Chapter 12: Terrible First Impressions

A dark blue Lamborghini Aventador S rolled up beside a black BMW. The windows were tinted in black, almost matching the roof. Shiny steel wheels flared under the blazing sun. They slowed down to a stop.

Shortly after, a car door opened.

It rose upwards unlike most vehicles.

Cut in a retro curtain style, a head of brown hair and blonde highlights stepped out of the vehicle. The side-swept bangs tickled a bushy eyebrow. Pink plump lips parted open on top of a chiseled jaw. The open dress shirt exposed a sculpted chest. A pair of radiant blue eyes gleamed as if hiding a secret.

Wherever they looked, they made hearts flutter.

"Mikael." Another figure emerged from the passenger side. "Man, you just got back. Why are you heading for the studio?"

A bronze hand shut the door close. Shiny leather shoes strutted around the car. Matching red jacket and trousers glistened under the light. The black silk undershirt did the same. Wide chocolate eyes squinted from the bright sun rays.

"I want to surprise Luna." Mikael smirked, taking out a cigarette. His companion slapped it away immediately. He raised his hands in surrender, smirking at the annoyed face.

"Old habits, Jordan. Sorry."

"Yeah, yeah, old habits." Jordan snorted. He pointed to the employee entrance. "Walk ahead of me so I can keep an eye on you and your rebellious ass."

Mikael merely shrugged and climbed up the stairs. He waved a hand at the security guard. The place looked exactly like he remembered it—not that a lot changed over the past few weeks. Vibrant portraits welcome him inside. His feet led him down a familiar path, taking a left turn. Opaque floor-to-ceiling glass windows appeared in his vision.

He proceeded to knock at the door, tucking both hands in his pockets.

"No answer?" Jordan asked as soon as he caught up. He clicked his tongue as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Maybe she's not around. She is a businesswoman after all."

Mikael wasn't convinced.

Luna had told him she'd stay in the building. He tricked it out of her so he could succeed in the surprise. Even before his overseas project, he failed to visit her over a couple of weeks. He figured she'd be upset if he didn't see her as soon as his plane landed.

His eyebrows scrunched together.

Then, his gaze flickered back to the hallway he took earlier.

"Is there someone in the studio?" He thought out loud. His legs moved before he even processed his words. He sped down the corridor, craning his neck. The route led him to the other end of the floor.

White light peeked from under a door.

It opened and a hunched janitor stepped out, pushing a trolley of cleaning tools. He kept his eyes on the floor. Deep age lines carved his face.

Mikael picked up his pace. He tapped the maintenance worker. "Hey, Luke. Mind telling me what's going on inside?"

"Oh, Sir Davis. It's you." The old man beamed. He straightened his posture and cleared his throat. The male model never failed to boost his mood. "How may I help you today?"

"Good to see you, Luke." Mikael chuckled. Sneaking a peek at the door, he jabbed a thumb towards the studio. "Is Luna in there?"

"She is."

"What? She already started her Ancient Rome campaign?" He laughed, skepticism dripping in his tone. "Who is it? Lena? Lotte? Lisha? She has a thing for female names that start with 'L'."

Luke pressed his lips together. His mind recalled the faces inside the studio. After a short while, he shook his head. "I actually don't know her."

Mikael took a step back. His forehead creased in confusion. Athon Corporation engaged with several models. One of their business partners was Lotus Modelling Agency. The corporation favored a few of their models. He expected it to be one of them.

Jordan watched his expressions. "I told you. You've been gone several weeks. They could have hired a new model. Someone you haven't met yet."

The words sparked an idea in Mikael's head.

His radiant blue eyes dimmed into a glare. The wrinkles on his face deepened. His nostrils flared as he locked his jaw. A dark aura clouded around him. He clenched his hands into fists, his blood simmering in his veins.

"Don't tell me it's another brat that got a shortcut because of a huge sponsor!" he spat, shaking his head. His feet stepped around Luke and marched towards the door. He took long strides, not wasting any time. "She gave away a slot to some rookie? This I have to see."

The surroundings blurred in his vision.

"Damn it, Luna," Mikael hissed under his breath. "She never learns. She is too nice for her own good. I need to put an end to this."

Hurried footsteps ran up the hallway.

"Didn't she do the same thing for you?" Jordan reminded him hot on his heels. "Gave you your first endorsement?"

He remained skeptical despite his friend's negative presumption.

"I know she did but remember those models?" Mikael said. His legs kept walking. "They left Luna in the dust after they received a bigger offer. They broke their contract with Athon Corporation, forgetting about her kindness. They don't even bother to talk to her whenever they cross paths."

Jordan squinted an eye, shrugging. "I get your point but you gotta stop thinking that way each time she hires someone new. Luna ain't complaining. She also didn't let it get to her. She's still giving out opportunities."

Mikael grabbed the door knob. He directed a scowl over his shoulder. "Which bad people take advantage of. If I don't look out for her, who would?"

"Herself." Jordan snorted. Then, his eyes went wide. "Hey—"

His reply reached deaf ears. Mikael had already opened the door. He halted in his steps, observing from the doorway. White light illuminated the opposite side of the room. Gray shades filled up the shoot, highlighting the star color.

Crimson red hair seized the center stage.

Mikael leaned on the frame, crossing his arms over his chest. The model lifted her legs up the chaise. His lips frowned when the satchel bag almost fell. He instantly scorned the woman based on first impressions. He had seen these things in small auditions—the place where she rightfully belonged.

Not only was she clumsy but she was also inexperienced.

Her back was stiff and so was her arm. Her fingers clutched the bag in an awkward spot. The dress hid her legs but he could make out the positions of her foot. It reminded him of an Egyptian sarcophagus which had a carved space for the feet. It allowed the casket to stay upright if lifted up vertically.

Overall, it did not look good.

It didn't even reach amateur level.

Mikael exhaled sharply.

This display only proved his theory correct. They had another wannabe model in the midst. 'How could Luna stand by and let this happen?' He asked himself. She already helped the woman out but the latter still executed poorly.

The looks and makeup wouldn't be enough to hide the horrible posture.

Jordan peeked from outside.

He folded his arm and raised it against the doorway, placing a hand on his hip.

"Not that bad," he whispered.

Mikael stared at him, not even hiding his disdain.

Jordan did a double take before he noticed his friend's sarcastic face. He rolled his eyes at the expression. "Aw, come on. Even you didn't start out flawlessly. I remembered how much you practiced in front of the mirror."

He slapped Mikael with the back of his hand. "Just because you're Mr. Big Shot now doesn't mean you were never like her. Don't be criticizing her just yet."

"She's worse than a beginner." His friend pointed out. Irritation laced every syllable. "I don't know what Luna is thinking. I think this is the worst one I've seen so far. Not even those bitches performed this bad."

"Dude, give her a chance." Jordan exasperated. Mikael was on a roll. He could feel it. It would be a while before his friend came back to his senses. "I thought you were more worried if Luna got played? She could still be a nice girl. Stop the prejudice, would you? If you wanna judge her, talk to her first. Sheesh."

Mikael hung his head, groaning. He heard the camera shutter.

It was one thing for Luna to give a new model a chance…

…

… but it was another thing if someone sponsored that model.

A lot of the people he met used money to stir the tides. They controlled the system, pulling the strings. If anyone wanted to do that, that person should have something to show for it. The number of disappointments became too many. People he trusted also succumbed to the manipulation.

Thus, it became one of his pet peeves.

He absolutely hated an entitled person who didn't take modelling seriously.

Mikael shifted his attention back on the shoot. The same rigid pose met his gaze. It almost stung his sight. His hands itched to fix the mistakes. He let out the breath that he held without knowing. His eyes squeezed shut.

'This god-awful shoot needs to stop!'