September 20, 2023
House of Franklin, Milan
After hearing Delphine's perspective, DJ was stunned by the amount of drama that came from a mere modelling audition.
"So you went to the auditions, met your sister who just so happened to be a famous model, told her about your mum, and then got to walk for Franklin?"
He had to confirm again to make sure he didn't mishear.
"Yes." Delphine replied. "There's more to the story if you have the time."
DJ glanced at the clock on the wall. It was getting late at this point.
Yawning: "I'm going to head to bed, I'm a bit jet lagged." he said.
Delphine wished him good night and watched him leave the room.
He's not bad.
She turned her attention back to the painting. Solace. By Kingston Abebe. Where had she heard that name before? The round glasses would help. She turned them on and opened the prompt for the painting - Unlocking new information:
Solace by Kingston Abebe
Description of painting: Solace is a painting that depicts an African woman preparing beans in a traditional bowl. The painting is famous for showcasing the variety of emotions that everyday women go through and shines a light on women's mental health. The original piece was created on A0 canvas with acrylic paint. It went on to win multiple awards and could be called the cornerstone of Abebe's career.
Jordan then opened the prompt next to Kingston's name:
Kingston Francisco Abebe
Age: 53 (Born 1970 in Ibadan, Nigeria)
Height: 168cm
Children: Jillian Abebe (22)
Background: Kingston grew up in Ibadan to a middle class family. He was said to be an average student in school and after graduating highschool, he worked at his father's corner shop for a few years until his father convinced him to go to university. Kingston listened to his advice and studied Biology up until his 3rd year when his painting, Solace, gained mass popularity and launched his art career. Kingston has gone on to produce many award-winning artworks and has collaborated with other people in the creative field such as Frankie Flammia. He now lives in Marseille, France, with his daughter.
She paced back and forth trying to remember where she had heard Kingston's name.
What's wrong with me these days? I can't think straight!
She grabbed one of the artefacts, a dagger, and started throwing it in the air and catching it - Hoping it would jog her memory.
Where had she heard that name before? Where had she heard that name before?
⬗ ⬗ ⬗
September 20, 2023
House of Franklin, Milan
Randy Mo sat in his nice office. By now most of the staff he was in charge of had left meaning he was one of the few on the Business floor. Yet it could have been packed and he still would've felt alone. Randy was miserable to say the least (and it wasn't only because Frankie had dismissed him). There was a constant mild pain in his chest and he always felt scared for no reason. It was torture. And the worst thing was that he didn't know how to make it go away. Randy thought he had everything: the nice job, the fancy car, the access to hot women. So why did he feel so insecure?
Maybe I should jerk off to make myself feel better
He had taken some of the photographs from the casting auditions and stored them in a filing cabinet for days like these. In his head, he started reminiscing on the times he had jerked off in his office: The floor was packed and the only thing stopping him from being caught was his blinds...But it was so thrilling for him. The thought of him being seen by his employees, the implications it would have if Frankie found out - It made his ejaculation all the better.
A wave of nostalgia crashed into Randy and in that moment he had made up his mind. He was doing it. He got up from his seat and turned the blinds to give him privacy. He got his tissues, his hand cream and his photographs from the filing cabinet. The pictures were taken straight from the casting auditions without anyone knowing - Increasing the excitement. He spread the photographs on his desk and examined them closely. What was important to Randy was that he picked the most provocative image for his sexual therapy - There was nothing worse than getting a lonely feeling after finishing, adding to his existing misery. After deliberating for a few seconds he had found the perfect picture - A brown skinned woman with a brown afro.
She looks familiar
Her skin looked sweaty and shiny as it glistened in the sun, only adding to his blood flow. He unzipped his trousers. Grabbing the hand cream, he poured some of the pale liquid in his hands but then he stopped in his tracks.
What was he doing?
He was a 31 year old man, going on 32, and this was what he was doing?
Those thoughts became etched in his mind and it was enough for him to zip his trousers and sit back down. He placed his hands on his face but he didn't cry. Just sighed. Heavily. It wasn't meant to be like this, he told himself. He was meant to be equals with Frankie like they were in their uni days. But now they have never been more apart. Frankie looked like a god, a man who was in his prime and appeared untouchable. Whilst Randy looked like a peasant, a man who couldn't even afford a loaf of bread. He drove a Lamborghini but no one respected him for it. They respected the car. He slept with beautiful women but they didn't love him. They just wanted a better shot of getting into Franklin.
His life was in shambles and he was angry. Furious. Because he had everything but had nothing. He could imagine Frankie's face: smiling at him from above, pleased with the way things turned out. He knew that Randy would face struggles like this when he joined Franklin but he never said anything. He never warned him or gave him advice - He did it on purpose. But even in all of this, Randy still had hope because he knew he was a genius, his digital skills were unmatched, and he knew that they were enough to get him the last laugh.
TEASER FOR CHAPTER 13:
Whether Frankie would share the same sentiment was a mystery. And a mystery that slowly ate DJ alive. In his room, he was surrounded by life and beauty: various plants, creative architecture, and views of the Milan cityscape in the distance. But all his thoughts couldn't mimic the life around him. Rather, his thoughts mimicked death; the negativity and darkness associated with it.
YOU ARE READING
Fame, Film & Fashion
Mystery / Thriller"He thought that this world was harmless, fanciful, but in reality it was just as sick and twisted as the environment he grew up in. Maybe even worse. At least where he grew up, the bad things didn't try and hide from you. But here, he had realised...
