The Fallen King | ✓

Chapter 4

~Chapter 4~

Maddie had decided to take the rest of the week off so I'd had a different photographer working with me on Winter's shoot. The days had been going smoothly, as usual, and today was the final day before the photos were sent for editing. Winter had been overly secretive about today's events so to say I was suspicious was an understatement.

I walked to set, enjoying the summer weather, concealing my face with a rather large sunhat so I wasn't stopped by anyone and made late for work. The building seemed busier than usual so I knew Winter was up to something but I ignored it for now, instead focusing on getting ready and into my first outfit.

By the time my hair and makeup were done, Winter bursted into my dressing room. Her hair was messy, too many strands sticking out of her usually pristine bun; her eyes looked sunken and tired; and the clipboard in her hands was shaking along with her trembling fingers. Let's just say the stress of wanting this week to go perfectly had gotten to her.

"Harper there you are," she sighed, blowing a piece of platinum blonde hair from her eyes. "Come on, we've got to get you on set now or we'll run behind schedule."

I nodded, smiling at my hair and makeup artists before slipping out of my chair and following after Winter. After a few moments of tense silence, I sighed heavily before stopping in my tracks. "Win, calm down. Your stress levels are through the roof. Breathe," I said softly, latching my hand around her arm to spin her around and stop her from pacing like a maniac.

Her icy blue eyes assessed me as she processed my words, looking wide and wild. "Breathe," I said again, this time more forcefully, grabbing onto her other arm with my free hand.

After a few more seconds she finally listened to my words and breathed out heavily to calm herself down, resting her head in the crook of my neck. "Sorry, Harper. This week has been so stressful and I think it's starting to get the best of me."

"It's alright," I said soothingly, rubbing circles on her back with my palm.

"I had a surprise planned for today," she confessed, bringing her eyes to meet mine, a small frown on her lips. "But it kinda got ruined. You know how I design strictly female clothing?"

I nodded, picking up on where she's going with this.

She straightened up, composing herself but still looking vaguely disappointed. "Well I decided to try my hand at some men's wear as well this time and I'm actually pretty happy with what I've done."

"That's great. Why do you seem upset?"

"Well, it's a joint shoot today, guys and girls. I was super happy with all the models I'd picked out but one of the guys called in sick this morning and I don't know what to do. This is my men's wear debut; I can't screw it up, Harps," she told me, looking like she was on the brink of tears.

"Winter," I said, but she lowered her head, refusing to meet my eyes in case the tears escaped. "Hey, look at me. It's not the end of the world. Just ask Liam to help out."

She shook her head, still looking at the laminated wood flooring. "He's already part of the shoot. I mean, I designed most of the clothes with him in mind so it'd have been stupid if he wasn't a part of it all."

"Alright. Well how about Axel? I'm sure he'd be willing to help."

She slowly lifted her head, her eyes wide and sparkling. "Harper. That is literally the best idea. You're a genius!" Winter squealed, pulling me in for a tight hug. "I'll ask him now. Come on."

She forcefully dragged me by the arm, looking like a woman on a mission and the laugh that escaped my lips at her sudden attitude change was impossible to hide.