[Around 7pm at the MoonChild Cafe]
"And that's a wrap! Phew~ I feel my brain pulsing with so many new ideas! But what do you think of the clothes and styles you've seen so far, Mr Coleman?" Morris asked.
"I think that Dixon looked great in all the clothes but I think that those of pastel colours suit him the most," Vincent replied before turning to Vale, smiling. "You truly are the model I'd like to hire."
Vale felt his cheeks warmed at Vincent's words. He felt happy that he was being recognized, but embarrassed at the same time because other than Morris, no one else has ever complimented Vale as a model.
'Then again, no one knows about my modelling. Well, except for Jeremy, I think… He did accidentally come across the pictures emailed to me. I should have logged out when I was done. Oh well. What is done, is done.'
"Oh! I'm so glad that the three hours of making Dixy catwalk in the different clothes were worth it~ Oooo! I simply can't wait to start drafting out on new designs! Mr Coleman, you really have a keen eye! Pastel colours do tend to suit Dixy well~" Morris said in a sing-song manner.
"Indeed," Vincent said and smiled.
"Oh yeah! Dixy, when are you going to sign that contract?" Morris asked. Gone was the inspired fashion designer and in with the supportive yet pushy friend.
"I…" Vale could not find the words because frankly, the contract was ten pages long and he had not thoroughly read the whole thing. All he knew was that he was to be the ambassador for AO Company. He still had no idea of the expected work schedule, and other important details.
"Don't worry, Dixon. I will wait for your call. You may take all the time you need. I've attached my business card to the contract as well," Vincent said.
"Okay, thank you," Vale nodded awkwardly. He was an amauteur and yet the CEO of a multinational company was willing to wait for him. It was overwhelming.
"Oh, if it is too awkward for you to call, I will be visiting the cafe either tomorrow or on Sunday. You may give the contract to me if you wish to start soon. Do not worry for I will only be coming here as a customer on that day. Truth be told, I was thinking of trying out the food here after our meeting but unfortunately have another appointment to attend to in the next hour."
"Okay, I understand. Thank you."
"Just a question; if Dixy does sign the contract by this weekend, how soon will we start?" Morris asked.
"As soon as Dixon is free."
***
[Just outside the cafe's entrance--]
"Are you sure you can't stay for just a few more minutes? You could just have a drink or something light. It is so hard to meet people these days. My photoshoot schedules are C.R.A.Z.Y," Morris whined.
"I guess that a few minutes should be fine. I would love to join y--" Vincent's phone abruptly started ringing, "Ah, sorry, I have to take this."
Not wanting to disturb any of the customers who were in the cafe, Vincent spoke in a hush tone, "Yes? Yes, I'm well aware about-- He, WHAT?! Don't say anything else and make sure that no one leaves the building. I'll be there in twenty minutes."
Vincent then ended the call and looked at Morris and Vale apologetically. "I am sorry. I will have to do this another time. Something urgent just came up in the office. I have to go now." Although Vincent spoke in a very calm and polite manner, Vale noticed the tall man's jawline muscle clenched as the man took his leave. Whatever it was, the man was livid.
"Oh my~ Nothing hotter than a man who is angry~" Morris got a low whistle. "Ah~ It would be great if I could get that man to model for me~"
Vale just looked at the fashion designer and shook his head, 'After the many years, Morris has not changed a single bit.'
"So, shall we have dinner together? If I remember right, today's special is grilled salmon," Vale said.
"Salmon?! I love salmon~ Yes, let's--"
"Boss! How could you?! Why didn't you tell us that you're into modelling?!"
Vale turned to see that it was Ellie who had called out to him. She stood at the glass door with a magazine in her hand.
"I don't understand," Vale said.
'Please don't tell me that a picture of mine was printed in this magazine,' Vale thought to himself.
Vale did not have to wait long for Ellie then revealed the pages she had bookmarked. It was worse than Vale thought. It was not just one photo of his that was featured in the magazine, but several. At least two pages were filled with his photos, not including one of his photos that took up the whole of another page. Typed out in bold, at the top of the page with that one photo of his, was 'The Sequence Of Things'. Then at the very bottom of that page was his surname, 'Dixon'.
All of the photos were simple and in truth, done at the spur of the moment a few months ago when Vale had just finished up on another photoshoot with Morris. Wanting to try out some cakes and milk jam at a cafe nearby, Vale had invited Morris for a tea break and also to catch up on things. Since Morris had to rush off to another location for a photoshoot, he had brought along most of his camera equipment-- which was not odd since Morris often organized and even led photoshoots for his own line of clothes.
When the orders were taking some time to come, the bored Morris insisted on taking candid and also natural shots of Vale. Vale had initially expressed his reluctance to have pictures taken when his face was bare of any touch up or makeup. Moreover, he was already dressed in woolly, loose clothes. However, after Morris' incessant whining, Vale finally yielded.
Vale had not given any thought to the whole thing after that day. He had assumed that the photos had not turned out as good as Morris had expected since the fashion designer had not said anything. Never would Vale have expected or even dreamed that Morris would go as far as to have the photos published.
'Well, truth be told, this isn't the first time he has done it. However, that other time was simply for online publication on fashion platforms. My photos then were just a small number amongst the thousands of photos of other models. Plus, no one was going to know that it was indeed me with all that makeup on. Not that they would even know what to look for…'
Vale silently took the magazine from Ellie and had a closer look. Although the photo was of his bare face, Vale did not recognize the man that stared back at him. It was a closeup photo that was taken as he leaned against the wide window sill. The gentle evening sun rays cast shadows as well as just the right amount of light to show his face in a rather mysterious light.
Morris had asked him to bring out a nostalgic kind of atmosphere for the window sill photos and Vale started thinking of the old days-- to a time when he was young and when everything was simple and uncomplicated. Vale had not imagined that the memories would cause him to make such a lost and forlorn expression.
Vale could not help but stare at the photo for a while longer. He had mixed feelings of both admiration and upset. Admiration; for Morris had managed to capture the photo in such an angle and lighting that brought out the different textures, colours and the tiniest of details. There were no complicated preparations yet the photo seemed to tell its audience of so much more.
At the same time, Vale was upset that Morris had not informed of his intention to submit the photos for a magazine feature-- not to mention that it was to 'Mode8', one of the top magazines that featured male models. It was not as if Vale had expressed any aversions to Morris publishing his photos. It was just that he never expected that it would be for such a popular magazine-- with so many photos as well.
"... Morris," Vale began as he turned to look at his friend who had been quietly backing away.
"Oh! Would you look at the time! I am so late! Love you~" and the man ran off.
'Ah, I'll probably never hear the end of it. I just hope that… Hah…' Vale sighed as he saw a few other staff members coming towards him.
***
[Somewhere in a dimly lit room--]
On the floor was an opened magazine as a figure hunched over it. No sound could be heard other than from the harsh breathing that seemed to fill the room. The person was on all fours and moved in a rather vulgar manner.
"Hah… Ha…"
Sweat rolled down and dripped onto the magazine as the person continued and stared at the photo with lust.
Then as the person gazed closely at the model in the photo, there was a release of pent-up energy and translucent-white substance splattered onto the magazine.
Caressing the face in the photo, the person then whispered in a rough voice.
"Vale."