the IT girl

A Desert Dream

The golden sands of Egypt stretched out as far as the eye could see, blending seamlessly with the clear, cloudless sky. Lily stood at the edge of the set, the iconic pyramids rising in the background, their ancient presence casting long shadows across the desert. She inhaled deeply, letting the warm breeze flow through her hair. This shoot felt different, more surreal than anything she had ever done before.

The production team bustled around, setting up equipment, adjusting lighting, and preparing the outfits. It was for a high-profile campaign with one of the biggest fashion brands in the world—an opportunity Lily had dreamt of since the early days of her career.

"Alright, Lily," the photographer called out. "We're ready for you!"

Lily nodded, slipping into her first look for the shoot: an elegant, flowing dress in deep shades of amber and gold, designed to blend with the desert surroundings. The fabric caught the wind, fluttering around her as she walked towards the center of the set. She felt powerful, like she was walking through a dream.

The camera clicks began, and as always, Lily fell into the rhythm of the shoot. She moved effortlessly, the pyramids behind her creating a majestic backdrop. But even in the midst of the work, her mind wandered back to Monaco—to Lando. They had spent a perfect day together, and she missed him. Being on opposite sides of the world wasn't easy, especially when they were still figuring out their relationship. But they both had their careers, and this was part of the life they chose.

Later that afternoon, they moved to a new location—a hidden oasis surrounded by towering palm trees and clear blue water. The contrast of the lush greenery against the barren desert was striking, and the team was eager to capture the beauty of the scene.

Lily changed into a flowing white gown, the light fabric catching the sunlight as she posed beside the water. The photographer gave her instructions, but it was all second nature to her by now. She knew how to work the camera, how to move, how to make every shot feel effortless.

As the shoot went on, the team grew more and more excited with the images they were capturing. "This is perfect, Lily," the photographer praised. "Absolutely stunning."

But as the day wore on, the exhaustion began to creep in. The heat of the desert, combined with the long hours, was taking its toll. During a break, Lily found a moment to sit under the shade of a palm tree, sipping water and checking her phone. There was a message from Lando.

Lando: How's Egypt treating you?

Lily smiled, her heart fluttering at the sight of his name. She quickly typed back a response.

Lily: Hot, sandy, and beautiful. You'd love it here.

Lando: Jealous. You look amazing though—I've seen some of the photos they're posting. Killing it as usual.

Lily: Thanks. Wish you were here with me.

Lando: Soon. Can't wait to see you.

His words made her heart ache with a mixture of excitement and longing. She couldn't wait to be back with him, but for now, she had to focus on the work in front of her.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the desert, the final shots of the day were taken. The lighting was perfect, and the photos turned out to be some of the best of the entire shoot. The photographer called it a wrap, and the team cheered, thrilled with how everything had gone.

Lily smiled, grateful for the experience but also ready to return to a more familiar world. As the crew packed up, she stood for a moment, gazing out at the vast desert before her. The sense of isolation here reminded her of her own journey, how far she'd come from the girl who grew up in a troubled home, unsure of her future. Now, she was standing on the other side of the world, modeling for a global brand, and in love with someone who made her feel safe.

That night, back at her hotel, Lily lay in bed, her body exhausted but her mind racing. She opened her phone to find another message from Lando.

Lando: Miss you already. Hope you're resting up.

Lily: Trying to, but I'm too excited to sleep.

Lando: Excited for what?

Lily: For the next time I see you.

Lando: Soon, I promise.