A microphone crackled. "Okay, everyone. Make-up artists, stylists, designers—we have to wrap this up in thirty minutes. The photoshoot will kick off in forty-five."
The voice sounded just like Major's sister's, and sure enough, when Aria looked up, she confirmed it.
Does that mean Major will be here? she thought excitedly.
I highly doubt it, though. He's a busy man.
Her makeup artist was done. When Aria glanced at herself in the mirror, she couldn't recognize the stunning reflection staring back at her.
"Just… wow. Thank you so much."
The artist nodded. "My pleasure."
Livia looked up from her phone and, on seeing Aria's face, a huge smile broke out.
"Now that's more like it. So, here's what I want you to do—stand up, stretch, move around a bit. You've been sitting for too long."
"Okay, thank you," Aria said. She stood and looked around the room. The tension in the air was tight—like barbed wire. Her nerves were on fire. She decided to go out to the terrace for some air.
What she didn't expect was to see Bordini there, all alone, calmly watching the bustling city below.
She stood rooted, watching his toned form, unsure of what to do.
He cleared his throat. "You looked stunning under the reflector."
Aria's brows shot up in surprise. How would he have known it was her?
"Come. Don't be scared. I don't bite."
She willed her legs to move, and they did, stopping just short of the terrace, right beside him.
"Thank you. For this opportunity you gave me—to be here."
"Don't let Muriel rattle you." His gaze remained on the skyline. "If I picked you to be here, I saw something in you. And I barely do things like that…"
"So I've heard," Aria muttered under her breath.
"When the shoot starts, I want you to go back there, slay and shine. You've got this."
A warm feeling tickled her heart. Even her number one boss was on her side. Then Muriel was nobody to try to make her feel small.
At the curved end of the loft was the photo studio, and by the corner—watching the shoot—was the "Approvals Panel." The creative directors of Mera, Oland, and Cashiana each sat, watching the shoot like hawks. Her nerves freaking doubled.
Her palms turned sweaty, and beads of perspiration broke out on her forehead.
Please, please don't let this ruin my makeup.
"Muriel Montebello," one of the creative directors called as the last model left the podium.
Muriel walked toward them with feline grace, rudely brushing past Aria.
"You're brave to come here with so little experience. This photographer is tough," she murmured as she passed.
Aria's stomach tightened as Muriel climbed onto the podium with practiced ease, smiled into the cameras, and blended with the props like she belonged there.
A hand touched her shoulder, and she nearly jumped. She was so tense, like a coiled spring.
Livia laughed—an easy laugh that calmed the wolves chewing on the insides of her stomach.
"I saw how you paled when Muriel climbed the platform. I just wanted to remind you how stunning you look. The second makeup artist is really talented—your face flows naturally."
Aria squeezed her hand, thankful for the encouragement.
"Stop. Stop." A voice rang out from the approval panel, making the atmosphere bubble with more tension.
"I don't like that. That looks unnatural, forced. Take it from the beginning," she clapped.
Livia grimaced beside her as the cameras started flashing again.
"Okay, yeah, maybe... she's trying too hard."
Aria quietly laughed. "Aggressive posing or aggressive shots—whatever it's called—I can feel the tension rolling off her from here. It's mangling her posture."
Livia swiped a glass of bubbling bourbon from a passing waiter. "If Muriel's so tense, who are you not to be?"
Aria laughed, eyes twinkling with amusement. "Right? She's done this a bajillion times. She's supposed to own this."
Livia wiggled her eyebrows. "Except maybe... there's a cause for internal commotion."
Aria smirked, flicking her gaze back to the semi-studio. The photographer was speaking to Muriel, his expression harsh. Aria had never felt more pleased. They corrected her stances over and over again, and then there was a little deliberation from the approval panel.
"One last chance, Muriel," a voice called. "Don't let us down."
She nodded, her expression grave. Then suddenly—she became flawless. Aria noticed the smooth curve of her back, the arch of her neck, the graceful choreography. Every move looked rehearsed but effortless. Her throat tightened when Muriel held her gaze and smirked.
"Wait, what?" Livia stuttered. "She deliberately made those initial mistakes to make it look like she wouldn't pull it off—to give everyone false hope."
As the cameras clicked faster and the panel beamed with approval, Aria felt the whole room shrink. It was like an understudy watching the star.
Would they even see me? What if they realized I'm just… okay. Not radiant. Not camera-kissed. Just passable.
The panel clapped enthusiastically, and the noise of the studio faded behind her eardrums. All she could hear was her own anxious voice. She clenched her fists, her fingernails digging into her palms.
What if I don't make the final cut?
A soft hand gently squeezed her arm. Aria nearly jerked.
Livia breathed a laugh. "Chill. It's just me. She's done. It's your turn now."
When Aria looked up, she saw Muriel stepping off the stage, now surrounded by models smiling and giggling around her—a stellar performance.
Their gazes locked. Muriel's eyebrows lifted in a dare-to-beat-that challenge.
Livia slipped the warm glass of bourbon into Aria's trembling hands.
"To help your nerves," she whispered.
"I'm a joke," Aria murmured. "Look at what I'm wearing. Can I even beat that?"
"Simplicity screams elegance," Livia said, gently pushing her forward. "It's the theme of the brand collab—and you embody it."
She stepped onto the raised platform. Reflectors. Cameras. A stern photographer. Three pairs of eyes from the panel. Bordini. The other models scattered around the loft. All looking down at her.
The photographer beckoned her forward.
"So here's what I want," he said calmly. "Disregard whoever's looking at you and own this space like it's yours. You're a tigress. This is your territory. Someone's trying to encroach. I want silent confidence, stalker mode, passive aggression."
When she stepped back, she took a deep breath. She still felt unsure. But when the cameras started clicking and the spotlight hit her, it felt... seamless. Like she really owned the space. Angles and expressions came effortlessly. She didn't glance at the crowd, the panel, or their expressions. She focused only on the camera, the photographer's instructions—and herself.
There was a short break for a quick makeup touch-up. That's when she heard the assistants chatting nearby.
"She's a natural."
"The creative directors were immediately pleased."
"Like, do you get? She got their attention from the first shot. They were all nodding."
"I think they're satisfied."
Then a breeze carried a few more words from the panel to her ears.
"We might need to adjust the order of the final edits," one of them said.
"There's still a lot of work to be done," the photographer huffed. "But that's for Muriel. For this one—everything is perfect."
The second shoot featured Aria in a bubble-filled tub. Muriel wasn't given this one. Mid-pose, Aria caught Muriel silently fuming. She responded with a derisive smirk and a lifted brow.
Muriel only shook her head, amused. But the moment sent a jolt down Aria's spine.
Muriel's earlier jealousy had now hardened into resolve. Aria looked away, determined not to let her ruin the moment.
"I think we're done here," Major's sister called to the loft once the final model finished.
"Group shots, everyone!"
By the time Aria reached the semi-studio, it was already packed, and the only space left was at the back.
"Please step back," the photographer told Muriel.
"Step back where?" she snapped.
"You're not going to be at the center," he explained.
"I should be. I'm the lead!" she argued.
"C'mon, Muriel," Major's sister said in a bored tone. "You're above this. The creative directors want Aria in the center, where you're standing—and their decision is final."
Muriel rolled her eyes. "Then there's no way I'm going to be in it."
She picked up her gown and strolled haughtily away from the studio.
"Too much aimless pride, don't you think?" Major's sister called after her.
Aria looked stoic on the outside, but within, she was sizzling with nerves.
They just chose me over Muriel… to be the center of the spotlight.