FASHION {Empire}

Chapter 1 "Pills"

"Oh my God! Yes, Laysia you are giving me life!" Malaysia heard dramatic words fill her ears. Right now she was in the middle of a photo shoot modeling a new line of bathing suits, and to say she was feeling her self was the least.

Her body naturally moved to the music that flowed through the speakers.

"Yes, perfect just like that." The dramatic photographer encouraged her.

In that moment she felt beautiful,  which was rare. Posing in front of cameras were the moments that she felt most free. Just swaying to the music, but making art as she went.

Happiness and warmth radiated her body as she smiled at the camera.

The light clicks of heels entered the area but went death to ears due to the blasting music.

The free girl danced around with closed eyes and a wide smile.

"These pictures are definitely going to need to be touched up." A voice erupted in the room and Malaysia's smile was dropped like a hot rock.

Mary-Ann White-the "self-made" fashion mogul- was not only the rudest bitch Malaysia ever met, she was also her mother. The woman who was supposed to be her biggest supporter, was her biggest fear.

"We need better lighting, somebody fix this. We are not shooting a porno, we are capturing true art." Mary-Ann called out making her way to her daughter. "And you, What did I tell you. Tuck your stomach in, photoshop can only do so much." She said tapping her daughter on her stomach."And can we fix this." She gestures to the girls face. "Her face looks way to fat." A makeup artist quickly scurried to the two, scared of what would happen if she didn't.

"Have you not been taking those pills I gave you."Mary-Ann questioned.

Lay let out a huff knowing that the pills that her mother was referring to were diet pills. "I'm not taking those."

"And why not?" Her mother asked annoyed, basically gritting her teeth.

"They make me feel sick and-" the girl started but was cut off.

"Those are just small side effects. They will eventually go away."

"Small?" Malaysia questioned "Those things sent me to the hospital."

Her mother rolled her eyes pulling a white pill bottle out of her purse. "Stop being so dramatic. Now, you tak-"

"I said I'm not taking those damn pills!" Malaysia basically yelled, pulling eyes towards the scene. The woman who was applying make-up to her face paused taking a step back from her. It was like the whole room had stopped to watch the two waiting for the next dramatic scene of the movie. And dramatic was what they got.

The loud sound of a slap echoed throughout the room, resulting in everyone letting out a gasp.

Malaysia Daniels-the insecure girl- breathed heavily glaring at her mother, while holding her bruised cheek.

Mary-Ann White- the retired model- stepped dangerously close to her daughter. "Who in the hell are you talking to?" She whisper yelled in the girls ear, spit flying as she spoke. "You are being a very ungrateful bitch right know. I am trying to help you. Do you think I am new to this. Nothing has changed since I was in your predicament. Fat ass,big tittes, flat stomachs and bright skin. That's what they want to see out here,whether it's real or not. You think they want to see your stretch marks and cellulite? Do you know how hard it is for black women in this industry, Huh? Answer me when I'm talking to you girl." Her hand gripping her jaw.

Malaysia continued to glare at the woman in front of her but nodded her head.

"You must dont. Complaining about some damn pills. I would go days with out eating. This industry isn't a game I thought I prepared you for this,but I guess I didn't do it good enough. You do what you have to, to get what you want."

Malaysia's body froze at her mother's words. She remembered those exact words flowing out of her mother's mouth , before the worst day of her life happened.

"You can go around looking a mess if you want, but you will not do it under my company's name,do you hear me?"

Malaysia reluctantly nodded her head.

Mary-Ann's face shifted back to her original fake smile." Good. I'm glad we're on the same page." Her eyes scanned the room to see all eyes on her and her daughter, waiting on their next move. "Alright every one back to work. I dont pay you to stand there." She called out, causing the people to scatter like roaches.

Malaysia looked up from her hands to see looks of sympathy from the crew. Her eyes quickly dashed back to her hands. She felt humiliated. The bitchy, independent persona that she usually held was now covered by the weak scared little fragile, girl who lived inside her.

"Alright." Her mother spoke pulling her view from her hands." You take 3 every day, one in the morning, one at lunch, and before dinner." Her mother poured one pill into her hand and handed her a water bottle.

Malaysia quickly put the pill in her mouth and water soon followed. "Good girl." Her mother patted her head. "See that wasn't so hard. You will thank me later."

After her mother left, Malaysia could still felt the eyes on her. You would think she would be use to judgmental eyes, since they've been on her most of life. But she still felt like a little kid who was to scared to stand in front of a crowd.

She exited the room quickly walking to her dressing room. Entering the room she quickly shut the door. With closed eyes she let out a sigh of relief, leaning against the cool surface of the door.

After a few seconds she peeled open her eyes. Adjusting to the sight of the room, the first thing she saw was herself. As she stepped farther away from the door, the closer she got the reflection of her in the mirror.

As she stood directly in front of the mirror she examined her body for flaws.

"Why can't I be perfect?"

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OK this is the first chapter how do you feel about it?

What do you think about Malaysia?

What do you think about her mother?

What things do you think I need to add or fix?

And don't worry every chapter isn't going to be sad and depressing, but I do want to it to be realistic. A lot of models have insecurities and problems.