31. Pictures

450 Words

Director Takahashi was humming to herself as she walked down the corridor. She was heading to the conference room, where the producers and the publicist would already be waiting. She was cradling a large manila envelope that had just been delivered earlier that morning. She had not opened it yet, she was excited about the contents of the envelope so she had wanted to savour the moment by waiting until the meeting in the early afternoon to open it.

Takahashi stepped into the conference room and greeted the people gathered there. She sat down and exchanged pleasantries for a few moments. Just after they had ventured into talking business instead of small talk, thus opening their little meeting officially, the scriptwriter burst into the room, late as always. The eccentric writer took her place at the table, and Takahashi decided that the moment she had been awaiting had finally come.

"Alright, everyone, the reason we've gathered here today is to decide about the promotional photographs to use for our show. I have all the pictures here in this envelope. Shall we?"

Director Takahashi opened the large envelope and pulled out the stack of pictures. Starting to spread the various photographs onto the conference table, the producers and the publicist commenced in a low murmur of appreciation as they took in the promotional photographs.

Takahashi sighed in appreciation as she went through the pictures in her hand before setting them onto the table for others to see.

The photographs were just as good as she had been hoping, if not even better! Very pleased with the results, Takahashi skimmed quickly through the rest of the pile, until suddenly she came to a halt.

Takahashi's eyebrows arched in surprise as she silently took in the photograph. What was this? She hadn't commissioned anything like this!

Nevertheless, the picture was incredible. Just by gazing upon it she could feel the chemistry and the emotions flowing between the pair portrayed in the photograph. Really, looking at the picture she couldn't help but to think of a pure angel trapped in the possessive grasp of a demon.

"There's a note," one of the producers noticed, holding out the folded slip of a paper to director Takahashi.

Takahashi unfolded the note.

"Dear director," it read, "I know you only asked for promotional photographs for your show, but once I saw the combined charisma of Yukino-san and Narita-san, I just couldn't help myself! A phenomenal pair of actors you have there, Takahashi-san! They work wonders in front of the camera, don't you think?

I take real pride in these photos. The pictures have a palpable mood, they tell a story.

I wanted you to see them.

X."