More Issues Than Vogue | ✔️

Chapter 8

Chapter 8 

"What did you say the theme was, again?" I leaned over to Nate.

"Human nature," He answered back.

I couldn't stop staring. There were life-like trees and blooming bushes with iridescent textures that were made to look like an enchanted forest on the set of the photo shoot. Somewhere, a dry ice machine was creating a thick fog, causing the models to appear in an eerie aura.

But the setting wasn't what I was captivated by.

It was the nude models that stole the show. That's right, nude.

The girls had no problem posing with their breasts and private areas completely exposed. They were all thin with a hint of curves that the male models clung onto. They too, had no issue being completely vulnerable in their natural habitat. They stood, seductively wrapping their limbs around the trees and embracing each other. The faces they made were the best part.

"Do you feel uncomfortable?" Nate asked loudly, also not being able to keep his eyes off of the scene. The photographer was yelling some things that I could barely hear over the electronic music blasting from the overhead speakers.

I cleared my throat. "Completely."

We continued to watch while the director changed the positions of the models and the photographer switched the angles of his camera. There were makeup artists constantly being dragged in every spare minute to touch up an eyeliner smudge or to add even more sparkle to their already glistening skin. It was all foreign to me. Why the loud music? Why all the glitter? Why the nudity? This was my first time at a photo shoot and I hoped to be my last.

"I get the concept though," I admitted aloud. "Human nature captured by the essence of the human body. But, I don't think all bodies sparkle like that."

"It's too much," Nate sighed. "First of all, if I'm going to read a spread in my magazine of people naked, I picture them at home where they feel most comfortable. Not some magical forest where people apparently sweat glitter." I snickered while Nate continued. "Second, if you feel uncomfortable, how many of our readers do you think are going to feel the same way? I mean, they're not even trying to cover up anything. They're going to think Forward is some type of porn magazine."

"Well, why didn't you say something earlier?"

"Because no one listens to me."

"But you're the boss," I pointed out.

"I'm also younger than everyone in this warehouse with no prior publishing experience. It doesn't help that people think I'm incompetent because I'm the son of Benjamin Chester."

That's when I realized I had judged Nate on the wrong foot. "Then show them who's boss. You're hardly the one to act modest around people."

Nate scoffed. "When your job is on the line, you learn when to bite your tongue."

I knew that, alright. Better than anyone. "You won't lose your job because you act like you own the place, when you actually do."

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but nothing came out. Then something dawned on me. "Wait a minute," I narrowed my eyes at him. "Is Nate Chester actually scared?"

He did a double take at me. "What? Scared? Me? No. Please."

I gasped. "You are! You're scared of them aren't you?"

"They're intimidating!" Nate stomped his foot, looking like a helpless child. "They have years of experience compared to my few weeks in the field. They know what they're doing, I don't. How can they take me seriously?"