Mr. Imperfectionist

1 First Sight At Barcelonta Beach

As I landed at Barcelona airport, I couldn't stop smiling. I was ecstatic beyond words. My first ever international shoot. We had a three days shoot at the Barceloneta Beach and the return on the fourth day. I was modelling for a Magazine. After four years of ramp walk, I finally got to model for something different. I was nineteen years old when I'd started modelling. I was never too good at studies. I had no plans for my career. People started suggesting modelling to me since I have the body for it. It seemed like an easy option but there's surely a lot of struggle.

I was always a very reserved type of person. I didn't have friends in school or college. My temper was also a part of the reason why people didn't come too close to me. I was a shy girl with a bad temper and also very stubborn. Dad was the only one who handled my tantrums and gave in to my stubbornness. My mother's attitude always clashed with mine. But since dad passed away, mom had pampered me a lot. My older brother Anubhav and I never got along as kids but now it was his turn to handle my tantrums. He's become my best friend. 

Mom was against modelling but Anubhav really supported me. I started doing ramp walks and waited for a bigger opportunity. When I got a call for an audition for "Everyday Woman's Magazine", I wasted no time and went for it. Anubhav was happier for me than I was for myself when I got selected. I signed the contract and now I'm here in Barcelona for the biggest break of my career. 

We loaded up our luggage in the private cars and left for the hotel. We reached the W Barcelona Hotel and checked in. I had a room to myself on the 20th Floor. I unpacked my bags and hung all the dresses in the wooden wardrobe and kept all my shoes below the wardrobe. I couldn't wait to complete the shoot and go exploring this beautiful city. After the unpacking was done, I looked out the huge windows at the sea. It was heaven. I was caught in the moment of felicity as I watched the beautiful skyline and the endless blue ocean. My room was a beautiful white with silver drapes and wooden flooring. The double bed was white with a red and blue duvet and two red pillows. There was a blue couch near the window, three mini red, white and blue cushions on the couch, a mini glass table by its side, and four lamps on each wall.

I jumped on the bed to see if it was bouncy. As I launched myself loosely on the bed, my body bounced back and I giggled. I video called my older brother Anubhav and showed him and mom around in my room and the view outside the window.

Later at night, we had a team dinner and discussion at the Buffet. Apart from me, there are eleven other models. I knew no one. These models were all professionals in this industry and I was totally new. Even though I was nervous, I had to make sure I look like I belong here. The dinner was to start at 8 PM. At around 06 PM, I took a hot shower and blow-dried my hair. I stepped out of the bathroom with a white bathrobe and looked for a perfect dinner dress. I selected a V neck black wrap dress, with sleeves up to the elbows-the dress ended above my knees. I matched the dress with the round silver-tone ear stud and black pumps. Then I wore a silver watch. I was never fond of makeup but in my profession, I was always with heavy makeup which would really irritate my skin. For dinner, I kept it simple with foundation, red lipstick, winged liner, and a little blush. I took my black clutch, added some cash and lipstick, and left for the dinner.

I tried hard but the other girls totally beat me in beauty and elegance. Not to mention their style and choice of outfits. Most of them were tall, fair, with beautiful long locks and glowing skin. I was totally overshadowed by them. Since I'm reserved, I didn't really talk to anyone. The director Abhishek came up to me while I was sitting alone before the meeting and was checking my social accounts.

"Hey, Saanj right?" He asked.

Abhishek was really handsome and too young to be a director. He wasn't very tall but his body was like a professional bodybuilder. He spent three hours in the gym every day. Something I was too lazy at. I was lucky to be born with a lean body. No matter how much I ate, I never put on weight. Yes, one of those lucky bitches that girls envy.

"Yes," I replied with a soft smile.

Abhishek took a seat beside me. "You look nervous." He said with a smirk.

I laughed lowly. "Sort of. This is my first shoot. I've only done ramp walks."

"That's okay. There's always a first time. Enjoy every bit of it and don't get so tense."

"Thank you, sir. You're really sweet." I smiled.

"Come on, no sir and all, please. Call me Abhishek. We are of the same age. I guess." He winked.

I chuckled. "Okay, Abhishek."

He sat beside me during the entire meeting and dinner. It was almost 11 PM. I was tired and sleepy. I immediately took off my makeup and took a shower. Then I applied a cucumber cream to soothe the irritation, changed into my black satin PJ's and went to bed.

The next morning I got dressed and left for the shoot. Hair and makeup were done in the vanity and the shoot started outside the hotel at Barceloneta Beach.

I was shooting for The Everyday Life Of A Model's Column. The first part of the shoot was in the bikini. There were two other girls with me. I was in a red bikini. The other two girls were in blue and black bikinis. We posed on the sand and then in the sea. The second part was in gowns and the shoot was inside the hotel. Since we still had some time to start with the hair and makeup, we changed into our regular clothes and hung around at the beach. The other two girls, Priti and Michelle started to talk with me and we got to know each other while sipping on coffee. 

A while later, a few luxuries black cars came in and some men in completely black attire got off the car. They were all in black shirts and black trousers. Everyone was so tall and masculine. With them, there were six bouncers with guns strapped across their shoulders. They all looked like Mafias. My eyes fell on a man who was constantly staring at me. He was unbelievably gorgeous with golden-brown hair. I looked away as I couldn't hold his gaze any longer. I continued to chat with the girls. 

A while later Abhishek came to us to inform us we'll have to go back inside in half an hour. I asked him, "Who are these men?"

"They are friends of Mrs Dutta. The CEO of Everyday Woman's Magazine. They always come to meet her." He said.

"Oh! When did she get here?" I asked.

"In the morning. She arrived on the set forty minutes ago. We were busy shooting."

"Okay!"

I could feel that person's gaze on me. I turned to look and he was still staring. There were other four men with him who were talking to everyone from our team but his eyes were glued on me. No smile, no expressions. Just a blunt gaze that made me super uncomfortable.

How can someone be so gorgeous yet so creepy?

Abhishek was talking to them now. He slowly started introducing the rest of the crew and artists to them. He then came towards us and introduced me and those two other girls.

"Meet Saanj Mehra. She is our new model. She is shooting for "The Everyday Life Of A Model's Column."

They all greeted me and I greeted back. I couldn't catch anyone's name. That creepy fellow smiled this time. More like a smirk. I got to see him from close. His was a face with finely chiselled features. He had deep green eyes with shades of hazel and jade. His straight-edged nose perfectly suited his angelic face and his jawline so sharp that it could cut glass. His stubble beard was additional to his already perfect beauty. 

I realized I was staring at him too. I looked away and they went ahead meeting other models. 

After they left we started the shoot for the next part. I was dressed in the golden gown with heavy eye makeup. After the tiring day, I went back to the room. The food was sent to our rooms. I had dinner and went to bed.

The next day I saw a black Jaguar pull up near the entrance of our shooting spot. Two brawny bouncers, one blond and one red-haired, with guns strapped around their shoulder, got off from the car and one of them opened a car door of the back seat and someone got off. It was him. He was again in black today. The top three buttons of his shirt were undone and the end of his shirt hung loosely on his waist. He didn't seem to notice me this time. He went straight to Abhishek and started talking to him. We took a break after one part of the shoot.