"Eaton, thank you for coming all the way today," Daisy's cheerful voice broke the brief silence. "Actually, you could have just sent the clothes here today, no need to come in person..." Daisy's steps halted nearby, and her gaze fell upon a few individuals, her face lighting up with delight. "Have you already met? These are today's protagonists, Renly Hall, and this is Edith Hall, in charge of today's photography."
After the introductions, Daisy glanced at Edith and Renly, playfully remarking, "You two aren't secretly related, are you?" It hadn't occurred to her before, but now she realized that both of them shared the same surname, Hall.
Edith's tongue froze in her mouth, but Renly remained remarkably composed. He smiled at Edith, seemingly assessing her, and then turned to Daisy. "I might need to consult the family tree for that, it's quite an extensive project, but perhaps there will be some revelations." It was a light-hearted tease, neither confirming nor denying, redirecting the conversation and making Daisy burst into laughter.
Standing to the side, Eaton caught on as well. His gaze swept back and forth between the people, and he chuckled. Sensing Daisy's inquisitive look, Eaton explained, "This isn't the first time Renly and I have met. I was responsible for his attire at the previous Golden Globe Awards." He winked discreetly at Renly, as if to say, "How did I do?"
"Oh, in that case, today's collaboration is even more promising," Daisy nodded in approval. "Edith, have you two discussed everything? What's the theme for today's shoot? Now that Eaton is here, you can resolve any questions or communication issues face-to-face. How many outfits are we planning to shoot today?"
"I've prepared twenty-four outfits. Earlier in our email exchange, we confirmed that the theme for today is "men", right?" Eaton thought back to their previous email communication, which had been conducted through their respective assistants. He had always forgotten to ask for the photographer's name, which led to today's unexpected surprise.
Edith nodded in confirmation, while Renly stood by, his expression passive. He had long grown accustomed to this situation in the realm of photography. Edith never really sought his opinion, and even when she did, she often disregarded it. From childhood to adulthood, Renly had slowly adapted.
"I have two concepts in mind right now," Edith's eyes brightened, and excitement filled her features. "One is about men and cars, rugged men covered in oil, working with tools. The other is about men in a post-apocalyptic world, struggling to survive amidst dust storms and raw nature."
Eaton struggled to suppress a laugh; he knew Edith was once again indulging in her mischievous tendencies, aiming to use all her bold ideas and experiments on Renly. When Eaton had first seen Renly as Edith's model during their school days, he had been utterly dumbfounded, his eyeballs nearly falling to the ground. According to Edith's ideas, today Renly might end up rolling in the mud.
Edith wore an understanding expression as she patted Renly's shoulder. "I still hope to showcase your unique charm and give the public a fresh perspective. Just like this project, that overwhelming masculine allure truly catches the eye." Her considerate expression, as Renly saw it, seemed more like a cat crying over a mouse.
Indeed.
"One more concept, what do you think of homeless men in a New York subway station?" Edith's eyes sparkled as she looked at Renly. "Those rough, primal, unrefined men, like wandering poets, with stubble on their faces, looking dirty yet incredibly heart-throbbing."
Eaton stood by, mentally envisioning the scene. Truth be told, he had never seen Renly quite like this before, and he felt a subtle sense of anticipation. But before he could react, he noticed Renly's sharp gaze, seemingly catching a glimpse of his slightly upturned mouth and sparkling eyes. Eaton couldn't help but clear his throat softly and turned his attention elsewhere, pretending that nothing had happened.
"Today, you're the boss, so naturally, we'll follow your lead," Renly said casually, but the slight twitch in the corner of his eye filled Edith with joy, prompting her to hum a tune.
Daisy, who stood nearby, couldn't help but sense that something was amiss in the atmosphere, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Subconsciously, she thought that Renly might be dissatisfied with the shooting style, but Edith had become a big name in the industry now, and since she had made the final decision, Daisy didn't want to overturn it. To be honest, Daisy was looking forward to Renly's suit style as well.
Edith turned to Eaton and asked, "So, the styling is in your hands. These clothes are going to get dirty today. Is that okay?"
"Of course," Eaton readily nodded and then turned to Renly. "You should have breakfast first. We have plenty of time."
Afterward, Eaton, Edith, and Daisy temporarily left the area, giving Renly a moment of leisure to tend to his breakfast. He held a cup of coffee, savoring the rich aroma and enjoying a peaceful morning.
The warehouse gradually buzzed with activity as the staff busied themselves for the upcoming shoot. Occasionally, a staff member would approach Renly, warmly greeting him, and sometimes expressing admiration. The entire studio was filled with a cheerful and pleasant atmosphere, making everyone feel uplifted even before getting into work mode.
From a distance, Renly could see a small mountain of clothes slowly moving towards him. No one was visible on either side, as if it was being controlled remotely. The layers of clothing looked quite spectacular. Upon closer inspection, he could see that it was a tall gantry crane, adorned with a dazzling array of clothing, from suits to pants to outerwear. It seemed as if the gantry crane was about to burst from the sheer volume.
As Renly got closer, he finally spotted the figure pushing the gantry crane from behind, which was presumably Eaton's assistant. Eaton quickly caught up and then noticed Renly's astonishment in his eyes. He couldn't help but chuckle. "I heard that I'm selecting outfits for your first magazine cover, and many brands have approached me with sponsorship offers. It's the first time I've realized that your name is more valuable than mine."
Eaton's words were not an exaggeration.
As one of the hottest male actors this summer, Renly had truly become immensely popular. His stunning appearance, outstanding charisma, and unique charm had attracted attention from all quarters. His sensational appearance on the red carpet at the beginning of the year's Golden Globe Awards had left a deep impression on many, and since then, George Wilkes had become a household name. The latest news was that George had secured a sponsorship deal and was preparing to launch his own fashion brand, generating considerable anticipation in the fashion industry.
With his outstanding image, exceptional temperament, and undeniable charisma, any brand would eagerly seek collaboration with such a celebrity. It was a tremendous asset for any brand's image. It wasn't merely endorsement; it surpassed it.
So, before Eaton could extend an invitation, the fashion world had already mobilized. Various major brands had proactively approached him, hoping that Eaton would use their clothing. In just five short months, from the Golden Globe Awards to the summer season, things had changed dramatically, and the treatment had become worlds apart.
Hollywood's glamorous allure, which captivated countless souls, was gradually unfolding before Renly's eyes.
"In the back, we have shoes, hats, jewelry, and various accessories. I've mobilized all the resources I have on hand. Honestly, I'm very much looking forward to today's shoot," Eaton said with a beaming smile. For a stylist, creating a perfect image with their vision and hands, capturing it in photographs, was a source of fulfillment.
Renly turned his head slightly and glanced at the spectacular gantry crane behind Eaton. "Our mission today is to dirty these clothes, and maybe even tear and damage them?" He curled his lips slightly, hinting at a mischievous streak. "I think I can handle it. Let's wreak some havoc!"
With the theme settled, outfits selected, makeup completed, and clothing changes made, all the warehouse's staff members entered high gear, officially launching today's shoot.
In a way, photography and acting were akin. During a photoshoot, models needed to incorporate some basic acting skills, infusing emotions and expressions to capture the most essential and thrilling moments. Specific themes, especially, required the model's performance. The difference between top models and ordinary ones lay right here.
"More power, I need more power..." Edith's voice echoed continuously, and her camera shutter continued to click. "Like in a movie, your showdown with Vin Diesel, that kind of ferocity, that dominance, release all of it. Give me a burst of testosterone, depict a scene where every woman falls for you."
This...
Renly couldn't help but halt his actions, giving Edith a wordless side-eye. What did she mean by "every woman falls for you"? Could she demonstrate it for him?
Edith absolutely wouldn't admit that her earlier words were a prank. She was such a dedicated and professional photographer, how could she casually joke around? But the smile at the corner of her mouth was on the verge of collapsing. She had to bite her lip tightly to avoid bursting into laughter. Clearing her throat, she continued with a straight face.
"Don't stop, our shoot is still ongoing. Continue!" Watching Renly's bewildered expression, Edith's voice became even more cheerful. Could she control herself? Not really. "Imagine, The Lion King, yes, The Lion King, the ruler of the savanna. Roar toward the sun, exude your dominance, let all your emotions out. The whole world bows down at your feet. Think of Simba in "The Lion King"."
Originally, the photoshoot had been a serious and solemn affair, but after Edith's remark, it suddenly took on a comical tone. Renly was left utterly baffled, opening his mouth but unsure how to respond.
Just then, a large gust of wind blew a cloud of sand directly onto Renly's face. It pelted his cheeks, eyes, nose, and mouth, leaving nothing spared. It truly embodied the art of having "eaten a mouthful of sand," as if this place were not a decrepit warehouse in Brooklyn, New York, but the Sahara Desert.
Renly closed his eyes, standing still, looking utterly bewildered.