After getting home and receiving a welcoming hello from poor Leo. I was happily eating and discussing my next plan with Aaron. He sat quietly, eating his stir fry as I unraveled my idea. We get on the phone with our makeup partners Diamond Legends, and set up a shoot for an ad. I desperately wanted Celestia to pose for our shoot, after all she was considered the Princess of the industry. With more opportunities coming up for her as well, I knew she wouldn't refuse.
With us upping the excitement, it would also encourage more people to go, and Miss Rita would collect more revenue. It was seriously a win-win situation for everyone. Sales for those who are loyal to us would rise for Diamond Legends, and we would draw all the attention towards us. We could even possibly bury Illia and Lilah considering we had the better and most popular venue.
"Your plan seems flawless, except for one major part. Diamond Legends is under an investigation from a recalled batch of their new release. Apparently, a disgruntled employee made claims that they were testing their products on animals. They were forced to pull all of their stuff off the shelves and are forbidden from selling until further notice." Aaron summarized. I groaned and leaned back into my chair. Of course, that was the case. There had to be something else we could do, maybe even use a lower rank or up and rising industry to temporarily sign with us.
"I see that look in your eye, and I am already going to tell you that it won't happen. Just wait for tomorrow. Remember we have that meeting for the new makeup client we are supposed to be signing with? Bastion wouldn't tell me much other than he is a big shot in the industry. If he is as half as good as Bastion keeps making him out to be, then we shouldn't have a problem with your plan. I am sure Bastion would like the idea too considering it would be taking a passive aggressive aim at him without revealing too much." The grin on Aaron's face told me that he was all game for my plan. It was annoying that I had to wait until tomorrow to make official plans, but I could handle it.
It still gave me plenty of time to invite Celestia out and make her a job offer for some modeling jobs. I would have her bring along her agent as well so we can make this opportunity official. After having a pleasant meal with Aaron, we said our good byes and he was out the door. Something about having to ready some presentations for tomorrow's meeting. Unfortunately for me, I had to only participate by screen since I was forced to stay indoors. In my opinion, being stuck at home was far more hazardous than being at work or out and about for that matter.
Pushing my resentment aside, I pulled out my phone and found Celestia's agent's number. It was a little after five now, so she may not even pick up, or she could be shooting a movie as well. I know that she was a second lead in a movie called Wind to Dust. About a high school boy whose family belong to a gang, falling in love with some simple rich woman. Celestia's part is the friend of the simple rich girl, and how she tries to show her support in the relationship but is always being set up by other girls to make her look bad.
"Hello, this is Celestia's agent speaking. How can I help you?" The voice was nonchalant and impatient. She must not have read the caller I.D. because normally she was friendlier to me than that.
"It's Rosaline Freed. I was calling to see if Celestia would be interested in a few modeling jobs for our fashion show coming up. I would like to discuss things further over lunch tomorrow after my meeting if we could." I wouldn't bring up the makeup shoot just yet in case I get let down and it wasn't as grand as I was hoping it to be.
"Miss Freed! My apologies for my rude tone. Miss Celestia is so busy these days it wears me out. Of course, she would accept. You know she cherishes you. Let me discuss a time with her, and after she is done shooting for the day, I will let you know." I was brimming with happiness. She would be a huge influence If I could get her to sign on, even if it was just a temporary fill in position.
"That's wonderful to hear. I can't wait to see you two tomorrow. Take care!" I said with a bright smile. Now just to convince Aaron to come grab me and bring me out tomorrow. I feel like as long as he is watching over me, he wouldn't have any real problems with me talking to a client. After all, this was all for the show. All I needed now was Ashely Tine and Darek Chamberlain to agree. They were a finicky bunch because they weren't as loyal as dear Celestia was. In fact, they go to the highest bidder.
What was the hurt in trying. They have worked for us for many years, I don't think money would be a problem if they asked a little more. We made plenty of our clothes as it was, and if I had to pay out of pocket I would do so as well. I never spent it unless I went out or needed new clothes, so this little amount was nothing I couldn't handle on my own. I found Ashley Tine's Manager in my phone and decided to dial her up.
"Miss Rose, what can I do for you this evening?" Something with her manager's tone was off. It was pleasant, but it almost sounded strained. I hope Ashley wasn't working her agent to hard. I know that she was always looking for work, so hopefully this was an easy yes as well.
"I was just calling to offer Ashely Tine a salary to come model for us, and maybe once more again in the Spring." There was a pause over the phone. I could hear voices, but they were muffled. After a few scratching noises came over the speaker, confirming she was covering the mic with her hand. Confused, I waited patiently for her reply. After a few more minutes of what sounded like bickering in the background, Ashley's agent came back over the phone.
"I do apologize Miss Freed. But it seems that Ashley has another shoot to attend that day. I afraid we will be sitting out of your shoot this year. I hope you understand." Again, her agent seemed pleasant but strained. It seemed like she was more or less lying, but I wouldn't push the matter with her. Especially when it didn't sound like I could persuade her in any other way.
"Of course, I understand. I wish her the best of luck. Please do have a good rest of your evening." I pasted a smile on my face to make the sendoff sound genuine. After disconnecting, I felt a little more disheartened. It could only mean that she refused because of last years failed show. I could understand that the model didn't want to be shamed once again, and I really did hope that her career was not hindered by our poor performance. My last hope right now, was Darek. After that phone call, I didn't have any hope. Much like Celestia, his modeling career was still new and fresh.
At this time his image was very important, and I am sure he was also affected by last time's performance. I still dialed the number any way, as I sat on my bed. Leo meowed pitifully as he scratched at the bed, wanting to get up. With his soft fuzzy face and gold crusted eyes staring up at me, I couldn't say no. So, while the phone continued to ring, I scooped up Leo in my arms and placed him gently on the bed. I watched as he curled up into a ball next to me, purring loudly as I scratched gently between his ears. Kneading the blanket, his eyes finally closed, and the purring only continued to get louder. What did I do to deserve an animal like you my little Leo? He looked so pitiful with his white cast on his front leg.
"Miss Freed. It's a pleasure to finally talk you again!" The voice didn't sound like his agent. It most definitely sounded like Darek. He still had a young boyish voice, and I guess that made since seeing as he was just fresh into adult hood.
"Mister Chamberlain, where is your agent? I have an opportunity to discuss with him." I said patiently. Of course, I could discuss these things with him, but his agent played a role in getting him the job as well.
"Ah, he was going to ignore the call, but my Goddess could not be ignore. Rest assured whatever you want us to do, I will agree to it for him. In fact, Gregory, get on the phone with the agency and tell them that Rosaline Freed has an opportunity for me." I felt my face pale at the mention of him calling me a goddess. This kid was stuck in the early romantic stage of his life. But I would use that to my advantage if it meant that I had one less model to worry about.
"Are you kidding me? No way, you where mocked for an entire year after that performance. I will not have it, even as your agent." I could hear Gregory seething in the background. I knew a way to possibly make him agree with me. It was the last resort I had.
"Darek, please put me on speaker. I might have a way to persuade him." I could hear the phone crinkle as he messed with the phone. When it went silent on his end, I assumed that I was on speaker.
"If you can hear me Gregory just listen to me. I ran my ideas by Miss Rita herself, who was even willing to give her Venue up to a second-rate fashion industry in place of ours. But she is so intrigued by our idea, she trusts me enough to show it off at her venue. If you believe in second chances, please believe in me and I won't ever let you lose face again." I was hoping, crossing my fingers with anxiety, praying that he would at least give me another chance to prove it to them.
It was silent on the phone for a while, and with every passing second, I could feel my hope slipping away. But with a final sigh, I could hear footsteps getting louder on the phone. Gregory was coming to snatch the phone away from Darek. But with the bouts of quiet giggles in the background, I knew I had won!
"Very well Miss Freed. I have done work with you in the past, and even we have our bad days. I will let you use my client again. But if this one is just as bad as the last one, you can lose our number. Do you understand?" Trying to hide my giddy delight, I tried keeping a straight face as I replied.
"Of course, Mister Gregory. I won't let you down!" There was a single grunt on the phone before the call disconnected. I felt my eye twitch in annoyance that he would just hang up on me, but I still considered it a win since I won over Darek. With two empty spots now needing to be filled, I could rest a little easier knowing that slowly our plan was falling into place. Now I just needed to find our two missing pieces. One more man, and one more woman.
With a satisfied sigh, I curled up next to Leo, and felt myself drift into a deep sleep.