"Look up towards the skylight," I direct the model, who is failing to take direction. Click. Click. Click.
Although this is the biggest production I've ever been assigned to, it hasn't prevented these models from trying to capture my attention. Three models advertising jewelry who can't seem to stay focused. Maybe my baby doll is right, I should start wearing a scary Halloween mask to work. The model desperately trying to get my attention by acting provocatively, pulling her sleeve down to expose more skin, even though I asked her many times not to, insists on trying to tempt me. It's not working, but Jerry finally chimes in and tells her to stay focused. She's very young and impressionable, so I ask Jerry to take it easy on her.
During lunch, I step outside the studio to check my phone and smile to myself after seeing my baby doll sending me funny selfies of her at her job. It's been eighteen wonderful months since we got married. We moved immediately after the incident at her mother's house, and she willingly took my name. Our new home in New York was a difficult transition from L.A. at first but being with her made it all better. Her patience and grace made me realize I made the right decision. My mother was certain I would be divorced by now, but I couldn't be more in love with her.
She told me she didn't want to be a model, which would've made it easier for her mother to find her, so I recommended she do something she's always wanted to do, with the security I was able to give her, she took the opportunity, and I got her connected with a fashion designer who took her under his wing: Walter Sherman. Under his tutelage, she was able to realize her art into fashionable clothing. She now works as his assistant, and their friendship makes me a little jealous at times, but I'm not worried because I trust her.
Plus, Walter has a male companion.
Her selfies always have her cross eyed or making a blowfish face, but today she's wearing googly eyes with a tagline: "Guess who we're partnering with today?"
Before I can send my reply, I feel a small tug on the back of my shirt. I turn to see the young model with a robe on and a blushing red face. She is a red head, with light green eyes and large pouty lips. Had I not been terribly annoyed with her not taking direction, I would have noticed how aesthetically pleasing she is to look at. Not that I would ever consider being with anyone else.
"Mr. Ramos, sir, I wanted to apologize," she says softly, and I simply stare at her, preparing to accept her apology, "It's just that I've never worked with anyone like you, and I-"
Oh no, here we go.
"Look, uh Miss?" I start to explain, realizing I don't know her name.
"Pamela Hart," she replies, with a small frown.
"Miss Hart, I'm not going to tell you what to do, but I can tell you're trying to break into this industry, you definitely have the looks, but you also need professionalism and class," I brutally explain, before going back to my phone and replying to Natalie as I walk away.
"Would you like to get coffee sometime?" Pamela boldly asks. This stops me in my steps heading back towards the studio. I feel my eyes wide in shock and turn back towards her very serious face. "I know it's unprofessional, but I'm really attracted to you Mr. Ramos, and I'd like to get to know you." As I blankly stare at her and think about how old she might be, my phone vibrates in my hand before I can form a response.
"Excuse me," I politely say to her, and answer my phone, "Hello?"
"Hey, my love, I'm getting off now, you want to have dinner at that little café we talked about last night?" my baby doll sweetly says, reminding me of how incredible she truly is, and how horrible I feel now after this girl shook me.
"Of course I do, baby doll," I reply, almost sounding relieved that she called me.
"You sound down, another hard day?" she gently asks. I sigh and turn to look at Pamela, who looks completely lost.
"Yeah, I'll tell you about it later," I say as I scratch my head, completely dumbfounded that Pamela hasn't taken a hint yet. "Yeah, yeah, come over, I'll see you then, love you." After I hang up, I look up to a smiling redheaded girl who looks so smug, I become slightly irritated.
"So, you have a girlfriend?" Pamela asks with a smile through half lidded eyes.
"Um, actually-" I start.
"I can handle any competition," Pamela continues as she starts walking back to the studio and places a small business card in my pocket. I can't help but snicker at her bold confidence. It's never going to happen, but I'll let her stew in her confidence before she finds out.
We continued the shoot without any more interruptions, and I couldn't help but take advantage of my necessary staring to admire Pamela's beauty; fully aware that she's undoubtedly too young, I decided to keep these thoughts to myself. I suppose it's normal to have these desires, I'm only human. After we wrap, and my crew starts cleaning up, I feel a familiar touch on my shoulder as I'm hunched over my equipment putting it away. I feel her soft lips against my cheek, and I grab her hand and kiss it softly.
"Hey baby doll," I look up at her and her beautiful brown eyes. Her hair is pulled back in a messy bun, and she wears comfortable, casual clothes: a tan cashmere sweater and jeans.
"Hey, my love," she greets me just before planting another kiss on my lips, "You just finishing up?"
"Yeah, I should be done here in fifteen," as I say this, I look up to see Pamela walking towards us and begin to panic. I don't know why this 'child' has shaken me so much, but I'm starting to become annoyed by her.
"Well," Natalie intertwines her fingers into mine, and lightly blushes; a habit I know well when she wants me, "You look very handsome today, maybe we can get it to go-"
"Mr. Ramos?" I look over towards Pamela who has interrupted a moment with my baby doll, who looks unfazed by her rudeness and simply smiles.
"Yes, Pamela?" I try to say it as politely as I can, even though I'm a little irritated.
"Thank you for everything today, including the advice," Pamela says this a little seductively, which annoys me even more, so I cut her off quickly.
"Yes, of course, pleasure was all mine," I say sternly. Natalie is simply smiling, and I don't think she suspects me of anything, but after living with her for over a year and a half, I can always sense when she's about to say something passive-aggressive or condescending.
"Hello Pamela, I'm Mrs. Ramos," Natalie says so sweetly and calmly that Pamela's face quickly turns pale.
"Mrs. Ramos? Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean-" Pamela quickly panics.
"Oh, it's alright," Natalie reaches her arm around my waist and sneakily grabs my rear, making me twitch. "He's ashamed to call me wife in front of his models, he finds it discourages them from taking great pictures, isn't that right sweetheart?" I give her a glare that makes her chuckle. Even though I enjoy her snarky remarks and witty banter, I sometimes wish she'd get a little jealous. She trusts me, too much. Dammit.
As I say my goodbyes to everyone, I can't get that Pamela out of my mind. I haven't been this shaken by a girl since my baby doll stole my heart. I know I swore to myself to keep it inside, but I can't hide this from her. I love her so much.
After we discuss the 'Pamela Problem,' which she named, she takes a sip from her favorite wine, and lightly chuckles.
"I'm not worried that you'll desire other women, Jacque, it's natural, I've desired other women, too," Natalie replies calmly.
"I know you're joking, but I don't want you to think that I'm bored with you, I love you now more than ever, I just think-"
"Stop thinking," Natalie cuts off, puts her glass down, and moves closer to me on our couch. "We've been through too much together, I know that girl doesn't have anything on us, but just in case," Natalie reaches over my leg and behind the couch and pulls out a red wig. I try so hard not to laugh at her playfulness, which I love most of all. "While we were at the store, I got a little something for ya'," Natalie starts to put on the cheap wig, making me laugh.
"Goddammit, Natalie," I say in between laughter, "What is wrong with you?"
She begins puckering her lips, making them look like Pamela's, and I start hysterically laughing as she mocks the redhead. I hold her face in my hands and look deep into her eyes.
"How'd I get so lucky?"
"You found me, I should be asking you," Natalie replies. I pull her in for a kiss. We start becoming intimate, and as she kisses me passionately, I groan after hearing her phone go off.
"No, no, no, no, let it go to voicemail," I whine, like some teenager.
"It's Wally, I have to see what he needs," Natalie answers the phone to my dismay, still sitting on top of me. "Hey, what's up?" I continue to kiss her neck and her chest, trying to stay aroused for when she finishes with the call, until I feel the sudden shift in the mood. Looking up at her pale face, I begin to worry.
"Natalie?"
"I h-hadn't heard, l-let me check the news," Natalie gets up and turns on the TV. Plastered on the screen is a breaking news bulletin stating that Henry Blanche was just assassinated.