“Okay, nice! You are doing great, sweetie. You are on fire today!” said my photographer, Liam, as I posed for him.
I added more emotion and perfected my poses all these years. Of course, I would do great. Plus I have to make it up for the past few hectic days.
I’m a perfectionist when it comes to my job, and I’m taking it seriously. We were shooting on one of the famous beaches in the province that we rented. I’m in my fifth bikini now, and I lay on the sand, showing my signature fierce look.
“Okay, take a rest,” said Manager Smith as he offered a water bottle to me, “Ellaina dear, I want to tell you something. You see, this is a sponsored magazine cover. You will have a partner in the car shoot.”
I nodded, “Who?”
Manager Smith wasn’t able to finish as a loud roaring of an engine came from the sea, and I turned to see a man jetskiing.
The man stopped and hopped into the sand.
I froze when I saw his face.
Ajax.
Him again.
He removed his sunglasses and asked me, “Hi Ellaina, want to ride on my jetski?”
I instantly turned to Manager Smith, “Why is he here?”
I just saw him last night!
“He will be your partner.”
I blinked, “What? No way!”
“Oh yes, way. I sponsored that shoot after all.”
Manager Smith nodded, “It’s the Sillas company.”
I gritted my teeth, “You didn’t tell me anything earlier.”
He smiled sheepishly, “I knew you would bail out... and I forgot.”
We went to the next location, the Sillas company. It turns out they have a new building here, and Ajax toured us around.
A man came to him and bowed, “Sir, your schedule for today-“
“Cancel it.” Ajax instantly said. His tone was cold and rather harsh, much different from the one he uses when he talks to me.
The man, who looked like his assistant, shrugged, “But the investors-“
“I’ll handle them later. They are not important.”
Ajax then turned to me, “This way, my love.”
We went inside a room where all the equipment for the shoot was.
They gave me a sports suit and tied my hair in a ponytail while Ajax was matched with my sports suit.
He then went beside me and we started the shoot.
He then leaned toward me. The first half was okay, but the next was weird.
“Okay, lean on him, Ellaine! You have to look at his eyes!” said the photographer.
I did as he told me and spotted the small smile on Ajax’s face. “You are purposely doing it, aren’t you?” I whispered.
“Doing what?” he asked, feigning innocence.
“All this. Sponsoring us and having me as your partner.”
He smirked at me, “This is all business, my love.”
“Stop talking you two! Lean your heads closer like you are kissing!” The photographer said in frustration and I glanced at Manager Smith who just shrugged.
I gnawed on my teeth and didn’t have a choice but to lean closer to him.
“Be professional, Ellaine. This is all work. No need to get awkward on me.” He said, his hands on my shoulder now.
“How about you shut up? Who said I am awkward?” I instantly pushed his head closer to me and we were only inches away. I could feel his breath fanning my face now.
He gulped. His eyes stared at my lips.
“Good shot! Stay there!”
I smirked at him, “Who is awkward now?”
We stayed like that, pushing each other’s limits until we were finished.
Ajax turned to me, “Do you have free time?”
“No.” I instantly said without thinking, and Manager Smith raised an eyebrow at me.
“Uhm..you don’t have an a-“
I pushed my manager’s face.
Ajax chuckled, “Can you... tour me around here? I’m new to this country.”
I stared at him deadpan. “I’m a model, not a tour guide, Ajax. Go find yourself your own tour guide.”
He paused, mesmerized, “Can you say that again?”
I cocked an eyebrow, “Say what?”
“My name.”
“Ajax?”
His cheeks flushed, and he had this stupid smile on face now.
“Why?” I asked.
“Nothing. My name sounds nice when you say it.”
“Then I won’t call you by your name.”
Instead of getting disappointed, his eyes were sparkling with interest, “Oh, with what now? Like an endearment? Oh c’mon, aren’t we rushing things?”
Is this man crazy?
He’s meaning a different thing.
“What?”
He thought for a while and smirked, “How about my love?”
“No-“
“Then babe?” he continued.
“Can you stop-“
“Oh, how about it, darling?”
I sighed. That’s it. My last straw in dealing with this man was, “Ajax, fine. I’ll call you with your name.”
He nodded, “Alright, that’s negotiable. Endearments can be made later.”
“There is no later. This will be the last time I see you.”
“Last time? But what about touring me? I don’t have a tour guide.”
I scoffed, he’s too clingy! and a bit obsessive! Not my type! “Tsk, if I know, that’s just your move to be with me.”
He then pinned me to the wall, “Yes. It is. It’s just because I can’t get enough of your beautiful face.”
I turned away from him, seeing other staff looking at him.
“Drop your hand.”
“Agree to be my tour guide first,” he said stubbornly.
“Go ask your other women.”
He shrugged, “I don’t have any.”
I scoffed at him, “Liar.”
He leaned in and mumbled, “Then I’ll prove it. I would like to court you.”
I creased my eyebrows at him. He’s rushing a bit... isn’t he? “Court me?”
He nodded, his eyes filled with determination, “Yes. I heard it's part of your culture.”
Did he research a bit about the Philippines? That’s a bit good.
His flirty tone turned serious now, “My stay here is only for three months. I want to spend my time with you while I’m here.” He said,
“After that, I’ll disappear from you.”
I contemplated for a moment, wondering if this man was scamming me.
I’m maybe making a decision I’ll regret.
Or make a deal with the devil.
My mouth instantly answered without thinking deeply, “Fine.”