A/N: Happy birthday, AquilaTempestas! This story here is for you! Yeah, I know this is an early birthday present but hey, the earlier the better! So, this is the diabolical idea that was kept under wraps for you! I hope you like it my dear friend! I just couldn't resist on not writing this piece as I thought, "Hey, why not? I'm already insane!" This piece is dedicated to you my dear friend, my inspiration and my rock through turmoil!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Summary: "Mystel?" Mariah gasped. Since when Mystel was a male model?
Shoot Me (Part 1)
Mariah Wong needed a job. Sadly, jobs these days were not as easy as before, hell, it's probably harder now because of high competition in every field she was interested in. Making accessories and jewelry was good and all but, she needed a realjob. Long story short? Mariah wanted a real career. Since the conclusion of the last major Beyblade tournament, Mariah went to do some 'self searching', if she could call it that. Of course, beyblade would always be in her heart but now, it remained a hobby; it remained something she could do with the guys on an occasional basis.
Walking down the busy streets of Tokyo, Mariah glanced down at a piece of paper she had in hand. She applied to several places in this bustling metropolis including a fashion photography studio. Why this crossed her mind was beyond her.
Arriving at the studio, Mariah was warmly greeted by the receptionist. "Hello!" The woman said warmly. "Do you have an appointment?"
"Yes with Ed."
"Okay, please follow me!"
Mariah followed the receptionist while her eyes scanned through the hall of portraits. This Ed character (as she read from a magazine) was renowned for capturing perfect moments on film. He was the one who brought out a woman's inner beauty. Turning around a corner, the receptionist lead Mariah into a room. As expected, Ed was there snapping away photographs of…
"Mystel?" Mariah gasped. Since when Mystel was a male model?
Mariah watched nervously as Mystel posed in various positions in front of the camera. Ed continued to praise the blond, "Good job!" "Well done!" "Show us your pearly whites!" The situation was not aided by the fact Mystel shot his scene in a beach setting; his Hawaiian shirt was unbuttoned exposing his oiled up abs, black swim shorts, and his ball—the beach ball was held tightly within his grasp. Unable to look away, Mariah's cheeks reddened.
"Ed, here's the girl who came for an interview," the receptionist said. Clearly, Ed was too absorbed with his work to notice the girls behind him. The receptionist tapped her foot in annoyance. "Ed!"
The lanky man turned around, "Oh hi," he greeted. "Take a seat. I'll be with you shortly."
Thoughts swirled through Mariah's mind: this was not the job for her. Guiding Mariah to a chair, the receptionist gave Mariah a clipboard.
"Please fill out your information," the receptionist pointed out. With a warm smile the receptionist continued, "I do hope you work here with us; you're such a pretty girl."
"T-Thank you," Mariah blushed.
Unknowingly to Mariah, she was being watched. Mystel set his gaze on Mariah the moment the pink-haired girl walked in nervously. With those seductive curves, Mystel thought, she'd make a great model!
"Oi, Mystel! Snap out of it!" Ed shot.
Mystel turned to the man's direction and grinned sheepishly. "Haha, sorry Ed. I was just… wondering."
"Pose now, wonder later!"
Another agonizing fifteen minutes passed by. Finally, Mystel's photo shoot was over. Mariah now had Ed's undivided attention. Taking the chair and turning it around, Ed sat with authority leaning onto it.
"So, what brings you to this studio?"
"I need a job," Mariah began, eyes flaring with determination. "I thought I'd try this out,"
"You need a job," Ed repeated, rubbing his chin. "So you think modeling is for you?"
Mariah twiddled her thumbs. "Yes?"
"What do you have to show to tell me you belong here?"
"Um…" Mariah quickly thought of a response. The last thing she wanted to say was something dumb. "Well, I know how to do poses and stuff."
And that… was one of the responses she hoped was never to leave her mouth. Quickly realizing what she had just said, Mariah instantly zipped it. By any means she did not want to appear like those 'dumb blondes' on TV. Ed stared at her. Releasing a sigh, Ed removed his fake, lenseless glasses off his face.
"Well, you're hired," Ed spoke nonchalantly placing the glasses back on. "I'm only hiring you because we're understaffed at the moment. One of our models, Enrique caught the flu."
Enrique… isamodel?Mariah was horrified by the thought! Several images of Enrique in tight swimming trunks… Oramankini… Mariah wanted to hurl at the disturbing thoughts.
Ed blinked. Was there something wrong with Mariah's face? "Hey, are you alright?"
"Y-Yeah!" Mariah responded. "And thank you! I'll do my best for this studio!"
"Alright then!" Ed got off the chair and looked around. "Well, first things first: you can start today if you'd like."
"Thank you!"
Mariah wanted to eat her words when an hour passed by. Scrubbing the washroom floor was not part of the job! Cursing at herself, she wondered how the hell she got into this predicament! Oh right, all of this for a measly job! Bah! Why won't someone just shoot her already? Frustrated with herself, Mariah poured buckets of cleaning agent down into the toilet bowl and waited. Tapping her foot in annoyance, she narrowed her eyes. She never expected her first job was to be like this! Gah! This is rant,rant,rant,rant,rant,rantandmoreranting.
This is utterly stupid! Mariah thought as she scrubbed the insides of a toilet bowl. Do all models start off like this? Why didn't I just listen to Lee and work on the farm? God, someone shoot me!
"Hey there, sweet cheeks."
Mariah stopped. Turning around, she met Mystel's gaze.
"What do you want?" Mariah asked distastefully.
"Nothing," Mystel replied putting his hands behind his head. "I'm just checking up on the newbie."
"Well this newbie wants to work in peace." Mariah returned to scrubbing the toilet. Jackass.
"Anyway, I was wondering if you want to grab lunch with me."
"Not interested," Mariah replied as she continued scrubbing the toilet.
"Are you sure?" Mystel asked inching closer to her. "I mean, there's this sandwich sale going on nearby."
"I said I'm not—"
It was that very moment, Mariah's stomach grumbled. Why? Why now? Mystel exploded into hysterical snickering. Clenching the brush tight, Mariah wanted to… well, let's leave that up to imagination. Placing down the brush, Mariah left the stall and tossed away her rubber gloves. Washing her hands, it never occurred to her she was in the men's washroom.
"What are you doing here?" Mariah asked, not making eye contact with him.
"Not only did I come to see you but I came here to do something very important."
"Which is?" Mariah questioned drying off her hands.
"I came here to do some 'business' if you catch my drift."
Snapping her head to him Mariah was disgusted! "Ew! Get out!"
Apparently the urinals beside her didn't ring a bell. Mystel was enjoying this. "It never really dawned on you you're in the men's washroom?"
Mariah blinked. Men's washroom? Looking to her right she saw polished white urinals glued to the wall. She immediately scrunched her face in disgust. And ding! It dawned on her: she was in the men's washroom! Bright as a tomato, Mariah quickly gathered the bucket, mop, gloves and quickly dashed out of there. The last thing she wanted to hear (or see) was Mystel doing his 'business'!
Leaning against the wall, Mariah heaved. Dropping the bucket onto the floor, she shook her head. This… this was horrible! Her first day and already she was a laughing stock! And to top it off, it was Mystel who laughed at her! Crossing her arms, she had no idea she was being watched from afar. Ed, the creepy—erm, respected photographer observed her movements. The way she moved or the way she moved her head sparked an idea within the photographer's abysmal mind. She could definitely pass as a model! Why didn't he see it sooner?
Feeling eyes on her, Mariah hugged herself tightly. "Who's there?"
Busted! Ed crept out of the shadows rubbing the back of his neck. "Hi."
"Erm… Hi?"
"I reconsidered you for something else," Ed began. "I think you'll make a great model here, at this studio."
Mariah arched an eyebrow. "What makes you say that all of a sudden?"
"Intuition," Ed smiled warmly.
She blushed.
"Anyway, Mystel can give you some modeling tips," Ed said proudly. The moment Mystel's name was mentioned, Mariah stopped blushing.
"Say what?"
"Mystel can help you become a fabulous model!"
Mariah was indeed terrified. "What? N-No! Not Mystel!"
Too late; Ed danced off leaving Mariah to sulk to a whole new level.
"Great…" Mariah said. "This is just great. Not only I'll become a model but I have that jackass to help me. Gee… I wonder what else can go wrong?"