Hidden Destiny

Model Start

Gaia was staring in the mirror at her face trying to see what her agent and many others saw. She thought maybe she was relatively pretty by most standards, and she did work out like a fiend, watched what she ate, and did obsess just a bit about her looks. That said, becoming a supermodel career had never been on her radar. She intended to pursue a college degree in social work, as she enjoyed helping others and felt a calling to give back on a big level. Her Aunt Atelia, who had raised her since her parent’s demise when she was just a baby, was her biggest fan and always encouraged her to work hard, and good things would come to her. In this situation, though, Gaia had no idea how her aunt would react to this. There was only one way to find out.

Gaia crossed back through the high-end office adorned with pictures of well-known models on all sides. She now saw a future where she might have her photos hung in one of those spaces in the future. The more she considered the travel this would provide her and the adventures she might participate in – the more she wanted to sign the contract for a modeling career. She would never do that without her aunt’s approval, however.

Aunt Atelia had been her rock for as long as she could remember. The older lady was overly protective and assumed something bad would happen to Gaia. She needed to know where she was at all times, be introduced to anyone Gaia hung out with, and have a bad habit of forgetting that her niece was now a young adult. Gaia had hit eighteen months ago and was quite mature for her age, and she never did anything for her aunt to worry. She just wanted to return all the love, protection, and help that her aunt had given her. Gaia figured the money she earned would allow her aunt to move from the tiny apartment they had always called home and make life a bit easier.

Still, each step toward home made her heart beat hard against her rib cage. The thing was that Aunt Atelia truly never did deal with change well, and this was a doozy. Gaia didn’t know how she would feel about traveling the world, working in front of cameras, and walking catwalks. She was scared of how she might handle this and craved her aunt’s support. Maybe it would be lucrative enough that Aunt Atelia could travel with her, and they could see places she had only dreamed of to date.

Just as Gaia reached the apartment and went to put her key in the lock, it swung open violently, and an angry older lady stood there with hands on hips. She didn’t say a word as Gaia walked into the house, and Aunt Atelia closed the door behind her. Gaia walked into the middle of the small living space, glancing at the worn sofa and old television as her heart hiccuped. She wanted her aunt to understand that this gig would provide them. They could finally afford to upgrade their lives, and she had every intention of taking her aunt along for the ride.

“You were gone the entire day and didn’t pick up the phone,” Aunt Atelia said, walking up to her, “are you okay? Did something weird happen? I can explain if you are starting to experience strange happenings?”

Gaia furrowed her brow and stared at her aunt strangely. She had no idea what the woman was chattering about, but since her birthday a few months ago, these kinds of comments had become frequent. It was like her aunt expected her to suddenly come down with a disease or some other strange occurrence, though she would never elaborate on what bad fate she was expecting.

“No, I went to talk with a modeling agency that found me as I was walking home,” she shrugged. “I thought you would be working late today, and I wanted to hear what they said.”

Her aunt stood there staring at her like she had lost her mind.

“You did what?” Aunt Atelia squeaked out.

“They want me to sign a contract to do some shows and a few photo layouts in magazines,” Gaia started slowly.

“NO!”

“Please listen to me,” Gaia said, holding her hands out to her aunt.

“NO! You can’t allow pictures of yourself to be published in magazines,” her aunt said, turning from her in a frenzy and started pacing the small space.

“I promise they will be tasteful,” Gaia said. “Don’t you want to be able to not work so many hours at that horrid hotel in the hot laundry room?”

“It’s a good paycheck and keeps a low profile,” her aunt mumbled.

“Low profile?” Gaia asked with a small chuckle. “We aren’t in witness protection.”

Her aunt turned to her with the strangest look that made Gaia swallow hard.

“You can’t do this,” her aunt replied.

“You can’t stop me as I’m an adult,” Gaia said in the first moment of defiance against her aunt. “I love you and want you to do this with me. I want to take care of you and give us a better life. Please,” she stopped as her aunt pivoted, went to her room, and slammed the door shut.

Gaia stood with her head hung low and felt the first tears travel down her cheek. She had no idea if she was strong enough to go against the only family member she ever knew. She glanced around the tiny, clean, threadbare future and sparse decorations. She wanted more than this and just had to convince her aunt. She just needed to figure out the most effective way to do that, and right now, that meant giving them both space and time. After they considered this from all angles, maybe they would conquer this new challenge like they had done everything in life to date – together.