M For Moscow

06 | another doll

"Are you ready?"

Without a single moment's wait or hesitation, she pushed the doors of her company open where a whole other world seemed to be on the other side. On this one floor, there were at least fifty mannequins on high-heeled stages, mirrors on every glimmer of ceiling and wall, and everyone, I mean everyone, were on roller blades. It was as if someone had shook an unicorn until it had puked... this.

"This is the costume design floor, or as I like to call it, Make-It-Or-Dish-It Zone." she offered, walking us through the many bolts of fabric and loose buttons on the floor. When designers leapt at her feet with drawings and sketches, Karina simply — and gladly — ignored them. She led us into the elevator where a group of eager interns had formed just outside of it and threw them a kiss goodbye. Just as the elevator doors drew to a close, I faintly heard the word "Peasants." slip out of her throat. I watched as she struggled to press the button with the length of her fingernail so I did it for her.

The second floor was even busier than the first. We were only able to take one foot out the door when a crowd of bikini-waxed models blocked our path. Lanky, slim and gorgeous girls, that were at least two heads taller than me, were waiting in a designated straight line in front of a cameraman. Most were grumbling from the delay, but as soon as Karina Gold stepped into the room, their headshot photos came to life and they were all smiling to impress.

"Karina! You look gorgeous today."

"Do you like this dress, Karina?"

"Karina, you must meet my brother. He's a movie director."

Grudgingly, she smiled and waved at everyone's faces. It was hard to believe she even knew all of their names. What was even more unbelievable was the fact that I was going to be one of them, another fish in an endless sea of fishes. All the excitement and hope from earlier that day drained out of my body, like they had already washed me ashore, and I was left, anxious and afraid.

Between waves and handshakes, Karina managed to whisper in my ear. "As you can see, on this side is photography and on the right, is makeup and hair. And that's all you need to know."

I nodded, although the words weren't aligned with her lips and seemed to process slower the longer I stayed in this room. Just as I was about to ask what was upstairs, a younger woman with a clipboard and glasses appeared by Karina's side. She spoke quietly so only both of them could hear and the next thing I knew, Karina nodded at me and I was ushered towards a round stage platform surrounded by standing mirrors. She left me sooner after.

"Right. So..." As she skimmed and flipped through the clipped papers for my name, I noticed a helix earring on her top right. "Macy! I'm Sophia Cunningham, Karina Gold's assistant and only reason her company is still alive till this day." she admitted with a casual, almost-sad smile that wasn't big enough to make her dimples pop.

Sophia cleared her throat and extended her left arm, welcoming a very tall man, probably in his mid-thirties with a thin moustache and a tape measurer around his neck, into the conversation. "This is Horatio Bianchi from Italy and he'll be your stylist for the day. Horatio, please get Macy ready for first headshot and full-length shot. Then, Karina wants three of your prettiest dolled up to be on the cover of Moscow Monthly. Think: cold but sexy."

"You've got my word." Horatio swore, holding a hand to his heart and solemnly bowing. Sophia chuckled at his humour before rushing to her next appointment.

He turned to me. Taking my hand in his, he spun me around in close examination without using the tape measured once. With just one spin, he had all he needed for his perfect look.

"Beautiful." he complimented me.

Horatio had fitted me into a tight bodice dress, which highlighted every curve and every bump on my body. I felt more exposed than ever. Feeling conscious of my breasts, I used my hands to cover them. "Are you sure you can't find a bigger dress? Preferably one that actually fits?" I asked Horatio as I stared worrisome at the mirror.

"Nonsense, darling! You look beautiful."

I looked back at myself and then to all the other girls in the room. We were wearing different clothes, but the cleavage, the tightness, and the sexiness were all there. A few of them even had on nothing but a bikini and high heels. Did they not feel cold?

Maybe this was what it was like to be a fashion model. To have to make certain sacrifices, sacrifices that my mother would blow my head off if she knew. But I just had to suck it up. When I researched online last night, I heard the pay was good if you become 'the face', and I needed the money. Without it, I couldn't see a future for my brothers.

So, I sucked it up. "Okay. I'm fine, I'm ready!" I said in a startling voice, causing Horatio to jump. He played it off with a laugh before guiding me towards hair and makeup.

Two girls, Annabeth and Brinkley, worked their way around my face and head. According to their name tags, Annabeth was the blonde one with narrow eyes and fuller lips, whereas, Brinkley was brunette and had a sharper nose. Beside those details, they could pass as twins from the way they worked and coordinated together.

The two of them decided, without even speaking might I add, to go for a natural look for my headshots. Seeming as though they've done this a million times to a million other girls, it didn't squash down the unease. As they worked, they talked — or gossiped.

"So, Miron Sokolov was found at another bar fight last night." Annabeth said, applying a thick layer of foundation on my face.

Brinkley replied, "That's like his, what, third time this week?"

"Yeah! Someone needs to put a leash on that doggie," Annabeth leaned towards my ear. "I don't mind being the one to do it."

I tried laughing along, but honestly, I didn't quite understand the joke. No one back home spoke like they did. The laughing came to a sudden halt when Brinkley started applying powder onto my face and I accidentally sneezed onto her hand. "Sorry."

She wiped her hand off with a tissue, disgust smeared all over her face. Annabeth had on the same expression. So, I looked elsewhere than my guilt, where my face had gone completely pale and I wasn't sure if it was the dress cutting off my air supply or the fact that I had embarrassed myself enough to never become 'the face'.

***

Arriving back at the hotel suite, Luka was making milkshakes.

"You're still shirtless." I told him, dropping my bag onto the counter with a plop and sliding onto one of the chairs.

Opposite me, he made a wincing face as if he was the bag and continued slicing bananas. "I take it the first day didn't go too well?"

"I sneezed on someone." I mumbled.

Now, he made an even bigger wincing face. A smile threatened to escape. "That's rough."

I groaned back in reply.

"Maybe tomorrow will get better." he offered, holding the knife up. "And if it doesn't, we always have banana milkshakes to cheer us up."

Lifting my head back up, I smiled at him. "I'm allergic to bananas."

***

Macy's first day at the office! What do you guys think about her experience and everyone she has met so far?

For me, I've never really met anyone from the model industry but I have heard that it isn't as pleasant and that's what this story will be highlighting.

Thanks for reading this far, it means a lot to me. If you're enjoying the story so far, don't forget to vote, comment and share to spread the book <3

Lots of love,
Mel