04

Eloise Nicole

“Mom, why do you always decide for me?” I yelled in frustration.

How could she do that? She signed a one time contract with XDS Autotech company without letting me know. I was trying my best to forget him; not to think about him; ignore the images of him that were flashing in front of my eyes but my mother forcefully pushed me into the lion’s den.

But that is not the only point. My mother always does that. Most of the projects I’m doing are just because she accepted them without letting me know.

“Why are you getting hyper? It’s just a photoshoot, nothing new to you. I’m doing everything for your betterment. If you’ll be seen on the cover of XDS magazine, your value and status will hike. You’ll get more offers.” She replied nonchalantly.

“You’re not doing it for me but yourself. To raise your status in the industry.” I snapped.

“Control your tongue. I don’t have time for this. Be prepared, the photoshoot is tomorrow morning.” Taking her expensive purse in her hand she walked out of my apartment; clicking her high pointed heels on the marbled floor.

“When do you have time for me mom? When?” I mumbled.

Sometimes I wish I could disappear for some time or maybe forever. When will I get to live a peaceful life? People think that by being a celebrity, I don’t have any problems in my life but they don’t know the reality. They don’t know that reel life is a lot more different from real life.

∷∷∷∷∷∷∷∷:

With Trish walking beside me, I entered the XDS building. Evan was busy handling my other work where I couldn’t go because of the sudden photoshoot. In the building, I was welcomed by the curious gaze of employees, luckily they were trained to not reach for me for a selfie or autograph. I was thankful for that as I was in no mood to entertain people.

I reached the green room and my frustration elevated when I saw Claire Wilson in the same room but I kept quiet. She’s the one whose presence I always try to ignore. She’s one annoying, self-centered and selfish woman in the industry. I know about her because I have worked with her.

“What are you doing here?” She asked standing up from her chair.

“You’re not the only one signed for the photoshoot.” Commenting that I made my way to the rack to check the outfit I was supposed to wear.

“I’m aware of that but what I’m asking is what are you doing in my green room?” She asked in a clipped tone. I ignored her. It’s better to be quiet than arguing.

I’m not a person who likes to argue. I like the idea of peace. But sometimes situations get so bitter that I couldn’t stand and have to blast to take my stand. That’s how things generally work in this industry, though it makes the news but to stay in this industry you have to be tough, competitive, firm, and ignorant otherwise you don’t stand a chance here.

“She too is given the same green room,” Trish spoke for me.

“I don’t talk to assistants. So you better shut your mouth.” Claire’s comment ticked my nerve.

“If you want your legs in perfect shape then think before talking to my friend like this.” I glared at her.

“How dare you! Who do you think you are?” She seethed in anger.

“Oh, I’m the one you know very well. I’m the one who replaced you on many projects.” I never wanted to say that but it slipped off my tongue before I could think.

“El, stop it. She’s not worth it. She just wants to create a show.” Trish whispered.

I glanced around to see everyone was watching us. I silently sighed. They just want something to gossip about and leak to the media.

I nodded my head at Trish and chose to stay silent. Claire always does that, she wants to own every place and everything. And with me, she takes it on a personal level because unknowingly I have taken many opportunities from her by replacing her. Thanks to my mom.

But Claire won’t understand, would she? Absolutely not. No one will understand.

“What’s going on here?”

I mentally rolled my eyes. Only his presence was missing. Claire rushed to him and kissed his cheeks. She seems close to him. At the party too, she was getting too touchy. Why do I care? I shook my head.

I was a little surprised when he asked everyone to leave. I thought he would show rudeness or will threaten to replace us. But he acted totally opposite; he was so calm and composed, the way he handled the situation was remarkable.

I’m not new in this industry, I know how things work here. If any model shows discourtesy, they are thrown out of the project.

I don’t know when listening to his ways a laugh escaped from my throat which left me surprised. Apart from Evan and Trish, I don’t remember anyone making me laugh. But it doesn’t mean that I let down my guards. I managed to get a grip on myself by making a poker face.

Everyone takes your advantage if you let your guards down. These days even a smile gives the wrong signal to everyone and especially men.

When he left the room Claire eyed me in disgust; Ignoring her I asked Trish to help me with the outfit.

“What did he say?” Trish asked me.

“Nothing much,” I whispered staring at my reflection in the mirror.

The outfit gave me the badass girl look. High-ankle jeans with a tube top and a cropped jacket to complete the look. With high heels and a high ponytail, I was ready for shooting.

A luxury sports car was positioned in front of a green curtain. We were supposed to give poses with the car and after that, with the help of editing software background will be modified.

In some poses, I was asked to stand close to Claire to give the look of friends enjoying the car ride. I was okay with that because it was work but apparently, Claire made the photographer take many shots as she was not willing to do it properly.

Throughout the photoshoot, I was under the scrutinizing gaze of Daniel. My full focus was on my poses but I was aware of him watching me.

After giving almost fifty poses in three different outfits, the photoshoot was over. Claire took that chance to jump on Daniel as she sat beside him, bragging how exhausted she was. Rolling my eyes I went to change into my clothes.

Trish received a call from Evan so she went outside to talk to him. I was removing my makeup when Daniel Adams entered the green room. I saw him through the mirror and instead of turning to him, I continued wiping the eyeshadow.

“You were amazing back there.” He said standing behind me, looking me through the mirror.

Placing the tissue back on the dresser I turned around to face him.

“Thank you. I’m pleased you like my work, Mr. Adams.”

“Why so formal, Eloi?” He asked, roaming his eyes on my face.

Again Eloi?

“I came here for formal work, not for anything personal. And I think I made it clear to you that My name is ELOISE.” I replied.

His eyes lit up with mischief and his lips curled up in a playful smile. Not letting go of my sight; slowly, he sauntered over to me. I took a step back which made my lower back hit the dresser table.

“Oh, but I already made my mind to call you Eloi.” He said stopping just a hand distance from me.

“I don’t like it,” I commented.

“But I do. And I don’t give up on things I like.” He said stepping closer. My heart unknowingly picked up the pace when he stepped into my personal space. His scent invaded my senses.

Placing his one hand on the table he brought his face near my ear. “Wh..what are you doing?” I stuttered pressing myself against the table.

He pulled away slightly and pinned his eyes with mine. I jerked in surprise when he starting rubbing my cheek with the tissue.

“Mr. Adams, please maintain some distance. And I can do it myself.” I said, trying to take the tissue out of his hand but he didn’t let me do so as he griped my wrist with another hand.

The atmosphere became a bit intense and serious at the same time. He cleaned the spot until it was clear and only after that he let go of my wrist and stepped back. I straightened myself and cleared my throat.

“Hey, you look the same even without makeup. Serious, expressionless, and grumpy. I thought the makeup you use didn’t suit you but I was wrong.”

Clenching my jaw; I scrunched my face and narrowed my eyes at me.

“See? Again you look crabby. This way you’ll look like an old lady with wrinkles in no time.” He laughed off all the seriousness lurking in the environment.

“Did you just call me an old woman?” I glared at him.

“Oh goodness, Eloi… I think you have already turned into an old woman as you lost the hearing power because I didn’t call you an old woman I said you’ll turn into one in no time.” He flicked my nose. I gasped.

“How dare you….” I was cut off in between by his lips on my cheek.

“Meet you again, Eloi.” He winked and left the room.

I gaped at his disappearing figure. Is he serious? How can he be so playful? Looking at his behavior, who will say he is the CEO of the USA’s biggest company?

“That was quite a show.”

“When did you come?” I asked looking everywhere but her.

“Oh, I came the moment when someone was helping you remove your makeup” Trish smirked mischievously.

“That was nothing.”

“Really? Eloi?” She batted her eyelashes, making an innocent face.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, stop calling me that.”