The feeling of the chilly air sends chills through my body as we both step out into a lush garden, roses, flowers, and trees all planted perfectly. I smile at the perfect view, the nature of this all making me feel so... peaceful. Except for the whole I'm-cold-so-help thing!
Manu notices my shocked face, and smiles ro himself. "Need a jacket?"
I point to my own gray one, but he shakes his head. "Have you ever been in the city's cold weather before?"
I shake my head, and he gasps.
Before I can say a word, he runs back into the house, returning a few seconds later with a large leather jacket. I stare in awe at the brand, one of the most expensive brands ever... and isn't that jacket limited edition? What...?!
He hands me the jacket, urging for me to put it on. I shake my head. "I can't wear that!"
"Why not?" he inspects the large masterpiece with concern. "Is it dirty? I DID use it yesterday at the gym—"
"No, it's not that—"
"Let me get you a new one!"
"No!" I pull him back with such force that both of tumble down, like Jack and Jill. I groan audibly as his huge, tall body lays atop my own. "Ughhh..."
"Shit!" he yelps, standing up quickly, rubbing dirt off his ripped jeans. He helps me up, pulling me swiftly as if I weigh nothing at all. "Why'd you do that?" he reproaches.
"Because!" I say, shaking myself like a puppy. "That jacket... it's too expensive! I'll probably get it dirty!"
He rolls his eyes. "So? It's just a jacket!"
I scoff. "Just a jacket... Manu, look at it! It's a beautiful limited edition jacket!" I say. He throws his head up in the air, exasperated.
"Maggie!! Just wear it, we'll only be taking pictures, not digging in the dirt!" he scolds, shoving the jacket in my hands. "Wear it," he demands sternly, and I have no choice but to obey. The soft inside fabric is comforting and immediately warms me up. I accidentally let out a pleased sigh, making him chuckle. "Didn't want to wear it, huh?" he smirks, then adds, "Keep it, so you'll be reminded of me always... it even smells like me!" he smiles playfully. I blush deeply.
Even though, I still smell it, inhaling a good scent of berries and expensive but strong men cologne. I sigh once again, and internally scream. He glances at me. "Keep it, you like it."
"Don't give me your jacket!" I reproach.
"Keep it, think of it as your payment!"
"No thanks, I'd prefer actual cash. Plus, this jacket is too huge."
Too huge... still, I love it, though I won't admit it, of course. Even though... it's really nice to be reminded of him, even though we literally just met, I feel attracted somehow to him...
"I'll give you the jacket and cash, I know you want the jacket, haha!"
I blush but shrug. "Okay, if you really want me to take it!" I wait for him to decline, to ask me for it again, but he doesn't. Instead, he goes retrieve my camera equipment and returns back, without a word. Did he really want me to... take his jacket?
I don't say anything as I begin to prepare it. Finally, it's time.
"Okay, so I'll need you to take a few shots with me sitting in this bench—" he begins, but I interrupt him.
"No, no. In order for more recognition you need to STATE something, to leave a mark or to tell the audience something. How about we go for a... prince-y vibe, since we're by the flowers anyway." He stares at me for a while but shrugs and nods.
"Okay, I trust you enough to believe it'll come out good..."
"Okay, so walk in between the flowers, and hold one out to the camera, yes, like that!" I nod at him as he leans over the flowers, as handing one to the viewers... as if he's handing it out to me!
"Is this good?" he says, and my thoughts disappear. I nod quickly, and before he can say a word I snap a picture. We both lean in to see, and we both gasp.
"It's..." he starts.
Perfect.
The photo came out excellent, since he's so cute and really does look like a prince, and since the camera was mostly focused on him and the rose, we didn't need an outfit. We both sigh in relief as I upload it on my phone, then pass it on to his phone, and then upload it. We both watch as almost instantly it gets about 100 likes. Wow.
"This was great, but we've got to speed it up. How about we take one with my phone instead of with the camera?" he suggests. I reluctantly agree, even though I'm not so sure a phone could capture that much detail anyway...
Until I see his iPhone 12.
"Wow..." I say, and he laughs amused.
"Heh, camera's aren't the only ones that can take a photo, you know!" he brags, his hazel eyes squinting in laughter. I roll my eyes but can't help but smile. "Sure, let's see how well this baby does... stand over there."
He soes as instructed and I carefully angle the camera, and snap a picture. I gasp as I see that it looks exactly like a professional camera would take, maybe even better!
"Woah... how'd you get a camera like this?!" I gasp. He smirks, walking towards me, and snatching the phone from my hands! I yelp as I try to reach it. "Don't you dare mess up the photo!" I cry, but he just smirks.
"Catch it from me, then."
God, he's too flirty... not that I'm complaining.
"You're too tall!" I protest. "Tell me how much it costed, I could really use a phone with a good quality camera!"
He smiles. "Hmm, but you're such a money-freak, like the jacket. The phone was close to two thousand dollars, take it or leave it." I stifle a gasp. That much? Well, it does have a camera that's amazing!
"One day," I promise myself, "One day I'll have one!"
I watch as he smiles sweetly, setting the phone on my palms. "Take more pictures," he says. "You're an amazing photographer, I'm sure we'll get famous in no time!" We both check the post from a while ago, and sure enough, it has about 10 thousand likes by now.
"You're right about both things," I smile. "This really is the best first job ever!"