A couple days later, Shira finally accepted the reality when she saw Ryleigh kept posting new photos to instagram but still didn't reply to her DMs.
"That's ok" - Shira said to herself. She just needs to focus on what she can do, and keep going. No point in wasting time or energy on things that weren't moving her forward.
The good news is, these days Shira is starting to get some messages from advertisers, which means she is finally making money from running her account. It's not a lot. For each post, she is offered $400 to $500 dollars, but it's still something! Her first ad was for an indie jewelry brand called Karats & Ira. Shira was so excited that she spent 2 entire days preparing for this opportunity.
She went through her wardrobe, picking out the perfect outfits that would complement the necklace. She even visited a local salon to get her nails done, instead of doing it on her own, ensuring they looked just right in the photos. Shira wanted to make sure every detail was perfect, so she also spent hours writing and rewriting the copy for the post. She even read to her brother to get some opinions.
For the photo shoot, she paired a fitted white tee with a suede mini skirt in a soft, earthy tone. The necklace, a delicate piece with an intricate brass design and a vibrant turquoise center, stood out against the plain background of her top. Layered bracelets and open-toed heels added just the right amount of sophistication.
"It's perfecto!" The photoshoot was so nice that even Zack cracked a joke.
After receiving the payment from the necklace advertiser, Shira felt a mix of pride and gratitude. She decided to use a portion of her earnings to buy a nice hoodie for Zack. In her heart, she knew that despite her cheating on their relationship, none of her success would have been possible without his help. She picked out a sleek, stylish hoodie from All Saints, hoping it would convey her silent thanks for everything he had done for her.
Shira sent a message to Zack, her fingers hesitating slightly above the keyboard before she finally typed, "Hey Zack, I got you something. Can you be home tomorrow around noon to receive a package?"
Zack seemed surprised: "Oh ok...Of course!" He wasn't expecting it since it was the first time he received a gift from a girl.
When the package arrived, Shira drove to Zack's apartment and watched nervously as Zack opened it. His eyes lit up with surprise, and his mouth opened and closed a few times, "This is...wow. You didn't have to." His cheeks flushed slightly, and he ran a hand through his messy hair.
She smiled too, then bit her lip. "I wanted to. You're a big part of why I'm where I am today, Zack. Just a small thank you from me. I wouldn't be making this money without you anyways."
Zack pulled her into a hug, he buried his face on Shira's shoulder, and his voice muffled as he spoke, "I don't know what to say. Wow. This is more than just a hoodie, isn't it? Shira, seriously."
Shira hugged him and there was a moment of silence.
Then Zack suggested they go get burgers on his treat. As they walked to Zack's car, unlike his usual quiet demeanor where he mostly listened to Shira, he couldn't stop talking. He talked on and on about the new camera lens that had just been released. "...it's the latest model from Canon. The incredible aperture range is incredible, and super-fast autofocus," he gushed, his eyes alight with excitement. "The low-light performance is supposed to be out of this world."
Shira couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm. It was a side of Zack she didn't often see, and it was endearing to witness his passion for photography.
"How much does it cost?" she asked.
Zack's face fell slightly. "Well, that's the catch. It's not cheap. But I've been saving the money. I should be able to save up for it soon."
Shira reached out and gave his arm a gentle punch. "You know, if you really want it, I could always help you out with the cost. We can work together on the savings."
Zack wrapped his arm around Shira's shoulder, "No, no, I couldn't let you do that. This is your hard-earned money, Shira."
Zack wanted to keep protesting, but Shira gently held up a hand to stop him. "Just think about it, okay? No pressure."
As they got into the car, Shira's phone lit up with a new Instagram direct message. She clicked on it and it reads:
Hi Shira, this is Jessica from Satin Seduction. We're big fans of your style and would love to work with you on an Instagram campaign for our upcoming Holiday Season line. Let's chat about rates and creative direction if you're open to a paid partnership!
Jessica
Satin Seduction
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