Chapter 16: Janessa the Model Pt. 2
"Well, I'm out of a job, actually." I laughed, mostly at myself … What a horrible thing to lead with. Not to mention my shabby appearance. After the rain I probably looked like a drowned rat.
"You were with another modeling agency?"
"Yes, Barrington."
"Oh, I see." The administrative assistant's almond eyes widened as she began clickity-clacketing on the keyboard. Her chin-length dyed crimson hair bounced back and forth like a pendulum in motion from her movements. "Hold on just one second," she said with another cute grin.
She picked up the phone, holding it with her shoulder to her ear, continuing to type speedily. "Yes, I have Janessa Barrington in front of me ... No, this isn't a joke." She giggled then she hung up. "You can take a seat."
I walked to the waiting room chairs which appeared to be cheap and boring. Once I sat down I realized how luxurious they felt, however. After glancing down at myself again, I was aware that this may not be the best first impression on a new potential boss. I couldn't think about that though. I needed to make money.
"Well, hello there," I heard a man say as he exited the elevator. It was the photographer from earlier! He was no longer wearing his sweaty casual ware. Now he was in sandy-toned suit pants, a champagne gold V-neck and a beige scarf to match. What a difference!
"Weren't you over at Barrington earlier?" I asked curiously with a tilt of my head.
"Yes, that was me."
"You're not from Brooklyn, are you?"
"Correct. I am English."
"Kudos to you for pulling that New York accent off."
"Appreciate the compliment," he said kindly. "By the way, I'm Luca Bellamy. What was your--"
"Janessa Barring--," I paused, then continued, "How about we just use Janessa?"
We shook hands and he flashed me an encouraging smile.
"It's lovely to meet you again, Janessa. So, are you looking for work?" He held his hands together in hopeful excitement.
"I am."
"Excellent. Would you mind taking a ride with me upstairs?"
"Not at all."
We hopped on the elevator together. Once we exited, I followed him into his spacious office and set my stuff down. This office wasn't unlike Chase's, but it was brighter and more welcoming. It felt uplifting due to the bay-styled windows, his white oak desk, and maybe because in the middle of the plentiful pillows upon a soft taupe-colored couch rested a teddy bear.
"What's that?" I pointed to the couch as he lowered himself into his desk chair. He chuckled.
"I like cute things," he said with a half shrug. I laughed under my breath.
"So, before we go any further, I have something to ask you," I said.
"Please do."
"Why did you infiltrate Barrington?" I asked. He glanced at me with a wincing expression of regret.
"I might as well come clean. You see, we're competing with Barrington obviously, and it was invaluable to get some inside information. Normally, I can assure you that my business is not run this way but there have been rumors about Mr. Barrington treating his models poorly. I was digging up dirt on him and I planned to drag his name through the mud publicly this week," he paused. "I know how dreadful that sounds."
"Normally, I'd find that shady but after recent events, not so much."
"Oh?" he asked, his black angled eyebrows raised. I could tell he was happy to move the focus off him.
"Yeah, long story."
"Well, how about we start a new chapter, here?"
"Do you think I'd fit in here?"
"Perfectly."
"That's so great to hear!" I exclaimed. He glanced over at my pile of belongings.
"I can't help but notice that you're packed. Fancy another photo shoot?"
"I, uh," I stuttered as I glanced down at the suitcase. I was embarrassed to elaborate.
"Do you need a place to stay?" he asked. His voice sounded soft and empathetic. He folded his knuckles under his chin and glanced at me with gentleness in his gray eyes. Luca was an angel in that pose compared to Chase. "I had a sense that there may be a domestic when I heard him shouting," he paused, then continued, "Oh, perhaps that was too forward."
"No, I just wasn't sure if you'd want to do more photo shoots with me, but the rain has ruined my hair and make-up. I'd need another hour to get ready." I exhaled. "Blech," I said. He smiled at me in understanding.
"Yes, it can take quite a while to get primped again and besides, you've already worked today," he said. "The bonus is that I've already snapped those stellar shots of you. We're ahead of the game so you needn't worry." He pointed at me with a wink. "But anyway, in case you weren't aware, you're hired. I'll have some paperwork for you to fill out. Would now be a good time?"
"Sure," I said. He rose from his cream-colored chair and walked out into the hallway. I watched his tall frame disappear behind the puckered obscure glass design in his office. It was nice that he let his employees at least see that he was present. Chase only wanted to shut people out.
***
After a little while, I watched Luca return, realizing that his clothing matched his office perfectly. Was that planned? The colors flattered his bronzed skin and raven-black hair. When I looked into his eyes, they were like staring into my own. Again, a feeling of déjà vu struck me.
He sat down with a stack of papers and handed me a pen. How thoughtful unlike when I had to use my own pen to sign the divorce decree. As I began filling out the paperwork, I glanced to the left at the farthest window. The glass had the appearance of perpetual sunshine.
"Is that a magic window over there?" I motioned with my left elbow, continuing to with the forms.
"Oh, that's done with a small LED light. Makes it seem brighter all the time."
"That is very cool. I bet it works wonders for people with seasonal affective disorder."
"It certainly does. I can speak from experience."
"I understand why it happens in these northeastern parts of the country," I remarked.
"It does happen, 'specially in the cold months. We've not got winters like you lot here."
"It doesn't snow over there?"
"Rarely and and not blizzards."
"And here I thought Dickens' Christmas Carol was how every December in England was," I commented. He chuckled.
"Have you never been?"
"I have visited two times and the trips were in August. No chance for snow sightings then. Maybe I'll get over there again, someday."
"Yeah, may--be," he said with emphasis. I glanced at him, as he flashed me a grin. I felt comforted by him.
"Here you go," I said handing him the filled-out paperwork.
"Excellent. I'll go scan these and then we can talk about next steps."
After he left, I rose from my chair and walked over to the window. I could see that the LED had been inserted between the panes of glass. The soft warm bulb reminded me of lamp lights, not the usual cold white light.
I glanced at the glow while listening to the tapping rain against the window. The real weather had gray, gloomy skies, yet the window's illumination changed that perception. I wondered if a light like this could work for the crippling grief I was going to deal with.
At once I was hit by crushing emotional despair nearly doubling me over. Skillfully, I only allowed a couple of tears to escape from my eyes. As I heard him walking back down the hallway, I promptly wiped them away.
"Well, then. You're in the system properly. So, when would you like to start working?"
"As soon as I can."
"Alright. Come back next week, say Monday at 8 am. Does that sound good?"
"Sure," I said. Excitement mixed with an immediate sinking feeling hit my stomach. I had nowhere to go but I couldn't let him know my life was in shambles. My plan was to get myself together and he'd be none the wiser. I could do it.
"Welcome to Ascot."
"Thank you. I'll see you soon." We nodded and I walked toward the elevator. I pressed the button for floor one pretending I knew what was next.
As I stepped out into the rain, I wheeled my suitcase behind me, with my braids lolling over the sides. It looked like some kind of strange creature that hadn't been cataloged by zoologists yet.
***
The rain picked up and it was becoming darker out. I had to think of something to do soon. I didn't have any money and my family was far away. It occurred to me that I could stay in the Ascot building. I knew they had construction going on upstairs from news articles I'd read.
Perhaps that part of the building wasn't finished, and I could hide out there until I was on my feet. It wasn't the best of plans, but I needed to do something fast. The temperature was already lowering and I was shivering from the rain.
I waited in the shrubbery outside the double glass doors of Ascot. Just as the red head admin left, I slipped in. Fearfully looking around, I rushed to the elevator hoping nobody saw me. Once in the elevator I picked floor twenty-six.
When it opened, to my relief what I'd read had been correct. The offices up there were mostly empty except for chairs. Welcome to my new temporary home.
I stuffed my suitcase underneath one of the desks close to me and rested my braids on top of it. I stared at the ceiling that was covered with drywall dust. Although I was in distress, I was also exhausted and eventually, I knew I could sleep.
As I drifted off I prayed nobody would find me.
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