Broken Pieces

Chapter three

Lucy had been trying to convince me into taking on as many jobs as possible for more than an hour and by now she looked very frustrated. I felt a little pity for her, knowing that nothing she said would change my mind.

Frustrated, she sighed aloud. "Erica, how are you supposed to succeed in the cutthroat modelling world if you are this selective? I get the no-runway part but I don't know what else to do here. You agreed to this, but you are showing zero enthusiasm. I think you are intentionally trying to frustrate me so I would leave you be but that will never happen. I have all day to sit with you, right here."

I scoffed at her words, wondering how she could think so low of me. "Lucy, I'm not a child, the problem here is we have different wants and goals."

After a long uncomfortable silence, where all she did was give me a blank stare that said she didn't understand, I sighed. Deciding to fill her in on my plans, I began. "I don't plan on modelling for long, not even for a year."

Though mostly surprise flashed in her eyes, a little interest had sparked too.

"I might be getting a lot of offers now but once the Mirror photoshoot dies down, all that will end. Also, if people see that I only accept certain type of jobs, they will recognize my pattern."

She blinked, now only confusion was written all over her face. "I don't get it. Is that supposed to help me understand why you're not modelling longer than a year?"

Although, I was hesitant about telling her what I'd been thinking of giving a try again. Something I just finally decided to do. Something only a few people knew. I still did after a probing look and deciding that Lucy can be trusted.

"I design shoes and sell designs to a well known designer who sells them to other people or sometimes keeps them for herself. I have always wanted to start on my own but for different reasons I just couldn't. I plan to save the money I get from the few modelling jobs and that with my other savings should be enough to start on my own."

The look on Lucy's face told me she understood my words and plans perfectly, also that she approved them. Her easy acceptance was really appreciated.

She nodded her head and after some time, replied me. "I think that's a great plan and I don't think you even need a year. I also think you can do it because it sounds like something you have been planning for years. However, I still think you should give it some more thought because you don't sound too sure of your decision."

I smiled despite her last words. I was just happy she wasn't asking any detailed questions. "I don't know how I will do it but I think I will figure it out as time goes on."

Lucy looked thoughtful and curious as she asked, "This is a secret right? And I can't ask the name of the designer too?"

I chuckled and nodded with an amused smile. She grinned with a look of exaggerated innocence. "But, don't you think I should at least get to see some of these designs."

With a laugh and a roll of my eyes at her request, I went to get some of them from my room.

Lucy flipped through the designs with surprise on her face. "Wow!" she breathed. Then gave me an accessing look that gave away her astonishment and awe. "You are actually really good at this. I think you should have given trying to get investors a try but I guess being an independent person by nature, you wanted to do it on your own."

I shrugged, not bothering to tell her how I had tried something like that and gotten rejected.

We talked about some of the designs and other things. She was in the process of standing up, ready to leave when I remembered the reason she came. We'd both forgotten the reason for her coming. "I need you to only give me jobs that wouldn't make me popular but will have a good enough pay."