5 SNOW

“OMG!!! SO THE RUMOR IS TRUE!! SHE’S PERFECT!! AMAZING!! GORGEOUS!!” 

Jojo and Arissa stunned and blinked their eyes several times in disbelief. 

“I think…. There’s a miss understanding here, Vika. Jo, would you mind explaining more about me to her?” 

Jojo cleared his throat and his mouth curved a wicked smile on his face. 

“Her name is Arissa Nova. And yes, she’s our new supermodel..” 

“JO!!!” Arissa shoots her protest and nudged her best friend harshly with her elbow. Jojo laughed out loud and raised both of his hands in the air. 

“Ok..ok, sorry. I screwed up. I’m just kidding, Arissa. Vika, this is our new photographer, and starting from today, she will be working with us..” 

After Vika heard it, both of her eyes widened once again. A huge grin appears on her chubby face.

“That’s wonderful! I’m looking forward to work with you, Arissa. But, are you sure that you just want to be a photographer? Your talent is a natural-born supermodel, miss. I can smell it from a hundred yards. And you surely will get paid higher here…” She winked her eyes and persuasively persuade her to change her career. 

Jojo chuckled and shook his head.

“If she said yes to your offer, I will share thirty percent of my salary with you, Vika. Believe me, I have been persuaded her many times before and ended up with no luck. She’s like a giant Sphinx…” 

“Well, he has his point and he’s right, Vika. There’s no way I would accept your offer. Thanks for your kindness. But, I always enjoy myself more to work backstage…” 

Jojo sighed but he stared at both girls emphatically. The main reason why he asked her to join him in this company, besides her remarkable ability of taking pictures, she also in financial urgent. Arissa has been working hard since they were studying in the college as a part-time barista and saving each penny that she had to support her orphanage. While he busying himself in lots of fashion projects and match the style of runway models as a fashion stylist. He was able to fly high on his wing in the fashion industry while Arissa keeps her head down and doing all her duties as a student, a single parent, and a part time worker. But, never once in his life, he heard her complain of her bitter life. She has always been a wonderful girl who always does all her responsibilities properly. To be honest, she never talked much about her past life. Including the biological father of her son. Jojo also never asked her about it. In the meantime, he sure that Arissa will open up to him one day.   

“I have never been so good in front of a camera, Vika. That’s why…” Arissa refused the offer once again politely. She would never be a front-stage player because she’s unwilling for doing so. 

“For now, I’m focusing of taking the best pictures as many as I can, guys…”

Vika nodded and forced a smile on her face. Then, they both discussing the schedules for that day while Arissa sat quietly on the corner. Thinking a lot about the recent circumstances of the orphanage. 

The numbers of donations for their orphanage are getting smaller and her foster mother is not as strong as before. Back then, she was able to give some proposal to the mayor and ask for some fund raising so the orphanage may run well as usual. But lately, the mayor is no longer at their side. The fundraising that supposed to help them out was switched to another government project which are giving more benefits to the city. Build a public playground, fix some schools which are in need, and many more. 

Arissa exhaled heavily. She knows that her foster mom would never ask her to support the orphanage anymore but still, she feels a burden deep inside her heart to help them out. Whatever and whenever she was able to do, she would do it.

“Arissa…”

“Yes?” 

“Come here….”

“Sure..” 

She runs lightly to Vika and ready to fulfill her first assignment. 

……………………………………………………………………………………………

“Next… “

“Yes…holddd….”

“Good….Keep pose…..”

“Once more… good!”

“Nice picture, everyone! Thank you for your hard work today!”

Arissa works like a stripping video. As Jojo told her before. Her schedules are hectic this morning. Ten photo sessions should be done before time hit three pm and because they’re lack of insight photographer, Arissa was assigned to fill in the slot. Thankfully, her previous experience was quite handy for handling this job. 

When Jojo was busy with his projects, Arissa often helped him out and took some pictures of him while he was working with the models. And not only for him, but she also takes pictures of the runway models who worked with him as well. Therefore, unexpectedly, it worked. The dozen of beautiful pictures that she was taking accidentally and she collected neatly in an album as her private portfolio, had impressed lots of eyes in the fashion industry who busy hiring her as their team when she applies as a part-time photographer back then. But when his best friend, Jojo, finally offers the same position in the company that he is working at now, Arissa never thinks twice to take the offer, because she knows that Jojo would able to “give wings for her to fly higher. With his connection in the fashion world, she would able to get more projects in this business. Moreover, Jojo also was widely known by his peers in the entertainment industry. Two plus in one package as a friend and colleague. And more money for her as well. 

After six hours in a row photo session, Arissa finally can hear a magic word. 

“Okay, stop!” 

“Everybody, thank you for your hard work. We’ll continue in 1 hour from now..”

The staff and other people dismissed themselves. In less than fifteen minutes, the studio cleared out. There were very few people inside. Arissa, Jojo, and Vika. With a long sigh come out from her mouth, Arissa stretched her legs and sat down on the floor. She’s fatigue. Jojo came over and hand a bottle of ion water to refresh her up, then he sat next to her.

“So? How’s your first day, babe?” 

“Tiring. Exhausting. But exciting. I enjoy the ambiance and vibes of this place so far, Jo. You are working in a nice company..” 

She doesn’t lie to him. This place indeed lively in rush pace. Something new for her but she takes it to her liking. She thinks that she will alright. At least, for now. 

“I know you are going to love it, babe. You have never been a competitive chick, babe. But I know that you always challenge yourself to do something new every time. Jumping over from your comfort zone. Something that not everyone won’t aim, but I’m sure, you will..”

“Aww… Jojo, thank you so much. That’s very sweet of you, you know?” She smiled genuinely at him and pinched both of his cheeks. 

“Ok, lovey-dovey. Here’s your lunch. Eat fast because, after this, we’ll have another photo session with a new supermodel…”

Vika gives 2 bento lunches for Jojo and Arissa. Then, same with Jojo, she takes a place next to her. 

“Gezzz… I heard lots of things about this bitch..” She complained in a grumpy face. More like talking to herself. 

“Who?” Arissa asked her back forlornly while she opened her bento and start eating her lunch. 

“Linfey…”

“Do you know her, Jo?” She asked his partner with a big question mark in her eyes. 

“I have met her several times before. As you said, she’s the real bitch. A wrecked dumpster in a full package Lolita. Outsight, she’s saintly gorgeous. Beautiful curves everywhere. Full plump lips, nice ass, and perfect boobs, for sure. Insight, she’s a pure evil. Very wicked and sly. She never let anyone stand in her way. I heard some rumors of mysterious misfortunes that fall onto some potentially new models in this company. Juniors and senior models….”

“There were some suspicious talks that she was behind all these but no one dares to take any action to her directly….”

“Why?” Arissa asked them both with a puzzled look. 

“She’s Robert’s mistress…” Vika whispered to her ears cautiously. Afraid if the walls around them could hear what she’s saying now. 

Robert Ferra is the CEO of Fashion Blast. On another hand, their employer. The big boss.

“Ow… that’s shocking news… for sure…hahaha…” 

“Anyway, I’m a new photographer here, so I won’t be assigned to take picture of hers, right?” Arissa asked both of her partners nervously. This is her first day and just hearing such a creepy story of the dark side in the fashion industry, made her having a goosebump already. She’s here for working and not to make any fuse for sure!

“No, fortunately… Linfey known very picky with her photographers. The one who will take her pictures will be Manuel Nuevo, her favorite so far…”

Arissa exhaled in relief spontaneously. “Thank goodness…”

“Don’t worry, Arissa. You’ll be safe here. We both got your back so you’re in a good hand already..”

Jojo winked his eyes and tapped her shoulder gently. Assuring her that everything will be alright. 

“Ok, guys. Time’s up…”

“Let’s go back to work…”

………………………………………………..

“Okay, Arissa. So, we’re going to do some ph…”

“VIKAA!!”

"What’s wrong, Jo?" Vika asked confused. She was just about to rematch the schedule when Jojo walked in with his panting breath and his face covered in sweat.

"I have bad news ...."

Arissa was equally confused.

“This is bad… one of our model was admitted to the hospital due to a recurrence of acute gastritis. Her manager had just informed me before. Meanwhile, our shooting schedule cannot be postponed. What should we do??"

Hearing the news, Vika sat down and rubbed her face with her hands frustatedly. The girl who supposed to do the photoshoot is one of their elite models with high prestige and best-selling value. Their presence as one of the cover models for Fashion Blast has giving a huge benefit of the magazine's selling monthly report. If she didn't show up today, then it would lead to another problem. Profit loss.

And, if that’s happen, Robert surely will gone berserk and behead them!

"What should we do? What should we do, Jo?" Vika chanted her question repeatedly in panic.

The two of them stared at each other nervously. It's not easy to find a substitute for a top-class supermodel in a short time. Most of the time, their schedules were full-booked already for several months ahead.

Supermodels always has very different aura and charisma. Their popularities also one of the triggers for the most popular fashion trends today. Whatever they wear, either it was accessories or outfits, their fans will definitely gone hype and bought everything that they had promoted. And amongst of the bestest, Linfey is currently the highest paid model.

In a moment like this, there is only a person who looks calm without getting distracted by the storm that has just hit Fashion Blast. Arissa was sitting quietly while the pictures that she took before and listening to music from her earphones. Her face was relax and absolutely calm. Like a child who’s enjoying their picnic time in a city park.

Whereas a light bulb suddenly flashed inside Jojo's head. Next, his eyes wandered around when it finally stopped and spotted a figure who was sitting in a corner casually.

Arissa was surprised when Jojo suddenly showed up in front of her and grabbed her hand roughly.

"Ehhh ... Joooo!!

“ What?”

“What is this ??"

“What are you doing??”  Arissa protested angrily with her bulging eyes. She is clearly annoyed by his attitude.

"Come with me ... .."

He replied shortly while dragging her to a corner. Arissa struggled to release herself but after a while, she gave up and followed him willingly while Jojo still holding her hand tightly. Vika also tailing both of from behind quietly. Once they arrived, Jojo looked around warily. His eyes restless and his facial expression is jittery like someone who are in a great distress.

“Is there something wrong, Jo?”

Arissa asked him with a deep concern in her tone.

After Jojo made sure that there was no one beside the three of them, he immediately bowed in front of Arissa with the most pitiful eyes that she ever seen and clasping his hands in praying position and pleaded.

"Pleaseeeeeeee…."