"Is that all, Daddy? Just that?" Kidlat asked, curiosity lighting up his features.
While he had always been drawn to food and treats, it was unexpected to see him express interest in modeling without fully grasping the complexities that lay ahead. The idea of stepping into the limelight intrigued him, but the realities might be a different story.
Alrich, glancing at his oldest son, simply shook his head with a gentle smile.
"Even if it seems simple, you're still too young to take on that kind of work. I want you to focus on your studies right now, and keep your mind clear of distractions. Modeling isn't as easy as it looks, Zefhan and Kidlat," he cautioned, addressing both of his kids seriously.
Zefhan, the eldest, nodded dutifully, though he, too, felt a stirring of excitement at the thought of experiencing the world of modeling. Kidlat, meanwhile, let out a scoff, his youthful curiousity unshaken by his father's concerns.
Felix, the agent, sensed the growing enthusiasm in the room. He leaned forward, his expression earnest.
"I have a proposal for you. Rather than offering a contract right now, I simply want to give the kids a glimpse into what modeling truly entails. If they enjoy it, we can then tailor the contract to fit your needs and preferences. Does that sound agreeable?"
Felix's determination to keep this family engaged was palpable. He understood the glimmer of excitement reflected in the kids' eyes and didn't want to lose that spark.
He was aware of Alrich's hesitations and concerns, which made perfect sense. Yet Felix couldn't shake the belief that should these children become part of his models, it would be a mutually beneficial arrangement; the company would thrive, and the children would gain invaluable experiences.
Confidence filled Felix as he thought that as long as greed didn't overshadow their enthusiasm, everything could work out beautifully. It was a potential partnership woven with trust—a promise of growth for both the kids and the company.
"Hmm..." Alrich pondered, his expression turning serious as he focused on his kids standing before him, their eyes sparkling with a mixture of hope and excitement.
The air was thick with anticipation as they awaited their father's response. After taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Alrich felt a wave of resolve wash over him.
"Alright, let them give modeling a try. But if they decide it's not for them, we must respect that choice. And I want to make one thing clear: I will be their manager. No one else will oversee my sons' careers. I have the experience to manage."
"Yes! No problem at all!" Felix replied enthusiastically, a broad smile illuminating his face.
His eagerness was palpable, and he sensed that he was on the cusp of a promising opportunity. He quickly pulled out his cell phone, determined not to let this chance slip away.
"Can I get your number? I'll text or call you when—" Felix began, but Alrich cut him off, holding up something in his hand.
"Here," Alrich said, handing Felix a card. "Just so you know, the boys are only available on weekends. I hope you can work with that."
Felix was grateful for the information, eagerly taking the card. His initial impulse was to enter the number into his phone, but he was surprised to find Alrich had his card. On the front, however, a name caught Felix off guard: 'Rain.'
"Rain?" he exclaimed, his curiosity piqued.
"Yes," Alrich replied, meeting Felix's gaze with an intensity that silenced any further questions. "I know your sister mentioned my name, but I'd appreciate it if you could keep that to yourself."
Felix, taken aback by Alrich's preference for privacy, nodded in agreement. He now understood that some individuals preferred to shroud themselves in a veil of anonymity, and he was more than willing to respect Alrich's boundaries.
As Felix prepared to leave the Falco household, he stole one last glance at the three of them—two children brimming with potential and a father poised to protect that destiny. He then directed his gaze back to Alrich, a smile creeping onto his lips.
"If your current work situation doesn't provide enough for you, you might consider applying as a model with our company too. That way, you can keep an eye on your sons during their shoots. Just a suggestion." He nodded respectfully before executing a slight bow. "Thank you for your time. I'll take my leave now."
With that, Felix turned and exited the apartment, closing the door behind him. The moment he was alone, an exhilarating rush overtook him. He couldn't contain his excitement any longer—his right fist shot up into the air in triumph.
As he walked away, thoughts raced through his mind, buzzing with plans to manage both the children's and Alrich's future careers.
He knew there was no time to waste; Saturday was approaching fast, and all he needed now was to make a phone call. The groundwork had been laid, and he was determined to see it flourish.
***
Three days had passed since Alrich received the call from Felix, inviting him and his children to visit the company for a photoshoot. The address provided made it effortlessly easy for Alrich and his little ones to navigate their way there.
As they approached the building, the unmistakable excitement radiating from his two children was palpable; their eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Dressed in bright, colorful summer attire, the children beamed with joy, their smiles unwavering even as the photoshoot commenced. The atmosphere was infectious; the photographer couldn't help but be charmed by their playful energy, capturing that genuine innocence in every shot.
Alrich found himself swept up in their enthusiasm, though beneath the surface, a myriad of thoughts churned through his mind.
Deep down, a sense of anxiety began to fester. Would this modeling gig truly make his children happy? Occasionally, he found himself drowning in doubts, questioning if he was somehow pushing them into this venture against their will. What if they were simply pretending to enjoy it for his sake?
However, as the photoshoot progressed, it became evident that those fears were unfounded. The natural chemistry between his children and the photographer was undeniable.
They interacted effortlessly, laughing and playing as they posed, their genuine joy radiating through each click of the camera. The photographer found it easy to direct them, capturing their cherubic faces in a variety of poses that highlighted their playful spirits.
Watching them, Alrich felt a surge of relief and pride. He realized that he had been wrong to underestimate their enjoyment of modeling.
With each passing moment, his apprehensions began to fade. He came to a decision: he would allow his children to embark on this modeling journey—at least for one year.
If, after that time, they wished to continue, he would fully support their dreams. The most important thing to him was their happiness.
However, he had firm conditions to set forth before signing the contract. Alrich insisted that the children's education remain a priority; the modeling company could only engage his sons on weekends. He made it clear that no harsh criticism would be tolerated regarding their performance or knowledge of the modeling world. They were still just five years old, and in his eyes, they were children first and foremost, deserving of a childhood filled with joy and exploration.
The representatives at the modeling agency found no issues with Alrich's conditions and were eager to comply. As they progressed with the paperwork, Alrich made a specific request regarding the use of his children's names.
He was fine with their first names being used but wanted their last names kept confidential. This was particularly important to him due to his complicated past; one of his former husbands had failed to recognize him, a stark reminder of the tumultuous history they shared.
Despite the passing connections in his life, Alrich had always been vigilant about the potential for someone from his past to re-emerge, especially after the unexpected twists related to the narrative of the novel he had somehow found himself a part of.
The chaos in the storyline, he theorized, might have disrupted some sort of system, causing his husbands to forget what he truly looked like, leaving only his name etched in their memory.
Yet, his vigilance did not waver.
Aside from the complexities surrounding his past marriages, there was one other individual he had to keep a close eye on: Jin Linran, the other husband of the character he's using in this novel.