Finally an update, sorry have been busy lately. So maybe I can post only a chapter per week, sorry.
Anyway, thank you for the reviews on previous chapter, really happy to know you like it :) And favorited and followed :)
Hope you'll like this one too. All mistakes are mine and, I don't own Mendol.
Chapter 2
"Okay, no problem, I got it. But maybe it's better if we…" Nami explained to Ray's manager about the photo shoot. She was doing preparation for the photo session in hotel where Ray has been staying. She has no choice or Shachou will fire her. And that wasn't something she wants for she loves this job very much. Speaking of Shachou, she also came today. She believes for keep an eye on her.
"I like your idea, that's better." Sarukawa said and glanced at his wrist watch. "She should be here right now."
"Oversleep maybe." Nami guessed.
Sarukawa let out a small laugh. "Since I work with her, she never been late."
Nami only nodded indifferently and started to give order to her assistants. She turned when the manager clapped his hands.
"Here she is."
Nami watched as the arrogant model walked in, the makeup artist man followed behind her. She could notice the change of air when Ray entered the room. It seems everyone was hypnotized by her aura. 'No, not aura, must be a spell or something', she thought. Ray wore a grey jacket, black top, black tight pants and, seems her favorite, her killer high heels.
"I love that Tweed jacket."
"Me too."
Nami turned to her best friends behind her. She forgot that they also came today. Well Hinata will do interview Ray. And Asahi, "It wasn't everyday you can meet a super charismatic model, you know!", was what she said. Nami rolled her eyes slightly before turned around, has no interest to see the wicked woman. However, Shachou took her shoulder and spun her around. Marilyn gave a nod toward her. She knitted her brows before turning her gaze to the arrogant model who now stood in front of them.
"Good morning Ray. It's such a pleasure to meet you again." Shachou greeted.
Nami rolled her eyes looking aside. Shachou's purposely pat on her back made her turn her gaze.
Ray noticed the blondie rolled her eyes but decided to ignore her. If it wasn't for the job she would never agree to do work with the annoying blondie. She gave her polite, business smile at the Shachou woman. "The pleasure is mine. I'm sorry for making you wait."
"Yeah." Nami mumbled shoving her hands inside her jeans pockets. She let out a small hiss when Marilyn pinched her back.
"No, not at all. We did come early." Shachou waved her hand laughing. "Anyway, my photographer wants to say something."
Nami looked at Shachou in confusion. "I have no…" Before she could finish her sentence Shachou cut her off.
"She wants to apologize about yesterday. Right Nami?"
Nami thought to argue but then think better of it when Shachou sent her not-subtle-glare toward her. She turned her gaze and apologized unwillingly. "I'm sorry, for saying rude thing yesterday."
Ray was taken back hearing the blonde woman apologized. She didn't expect to hear the word from her. "I don't need your apology. Now, can we start the work?"
Nami dropped her jaws down as the wicked woman turned her gaze passing them. "Did she just…?" She thought to grab the arrogant woman's hand but Marilyn and Asahi grabbed her arms pulling her back. "I'll kill that wompphh…" And covered her mouth.
"Of course." Shachou said before turning to her writer and particularly her photographer. "Remember, do not make her angry. Do I make myself clear?"
Hinata raised a fist up nodding. "Yes Shachou."
Shachou then turned to her disobedient photographer. "Nami?"
"Bring me a gun. Ittee!" She cried for Marilyn slapped her head. "Fine, I won't make her angry. I'll try." She said the last part in a mumble and cleared her throat.
"Now go girls. Make me proud." Shachou said solemnly lifting her other fist. Marilyn nodded and did the same.
"I will." Hinata replied merrily lifting her fist too.
"Good luck Nami, Hinata." Asahi cheered her best friends.
Nami breathed out a sigh. Sometimes she wonders why she still works with these people.
"I heard you are in World's Top 10 Models again this year, congratulations." Hinata said to the charismatic model.
Ray nodded her head. "Thank you."
"So, how do you feel? Being a part of world's top models."
"Well, I never thought would be selected honestly, but, I'm really happy that people appreciate my work."
"And I thought many people here, in Japan, are very proud too."
"Thank you." Ray replied.
"So, may I ask how long have you been a model? You start the job after moving to France or when you were in Japan?"
"For ten years. After I moved to France. Actually that was the reason I moved there."
"Oh really, so you speak French very well then?"
Ray tilted her head aside. "Not at first. But if you live there for years then you would too." Ray took a glance when the blondie following by the Shachou woman and other women came inside but then turned her gaze back to the writer in front of her.
"Have you ever read our fashion magazine?" Hinata pulled out the magazine she has brought inside her bag.
"Oh, yes," Ray took the magazine. "I've read it before."
"What do you think?"
"I think it's very good. You write articles too?"
"Actually yes." Hinata answered sheepishly. "But not many since I'm new."
"Well, I should look for your articles then." Ray smiled a little when the young writer's smile grew wider. At least she wasn't annoying as the blonde woman, she thought.
"Really? Thank you!" Hinata then cleared her throat when she caught Shachou's presence.
Nami raised her camera and took some shots. She was surprised to see the wicked woman can smile like normal person. She has actually imagined the woman smiles like a witch. After took some pictures she lowered the camera as Hinata continued her interview.
"Lastly, can you give advice about, you know, how to choose outfit that suits oneself?"
"I think clothes are like your identity. How you dress, what you wear, reflects what person you are, shows your character. Sometimes they ask me, like how to choose proper clothes,"
"And what did you say?"
"Well, I'd say buy the latest trend," She tilted her head, let out a small chuckle.
"Of course." Hinata added in agreement.
"Yes, that's important but, like I said your clothes show what kind of person you are, so, it must also fit your character. But sometimes you want to wear something different, for some occasion, like you know,"
"After breakup." Hinata suggested.
"Exactly." Ray agreed. "And I think it's okay to dress differently from your character."
Hinata clapped her hands. "That was a great advice."
"Thank you." Ray nodded her head. She turned her gaze and accidentally caught the blondie's gaze. She gave a small smirk and saw the infuriating blonde woman rolled her eyes.
Nami let out an inaudible groan rolling her eyes. For her dismay Marilyn and Asahi, even Shachou clapped their hands too.
After took a check on the lighting and make sure everything was ready, Nami changed the camera lens while waiting for her model. Annoying model.
"You think I can ask for a sign or maybe take picture together?" Asahi approached her photographer friend.
Nami lifted her gaze before looking back to her camera. "I don't know. Why don't ask?"
Asahi patted her chin thinking. "You think she will?"
Nami let out a breath. Honestly she wants to say 'no' but didn't want to disappoint the new model. Asahi started the job as CamCam's model since last year. She was about to reply when the door pushed open and Ray's manager and makeup artist walked in. Behind them finally the model herself showed up. She watched as the make-up artist man fixed Ray's hair. She quickly dropped her gaze when Ray turned around walking toward them. She was glad Asahi starts a conversation.
"Hi, my name is Asahi and I am a fan of you."
Ray narrowed her eyes a little. "I think I know you."
Asahi let out a squeal. "Really!? I mean, you know me? How? Oh my god I think I'm going to pass out."
Nami turned to her best friend, knitting her brows. She took a quick glance toward Ray before turning her attention back to her camera.
"Well, I read Kamonohashi published magazines before take the offer." Ray shrugged.
"Sure." Asahi beamed. "Anyway, can I ask something?" She inquired and continued when the charismatic model shrugged her shoulder encouraging her. "I'm new in this job, and I want to know, how to be a great model, you know, like you?"
Ray took a small breath before answering the question. "It wasn't you're good or no. You know there are bunch of models out there. The important thing is what makes you different, you worth."
"Like being arrogant." Nami mumbled while setting her camera.
Ray finally turned her gaze to the person she tried to ignore. "What did you say?"
"Nothing." Nami shrugged and turned to Asahi. "You know what I think, don't be an arrogant model, because the photographer won't like taking your pic."
Ray huffed crossing her arms in front of her chest. "I don't need a photographer's opinion."
"Oh really? That's wow." Nami mocked and smirk.
"What's your problem blondie?"
"You really want to know what my problem is?" Her smirk grew wider when the taller woman glared at her clenching her jaws.
Asahi looked between the two before approaching her friend. "Nami," She has to stop Nami before Shachou saw she makes the charismatic model angry again. She was glad when Ray's manager stepped in.
"Uh," He cleared his throat. "I think we should start the photo shoot."
Ray uncrossed her arms and turned around but after sent a glare toward the blondie. She wants nothing but to wipe that grin off her face. If her manager didn't step in she would have wiped it off her face.
Nami let out a victorious laugh but stopped when Asahi slap her arm. "What?" She knitted her brows as Asahi subtly gave a nod toward door with her head. She glanced toward door but then turned away quickly as she saw Shachou stood by the door, a clenched-fist was up. "Why didn't you tell me? Why is she still here?"
"I told you." Asahi whispered. She then patted Nami's shoulder. "Good luck."
Nami blew an audible sigh. She is better finish the job and get away from the arrogant woman.
Nami changed her position to take shot from different angle. She thought the photo session would be going to be boring. However, for her surprised she found herself enjoying it. They have been doing the photo shoot about an hour but she didn't say any word. She didn't need to. The arrogant woman indeed is a charismatic model. Ray knows the angle, the pose, what she wants her to do, it comes naturally to her. Although she didn't want to admit it, she has never been satisfied taking someone picture like she did today. And for her surprise, again, as soon as they started the session Ray's expression changed. As if they didn't have small quarrel before.
"Got it." Nami lowered the camera and stood up checking the pictures.
"Finally." Ray let out a breath and took off her jacket. She handed the jacket to her makeup artist, taking a glass of water from him. She approached sofa and sat down. After took a long gulp she put the glass down on table.
"You're not bad."
Ray turned her gaze and rolled her eyes when she saw the blondie approaching her. She took her phone from her makeup artist and crossed her leg before answering indifferently. "I thought have said I didn't need a photographer's opinion."
"Apparently you didn't." Nami scoffed.
Ray took a breath and rose to her feet facing the infuriating blonde. "Seriously what's your problem? You're starting to get on my nerve."
Nami just shrugged a little crossing her arms. "I'm just wondering how many faces you have? How could you manage that sullen face and then gleeful face? A spell or something?"
Ray greeted her teeth as the irritating blondie mocked her. "That's called professional, idiot. Well something you don't have I see."
"I always do my job professionally." Nami retorted.
Ray lifted an eyebrow and snorted. "Well, I'm seeing an amateur, infuriating photographer right now."
"And I'm seeing an arrogant, annoying model right now." Nami bit back and smirked as the other woman inhaled sharply clenching her jaws.
"Oh no," Hinata nudged the model beside her giving a nod toward the arguing model and photographer. "We must stop Nami before Shachou notice."
"Why did she always get herself in trouble?" Asahi sighed. She glanced toward Shachou and saw she was talking with Ray's manager. They only have little time before Shachou notices it.
"I don't care if you're a charismatic model or whatever, I'm not flattered at all taking your pics."
Ray glared at the infuriating woman lowering her tone. "What did you just say?"
"Uh, Ray, we…"
"Shut up!" She yelled to Jiro, her makeup artist, still glaring at the rude woman in front of her.
Upon seeing the charismatic model and their best friend were having a glare competition, Asahi and Hinata decided to step in, however, they stopped as someone grabbed their arms pulling them back. Their eyes then went wider. "Shachou,"
Shachou walked between her employee toward her disobedient photographer. She shouldn't let the younger woman out of her sight. "Marilyn,"
"Oh man, that's not good." Hinata said.
Nami smirked upon seeing the wicked woman was ready to explode. She was about to let out her next harsh comment when she suddenly felt goose-flesh.
"KAWACHI NAMI!"
Nami turned around and as quick as lightning she bent down as a red boxing glove was flying toward her.
Jiro's eyes widened as he saw a glove heading toward him. "Oh shit," Was what he could manage to say before the glove hit him.
Ray watched as her makeup artist slumped down onto floor, unconscious. She then lifted her gaze when the Shachou woman growled.
"Nami,"
Nami put her hands up quickly. "Shachou," She took a step back. "Your blood pressure, remember?" Instead of worrying about her blood pressure Shachou lifted her fists. 'Why did she have those gloves anyway?' "I'm sorry!"
Nami quickly turned around, thought to run but alas, she stumbled on the makeup artist's leg. She closed her eyes expecting to meet the hard floor.
Asahi and Hinata gasped as they saw their best friend fell and then eyes widened in horror.
Nami was relieved she was landing on the soft sofa. She slid an eyelid open and let out a relieved breath looking at the sofa beside her. 'Wait,' She opened both eyes wider. 'Sofa? It means…oh crap'
Ray let out a cry of pain trying to push her body but couldn't move. She opened her eyes and saw a pair of brown eyes staring back at her. That was when she realized the blonde woman was lying over her. "GET OFF ME!"
"Itte!" Nami didn't expect a hard slap landed on her cheek. And soon after her body was pushed back, she fell back against the table.
Asahi and Hinata swiftly caught vase and bottle of water before it could fall over Nami.
"Thanks, that's…" Her word died as something hard fell on her head. "…not cool." And passed out.
"Ops, sorry, forgot the glass." Hinata grimaced.
"Ray, are you alright?"
Ray pushed her manager's hands away and pushed her body up. She looked at the mess around her, and the panting Shachou's woman, before turning to him. "I've had enough! I'm not doing this with these people anymore!"
Sarukawa didn't dare to put hands up to cover his ears as his model yelled at him and just nodded meekly.
Ray stepped over the unconsciously lying blonde woman, grumbling, leaving the room. "C'est fou! Fous!"
Nami took a deep breath before pushing the office door open and tiptoeing inside. She looked at Shachou's room, the door was close. She breathed out a relieved sigh.
"What are you doing?"
"Asahi," Nami yelped but then lowered her voice pulling the older woman down. "You scared the hell out of me."
"Why are you whispering?" Asahi whispered.
"And stooping?"
Nami was startled as Marilyn suddenly stood beside her. "Can you stop doing that?" She said in a whisper rubbing her chest and started to walk.
Marilyn shook her head and followed the younger women walking with a stoop. "But seriously why are we whispering?"
"Ssh." Nami shushed the older woman.
Hinata lifted her gaze from her tablet and found Asahi, Nami and Marilyn were tiptoeing. "What are you doing?"
Nami quickly put a finger over her mouth. "Where's Shachou?"
"Shachou?" Hinata knitted her brows. "She's behind you."
Nami straightened her back and turned around quickly to find Shachou was looking at her, an eyebrow up. "Shachou, good morning." She rubbed her head laughing awkwardly.
"My office, now."
Nami let out a groan but followed Shachou inside her room reluctantly. She took a sit before Shachou's desk.
"Firstly, thank you for messing up the photo session."
Nami grimaced and dropped her gaze down. She lifted her gaze as Shachou added.
"Thankfully, Ray didn't demand to decline the article."
"Thank god." Nami mumbled. She saw Shachou pulled out a file from her bag, knitted her brows when Shachou put the file in front of her. "What is this?"
"Your next job."
Nami took the file and looked inside. Her eyes widened as she read the content.
"You're going to join in Ray's photo book project."
'Oh damn'
Thank you for reading, until next chapter :)