a seat on the stool and allow your left leg to point down while your right leg will rest on one of the stool's leg. Put your hands in your pockets and face forward."

Adrian followed her instructions with ease and posed. "Fantastic!" The photographer from before complimented and clicked his camera in delight.

Adrian appeared relaxed while modeling, he was clearly a professional at it. His blue eyes sparkled like diamonds and lips were set in a line. Once in a while he would smile in his shots, only if the photographers allowed it. I thought that they had a plan for every pose that Adrian was to do.

Thinking about it made me realize how small I was.

Adrian was a model! What was I?

I didn't even have a job. For a moment, jealousy ran through me. I wanted to work and make a living. But I knew I couldn't, not for now at least. My family were still on the run and if I were to work again, they would find me. I sighed defeatedly, maybe being jobless wasn't a bad idea.

I felt a movement in my arms and I looked down to notice Alora stirring from her sleep. I quickly shushed her and cradled her back and forth, but it didn't seem to work because the next thing I knew was that she was wide awake.

"Mama!" She squealed as her cute wide eyes gazed up at me.

I smiled and kissed Alora's cheek. "I love you." I muttered softly so that no one could hear my words meant for my baby. Alora giggled and placed her palms upon my face, then repeatedly patted my cheeks.

"Mr Hayes, we have all the pictures taken for this look. I think it's time to switch to the next look." My eyes glimpsed at Jacqueline who was scanning her eyes throughout the camera and the other photographer who was drinking a bottle of water.

I switched my attention to Adrian and trained my eyes onto him as he walked back into the draped curtains. I leaned back in my chair and sighed heavily, another look would take half an hour to do. What do I do? Adrian invited me to watch his photoshoot and I was kind of excited to join him, but I felt the complete opposite now. I felt tired and sleepy.

I wonder how tired Adrian was cause of the amount of times he had to change into new outfits and smile at the camera throughout the day. I could tell from my observations that being a model was obviously not easy. Adrian needed to workout for a long amount of time so that he would be able to achieve his muscles.

As I expected, It took 30 minutes for Adrian to emerge back into the main room. During the long wait, I played with Alora and took a walk outside the studio before returning to my seat.

The employees were in a rush as they hustled around and made sure that everything was going well. The setting changed by the removal of the stool so that the setting had no furniture. The photographers took their places and waited for their model.

Adrian entered the setting dressed in designer clothes as before. This time he only wore a pair of black jeans and designer black shoes. My breath hitched and mouth was dangling open at the sight of his appearance. The lights spread on his naked chest and his muscles were on display, showing a toned chest that many models would dream for.

Adrian sensed my stare and glanced my way, I quickly shut my mouth. I tried to avoid the embarrassment of being caught again, staring so I smiled at Adrian. He smiled back and looked away when the photographers decided to begin. I turned Alora around in my lap so that she was facing Adrian.

Alora questionably peered at the photographers before her eyes found Adrian. "Da?" She muttered curiously and turned her head toward me. "Da?" She pointed at Adrian while frowning with confusion written all over her face.

I nodded and giggled, the look on her was hilarious. Alora's lips moved up into a sloppy grin as she twisted her head back to Adrian. "Da." She squealed enthusiastically, catching the attention of a few employees.

Adrian was in the middle of a pose where he was raising both his arms behind his head and staring straight into the camera lens. The sudden squeal caused Adrian to freeze and avert his gaze upon Alora. Alora, satisfied that she had his attention, clapped. The photographers winced when Adrian's mind drifted off but never said a word.

Adrian waved at Alora from his position and she squealed even louder. "Da! Da! Da!" I shushed her by holding her hands in mine whilst laughing. "Be quiet dear." I whispered in her ear and kissed it. I knew that my words didn't mean anything to her now but she calmed down and watched Adrian with excited eyes.

I ogled the scene in front of me for the next minutes. Luckily, an employee moved towards us and offered a choice of drinks, I chose the orange juice and sipped it, feeling my weariness fade away. The consistently flashing lights certainly made me feel worn out. I thought that Alora didn't need any drink since she was wide awake and alert.

Finally after an hour, Adrian completed his look and was allowed to finish up by the photographers.

I got into my feet with Alora on my hip when I noticed Adrian take strides in my direction. "I could finally take a breather after all of that. How was it, did you like my looks?" He asked me whilst consuming a glass of water that he collected from an employee who approached him.

I lifted my hand and put my thumb up. Alora giggled in my arms and stuck her fingers in her mouth. "Thanks, a lot of people think so too." Adrian smirked and crossed his arms across his bare chest. I shook my head to hold back a laugh.

He was... unbelievable.

"What, you think I'm lying?" He raised his eyebrows amusingly. "I never lie. I think you don't realize the amount of people who drool over me. Even Alora loves me."

Alora launched herself into Adrian's arms when he stepped closer to her. "Isn't that right Alora?" She clutched his hair in response and giggled. Adrian laughed lightly at my confused face.

"I'm joking, anyway I wanna take some pictures with Alora." I slowly nodded, I was unaware that he planned it but I was sure that it would be alright for him and Alora to take some pictures together.

Adrian smiled softly and looked me for a moment and then called over one of the employees. "Mr Hayes?" The employee asked, his voice laced with perplexity. "Remember what I arranged before hand?" The employee nodded and Adrian glimpsed at me briefly.

"You can start it now." I confused and when the employee signaled the rest of the employees to huddle around me, my confusion intensified. I gazed up at Adrian questionably.

What was going on?

"No need to get concerned." He dismissed my worried look whilst hugging Alora closer to him. One of the employees began to examine my body and the others were speaking with Adrian. "We'll be done in half an hour." I shifted on my feet feeling insecure, I wanted to get out of this situation.

"Violet?" I snapped my head toward Adrian who was staring at me intently. "I'll be taking pictures with Alora while you get ready," He paused and ran his hand through his hair. "I asked my managers to allow you for a photoshoot as well as Alora." I froze.

This couldn't be true!

"Don't worry." Adrian assured with an edgy grin. I glared him and shook my head. I was infuriated and annoyed. How could he organize a photoshoot for me without my permission?

He had no right. But even though I wanted to protest, the employees were already ushering me towards the changing room that Adrian occupied earlier.

I looked back at Adrian and I glowered at him. He was chuckling along with Alora as she squealed "Ma!" The way he smirked at me, made me want to punch his face.

I will punch that irritating smile off his handsome face.

———

Foundation covered my skin smoothly and made sure to conceal my scars away under it's layers. The red fabric of my knee length dress felt delicate as it rubbed against my skin. My hair was curled and let loose. I had to admit, this was the prettiest that I could've ever felt but this wasn't the way I wanted it to be.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror and analyzed my new self. Expensive earrings hung onto my ears as they glittered in the light. My red dress was v necked and the makeup consisted of a smokey eye look which made me seem confident. I smiled at my reflection sorrowfully.

This was just temporary anyway, just for a day. I was appreciative of my makeup and clothes but I felt uncomfortable showing my skin. I especially had a variety of scars upon my skin and I was anxious when the makeup artist covered them. Luckily no one said anything about it. Maybe they were stopped from discussing my scars by Adrian.

I sighed and moved aside from the mirror and with one last glimpse of my reflection, I headed toward the bathroom's door and swung it open. I stepped out and closed the door behind me before I proceeded to walk down the corridor that led back into the changing room.

My peach colored heels clicked against the marble floor until I had reached the dressing room's door. I pushed the door open and once I saw what was on the other side, I quickly closed the door.

Adrian was in there and he was chatting with the makeup artist. I thought that I had successfully hidden myself from him but I was wrong. The way I suddenly pushed open the door caught the attention of most people within the room.

I jumped when the door opened and slammed behind me. I knew who it was so I let my head hang low and backed into a wall. A few moments of silence flew by and I felt myself struggling with keeping my head down, and to loose the tension, I glanced up. I felt his eyes were penetrating intensely through me, I shivered. He changed into a gray sweater and jeans while his hair was ruffled messily.

Adrian reached his hand out and interlocked it with my own hand. "Violet..." He drifted off and smiled. "You look amazing. I never told you about this cause I knew that you would reject the idea." He gently pulled me from the wall and I had the chance to identify each individual streak of blue within his eyes. "But I think that you'll enjoy it." He whispered in my ear and kissed my cheek, taking me by surprise.

I wanted to yell at him for planning a photoshoot for me but the look on his face was manipulating my mind. "Anyway, I'll be there to guide you." Adrian stated and trailed his finger down my cheek causing tingles.

We gazed at each other for a while in silence and I watched as his eyelashes fluttered. "Let's go." He broke the tension and stepped back whilst still keeping ahold on my hand, leading me out of the corridor. We passed the changing room till we were back in the setting.

A white leather ottoman sat in the middle. "That's where you'll sit." Adrian murmured in my ear. I took one glimpse of the photographers and employees in front of me and backed away from Adrian's hold out of shyness.

Adrian noticed that I was uncomfortable as my cheeks reddened. "Don't worry, I'm here." He assured me walked me to the ottoman and made me sit on it.

I sat on the ottoman and nervously glanced around the room, thinking about where Alora was. I finally caught sight of her sleeping peacefully within the hold of an employee. I wanted nothing more than to rush over to her and hug her.

I felt a finger underneath my chin, breaking me out of my trance. Adrian's eyes stared into mine and I realized that he was crouching down to my level. "Follow me, okay? I'll tell you what to do." I took several seconds to digest the information and I nodded my head.

Adrian dropped his finger from my chin. "Alright, first I need you to place one of your palms outstretched one your right cheek and look directly into," He paused and got to his feet. He stepped back so that he could present the camera then continued. "This camera." I responded to his instructions feeing really shy. There were people and photographers in this room that were observing my every movement.

The photographers snapped away at the camera and tried to get numerous angles of me. Adrian kept his eyes on me constantly, watching my movements. Maybe this wasn't the best way to get confidence especially if it was unexpected.

But I did learn that I had confidence all along. I just hid it and never showed it to prove myself that I am capable of anything. And how did I acknowledge this new confidence?

It was because of Adrian.