บท 31: Are You Quitting?
After a while...
Photographer: That should do it.
The staff start to wrap up and I finally get to walk away from Liam. Hahh, I'm finally away from him! I don't have to put up with him now! I spot Jason standing nearby with warm smile on his face, beckoning me to come over.
My first thought was to walk towards him but... I recall how Liam suggestively mentioned that he thinks that I slept with Jason to be a part of this shoot. If I go over, it'll only make him think worse of Jason, I don't want that.
I awkwardly smile back at him and head off to the changing room. As I'm walking off, my eyes meet Liam's. He mouths me something.
Liam: 'See you soon.'
Mia:....
Yeah, right! As if I want to ever meet you again! I mentally stick my tongue out at him and go my way. I go inside the room and slip back into my own clothes. When I go outside, I'll have to maintain my distance from Jason, I don't want people to misunderstand and speak ill of him.
I open the door and spot Jason fiddling with his phone. Okay, here we go. I walk towards him.
Mia: I just realised that I need to head back, I need to cover my shift at the store.
Jason: Um, okay.
He looks slightly surprised by my unusual attitude. Then, he pulls out a check.
Jason: Thanks for helping me out.
Mia: No pro-..!! Is this really how much you're giving me?!
My eyes almost pop out of their sockets when I look at the amount on the check. So much for just a few photos?! Jason, however, looks at me strangely.
Jason: Well, we do give our models more than this but you're not a professional so the company won't agree-
Mia: That's not what I mean! This is.. too much..!
Jason: Really?
He looks at me, nonplussed. Ah, I remember he told me that he earns a lot. This must not be a very big amount for him. Damn, if I was more beautiful, I would take this up as a career! But.. Liam's words flash in my mind again.
Does a model really have to make such compromises? You often hear about them here and there but being accused for it feels awful. I bet Liam didn't have to do all this, he already has good looks.
While leaving the studio with Jason, I spot Liam getting into his car. He notices me and smirks at me sarcastically. Ugh, he still thinks 'that' thing is true, doesn't he. It's not like I have to explain myself to him anyway though. I ignore him and continue walking, hoping that I don't have to meet him again...
The next day...
I'm busy at the store during the evening rush when Jordan comes over to the counter.
Jordan: Are we out of hazelnut cookies?
Mia: Hmm, there aren't any over here, they should be in the kitchen.
Jordan: Okay.
Mia: While you're at it, get 10 packets for the counter.
Jordan: Got it. Oh, by the way, there's something I need to talk to you about. Do you have plans after the store closes?
Plans, huh. Recently, Jason has been coming to pick me up after the store closes. Is that considered as a plan?
Mia: Well, I do need to go early but, if you want to have a small talk, I'm all ears.
Jordan: Ah, your boyfriend comes to pick you up, doesn't he.
Mia: He's-... Yeah.
I'm tired of constantly having to tell people that we're not a couple so I'm just going to leave it. Jordan goes towards the kitchen I resume my work.
After a while..
Phew, it's finally over! We don't usually get so much rush during weekdays, what's up with today? I open the door to the break room ans as soon as I do...
Naomi: Mia!!
Mia:!!!
Naomi pounces on me out of nowhere and I almost lose my balance. Wh-What's going on?
Naomi: Are you going to quit working here?!
Mia:... Say what?
What's she talking about? She pulls away from me when I say this and holds something to my face. It's the Seven Seasons's magazine that I modelled for! Wow, they released to so quickly. Hmm, on closer inspection, I actually did a good job.
I don't seem out of place or stand out because of the wrong reasons. But, that expression on my face... why does it look so sultry?! I never knew I could look like that!
Naomi: That's you, isn't it? Now that you have a high paying job, you're going to quit working here, aren't you?
Mia: That's-
*Clatter!*
Jordan: S-Sorry, I'll pick these up.
A stack of empty trays falls from Jordan's hands and he bends down to pick them up, flustered.
Mia: I'm not quitting.
Naomi:... Eh? But..
She points to the photo again.
Mia: I was just helping someone, nothing much.
As soon as I say this, relief flashes over her face.
Naomi: For real? Come to think of it, you were to quit, you'd tell me first. Hah! Anyway, it's nice that we can still work beside each other!
???: Ahem, about that...
Everyone:..!!
Ethan, who had somehow ninja'ed himself in the room during the commotion, speaks up.
Ethan: I have something to say to you all.
This voice turns serious and the air in the room becomes tense. Ethan is usually very easygoing, if he's talking in this way, it has to be some big news. And it most certainly isn't a good one...
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