TRACK 01 : HAPPINESS, in yeop.

33

"MS. IRVINE, bien le bonjour!", I cringed with the mention of the surname, letting the photographer kiss both of my cheeks. "I am so glad to see you! I never expected you'd accept our offer."

I looked around. It was a spacious room filled with various backdrops and professional-grade lights strategically positioned, like any other studio really. What made it different were the explicit themes.

"Of course", I smiled. "Why would I say no to Playboy? Right, Ros?"

"Yeah, definitely", her voice was shaky.

That didn't sit right with me. Luckily though, the photographer whom I was talking to was called in front. I had the chance to shot a fidgety Roselle a questioning look. Only for my curiosity be answered in less than a minute.

My palms made its way to my mouth, creating a slap sound. "Roselle, you did not."

I saw the names on a paper pasted on the wall. Mine and of course, the model I will be working with.

Mademoiselle Cosette Irvine
Monsieur Hwang In yeop

"This is for you, Cosette, I swear."

It was as if my shoulders had carried all the possible tension in the world. "You have got to be kidding me."

"Shut it! He's here", Roselle interfered when the curtain dividers slowly opened.

It revealed In yeop. A naked one at that. Half-naked. His new toned body on display.

It had me turning around and covering my eyes like a little girl. God, it was so stupid. I worked with photoshoots far more revealing than this. Men in underwear with coverage as thin as a strand of hair or women with feathers as their bralette.

But this is different. It had me on some hold.

Especially when I have never really seen it before.

His body.

"Oh wow", Roselle whisper-shouted to me casually, focusing on In yeop. "He's, yeah, he's—."

I tugged on her arm to cut her off, in a hurry. I was only able to take a proper breath when the curtains on my spot closed. All the stylists and makeup artists were already lined up there. The second I came in, their faces lit up and started working.

"I must say, you take good care of your skin."

I only smiled letting her put the primer and the rest of my make-up. Compliments came flooding since then.

"Okay, Cosette, I think you're ready", the make-up artist added her finishing touches before I stood up. "You can now—."

She cut herself off when she saw the sight just behind me, the curtains opening. I followed her gaze, a sight of the team spreading oil on In yeop's abdomen, greeting me. The photoshoot was aiming for a wet look so even my hair was styled to look like I was fresh from the shower.

"Oh I see you're both ready!", the photographer peaked from both sides. "Let's start?"

I looked at my reflection from the mirror, calming myself down. Roselle had her hand on my shoulder to soothe me too.

This is a job and I am a professional model.

"Okay", the photographer was looking back and forth from the camera and to us. "Cosette, hug In yeop from behind and place your head on his shoulder."