Wolves

Chapter 2

“Amanda, wake up.” I feel someone shaking me.

I moan.

“Come on, dear, we've got to go.”

“Mhm, Can’t we just skip today?”

“No, dear,” he laughs, “Because after the shoot we've got to go pick up the girls at the airport.”

I immediately sit up and say, "What? This soon?"

Taylor looks at me with a smile. "Yes."

I immediately jump out of bed and begin to wash my face, put on my clothes, brush, and comb my hair.

As soon as I walked out of the bathroom, I saw Taylor at the door with two biscuits in his hands. He smiled and handed me one.

“I think you might need to eat something before we leave.”

I smile and take a bite. "Thank you. Did you make any tea?”

“I have already put it in your canteen,” he says as he hands it to me.

“You’re a saint.”

He laughs and says, “Come on, we need to get a move on.”

We reach the bottom floor to see a whole swarm of fans already at the front doors. I completely forgot that I posted on my i********: about the lights in the city.

“Come on, we’ll have to leave through the back door.” Says Taylor as he leads me to the back.

We get to the back and reach the car. Taylor doesn’t waste any time, turns it on, and off we go.

I couldn't pull myself away from the window as the view was just so beautiful. I love this city and its culture. This entire city is beautiful. I can’t wait for the girls to see it.

As we reach the shoot location, I see Jackie.

“Wow, she’s actually here on time,” Taylor says. “That’s a shock. You think it's a robot or a clone?"

I give him a light smack on the chest and a look as I get out of the car.

“Darling!” exclaims Jackie.

“Hey, Jackie. Glad to see you here.”

“Oh yes, dear. Danny drove me. He really is such a wonderful guy; you should meet him.”

“She already has a husband, Jackie,” Taylor says coldly as he puts his arm around me.

“Oh, Taylor, how lovely it is to see you too,” she smiled. “Of course, I meant it as a friend. Danny is a wonderful stylist, and it wouldn’t hurt for her to have something new in her wardrobe. What do you say, dear?”

“I…” I began

“Thank you, Jackie, but we have all the finest clothes we need,” Taylor says as he pulls me away.

“Always answering for her, never free to make her own decision such a sad life. Amanda, you could do so much better,” Jackie shouts at us.

We ignore her and keep moving.

“Thank you, Hun,” I say.

“You know, as much as I hate it, you do need to stand up to her. I know she’s your friend, and you have both been through a lot together, but she’s been getting real pushy, and it’s disturbing.”

“You don’t think she would do anything risky, do you?” I ask.

“I wouldn’t put it past her.”

“Ah, there she is, my favorite model,” says Jinx. He’s been our photographer for six years now. His exciting ideas are what make this job fun.

"Good morning, Jinx. This place is beautiful," I say.

“Yes, it is; the water and trees are just right for taking the perfect photos. Now let's get you ready; we need to get this one done so we can move on to our next location. ”

“Next location? Where else are we going?”

“That’s a surprise.” He winks. “Now come on, we have to get you ready,” he said, as we were rushed to the dressing room.

“Come, girl, we have such a beautiful dress for you,” said one of the stylists.

It was a quick process to get my hair and makeup done. Then came the dress, and, my goodness, it was beautiful: a sheer cream flow dress with straps in the back, open in front, with a beautiful waist belt. As I was in awe, one of the stylists said,

“It’s going to look beautiful on you,” he said with a smile. I smiled back.

“Now come on, let's get you in.”

As they finished the final touches on my outfit, Taylor walked in. “Wow!” he exclaimed. “You look magnificent.”

I looked over and smiled at him. “Thank you, dear.”

“Do you get to keep this dress?” he asked.

I laughed a little.

“I’m serious, I would love to take you out on a date in this.”

“You're adorable.”

“Alright, you lovebirds,” says one of the stylists. “Save it for later; for now, we have to get you out there.”

I smile and ask, "Where is the next location?"

“Oh, I can’t say. It’s a surprise.” She laughed a little.

"Good try." Taylor laughs. I roll my eyes as we leave the trailer and head toward the river.

I love modeling, especially when it's outside; the breeze and the fresh air feel so good for my soul,

"Beautiful. Alright, that's a wrap on this location; let's move on to the next," says Jinx,

"You really won't tell me where we are going," I say.

"If I had told you, that would ruin the surprise," he smiles. "Alright, people, come on, let's get this show on the road."

I look over at Taylor as he smiles at me and says, "You're going to love it."

We hop into the car and head off to the surprise location.

As we are driving, I take in the view while also trying to figure out the location. After a few noticeable things, I realized it's Seoul's Seonyudo Park, which turns out to be one of the most beautiful parks in Seoul. I was completely stunned, as it was the perfect time to be out; the sun was almost setting, which made it look so magical.

I looked over at Taylor, who just looked at me with a smile and said, "I knew you would love it."

When we get out, I can just feel the peace and the breeze, the fresh smell of nature.

“My darling, you look magnificent!” I looked behind me to see Jackie coming towards me.

“Oh, Jackie. You look beautiful too.” She was wearing a turquoise dress that was open in the front, with a sash and cutoff sleeves, with her maroon wavy hair with a headband.

“Oh, this old thing.” She rolled her eyes. “This is only one of the dresses they gave me, nothing too special. Though I see they gave you such an exquisite dress. Turn around, darling, let me see.”

I turned around for her to see.

“Ah yes, so ravishing. Darling, this dress matches all your curves,” she says with a half-smile.

“Thank you, Jackie. You look gorgeous as well,” I smile.

“Alright girls, enough chit-chat, let’s get this shoot on the move,” says our photographer.

“Now, Amanda, let's get you on the grass over here next to this tree by the bridge.”

I nod as I move to the spot he wants; as soon as we start, I feel so beautiful. This dress and the location only make this better, not to mention how we get our girls. That’s going to be the best part of today.

Soon enough, the shoot was over. It felt like only a few moments, but in reality, it lasted for about two hours. I’m sad I have to leave this beautiful place, but so excited to be able to see the girls.

“Alright, now everybody listens,” announces Jinx. “For tomorrow, I need everyone here at ten pm sharp. We have work to do on our models, and we have a beautiful location to shoot. Even grander than this. So models, I need you both there right on time. Got it.”

We both nod our heads as he claps his hands, and we are free to go. I look for Taylor and finally spot him by the car on the phone. I move towards him when I hear

“Oh, darling Amanda.” I looked over to see Jackie coming towards me.

“What’s going on, Jackie?”

“Oh, I just wanted to tell you, you might want to keep an eye on your man.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, he’s been on the phone most of the shoot; I mean, isn’t it obvious?”

“I’m sorry?” I ask questioningly.

“Oh dear, you're such a dear in headlights. He’s obviously talking to another woman.”

I look at her, taken aback. I can’t even speak.

“Oh, I know it must come as a shock, but it happens to the best of us.” She smiles.

“I think you're misunderstanding Jackie. Taylor isn’t like that; we’ve been together for nine years. He has never shown me anything but love.”

“But have you been showing him the same?”

I’m puzzled for a minute and wonder

Do I not show him, my love?

“Oh dear, don’t worry about it; it comes with the job. We models get wrapped up in things and forget to show the ones we love actual love.”

I think for a second, then say, “Thank you, Jackie, for your note, but I don’t think you're right on this. Taylor wouldn’t do that to me; we’ve both been through so much together.”

“Oh, true, but then why does he seem so happy on the phone?”

I turn around to where he is standing and see a huge smile on his face. The only thing I can think of is the girls that Jackie kinda knows about. "Thank you, Jackie, but I know my husband. He's not that way."

“Oh, I’m sure you're right, dear. Taylor doesn’t even look like he is that type, but you never know." She smiles.

I can feel the anger rising as she says. “Well, I’m sorry. I would love to talk more about this, but I have to go. See you tomorrow, dear.” She waves and walks away.

I am stunned in my spot, puzzled. Thinking, what is her deal?

“Amanda!” I turn around and see Taylor calling my name. “Come on, we need to leave. The girls are almost here,” he says excitedly. As I got closer to the car, I rushed to the car with excitement, leaving behind what Jackie said. I know my husband; he wouldn't do such a thing. But for me, do I show him how much I care and love him?

“Taylor...” I begin

“What, come on, babe, we have to go get the girls. I'm so excited to see them.”

“Taylor,” I say sternly. He looks at me.

“What’s wrong?” he asks.

I play with my fingers for a second before I say, “Would you tell me if you weren’t happy?”

“Well, of course. What kind of silly question is that? I always share my emotions with you.”

“I mean, if you're not happy with me?” I ask shyly.

“Amanda, why would I not be happy with you?”

“It was just a thought, you know. With a job and all the traveling.”

“Amanda," Taylor puts his hands on my shoulders, saying, "I couldn’t be happier to be with you. I love to travel, especially with you. It’s what makes our life more exciting, and now we're going to have two beautiful girls. This is all I’ve ever asked for and could ever want.”

I began to tear up and say, “I love you, Taylor. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

Jackie was wrong, and I feel silly for even thinking of such a thing.

“I love you too.” He hugs me and kisses me.

“Now come on, let's go get the girls.

I smile with joy as I jump into the car to head to the airport.