"Jo!! What are you doing??!!"
Arissa gasped loudly and her eyes widened in great shock when she saw Jojo's suddenly bent his knees in front of her.
She was utterly confused and embarrassed at the same time. How if they're someone who saw them like this?
She crouched down and asked him to get up as soon as possible.
"What are you doing, Jo? This is… embarrassing, you know! Get up now! How if someone passed by and look at us like this? "
But, he's unwavering. Arissa gasped and fluttered in shock once again when suddenly, Jojo took her arms tightly and looked at her with a serious expression on his face.
"I will get up with one condition, Arissa…"
A deep furrow appears on her face while a bad feeling crept onto her spine. Arissa squinted nervously.
"Yes?" She answered him in doubt.
"Help me, Sa ...pleasee… "
"And what kind of help is that, Jo?"
"I need to hear a yes first from your mouth, Arissa…"
Arissa rolled both of her eyes and take a deep breath before she finally nodded her head. O Lord, she just wants this awkwardness over soon and she can get back to her work.
"Are you sure? Do you want to help me? " asked Jojo seriously. The look in his eyes is unflinching and adamant.
"Yes... yes... what kind of help is it, Jo?? Is it working overtime because I have to replace the unavailable photographers and doing their job?"
Arissa asked him back confusedly. She absolutely had no idea what has just happened before.
"Help me to be the cover model of Fashion Blast next month ...." Jojo replied. Still in his pleading position. Obviously, this isn't a request but a death sentence for her!!
"WHAT ???!!!!"
Arissa and Vika spontaneously gasped and shouted altogether before then Jojo covered their mouths tightly.
"I'll take the blame. It's ok! For now, we don't have any choice…"
Jojo murmuring in a soft tone desperately.
"Are you crazy, Jo? !! If we get caught, we're finished. We're done! BOOM!!… "replied Vika in panic after hearing his crazy idea.
"I know, but my instincts have never gone wrong ..." said Jojo confidently while he pulled out his smartphone from his pocket and hand it over to Arissa who was still stunned by his crazy request before.
"You were born to be a supermodel, Arissa..." Jojo showed some of her pictures on his smartphone to Arissa who dressed up as an oriental lady in one of his projects a year ago. Meanwhile, Vika nodded vigorously at them both. Showing her agreement.
Arissa didn't say anything and just looked at her picture on his smartphone. Jojo never been a good cameraman as far as she has known him for long years in their relationship as buddies. His works in photography are never as good as hers. But, his eyes were never gone wrong when it comes to hunting a new talent for the fashion and entertainment industry.
Here…
Even though the angles were not good, but still, her natural beauty arises. Arissa was trying one or two costumes that she likes and pretend to be a supermodel while wearing them with a platinum wig. She also takes off her contact lens. Showing her true color eyes. She thought it was a funny idea. Refreshment after a tiring continuous working hour as a part-time barista before. Besides, the one who took the pictures was Jojo. Her best friend.
Arissa didn't say anything while her fingers trailing on Jojo's phone screen. Seeing herself in those pictures has given back a rush of a strange feeling to her. A mixed emotion of self proud and insecurity as well. Watching her, a faint smile curved on Jojo's lips.
And, he always had faith in her. This girl is so damn beautiful and always dedicated herself to any task under her responsibilities. Her self-control is also top-notch. Her words are firm and bold. And she would never break her promises to anyone. She has the potential to become a legend in the modeling industry. The only problem is…
Her insecurities. Her inconfidence.
She never feels good enough about her well-being and she always folds her wings tightly. Concealed herself from the world's eyes. Even though what does she have, was more than enough to prove herself and rise brightly on her own persona on the runway.
Today, Jojo feels that the universe has clear a path for her. Today, Arissa couldn't hide in the shell and resist her sparkling fate to show her true self to the whole world. A billion eyes will turn their gaze at her and admiring her true beauty as a new goddess.
The question is…
Will she do this?
"Please, Sa ... this once only..."
Arissa took a deep breath after she heard her best friend's pleading. Then, in the end, Arissa nodded weakly.
"Ok, just this time, Jo. The first and last…"
Jojo smiled happily and pulled his best friend in a bone-crushing hug.
"Thank you so much, sweetheart. This means a lot for me… "
Jojo told Vika to take all the clothes and makeup equipment necessary for the photoshoot that day. It didn't take long for Vika to take everything that was needed and Jojo brought the three of them to the nearest studio to get ready.
"Wait…."
Arissa held her left hand in midair and took all the clothes that were in Vika's hand and give a sign for them both to wait outside. Silently, the two of them just nodded in agreement and stood guard outside the door.
.......................................….
Inside the room, Arissa untied her hair and took off her glasses. She also took off her contact lenses carefully. Instantly, a pair of bright blue eyes stared back at her through the reflection in the mirror before her. No one else knows about the real color of her eyes except those who intimately close with her like her foster mother, Jose, Jacob, the kids in the orphanage, and Jojo. But today, she must reveal it once again. Arissa exhaled deeply with a heavy heart. Encouraged herself one more time. Nothing will go wrong after this fake session.
Unfortunately, she didn't know that her spontaneous action would be leading her to another disaster afterward.