Chapter 45: Model / 6.9 : Are we models or actor?
As the judges scored the other candidates Astrid became increasingly anxious. Her photoshoot was a nightmare and if that wasn’t enough the whole world probably thinks she hates animals because of Eden. She doesn’t understand why people love him so much. If the viewers don’t give her a good score she’s sure to leave today because her picture is disastrous. Contrary to others it was easy to choose which picture to present because they were all terrible.
Even if she’s eliminated today she’ll do everything in her power to destroy Eden from the outside. The only good thing is that Ezra isn’t wrong, Grey Agency’s popularity will skyrocket and she’s signed there. She could tell that the people outside loved him as much as they loved Eden. No matter what Dawson and Erin love her and they’ll always have her back. Even so, the thought of being eliminated before Eden makes her want to cry. When her name was called she woke up from her thoughts. She looked at the candidates angrily as they smiled and chuckled mockingly at her picture.
She looked at it praying that it was better than she remembered, unfortunately, it wasn’t the case. She was wearing a yellow spaghetti strap dress and her hair was tied in a high bun. Her makeup was flashy and the owl was on her shoulder. Then underneath was written Fury’s tagline: Everyone needs help including animals. Give a hand by making a donation or volunteering. Leah the first judge said:
"Everything in this picture is wrong whether it’s the outfit you chose, your haircut, or your ridiculously flashy makeup. The campaign is to bring awareness to endangered animals including the one on your shoulder, not you. We can feel from miles away how uncomfortable you are. I can’t give you anything more than a 3."
Astrid nodded even if she felt humiliated and ready to cry. She looked at Dayne the fashion photographer and knew that his score would be lower than Leah’s.
"To me, it just seems like taking a picture with that owl was a nightmare. As Leah said we can feel how uneasy you are like the animal is actually torturing you. With your outfit and makeup, it seems like you’re doing a fun photoshoot at the beach and someone photoshopped an owl on your shoulder. You might as well not have shot with him. I’ll give you a 3 and that’s me being generous."
Astrid nodded respectfully again and looked at Enders. She knows she’s screwed, Enders is famously known for being straightforward and not chewing his words.
"My fellow judges already said everything. That picture is a catastrophe and it doesn’t make people want to do anything to help the creature on your shoulder. On the contrary, since it looks like you’re the one being tortured. Your dress was too flashy and your hair should’ve been down. Your makeup should’ve been natural only then would it work. You don’t deserve more than a 2 seeing how ridiculous this picture is."
Astrid nodded her face red in humiliation. She’s been a fan of Enders since Eden introduced him to her and she’s being destroyed by her idol. Despite trying not to cry tears still fell on her face. She quickly wiped them and looked at the screen to see her overall score from the public’s vote. The host said:
"The viewers gave you a two putting you at the bottom with Elijah."
Ezra looked at Astrid as she cried silently. This is all her fault she should’ve been smarter and now she’s crying. He hates that about her, she messes up then cries. It was the same when she pushed Eden on that glass table, she cried to him so he would lie and he did.
It’s true that he mostly did it because he knew how much Eden’s parents loved her but she’s his best friend too. She’s lucky that she has the agency behind her while this is a chance for all the other candidates to get discovered. He does feel bad for her but she should be eliminated now before she damages her reputation even more. When he saw her pushing that owl yesterday he knew she was done. He’ll help here when he’s done winning the show. He only said he would give up the competition for Eden because he knew the viewers would eat it. Yesterday he saw Kalel sneak into Eden’s chamber and at first, he was angry but now he sees it as an opportunity to become the most sought-after model in the world.
For the next few days, he’ll be sweet to Eden and show how much he loves him. Then he’ll make himself look like the victim when he and Kalel become a couple. He’s already as popular as Eden so people will take his side and Eden will be eliminated. Even beauty-wise he is his only competition and right now he’s killing it. Eden dared sleep with Kalel when just before he told him he loved him and that he would do everything for them to be together. He’ll pay dearly for betraying him but before that, he’ll use him and then laugh at his face when he is eliminated.
Eden looked at Ezra’s smirked and rolled his eyes. He listened as the judges gave Naomi’s scores. He wasn’t surprised when she ended up at the top. Not only is she beautiful but everything comes naturally to her. He’ll do everything in his power to make sure she has a long career. Kalel will be able to help with that too. He looked away as the judges complimented Ezra’s picture. Enders on the other hand was more neutral but he still ended up with a great score putting him in the first place.
When it was Eden’s turn he looked at his picture then Leah nervously. He knows he killed it but he has to appear humble. Leah smiled reassuringly:
"You have nothing to worry about your picture was by far the best. You went with a simple look so no one would be distracted from the wolf but your beautiful eyes make it so hard not to look at you. We can feel the bond between you two and those two pairs of blue eyes make you want to make a donation or volunteer. I’ll give you a 9."
Eden smiled brightly.
"Thank you."
Leah smiled back and Eden looked at Dayne.
"I’ve had to photograph a lot of models with animals but I’ve never seen someone so at ease with it. What makes it more impressive is that it’s your first time. This is the perfect picture for the awareness campaign, you can’t help but fall in love with you and the wolf. I’ll give you a 9 too."
Eden thanked him with a smile but when he looked at the last judge his smile disappeared. Naomi who could feel his nervousness held his hand again. Enders looked at their laced hands then at Eden. He could tell he was anxious, but then again he was brutally honest with all the other candidates and everyone knows he’s a perfectionist. Eden has nothing to worry about though, he’s seen the episode and he was amazing.
You can tell that he loved the wolf and you can feel it when you look at the picture. He said:
"I like how simple you kept your look and how it matched with the wolf. We can tell that you don’t feel as if he is inferior to you and that you truly care for him. The two of you looking toward the camera was a good call. This is the best picture out of the 8 I’ve seen today. It feels like you’re looking at a professional model and for that, I’ll give you a 10."
Everyone was astonished when Eden received nines but now he just received a 10 from Enders Arman. It’s crazy, everyone knows how critical he is, he can’t even stand it when there’s the smallest imperfection. Although they have to admit that Eden’s picture was the best, they thought he looked adorable when he spoke to Enders.
Eden murmured with a slight blush:
"Thank you."
Enders’ eyes softened and he smiled.
"You’re welcome, I like the way you’re dressed."
"Of course, you do you designed it."
Everyone laughed including Enders. Eden looked away with a smile, he needs to be less impulsive. To be fair Enders is justly proud of his work, he’s an amazing designer. Kalel who’s been pissed all morning smiled at them.
The host said:
"Based on the final classement Elijah and Astrid are eliminated, sorry."
Astrid stayed at the side as everyone said goodbye to Elijah. She wasn’t surprised that no one cared about her elimination. Eden looked at Ezra with a frown and asked:
"What are you doing?"
Ezra looked at Eden.
"Nothing I was just saying goodbye to Elijah."
He asked confused:
"Why aren’t you saying goodbye to Astrid?"
Ezra almost smiled, this is the perfect opportunity to show how selfish Eden is. He put on a sad face and said:
"I was going to but then I remembered what you said the other time in the car. I told you I love you and I’ll always have your back even if it means abandoning my best friend."
The cameraman zoomed in on Ezra’s sad face. Everyone was listening to them since Ezra said it loud enough for them to hear. Eden already thought he was a moron but now it’s worst. He can’t believe he was in love with him before. As if Ezra can act better than him.
Eden looked at him hurt and his eyes moistened.
"Is that the person you think I am? I know better than anyone what it’s like to have your best friend abandon you because you did it to me. So do you really think I would want you to do it to Astrid? All I told you is to have my back and stop lying so she and I can become friends again. Never did I tell you to stop being friends with her it was your decision. I thought you understood what I meant but you never did since here you are doing the same thing to her you did to me before. No matter how I feel about Astrid no one deserves to be forsaken by their best friend especially when they need them the most. If you think I’m such a terrible person why do you even love me?"
Ezra looked at Eden hurt eyes stunned. How did he manage to turn the situation around and make it seems like he has a pattern of abandoning his best friends? Now everyone will think that he’s not a real friend and can’t be counted on. He took a step forward when a tear fell on Eden’s face but he took a step back.
"Go say goodbye to your best friend before she leaves."
Ezra wanted to say something but when he felt everyone’s accusatory eyes on him he went. He never thought that he would feel Eden’s influence on the other candidates against him. They’re looking at him like he is a terrible person.
He took Astrid’s hand and left somewhere no one would hear them. He swore:
"I will make Eden pay for everything he’s done including destroying your reputation. Before I win this show the entire country will hate him, that son of a bitch is going down!"
Astrid was dumbstruck hearing that but so happy that she jumped in his arms crying. She was so scared that Ezra would never see what a terrible person Eden is but now he does. She pulled back but she was still holding onto him.
"I thought you loved him."
Ezra asked mockingly:
"Why would I love a whore? I’m just using him."
Astrid was so delighted that she kissed him. She immediately pulled back when she realized what she had done. Ezra kissed her again and Astrid held onto him tighter. The cameraman zoomed in on Eden’s sad face as he watched Astrid and Ezra kiss. He followed him back discreetly to the other candidates. When Kalel saw Eden’s face he pulled him in his arms.
"Are you okay?"
Eden circled his waist.
"En."
When Ezra came back with Astrid she and Elijah left while the host explained the next challenge. It’s a photoshoot for Atom’s new perfume. Everyone only has ten shots and the best out of them would be chosen by the photographer. When Eden finished shooting and changed he heard a knock in his dressing room.
"Come in."
He was surprised when he saw Enders enter and close the door behind him. He asked:
"Can we talk?"
Eden nodded and they sat on the couch.
When Enders didn’t speak for a few seconds already Eden looked up.
"What did you want to talk about?"
Enders isn’t a nervous person by nature but at this moment he was. What if Eden doesn’t forgive him for not being there for the past 20 years? He surprised himself when he asked point-blank:
"Do you hate me for not being at your side those past twenty years?"
Eden blinked, he didn’t think he would be this straightforward. He looked down and said:
"Why would I hate you for something you had no knowledge of?"
Enders let out a relieved breath and his rapid heartbeat slowed down a little. He lifted Eden’s chin.
"I know that I can’t make up for all the terrible things Erin and Dawson did to you but I was hoping you would give me a chance to have a relationship with you."
Eden looked into his eyes.
"You’ve never had children so you don’t know what that entails and I don’t want you to get yourself into something you’ll regret later. Take some time to think things through. You wouldn’t be just my father you would also be a grandfather when I have children. I already have parents who never wanted to be but..."
Eden swallowed with difficulty and murmured:
"It would hurt more if you ended up feeling the same way they did because I want nothing from them besides revenge. But with you it’s different so take as long as you need and let me know."
He has a long list of parents who hated having him but he won’t be able to stand it if Enders feels the same. He’s idolized that man since he was seven, it would be best if he feels he can’t do it to end all communication between them now instead of in a few months. He doesn’t want to feel more for him and be crushed. Now that he is free he can make decisions and he’ll never let anyone hurt him again. Eden stood up to leave but Enders did too and held his wrist.
He said:
"You’re right I never had children but I know what it entails. My mother fostered a lot of kids growing up, and since I always wanted to be a designer I never took any job before I was discovered. I took care of the kids as much as my mother did. I never had children because like a fool I believed Erin was my soulmate. No matter how much I despise her she gave me the best gift."
Enders pulled Eden closer.
"You."
Eden bit his lip. He looked at him as his eyes moistened.
"I want you in my life I’ve never been more sure of anything. Please let me."
Enders was holding Eden’s hands tightly like he was scared he might run away. He let out a relieved breath when Eden nodded. He pulled him in his arms with a huge smile, Eden hugged him back with the same smile. At that moment the door opened, it was Ezra with a camera crew following him.
"Sorry I didn’t mean to interrupt I’ll talk to Eden when you’re done."
He left before Eden or Enders could say anything and closed the door behind him.
Eden let go of Enders his vicious eyes toward the closed door. Enders smiled.
"Are you sure you want to be a model? You would make a great actor."
Eden smiled.
"I’m just a better actor than Ezra."
Enders chuckled but then his face turned serious. Eden asked:
"What’s wrong?"
"He’s after you and he had a camera crew with him I don’t want him to turn it against you. I’ll tell them to delete it unless..."
Eden tilted his head trying to understand why his father seemed so nervous.
"Unless you don’t mind if people know you are my son."
Eden asked:
"Is that what you want?"
"I do but we both have to agree."
Eden smiled.
"I agree."
When Eden saw Ender’s eyes shining with excitement his eyes softened.
After ditching the camera crew Ezra went to this dressing room. To think he wanted to be with a whore. No wonder Enders gave him such a good score, he’s into Eden and it seems like Eden is ready to do anything to win. This is perfect, it will allow him to use the fact that he slept with Kalel and Enders to turn everyone against him. He’s sure that wimp will kill himself once it happens and he can’t wait. Anyone who betrays him should die, Ezra’s eyes flashed with ruthlessness.
