It has been an… eventful week. From acting to interviews online. For some scenes we even needed to move to another location in England and even though it was a struggle it had been more fun than I had imagined.
As I have been staying in the North of England, I haven’t seen Vincent in a day or six. Which doesn’t bother me at all, it makes me feel better, being so far away from him, no distractions, no worries, just fun. Except that’s coming to an end today.
I have an interview and photoshoot with Vincent. I arrived back in London yesterday night and have only slept since, I didn’t meet anyone. I was so tired and exhausted that I didn’t even pass the living room where everyone stays till late at night.
Now that it is morning, not only am I incredibly tired, but mostly anxious. This is the first photo shoot I am going to have with Vincent since ever. Our last photo shoots were outstanding and iconic. There are still some posters of that time when we were all splattered over magazine covers. I didn’t mind at all, it is just that it feels different thinking about doing it again and in this day and age. It has been a decade and as much as I tried to avoid the entire ‘why-did-I-disappear-10-years-ago’ there is only so much I can do.
I am certainly not a fan of this situation, if you hadn’t noticed.
Vincent and I will be driving separately to the studio. He will do his part first then I will arrive, we will have a few photos together and then I am going alone. After that an interview with the both of us.
I don’t wear anything spectacular, just my dress pants and a blouse. I wear my long ‘sherlock-holmes-cote’ as everyone calls it and my bag that I wear around my shoulder. I will have to change there anyways so no need to be incredibly stunning, yet.
Driving for around half an hour I finally arrive, my chauffeur leaves me and a bodyguard escorts me into the building. It is a pretty large building, filled with different studios filled with projects. I take off my sunglasses and follow my bodyguard to a specific studio where people are waiting for us.
I notice some sudden flashes of light through the shuttered windows. They are probably snapping pictures of someone.
“Welcome!” A woman all too shiny and happy almost shouts at us. I smile at her even though I get the feeling that she is more fake than anyone can be. In the corner of my eye the flash continues, I turn around and -Oh My Lord- there is Vincent, all in character.
His hair is slicked back and messy at the front. He is wearing a two piece suit with his tie undone and hanging around his neck as the first two rows of buttons of his blouse are undone revealing the muscles I once loved to touch. Alright these thoughts are getting out of hand. But he still looks like an absolute god as he changes positions according to the photographer.
“Pandora?”
“Pandora?” My head immediately turns around in shock that I dared to stare at that handsome devil for longer than intended. The woman gives me another fake smile as she shows me towards the changing room. There are different outfits laid out for me as I scan through the clothes. Another woman is standing behind the table, she’s probably the stylist.
“I will come in a few minutes to get you, I will leave you to it then.” And with that she left me and the unknown woman alone.
“I am Cassandra, I will help you pick out something that fits you amazing.” The woman stated, she was very pretty as studied her features and young as well, in her early twenties I shall say.
“Thank you, Cassandra.” Unlike the other girl, I found out that I like Cassandra. We get to business quickly and she does exactly as I want while giving appropriate advice.
The photoshoot will contain 3 rounds. Round one, pants. Round two, skirts. Round three, dresses.
First, Pants. I am standing in front of a mirror while Cassandra does my hair and make-up. I am wearing wide dress leg pants, a top that’s only covering my chest, while my stomach is out in the open and as last a blazer that matches the pants. But wait, the most horrific thing, heels.
I don’t know what kind of vision they have with this outfit, but it is giving ’prostitute-meets-bad-ass-boss.’ and I absolutely love that vibe. I am only living once and now that my figure is still standing I can make the most out of it.
“I believe you are ready to go, is there anything you’d like to change?” Cassandra asks me. I nod her ‘no’ and a thank you before I walk out of the room. The aggravating woman is before I know it standing by my side once again and looking at me like I am a fish that learned to walk. Her eyes are bulging out of their sockets and her mouth has fallen to the ground. I don’t give her any thought as I stroll towards the photographer that is still busy with Vincent. It takes every self control of me to not jump on Vincent right now. I am absolutely disgusted by having those thoughts.
“Miss, you may take place next to Vincent.” Miss? I am not complaining, definitely not with the look that I am serving. I stand beside Vincent who has now stood up from his stool.
This is the most uncomfortable awkwardness I have ever experienced. Not only haven’t I seen this man in a week, but there are also flashbacks from back in the day. The confidence I had a few minutes ago has disappeared into thin air.
I am standing beside Vincent without any emotion, the photographer expectantly waits for us to do some miraculous pose. You will have to wait for a long time, sir.
“Allright, may I see some action?” He hints. The corner of my eyes turns to face Vincent, while he is already staring at me, the action catches me and I almost jump into the air. I step closer to Vincent so now my arm is touching his.
“This isn’t going to work.” The photographer says as he walks towards us.
“Vincent, you grab her waist and pull her towards yourself.” He does, and the movement sways me off my feet. I can feel his breathing against my chest as his hand is wrapped around my waist.
“You,” He grabs my hand and places it on his chest, grabbing the outline of his blazer. “Do this.”
“Now, Vincent, you look at her with lust in your eyes, while you miss, look straight into the camera like he is devouring you.” What are these instructions? But anyway we do exactly that, I can feel Vincent's breath as his head is turned towards me and I try to keep my knees from collapsing.
“I think we have this one!” He happily speaks as I and Vincent immediately walk out of eachothers grasp.
The second shoot went fine, nothing spectacular. I sat in front of Vincent as he had his hand on my shoulder.
But the third one is horrible, but Cassandra can’t change anything about it. They want me to wear the dress I wore 13 years ago, the first photo shoot I ever had with Vincent. It is exactly the same, except a few sizes bigger. I can’t believe that I have to do this. This dress has so many memories and it is too painful to wear this again, I can’t just walk out with this, what will Vincent think?
“I am sorry but this is the one look that I am not allowed to change, this is the most iconic look from you.” I am aware, but that doesn’t make up for the fact that I need to wear this.
Oh lord save me.