AdiraSaturday was a perfect day for the shoot for Emilia and her friends. I had told Emilia that the girls could get ready here together while I set up the sets but I actually had a surprise for them. I was already at the door with Charlie when Toni pulled up and the girls piled out. Emilia came over to hug me and introduce her friends while Toni unloaded their bags onto the porch. Charlie was excited having the girls all fawn over him and even Toni laughed at his antics. I told the girls to grab their bags and head into the first room on the left. Once they were in Toni came over and handed me 4 checks - one for each girl. "Seriously, thank you from me and the other parents. They couldn't believe how little you were charging," He said smiling and shaking my hand. I smiled back and said "Did you tell them you got the friends and family discount?" He laughed and said "Yep I sure did. Now show me to the grill and I'll get the brisket on for you." "You're a life saver. I
ValentineIt was Saturday afternoon and I still couldn't get her off my mind. I didn't understand what this power was that she had over me. I'd always had my pick but I'd never felt this ... desire to be around one. Usually I enjoyed them wrapped up in beautiful dresses or with lingerie, but here I was thinking about a girl in a t shirt. It's early afternoon and I was sitting here staring out of my balcony wondering what she was doing until I remembered. She said she had a shoot today and then invited my father over for a cook out. Maybe I could just happen to go over there...I quickly changed out of the sweats I was wearing into some jeans and a sweater and drove out to my father's house. I pulled up about 3:30 and was glad to see his car was still there. Unless he had walked... He said she lived close but never said where. Well I was already here so I figured I would just knock.He opened the door himself which surpised me and ushered me. "I wasn't sure you were going to
AdiraIt had been difficult to keep my eyes off of him. He looked handsome in his tailored suits but in jeans... Damn the man looked like sin, like his navy sweater and light wash jeans were just poured over his body, accenting evey line of his muscles as he moved. He had caught me starring once and just grinned. He knew how good looking he was. Surprisingly Charlie went right back to his bone after greeting both Valentine and Gio and even I wasn't feeling the kind of nerves I usually did around men.Once we set the bowls down on the table Gio suggested I give Valentine a tour of my home and studio. "Go ahead. I'll watch the veggies while I'm cooking these steaks. By the time you're done they'll be cooked and rested and we'll be able to dig in. You did an amazing job redesigning the place. Be proud and show it off for once," he said smiling at me. Valentine turned to me and said "You redesigned it?" I could see the curiousity in his face and smiled back. "Come on, I'll s
GioI couldn't keep the smile off my face. I knew that if I could ever get my son in the same room with Adira that they would hit it off. Charlie likes him and she's not afraid of him. I've seen their similarities over the years and I knew that they would be good for each other. She was probably showing him the closet and the bathroom now - both of which had been designed by her - every material hand picked. She called them her master pieces and they were really in good taste.I removed the vegetables and began serving when I heard them walking through the kitchen. I looked up to watch and saw Adira talking animatedly a slight blush on her face while Valentine watched her, an intense look on his face. I can't remember the last time I saw her talking like that to anyone besides me nor the last time he actually paid attention to a conversation with a woman that wasn't work related. Now I just had to make sure he didn't ruin it.They joined me at the table, still talking about th
AdiraIt was Wednesday and I was still thinking about Valentine. Our dinner had ended well after our little charity issue and he had surprised me when they were leaving by wrapping me up in a hug just like Gio had done. It had definately felt different though from when Gio hugged me. Gio's hugs always felt comforting, relaxing and soothing. But with Valentine, I wondered if he could feel my heart racing as he pressed his body to mine. His touch had made me feel... well things that I hadn't felt in years as he pressed my body closer to his, the smell of his cologne infusing itself in my brain.4 days later and I was still blushing when I thought about him. I tried to stay focused on work, there was plenty for me to do and yet he still managed to sneak his way in here and there. This was my last shoot of the week before the gallery opening on Friday and I hoped that I'd be too nervous and busy with last minute adjustments to think about him the rest of the week.I arrived right b
AdiraA few shots in and the news crew shows up. I move to the side of the yard where we're at to make sure they have plenty of space to shoot as well without getting me in it. The truth of the matter was I didn't like to be in front of the camera as just me. I felt like it exposed all my flaws, all the things I was still running from stripped bare and I wasn't ready for that.The workers continued switched out the dogs as I called out done while both Gio and Valentine spoke with the news reporter, holding up and showing off many of the dogs there. I secretly snapped a few more of the duo, capturing the sweet moments between father and son in which they both seemed ginuinely happy in each other's company. I'd make something for Gio with the shots I got knowing how much they would mean to him.Gio and Valentine took out the last few dogs both for my shoots as well as some video for the news. I'm sure that Valentine was probably doing this for a few reasons, at least one being tha
AdiraI paced the hallway on the third floor, my midnight blue dress swishing around my legs. I was waiting for my anxiety medicine to begin working before we headed down. Adrian and the bouncers we hired had been letting people in for the last 10 minutes as the flow of people had not stopped yet. Finally Gio grabbed my hands to stop me and I looked up into his warm brown eyes. "Breathe Petra," he said softly, purposefully using my modeling name to help center me. "This is about Adira tonight. You'll only be down there an hour or so taking in everything from your perspective. It's a small party, invite only remember? This is easy compared to some of the ones you've done. Then you'll be able to come up and put on something that is more you and get Charlie ok?"I took a few deep breaths feeling a little more centered. I always did after his pep talks, but he's right. This is about my work and getting to hear honest feed back. And if I could do a charity ball with over 300 pe
ValentineI'd come a little later than I'd anticipated, having to wait once again for Veronica to be ready. I sighed as we finally pulled up, my driver leaving us at the front door. My father had said he'd had a date so at the last minute I'd asked Veronica, one of my friends with benefits, to come with me. I knew there were going to be some big names there and was not surprised to see a few paparazzi there. That was the real reason Veronica agreed, because she never missed an opportunity to show up and show out in public. As this was a black tie affair it was the perfect opportunity to dress up.Once we walked in I dropped my arm from around her and looked around quickly for my father and Adira, spoting Adira easily. She was not wearing what I had expected, but was dressed in as style that was all her. A pair of ass hugging jeans and a white dress shirt and a colorful scarf. Her hair was simply pulled back and from what I could see she was make up free. She was herself unapol