Behind the scenes

The changing room at Blake’s studio is as cozy as ever. Vi has no idea if this is industry standard or if Blake just likes his models to be comfortable, but comfortable she was. Lounging back on the soft lounge chair, the rack of outfits hangs in front of her, her legs crossed and her phone in her hands.

She had shown up today, happy to be getting paid to take photos, even though it wasn’t going to be the risqué kind of photoshoot she had started her career with, being in the running to get some extra commission if her photos were chosen to feature in a luxury brands website and store front. She reminisces fondly on the day Erik, Ari, and herself went into the city for the sole intention to take some selfies in front of her photo that was chosen to hang on the front of a luxury brands brick and mortar store.

But instead of putting another dress and doing some basic poses, she got told by Jack (Blake’s androgynous apprentice) to wait, there’s going to be a slight change of plans with Vi’s schedule.

Erik isn’t replying to her messages, for any other couple this would be something that annoys the partner, but Vi knows better — mid day on a saturday? Yeah. Erik is playing video games or sketching with his goth music on full volume. Vi has never really liked Sai’s music taste. Their combined playlist on Spotify is truly a mess — a mix between Vi’s rave and techno music — his rock and sad emo music. Despite it being almost a year since they started dating, she’s never asked if he would like to try going to a rave with her. She got caught up with uni… and everything else that’s happened she hasn’t been paying attention to the local scene at all!

…

Wait.

Vi sits up, her eyes wide — she double checks her calendar in a hurry. It’s nearly their one year anniversary! In a mere three weeks! Vi had completely forgotten, completely slipped her mind.

“Ughhhh.” She groans out loud, feeling terrible — in a state of despair that she forgot the date, how could be such a poor girlfriend?

(Erik sits at his desk, sketching some art on his large workbook, the date of their anniversary locked into his calendar, the gifts he bought for Vi already in transit.)

Vi leans back in the lounge chair in exasperation, a knock at the door knocks her out of her thoughts and she sits up straight, brushing the hair out of her face, “Come in!”

Blake walks in, and Vi looks him up and down.

The 41 year old man smiles at Vi, a hand in his pocket. Despite the amount of time he spends working, he somehow finds the time to run marathons and lifts weight, his body fat percentage must be astoundingly low, He has kind dark blue eyes that slant down his face slightly on the outer edges, a few tattoos on his left, toned arm, his deceptively scuffed beard — maintained to look that way, of course — and his loose straight hair pushed backwards, giving him an air of youth that is only betrayed by the long streaks of gray, mirroring the hair in his beard.

“Afternoon Vi. How were my apprentices?” He begins, his voice gravely, “Were they able to capture your beauty in the way I would expect of my employees?” His smile not reaching his eyes as he speaks.

“They’re all super nice! Jack especially, they’re super good at working with me and letting me experiment a little bit.”

His eyes crinkle a little bit, “Good. I would have had to have words with them if they struggled to capture you.” He says offhandedly, “As I’m sure you’ve heard, I was directing a music video with a girl group, but I’m back now so I’ll be taking over the shoots with you and the other models on a more consistent basis.” His tone of voice is almost apologetic but his words are not, Vi brushes it off as he sits down on the chair that sits in front of the illuminated mirror.

“Are you satisfied?”

Vi blinks, “Uh, what do you mean?”

He gestures to the space around him dismissively, “With this. This level.”

She shakes her head cautiously, still not quite understanding but embodying ‘fake it ‘till you make it’, “I’m an ambitious lady.” She says simply.

“Excellent. I find ambitious women much more interesting than those that aren’t.”

He continues, not allowing Vi to respond, his voice taking a disgusted tone, “Take Louise for example. Started before you, but is still doing shoots for retail outlets that sells $10 tees.”

Vi can’t help but feel good with the praise from the older man, shifting in her seat suppressing her smile.

“You are not like Louise though are you?” He asks her, finally stopping to observe the young woman.

Vi heart flutters as she nods, “She’s nice, but I want more.”

He nods approvingly, “When I offered her what I want to offer you.” He pauses to chuckle soflty, “She asked me for ‘time to think about it’.” He hand waves the memory, Vi nods in agreement, she’s not sure what she’s agreeing with.

“You agree that oppurtnites need to be seized in the moment, not delayed. It’s an insult.” Vi isn’t sure if she is to respond, it sounded like a question?

“But you.” He smiles at her, “I can see it in your eyes. You’re not weak. You pushed it early on, you wanted to make a statement, it’s irable.”

Vi is buzzing in her chair, she clenches and unclenches her toes in nervous excitement.

“You can see what I can see, this is both commercial and art, isn’t it?”

“Yes.” She says softly, hooked in by his words.

“But still. I’ve been gone. I can’t be sure if that fire still burns in you, can I?”

She shakes her head, leaning forward subconsiously, “No! I’m still the same, I’m ready to push it, I’m ready to take it further, fu- this retail stuff is fine, but that’s not why I applied to work under you, it’s not why I still show up, waiting for the oppurtinity to move forward.”

Blake smiles, his blue eyes catching the mirrors light, “I hope so, Vi. Next week, as a test,” He explains slowly, making Vi hang onto every word, “Of your commitment to this.” He clears his throat, “A client of mine, has requested, a ‘librarian’ themed commission.” He holds her eyes, “I trust… my implication is clear.”

‘That’s easy! I can do that!’ Vi thinks to herself.

Vi nod eagerly, ready to take a big step and get a bigger audience, “Of course, Blake!”

He smiles, “Excellent. I knew you were the right choice.”

Vi nods, “Thank you… And today?”

“Ah yes, it’ll be your usual scheduled shoot, I just needed to speak with you first.” He checks his watch, “Jack will be ready for you.” He smiles as he stands, “I’m proud of you, I’ll see you next week.”

—-

“Oh my god babe! I’m so excited! Finally no more Target ass shoots! I’m so glad Dad’s back!”

Erik laughs through the receiver of the phone, “Dad?”

Vi laughs, overwhelmed with giddiness, “Oh oops! I mean Blake of course! Sorry! Dad’s called me a few times recently.”

“All good, I wonder if you’ll call me Dad when I start getting gray hairs.”

“Eeeew! Don’t even joke about that, so gross!” Vi shudders while driving her car down the hallway.

“Daddy isn’t far off.” Erik laughs back.

“Enough! Be excited for me!!!”

“Hahaha! I’m excited babe! About time!”

“Yay!!!” Vi squeals as she drives, “Can we get a sweet treat as a reward?”

“Babe.” Erik says seriously, “You don’t even have to ask.”

——

Hello readers.

I lost access to the former tools I used to make the images that went to making ai images. For those who liked it — sorry — it won’t be coming back.