Izzie

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"Good morning, sweetie."

Whenever Paolo walked into a room, everyone noticed. Izzie opened her eyes from the eye shadow that was going on them and smiled.

"Paolo! Big day, huh?"

Paolo walked over and gave her a kiss on both cheeks and looked at her half done face and blonde hair in rollers.

"You were always meant to be the face of Stylet. You know that right, Isobel?"

Paolo had never called her Izzie. It was their thing, she liked it.

"Well let's see how well the pictures turn out before you make any rash decisions."

Paolo threw his hands up in the air.

"So modest too!"

He turned to the room, the various crew were setting up and the photographer was doing his test shots.

"Is she not perfect?"

The room looked at the meek model, they smiled in agreement. Izzie was the nice model, the one who brought them coffee and muffins in the morning and apologised when she didn't do what she was told. She kept her cell phone to her ear and her demands in reason. She in a bit of a muddle now, a stylist pulling at her blonde tresses and make-up artist finish her eye shadow, and another stylist trying to buckle on a pair of six-inch heels.

"Okay! Okay!" Izzie cried as she laughed trying to get up. Everyone put their finishing touches, as an artist would to a painting and Izzie was able to make her way to the set. The theme for the hair styling products was a classic boudoir scene, one she had seen before. She turned to Paolo.

"Bethany Whispers?"

Paolo smiled like a child who was found with their hand in the cookie jar.

"It's what your known for. And anyway. Your dressed this time and the furniture is much better."

"You diva," Izzie taunted with a hand on her hip.

The director gave her a wry look and she took her place on the chaise lounge. The photographer stepped forward.

"Right then, we're going for sexy meets hairspray."

"Was their ever a holier union?" Izzie asked as she set up her first pose.

As they finished the first role of film a woman walked in through the small side door of the studio. Izzie glanced over for a moment and then turned back to the photographer. People popped in and out of the room all the time. People grabbing coffee and various assistants running out for impossible tasks to complete.

Paolo was sitting in his chair behind the photographer glanced over as well and upon seeing the woman got up and walked over to where she was now and they kissed on both cheeks. Her face looked familiar as Izzie took a better look. Auburn hair highlighted, but by the sun not a bottle. Pale skin too, she was Irish. Her outfit was of impeccable taste as well. A fitted Chloé jacket and wide legged Ralph Lauren trousers. She was someone important too, Paolo didn't just suck up to anyone. They chatted for a moment longer and Paolo made his way back over to the chair. Izzie flicked her gazing eyes before he could see her and twirled into a new position. She was never good at lying.

"You'll find out soon enough," he called to the model whose cheeks were going an interesting shade of scarlet.

Izzie was talking to one of the set designers when Paolo approached her next with the woman. He tapped Izzie on the shoulder and turned to the woman.

"This is Isobel."

The woman took her in, like a buyer surveying a race horse. She met her eyes again and put out her hand. Izzie took it gently, she never liked to be probed.

"This is Gerry Summers. She is the London editor for Mar."

"Oh, Mar, nice to meet you."

Mar was a new publication, but had knocked the fashion world of its feet. It was new and edgy, classic and timeless, they had Vogue running for its money for the past year and a half. New models, the next models they went for Mar.

"I'd love to talk to you over lunch."

Her accent was smooth and rolled into her ears like a soft melody. She could listen to her read the phone book.

"That would be wonderful."

"Perfect. I have reservations booked for one. I'll be downstairs while you change."

Izzie looked taken aback. She stammered over her words.

"Oh,um, of- of course."

She smiled, but one of her big dorky ones and turned and turned to the changing room. Behind her she could hear peals of laughter.

¨ · · ¨

"Oh darling! You can't be serious!?!"

Downtown, and halfway through a duck salad Izzie and Gerry were laughing there heads off and finding themselves fast friends. Gerry put her napkin to her mouth and shook with laughter. She took a sip of her water and calmed down.

"You're too much. We must get to business though."

"Business. I thought you took me out to lunch for a giggle."

Gerry smiled.

"Well hopefully we'll be able to do this again. Mer is starting up their own modelling agency. We're hoping to get some big names. We've already got Christa Woods signed and well to be honest, we want you."

Izzie stared blankly back at the fashion editor.

"You want to sign me? But modelling has just been something to get me throu-."

"I know, med school. But you don't realize how big this is. Mer is going to top the agency list as soon as we open. Ford and Elite are the behind the times. Isobel, this could make you into the next Gisele."

Izzie looked down at her empty plate. She looked back up at Gerry. She was staring Izzie, her eyes were earnest and they were filled with hoping. She really wanted this to happen.

"I need to think. I'm sorry."

Izzie threw her napkin on the table and took a twenty out of her purse. She walked out of the restaurant and put her hand up for a cab. Her hand waved frantically and thoughts rushed through her head. A model or a surgeon. What kind of choice is that? Seriously.

Gerry came up behind her quietly.

"Izzie you know you want this otherwise you wouldn't be so scared."

Izzie couldn't bring herself to look at Gerry.

"I want this?"

"You have to, that's the only way you're going to make it. This cab could go one of two places. You going home or the both of us going to my office, to sign some papers. Izzie flexed her fingers and opened the door of the cab. She got in and looked up at Gerry.

"Are you coming?"