Dreams Can Come True

77. Photoshoot

The next morning, I was rudely awakened by the sound of my alarm, yanking me out of sleep. With a sigh, I hit the snooze button, but quickly realized I didn't have time to turn over again. After all, Bas would be picking me up soon for the photoshoot, and I didn't want to waste a minute of his time.
I jumped out of bed and rushed through my morning routine, trying to gather my thoughts. Brushing my teeth, showering, getting dressed—it all felt like a race against the clock. Meanwhile, I tried to clear my mind and focus on the day ahead.
When I was finally ready, I took a deep breath and checked myself one last time in the mirror. Not perfect, but good enough for today. I grabbed my bag and keys, and just then, I heard the doorbell.
With a final glance at my messy apartment, I ran to the door and opened it with a smile, though I was out of breath from the rush.
"Sorry I'm a bit late," I panted as I stepped outside and closed the door behind me. "I wasn't quite ready yet."
Bas smiled understandingly and gave me a pat on the shoulder. "No worries, we've got plenty of time," he said reassuringly. "And besides, you look great."

The photoshoot began with the usual preparation process. A team of stylists was ready to get us camera-ready. I was surrounded by makeup artists carefully working on my face, and I wondered if I looked good under all those layers of makeup. Then, I was helped into a beautiful dress that perfectly matched the theme of the shoot. My heart pounded in my chest as I tried to prepare myself for what was to come.
Patrick, the photographer, was at the helm of the operation. With his piercing gaze and authoritative presence, he seemed to have stepped straight out of a fashion magazine. His French accent gave him an air of elegance and finesse, but it also made me more nervous. He gave me instructions on how to pose, where to direct my gaze, and how to hold my body. But despite his guidance, I felt stiff and awkward.
Every look, every pose seemed forced and unnatural. I didn't know how to relax and just be myself in front of the camera. The pressure to create perfect photos felt like a heavy burden on my shoulders.

After a while, it seemed like Patrick started to feel the frustration. He saw that the photos weren't producing the desired results and decided something needed to change. That's when Bas was brought in.
Bas approached me with a reassuring smile on his face. "Phew, Bas, this isn't for me," I whispered, trying to control my nerves.
Bas looked at me kindly and placed his hand on my shoulder. "Just be yourself," he whispered back, "when you look at the camera."
His simple advice brought a smile to my face, and for a moment, I felt less tense. His presence gave me a sense of support and comfort, knowing I didn't have to endure this dreadful photoshoot alone.
With each glance we exchanged, he seemed to encourage and reassure me. His closeness made me feel less alone amidst the chaos and pressure to create perfect photos.
At one point, Patrick asked us to look at each other with love. I looked at Bas and saw how he gazed at me with a smoldering look, his eyes twinkling with a mischievous glint.
As Patrick instructed us to look at each other with love, I gazed at Bas and tried to give a sultry look in return. But when I saw his face, I couldn't suppress a laugh. His attempt to look seductive was so exaggerated that it became funny. His lips curled into a playful smile while his eyes sparkled with mischief.
I felt the giggle bubble up and couldn't hold it back. A soft chuckle escaped my lips, followed by a broad grin. Bas looked at me with a seemingly serious expression, but I could see the twinkle in his eyes. His lips twitched slightly as if he was struggling to hold back his own laughter.
We looked at each other, both trying to maintain the loving gaze, but it was clear neither of us could stay serious. Our laughter filled the room as we looked at each other, a moment of shared humor amidst the tension of the photoshoot.
Patrick, the photographer, seemed pleased with the result. "Good, good!" he exclaimed, smiling from behind his camera as he continued clicking away. We continued laughing for a while, the tension of the moment washed away by our shared joy.

After the comical interlude with Bas, I felt much more relaxed now that our joint photos were taken. The atmosphere had lightened, and I could let the stress slide off my shoulders. Bas gave me an encouraging smile before stepping aside to make way for my individual photo session.
Now it was my turn to stand alone in front of the camera, and to my surprise, it went much better. Somehow, Bas's presence had reassured me, making me feel more confident. As I posed alone, I noticed that things were going much smoother. Patrick's instructions now seemed clearer, and I could follow them more easily. I felt more comfortable in my own skin, and that probably showed in the photos.
Occasionally, Patrick would come over with a photo he had just taken. I looked at it with amazement. It was as if he captured a side of me that I didn't always see myself. The images were powerful, full of confidence, and I felt proud that I could convey that in this way.