Elona’s POV
I walked down the hallway to Mr Luca’s office. There were no photoshoots today. It was a bit quiet here, so I guess most of the employees were out doing their photoshoots. I passed only a few of them as I walked in this building. I don’t know how Mr Luca will take my decision to quit, but this was for the best.
Knocking on his office door, I sucked in a breath, hoping all would go well. “Come in,” he called out from the other side of the door. I opened the door and entered, giving him a smile as he looked up from jotting something down in front of him.
“Can I have a word with you, if you don’t mind?” I asked, he nodded as I closed the door behind me.
“Of course, what is it that you want to talk about?” He asked as I faced him. He leaned back in his chair.
“I know the photoshoot with Mr Monroe was only for a perfume campaign, and it really got us into trouble at school. I cannot have something like that happen again, so I will be focusing on graduating from school before I focus on my modeling career. I’m sorry that I have to say this, but I have to quit working here at The Dakota Agency.” I said nervously.
“That’s a...it’s a tough decision that you had to make, and I support it. School is important, and I don’t want you to be suspended because you are working with your teacher. I do apologize for that. However,” he shifted in his seat and reached for a page in his desk drawer, he reached for the pen in front of him and started writing. “I will give you a great recommendation to join VFS once you graduate. That was always my plan in any case. I do hope you will grab this opportunity with both hands as they are very selective,” he said.
“Thank you for your recommendation and for giving me the opportunity here to gain experience. I loved it here.” I smiled.
He finished up, and then he looked up at me again, “You have a great body, you are beautiful, and you take on anything. I have no doubt that they will take you in.”
“That means a lot.” I continued to smile.
“I do have one final request before you leave for good,” he held my gaze before they moved down my body. I felt chills run down my spine. He stood up from his seat and rounded his desk. He slowly walked towards me as if he was a predator ready to consume his prey. My heart raced in my chest as he stopped in front of me.
“What is that?” I asked, raising an eyebrow, trying to appear confident.
He reached out and moved my hair over my shoulder, “One last photoshoot before you leave this building.”
I felt relieved that it was only a photoshoot. “What’s the theme?” I asked.
“Just denim shorts and a cropped top, nothing too sexy,” he smirked.
“Okay, I will get ready.” I forced a smile and then turned around to open the door.
“Everyone else is out for photoshoots, so you will have to do your own hair and makeup,” he said. I didn’t reply and just walked out.
****
I walked into the studio, the lights were on, but I didn’t see anyone else that I was used to who actually worked with me. I was wearing my black and white converse sneakers and the attire he wanted with my hair still loose and natural make-up. I found him busy with a light.
I stood in the center of where the shots would be taken of me. “Where is everyone else?”
“Out, like I said,” he moved away from one light and then took a camera and placed it on a stand. “Its only the two of us,” he said as he now walked over to me. “You can follow my instructions.”
I didn’t have a good feeling about this, but if this was my only way to leave, then I had to do it because it was only the two of us in this studio with hardly anyone else around in this building.
He stood in front of me, moving my hair over my shoulder again. “This will be a photoshoot of us both,” he said as he angled the camera that was on the stand to get us both in view. He cupped the side of my face. I parted my lips feeling uncomfortable. “Don’t be afraid,” he stroked my cheek with his thumb as I exhaled through my mouth, closing my eyes. “Keep it that way, this is a naturally gorgeous look on you.” His other hand found my hip, resting it there. “Just put your hands on my chest and don’t be stiff,” he said. I exhaled again, loosening up and imagined that it was Tristan in front of me. It was easier to imagine him when my eyes were shut.
The camera continued to snap automatically, every movement and pose together. We became in sync with each other...natural. I felt his lips brush against mine as I kept my eyes closed, but he didn’t kiss me, “That’s it,” he said, which was barely a whisper. His finger stroked my bare belly and I pulled away, giggling as it was ticklish. I looked at him, “Your smile is perfect,” he smiled.
“That was my tickle spot.”
“Last one?” He asked.
I nodded, he gripped my hips gently and turned me around. We faced the camera and he stood behind me. He wrapped a hand around my belly and pulled me against him and I let out a gasp. I felt uncomfortable again, and I just closed my eyes and imagined Tristan. I felt him inhale the scent of my hair as my hands found his arm that was wrapped around me. More flashes and clicks went off from the camera.
“You did great,” he rasped and pulled away from me. Opening my eyes, Luca moved towards the camera and took it off the stand.
“Am I free to leave now?” I asked as I hugged myself. I wanted to leave so badly.
“Yes,” he looked up from the camera with a smile. ” I’m impressed by these images. I will email them to you once they have gone through the final touch-ups,” he said.
“Great, I look forward to seeing them. Once again, thank you for the opportunity to work here and for the wonderful experience. Thank you for taking the chance on me.”
“You’re always welcome here,” he smiled, and then I awkwardly walked back to the dressing room.
I felt free after that photoshoot. I can breathe now, knowing that I won’t get into any more trouble at school, or so I hope not. I started to undress the clothes that belonged to this agency, but the door opened, and I held the cropped top over my breasts, covering them.
“I didn’t mean to startle you, but I don’t want you to forget these.” Luca came closer to me and handed the recommendation letter to me. I took it from him as he lingered a bit. I was so uncomfortable. “Please, keep the clothes. No need to return them. All the best with your future endeavors,” he said before he left.
I placed the letter on the table, and then I put the top back on. Plopping down on the chair, I wanted to have a few more minutes in this space that was mine before I left for good.