The Make Up Artist

THE MAKE UP ARTIST Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2
The following day it was the auction soiree which took place at a huge mansion and garden in San Diego and Anja arrived early to set up her makeup and hair station for the models.
"Hi!" said Mel the organizer.
"Hi Mel, we spoke via email." responded Anja.
"Yes, I'll bring you your first model. Then we'll go from there. You'll be working with other make up artists and stylists. We have a tight schedule." she explained.
Anja worked on her first model. She was very beautiful, tall, slim, tanned and exotic looking. An actress model you'd only see on TV on Days of Our Lives or The Young And The Restless. Anja made her look extremely glamorous with big curls and glamorous glittery eyes, and big glossy lips. and bronzed glowing skin.
The stylist walked in the room and gave the model some outfits to wear for the event. "You'll be wearing these three outfits for the runway show. their on auction so make sure you don't get them dirty and remove them right after." she said.
Anja helped the models fit into their dresses. and gave them some tape to help the dress hold up.
Finally Anja was on her last model. This model had to have an avante guarde makeup and hair look. It took a little longer to apply but Anja was finished in an hour. The show was almost beginning.
"Can I take a photo of your look for my portfolio?" asked Anja to the model.
"Yeah sure." The model answered happily accepting.
All the models lined up at the runway dressed up. The audience was watching and waiting. And the first model walked strutted down the catwalk and back. Anja took some photos. She was clapping too with the audience.
Mel the director approached her and said, 'Fantastic work Anja. I'd love to have you back for next years event."
"Thank you Mel." she replied modestly.
"Here's your cheque."
Mel walked away in a hurry to greet the other guests. Anja opened her cheque. It was for US$1000.
Anja stood by herself for a while watching the rest of the show. It was already evening and getting dim. Anja looked up at the mansion and noticed a handsome young man with brown hair staring at her. He approached Anja. "Hi, I was watching you from afar." the young man said.
"Really?" asked Anja.
"Yeah. You're beautiful." he said honestly.
Now Anja thought these Americans had a way with words. They weren't afraid to express their emotions.
"I'm Mike, Mike Mason."
"Hi Mike, pleased to meet you. They were staring into each others eyes as if it was love at first sight. There was chemistry. And at that moment, she began to imagine there was a real reason why she came to America. It was to meet her true love. Mike walked around with Anja and they picked at some sushi and ate together at a small round white elegant table.
"So, what are you doing here?" he asked.
"I'm a make up artist doing make up on models for a show. It just finished."
"Oh yeah, I sensed you were different. You're not like those other girls who are here. They're only here to hit on the band The Switchlights. I can sense your a very giving person." He said.
Then he held Anjas hand. Sometimes people are wolves who appear in sheep's clothing. You're one of God's children, and I can sense christ within you.
"My sister's husband is in that band. He's the lead singer, John Gorman." said Mike.
"Are you the brother of John's wife?" asked Anja.
"Yeah." He smiled.
I'd love us to get to know each other more and keep in touch and possibly hang out, but in a couple days I'm actually going to a Jesus camp. I'll be teaching some youth some bible teachings."
"Wow,, that's so wonderful. How old are you?" asked Anja. Mike calmed her and made her feel youthful and innocent. He had a peaceful energy.
"I'm twenty three. How old are you?"
"I'm twenty four but my birthday is in a few days. I'll be twenty five."
"Well happy birthday to you."
"Thanks!." Anja smiled." She realised Mike was making her more happier and forget about Jason and he could possibly be the answer to her prayers.
"Hey, I want to introduce you to my family. They're standing right at the top of the stairs."
"I would really love that." she said.
Mike held Anjas hand as if they were an item already and they walked up the stairs towards the mansion to meet Emily, Mike's sister, John, the lead singer of the Switchlights as well as John's parents.
"Hi Emily, this is my new friend Anja, she's a make up artist from Melbourne."
"Anja was staring at John in awe. She hadn't been that close to a Switchlight member before. It felt euphoric. Emily was looking aloof at her. And didn't say a word. She just kept drinking her alcoholic beverage as if she had major anxiety.
"Anja's a makeup artist. She did make up for an event here today."
Wow... That's fantastic, said Emily sarcastically. Then she turned her head away and continued to drink and walked away abruptly, greeting a friend. "Oh darling aren't you an amazing stylist!" Kissing her friends cheeks. Anja raised her left brow.
"Don't worry about her." said Mike. " She's just really overprotective of me. She treats me more like I'm her son than her brother. We're ten years apart."
Anja nodded pretending to care. She just realised from her first impression of Emily Goreman that she was a real witch bitch.
"Yeah there's eight of us kids. It's a big family.
"Wow, so what does your sister do, Mike?"
"She doesn't do anything all day. She just stays at home."
"Does she have kids?"
"No."
Anja thought, 'no wonder she's an unhappy bitch who tries to put others down.'
"My other sister, she's a musician. That's how John and her met."
Anja had a fake smile, but thought, 'I don't give a fuck. I don't want to know more about this Emily.'
"Most of my family are artists. I'm the only non artist. I'm getting into teaching and business." Said Mike whilst he was still holding Anja's hand.
Anja smiled, she thought may be this guy was who she was waiting to be with for so long. May be she could try to put up with an evil sister in law.But deep down Anja felt hurt and she was feeling awkward standing in front of a famous guy. She had a fake smile on the whole time. Then John decided to leave and look for his wife. Not far away an older couple were standing together. They looked peaceful.
"Mike said, I want to introduce you to Jane and Mark. They are John's parents. I see them as my surrogate family too."
"Well, whatever is your family is my family," blurted out Anja.
Mark said, Yes you are definitely apart of our family. We invite you to our church this Sunday. I'm the pastor of the North Coast Church."
"Wow, I'll definitely come along." said Anja.
"Can I photo with all you guys. I'd like to keep this memory."
"Yeah sure Anja. They took a group photo together and one on ones with Anja and Mike. It made Anja believe that theit relationship was already prospering.
​"Hey Mike, I'm going to Sea World tomorrow. Would you like to come along with me?" Asked Anja.
"I can't, actually. I have to prepare for that trip."
"Ok! No worries." Anja felt felt disapointed.
I'm going to watch the bands play, would you like to join me?"
No, I've seen them play a gazillion times. I'm not really into it. But, you stay and enjoy yourself. It was lovely meeting you." Anja felt disappointed again. She wanted more one on one with Mike.
"Will I see you again?" She asked him.
"Yeah, add me on my space. Here's my number too." he said. Anja smiled, ok I will. And lets keep in touch until then."
Anja began to have thoughts that Mike and her would be distant penpals that would reunite and eventually be married. She imagined the perfect life as a wife and make up artist in San Diego. Her fantasies were then interrupted by a girl who sat next to her. She was very outgoing and bubbly and full of energy and enthusiasm.She began speaking to Anja, "I'm Jordan, I'm here for The Switchlights. I'm their biggest fan. Seriously!!" She said hyperventilating and cheering even though they weren't on stage yet.
Then Anja spoke calmly. "Really? I just met the main singer just not long ago."
Jordan continued getting excited, "Really??!! Just now. Wow!! I've met like a undred times. We're like friends now."
"Really?" said Anja very calmly just listening.
"Yeah! I even drew a picture of him and gave it to him."
"That's great" Anja responded thinking, I think she's more of a crazed fan than anything.
"So ho was that guy you were with earlier. He was hot!" asked Jordan.
"He's John's brother in law.
"No way!. You lucky girl. I wish I could have met him. I have met the Goreman parents though."
"Really? Lucky you."
The girl kept ratting on and bragging about her Switchlight experiences. She then admitted. "I'm in love with the lead singer, John. I've got posters all over my wall and my car even says The Switchlights on it. AND... look!" She then began to lift up her shirt and turned around to shoe Anja her sacrum. "I have a special tattoo representing The Switchlights. Do you like?"
Anja studied it. It was of a star and a stripe. Anja made a sarcastic face and thought, 'talk about psycho fan.' Anja smiled fakely, coughed, and said "Yeah it's nice." Then she watched as the girl began taking photos of the band as they entered the stage. Anja just clapped. And then took her camera out to take a few snaps. Jordan took a selfie photo with Anja. "Say cheese."
At that moment Anja received a text message from Mike. "Sorry I left so hastily, enjoy the rest of the night and have a safe trip. Love Mike"
'Aw he cares,' thought Anja. She sent a message back quickly. "Thank you Mike, I'm having a great time. It was lovely meeting you. You're so kind and I hope to see you again soon. Keep in touch!"
It was getting quite late and the band finished their last song Dare You To Groove. Anja was really just hoping to meet her crush, the band's bass guitarist, Nathaniel. But, where was he? Then all of a sudden she saw a shadow of him and saw him walking with a smaller woman about his age putting his arm around her. She looked like she could be his wife. So Anja didn't dare approach. She decided to mingle with the other guests at the auction table. Then one of the band members approached her. He was tall, and skinny and had a friendly energy. "Hi! I'm Drew. I noticed you."
"Really?" said Anja.
"Yeah, you've been busy all day and night here. Thanks for your kind help. Without you the models wouldn't be made up. So where are you from. I notice a slight accent."
"Melbourne, Australia."
"Australia!"
Then he yelled out to everybody, "Hey guys this is my friend Anja. She's come ALL the way from Australia!" Then he hugged Anja. This made Anja very cheery. She felt like she belonged. So she asked him the question she wanted to ask the band. "So Drew, I'm a make up artist, and I'm hoping you guys are looking for a personal make up artist. If you need me as your make up artist here's my card."
Drew took Anja's card. "Thanks Anja, what a lovely thought!" Then he licked his lips and looked up. "But we usually don't use make up artists, may be for rare occasions like photo shoots. But keep trying. See ya!" Then he walked off very quickly as if he had ADD.
Anja checked the time on her phone. It was getting late. She headed towards the mansion to rest inside. And she sat on the lounge chairs. No one was there. She wanted to call Rhonda. She was missing home, "Hi this is Rhonda, you've reached me when I'm away leave a message."
"Hi Rhonda just thinking of you, I'm hoping everything is great at home in Aberfeldie. Keep me posted about you and Squeak." Then she hung up the phone, and was about to send a text message. At that moment somebody walked in the room. Anja turned to face them. It startled her. The room was dark but she saw who it was and it surprised her. It was John, the lead singer of The Switchlights.
"Can I sit here?" He asked.
"Yeah." she said quietly. John sat beside her on the couch. There was pure silence between them. Anja felt peaceful though, she didn't know what to say to him. But there was something so fatherly about him and a presence that made her melancholy that made her blurt out, I broke up with my boyfriend before coming here." It was as if she had no choice but to be honest.
"Really, I'm sorry to hear that." he said showing his sympathy. Then he put his arm around Anja.
"How did you like our show?" He asked her.
Then she stared into his big doe blue eyes. They were amazing. And she couldn't look away. She thought. 'Is this a dream? What's he doing here?'
"I really liked your show."
"So you're a make up artist." He asked.
"Yeah, I am. I came to America to work on several shows. May be I can do your make up one day."
He laughed and smiled." You want to do MY make up? I don't wear make up."
Anja answered. "I apply make up on male actors and performers. I was only asking.
"Right. Well, give me your card and we'll call you if we need you for a make up job."
Anja gave John her business card and he slipped it in his pocket. John was staring into Anja's eyes deeply for a long time. It was like a fantasy. It was like staring into Jason's eyes. John still had his arm around her. Mike had rejected her date. Was John the one for her? His shirt smelt nice like clean laundry and he had a strong touch, very sexy. Anja wanted to kiss him. Then it happened. He moved towards her and kissed her lips. It was a soft sensual kiss. It lasted for eternity even though it was for several seconds. John's wife walked in the room. She stood and stared. The two looked at her and didn't say anything. Emily walked off hastily, and John chased after her. Anja was then left by herself in the mansion loungeroom. She thought, 'Oh my god what just happened?'
Anja looked at her phone to find a number for a cab to take her back to her hotel. At that moment, John's parent's walked in. "Hi Anja, are you ok? We heard what happened and can offer you a lift home."
Anja nodded. "I need to grab my things too. My make up case is still in one of the rooms of the mansion."
The Goremans retrieved Anja's belongings and drove her back to her hotel which was just by the surf beach.
"So Anja, will you be coming to the event tomorrow morning."
What event?"
"There's a surf competition by the beach. It's also run by the Switchlights. We're inviting you."
"Ok, I'll be there." She said.