Subtle Endearment

20. Let it Out

Kira

"You three have beautiful figures, you'll make great models," Mrs. Walters says as she inspects us. Alice had invited us to her mom's studio after we wrapped up work just as we planned before. Violet, Alice, and I stand on platforms as her mother walks around us examining our proportions. I haven't been under this much pressure since college. "I see there's a scar on your arm Kira is it? We'll touch it up in editing," Mrs. Walters says.

"Yes, this will work," I have the perfect outfits for you all," she says before leaving and returning with a cart. Much to my surprise, the cart has several pieces of lingerie. I shoot Alice a look and she chuckles. "I guess I forgot to add that it's lingerie we're modeling," she whispers to us. "Ah, that's fine I guess," Violet says looking down at the lingerie as Mrs. Walters holds up a piece to her body. "I'm not sure about this, Alice," I say. "Please Kira, there's no one else I can find," she pleads cupping her hands. "I guess... but you owe me," I add. "For sure," she says giving a thumbs up.

Mrs. Walters hands me a lace piece of lingerie that leaves little to the imagination. I can't imagine actually wearing something as revealing as this especially taking pictures in it. "Go try them on," Mrs. Walters says shooing us to the dressing rooms. It takes a minute for me to find out how to get into the fit without accidentally stretching the fabric but when I finally get it on I can't help but admire the way it tugs to my body. The yellow lace appear like a bralette with a sweetheart neckline and has matching panties.

I step out of the dressing room to find that Violet and Alice are already dressed. Violet wears a hot pink two-piece satin set with no straps and Alice wears a one-piece set in a mint green shade. "Oh my gosh, you look so cute, Kira," Violet says admiring my lingerie. "You guys look great too," I say shying away from her scanning eyes. "Thanks, we should head to the back to get our photos taken now," Alice says happily. "Okay," I say taking a deep breath. The three of us walk to the room where equipment is scattered around the white background.

"Let's get to it," Mrs. Walters says clasping her hands. "Alice, you're up first since you're familiar with the process," she informs. Alice waddles over to the background where she starts posing in front of the camera. The woman behind the camera begins taking pictures and she fluidly transitions from one pose to the next. Two guys hold equipment just out of her shot as she poses.

"That's great, darling," Mrs. Walters says flipping through the pictures taken by the photographer. "Am I done," Alice asks. "For now, Kira you're up," she says wasting no time. My feet feel heavy as I walk to the background. There's so many people watching. "Okay, so I'm going to have you do some simple poses today,. Just copy me," Mrs. Walters says. I nod. The poses start with simple things such as over the shoulder looks and slowly transitions to things such as laying on the grown seductively. I take nearly two times as many photos as Alice did thanks to my inexperience with modeling.

Violet goes shortly after me. She seems to be a natural at modeling. She poses with ease and quickly knows which angles work for her. I look at her pictures as the photographer takes them and I can't help but feel a little envious, it's like she was born to model. "I'm jealous, how are you so good at modeling," I complain to Violet after she leaves the background. "I've been here before but I still had to do several takes too. I'm sure you'll get the hang of it," she assures me.

After everyone completes their individual photos we get a couple of group photos. I can feel my nerves calm as we take the group photos. It's much easier doing it with the other two especially since I know I'm more likely to avoid overdoing the number of takes. "That's a wrap," the photographer calls out as we finish our last pose. "Thank you guys for coming here. I wouldn't have been able to showcase my designs without you three," she says. "No problem," I assure her. I'd had more fun than I thought I would even if I did end up having a bunch of takes. Violet had even managed to take pictures of us during the shoot, of course the pictures weren't as good as the ones done by the photographer but they were still pretty good.

Violet makes a group chat for the three of us and we each send the pictures we'd taken to it. I'm proud to say that I got some pretty good ones. "Daniel might-" Violet beings. I shoot her a glare as she utters his name. Any time she does I know there's nothing good to follow. It's a shame since he's such a good friend. It seems Violet is determined to hook me up with him. It's almost as if she doesn't want me to date Ian, in fact it seems like she knows something about him that I don't. I'll have to ask her about that later. If I can't get anything from Ian maybe I can from Violet.

So many weird things have been happening since the accident. Ian claims to not know anything about Stubborn Elites but he was quick to avoid my questions the other day and I definitely heard him mention a Madam Melanie before. What if his ex is a part of the mafia? I shake my head, I have a million questions and not enough answers. I need to get my questions answered asap.

"I'll see you at work tomorrow," Alice says waving to us from the entryway after the photo shoot. "See you tomorrow," Violet and I respond as we walk back to Violet's car.

"Violet, I have a question that's been bugging me for a while now," I say casually as she takes off down the street. "Yeah? What is it? She asks," listening intently. "Why do you keep pushing for Daniel and I to be together?" I ask bluntly. "What do you mean?" she says innocently. "You don't like me with Ian do you? Does it have something to do with Madam Melanie?" I ask choosing my words carefully. I don't have many clues but it can't be a coincidence that Madam Melanie's name has popped up multiple times now. She must have some connection to Ian.

"You know? Thank God, I thought that oaf was gonna hold out on you forever. You're real brave for dating Ian knowing he's practically the son of the Stubborn Elites. Madam Melanie's been on his tail for years, if she finds out she's gonna kill you but I'm sure Ian already told you that," she says all in one breath.

Silence fills the car as I slowly process what she just said. "He didn't tell you... did he?" she asks regret in her voice. "No," I say quietly. "Why wouldn't he tell me something like this?" I ask tears welling up in my eyes. "No Kira, it's not like that, really," she insists looking between me and the road in panic. "Then what's it like, Violet," I ask allowing for the tears to escape my eyes. "Ian probably has his reasons but no matter how I look at it, he should've told you," Violet says shaking her head.

"Can you pull over please, I think I'm going to be sick," I say more so to the window than Violet. "Sure," she says. The car swerves out of the traffic and to a parking spot in a Walmart parking lot. Fear, panic, and pain fill me as I make a break for the trash can sitting in the near-deserted parking lot. I see my lunch come back up in chunky bits just making it inside the trash can. Just looking at it makes me want to puke again. I heave two more times leaving nothing but bile in my stomach.

"Kira, are you okay?" I hear Violet ask. I hear the sound of the door swing shut and Violet's feet hitting the ground as she approaches me. I wave her away as the sound of her footsteps grow louder. "Don't come closer, I just need a minute. Really," I say wiping my face. A feeling of warmth overcomes my body as Violet wraps her hands around me in comfort. "It's going to be okay, Kira," she whispers as she hugs my hunched body. "I-I just don't know why he'd do this to me," I wail causing people to stare as they pass by. "Why would he hide it, I thought he loved me," I say through tears. "I thought he loved me," I repeat. Violet squeezes me in her embrace as I speak. "Kira-," she says holding my face in her palms. Upon seeing my own teary face she turns around sobbing as she does so.

We stand there crying in the Walmart parking lot until I've finally calmed down and Violet can drive home safely.