chapter nine

CHAPTER NINE

Hazel's POV

Friday evenings have always been the time I kick back my heels and start the sweet weekend routine of lazing around in sweatpants. 

Today I am navigating my way uptown with the help of my GPS, to think I have never been to this part of town, and I have lived here for three years. 

The drive to Live axe lounge went by so quickly since it was filled with thoughts. Thoughts about Andrea, John, where my life is headed and Nathalie. A lot of things seem to be happening so fast. I was Jolted out of my thoughts when a car took the parking space I had in mind. I guess there is always a bit of craziness everywhere.

“You have arrived at your destination” said the automated voice

For the next few hours, I am going to take a break from all of these thoughts and have a good time exploring the fashion world.

 

It’s a beautiful old building albeit, with modern designs, the front entrance is a wide coffee brown door, I should have texted Natalie that I am on my way I just do not want to disturb her. Should I just open the door and work through?  She said something about security, I don’t see any one.

I am not sure this is the place. Then again, there is number 59 on the wall, and a big neon sign, with words; Live axe lounge, so I can’t be wrong. 

Oh shit! The door is opening, should I run back to my car or casually walk pass. Too late a mop of dark hair is walking towards me, he doesn’t look like security, dressed in casual clothing, making a fashion statement with the brown cashmere scarf around his neck. He is gesturing and speaking loudly, a closer look I notice the air pods in his ears. He glances at me briefly before continuing his loud discussion or maybe it’s an argument he sounded a little angry.

The door opens again this time it’s a lady, she looks at me quizzically, 

“oh I am here for the photoshoot”

 I feel a little stupid saying that

“then you should be inside”

 

“You don’t look like a model though” she mutters

As she moves towards the big guy on a call, I walk past her awkwardly and open the big wooden door and as I walk through the entrance, there is a long corridor that led to a large hall I just couldn’t get enough of the buzz and whirlwind activities. 

The hall was large and filled with lights; Big LED spotlight equipment used for video or movie shooting and other photography equipment I have no idea what their names are.

 The large space was segmented into various sections, there is three make up booths with people who I assume are the models getting their makeup done.   Everywhere was full with people doing one thing or the other. I am a little dizzy.

My svelte leather wrist watch tells me that the time is 38mintues past 7pm, the ride from my office to this place was about 45mintues, I wonder how much of this I have missed, well it doesn’t matter the most important thing is that I am here for Natalie’s part. 

“hazel!” you made it, I turned around to see Natalie in a cream sleeveless jump suit, and pencil sandal heels to go with it.

 “Sorry I am so late” I wince, she is wearing a wedding dress, maybe she has taken off the dressing. Dang it!

“That’s okay, you didn’t miss much” she signals a waiter towards us and took two glasses of the pinot Gris wine on his tray, she handed one to me and gulped down hers squeezing her eyes at the burn.

she exhaled “I needed that” 

“Are you ok?” I asked slightly concerned.

“Yeah I am, just a little stressed, it’s a bridal theme shoot for ladies with various body types, two of the models have modeled two designs of the wedding gown, am on next, then one more person after me. The problem is the last model is nowhere to be found” she looks on the verge of tears

 “that’s crazy, can’t one of the other models replace her” I ask

“That’s where the problem is, we need ermm- someone plus sized” she mutters

I chuckle slightly I could tell she didn’t want to sound offensive to me, but I don’t mind, I love my body.

“okay, I get but why is this something you are concerned about? I mean, the studio should get someone else or they should try and ask for compensation from the missing models’ agency”

 I say, in a way of comfort, she looks even more distressed. Oboy, what did I say wrong?

“the thing is- the model is from my agency, we came as a packaged deal” dang it!

“you two should be fitted and ready for your shoot by now” a voice calls from behind, I turn to see the lady I met at the entrance, she is looking at me with an arched brow, as if to explain yourself. 

I am beyond confused.

“it’s bad enough you are late, now you ae here dilly-dallying, Natalie what is this?” Natalie looks as confused as I am.

“Phil! Phil!” she beckons a young man in leather pants and dark shades, who wears shades indoors? 

“please take number four to the booth one and have Amelia do her makeup. Natalie come with me” that’s it? We are been dismissed.

Then it dawns on me, she thinks I am the missing model, little wonder she called me number four.

I look at Natalie and I can see she has come to the same realization.

She takes a step towards me, away from boss lady’s’ retreating form.

“hazel, can you do this? She mistook you for willie, I am so sorry, now that I think about it, you are as good as any replacement.” Her eyes held such plead I can’t refuse.

“sure, so long as I am getting paid. Wait, I am getting paid right?” she chuckles

“Natalie! What’s the delay? you are on next” the lady calls out

“I will see you later hazel, you will do fine.” She pats my shoulder and smiles at me before walking away.

Young Phil, steered me towards an empty makeup booth, if he was confused about our weird conversation he didn’t show it.

“she is number four” he said to the petite raven haired goddess, standing in front of the big mirror cleaning her brushes, whom I assume is Amelia. 

“hi, I am Amelia, please sit down” she says quietly pointing to a salon chair.

“Alright, my name is Hazel” I say 

“like your eyes” she mutters.

After what felt like hours, Amelia was done. I am starring at my transformed face in the mirror when Phil appears.

“let’s go to the fitting room, thank you Amelia” I stiffy follow him to a tent that is overflowing with wedding dresses.

He leads me to a man, I assume is a designer he has a measuring tape around his neck. 

“she is number four” Phil says to the designer before disappearing again. 

“hi, I am Mario what is your name?” Mario has a very big and toothy smile, I visibly relax.

“my name is Hazel” 

“alright cara, take off your clothes” he gives me a once-over, nods and moves to drag two racks full of white dresses, white under wear and corsets.

He inspects the dresses thoughtfully and looks at me

“go on hazel, you are on next.”  

I take off my grey pants and cream chiffon blouse, carefully laying them on the swivel chair behind me. I am standing in my matching underwear. I am not really self conscious when it comes to my body, but I can't help but feel a little shy as Mario's eyes rakes over me carefully.

"This won't do" he mutters 

He turns to his assistant, I noticed she appeared with the racks of dresses.

"Cara get me the button back lace dress at the back of Theo's rack please" wordlessly she nods and scurries away.

 

"In the mean time,change into this underwear cara" he hands me a nude body Spanx with low back.

"Go in there and do it"

He points to the left and I see another curtain pulled up, he must have seen the discomfort in my face.

I quickly change into the Spanx and rush out, dropping my own underwear with my folded clothes. I turn to face him and await further instructions.

 Just then his assistant emerges with the dress. She swiftly unbottons the dress and handles it over to him.

"Go stand at the other side,and hold this part of the dress, careful we don't want no ripping oi?"

 With both of them holding both sides I step into the dress. They make a quick work of buttoning and arranging the dress. 

Mario takes a step back to admire his handwork.

"Dio! You look beautiful Cara, this dress was made for you" he raves

"Quick, get Amelia for makeup touch up." He snaps his finger at his Assistant. 

I turn to the mirror and stare at my reflection. Whoa, I look different,I look like a bride. The dress is so lovely. It's an illusion button back mermaid dress with rhinestone buttons to shine and a train.

 I was like something from imagination, the type of dress I would given anything to wear when I thought love was the most beautiful thing in the world! 

Amelia arrived with her brushes and a few head pieces, she styled my hair into a twisted low bun using a headpiece to complete the look.

Maia would squeal so hard if she could see me right now.

 

"All done" Amelia says in her quiet voice.

"Off you go Cara" Mario booms with toothy smile.

Alright I can do this,just strike a few poses and I am done.

 

I follow the assistant outside the tent to the set up stage.

I see Natalie up there in a simple A-line dress with plunging neckline and a very high thigh slit. She looked so regal.

Watching her turn and walk with so much confidence I am not sure I can pull that off.

"Alright,wrap it up, number four is here" the studio manager thunders.

 Natalie searches the crowd for me and gives me a very big smile.

 She soon steps down from the stage and walks towards me with two people following her.

"We take 10 and proceed with number four, good work people" he thunders again.

Natalie comes up to me and grins broadly.

"Hazel, you look beautiful" 

"Thank you" I reply suddenly turn a bright shade of red.

"Just take deep breaths and act naturally,don't worry the photographer will lead you" she takes my hands in hers.

"Thank you so much for doing this Hazel, I know you didn't have to" 

"You are welcome, I am doing this for the money anyways" I squeeze her palms.

"let's go out when you are done, go to a bar or something, what do you say?" Her eyes are twinkling

"Let's do that" I reply

"Alright , people we are back, number four you are up" the manager is back again.

"Go have fun Hazel" she winks at me.

The shoot went by faster than I thought, it was very easy. Who knew modeling could be so natural to me. I twisted and turned following the photographer's direction.

The last picture was a shot of all four models together. 

And we were done. I followed Amelia to the dressing room and Natalie disappeared before I had a chance to talk to her.

I quickly changed into my own underwear and clothes. Although Mario said I could keep the spanx. I came out of the tent in search of Natalie to see here standing with the stage manager and the man I saw on an angry call on my way in.

walking towards them I realized that my steps feel lighter, I am excited, it's not something I ever thought I would do, but it was fun. It felt magical.

"Hey, Hazel you did really good. Are you sure you've never done this before?" She chuckles

"Oh yeah, this is my agent, Larry" she introduces me to the mop of dark hair I met earlier.

"Thank you for bailing us out, it would have been a disaster, si" he extends his right hand for a handshake.

"And this is Mr Jen,our stage manager" the other man also extends his hands.

"Pleasure,miss Hazel, I will forward your payment to Larry" 

He hugs Natalie and walks away with a stiff nod. 

 "Hazel and I are heading out Larry, I'll see you later" Natalie informs her agent

"Let's go Hazel"