When Universe Conspires

2 - Instax

Jennie Kim

"Alright that's a wrap! Everyone pack up and see you on January for the next shoot. Thank you all!" the director of photography shouted when the last frame was shot.

This is my life. I work as a model. I do campaign ads, magazine shoots, runways, as well as starred in a few music videos and one reality show. I swear that last one sky-rocketed my name and now, not only my fellow countrymen know my name, but I went a bit global. Thanks to social media. It feels good to be an instant celebrity. But I've been in this business for quite a few years now. It's just that, television and social media have wider reach nowadays. I wear designer clothes on the runway when I do the catwalks, I wear expensive make up lines on my billboards years before this TV show, but I wasn't that well known. Not until now that I ended up as my country's representative for this known reality TV show for models.

I am Jennie Kim. My friends call me Jen. Top model/celebrity. I want to brag about my title since I got that "Top" status a few years ago when I was 20 years old. Who gets top model status at that age? Yeah, well, there are a lot of people; also Kristina Pimenova is one gorgeous kid I know! She really deserves top status the moment she was born. Aside from admiring that kid's beauty, I also look up to my favorite model of all time, Giselle Bundchen. She is an inspiration to me.

At the age of 23, I am currently living with my boyfriend for almost five years, Kai. He works in a cruise ship as a chief engineer. I'm really proud of him because at his age, 25, he is quite young to be on that position. Seaman, yup, he earns more than what I can bring to the table. Not that he needs that job to be able to live comfortably anywhere he wants. His family is loaded.

As I look at my phone to check if my Uber driver is outside the premises, I saw Kai's message pop up on the screen.

Boyfie:

Hon, sorry I didn't see your message earlier. I can't Skype later. Meeting with the crew. I'll call you tomorrow. Love you!

I pout at the message, my excitement to see him via Skype suddenly gone.

Then my Uber driver texted me that he is now outside waiting for me. Yes, Uber! My boyfriend doesn't allow me to drive a car. I can drive but he doesn't want me behind the wheel. He said he will be more at ease if I just get a personal driver or get Ubers to go to and from work etc. Such a bummer! I like driving. To avoid arguments, I just do what he wants.

It's almost 11 pm when I reached home. I am so tired. Tired from posing, smiling, wardrobe changes, runway rehearsals, I don't even remember if I ate lunch earlier. I'm tired and hungry. Two things I get grumpy about.

The house looks empty with just me in it constantly. Kai rarely comes home. His contract lasts 4-7 months. It depends if he has a reliever who can take over his work earlier than usual. I stomped my feet to the kitchen to check if I have leftovers I can just microwave or something. Thank God there's cold pizza from last night. I grabbed it immediately and warmed it then plopped myself down on the couch while replying to Kai's message. Another day without him. I hope the days and nights pass by faster. Just one more week Jen! He'll be here in 7 days! I kept telling myself. With that thought, I peacefully surrendered to sleep right there and then on the couch.

After a week.

"Hooooonnnnn!!!", I squealed in excitement to see my boyfriend home. "I missed you so much!!" I told him while he kissed my cheeks and hugged me with one arm.

He brought his suitcase down and properly welcomed me to his arms. He said, "You don't know how much I missed you Hon!"

"How can you not miss me if you rejected all my Skype calls?!" I nudged his ribs playfully.