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“Oscar thought so too.”
“Oh, how is he? I still can’t believe he was mugged,” she whispers. Had he not been beaten to a pulp, he would be here. Oscar escorts me to most places and is forever telling me he is my best accessory.
“I think he’s having breakfast with his mother,” I lie. I’m surprised news of his mugging hasn’t hit front-page news. However, there were minimal photos, and we made it out of the hospital unseen.
“How he puts up with that woman, I will never know,” Miranda murmurs, her eyes slipping to something over my shoulder. “Oh, here’s Lauren.” She lifts her hand, giving a roll of her fingers.
I stand as Lauren approaches. Her eyes do an envious sweep of me, but her smile is genuine. She is a mousy little thing, super cute, and full of smiles.
“Hi, Lauren, how are you?”
She lifts her heavily bangled arm, tucking her straight hair behind her ear.
“Hi, Zara. And Miranda, I wasn’t expecting you. What a lovely surprise.” Her brows pinch, but her smile remains.
“Zara and I are due a catch up, shall we?” Miranda moves past Lauren, and we make our way into the lobby.
“We’re on the fourth floor, junior suite,” she says, taking us to the bank of elevators. We all get in, but as we do, I shudder, some irrational thought warning me something is wrong. I twist, looking back out into the lobby, but the doors slide shut, and I’m left wondering who, or what, made me feel so on edge. “Gerry is ready for you. After the shoot, we’ll break, then proceed with the interview.”
“Great. Shall we?” I say as the doors open. Miranda takes the lead, obviously knowing where we are going and eager to get this done with as much as I am.
“In a rush?” I ask, fighting a chuckle.
“Not at all. Why would you think that?” she throws sarcastically over her shoulder, her red hair bouncing around her face. “It’s not like my home is in disarray, my office is reduced to a damn box, and my house smells like plaster and paint.”
“In that case, let’s get to it.” Igrin. Lauren laughs lightly as she gestures to a set of double doors up ahead.
“It’s just through here. Can I get you both a drink?” she asks, leaving the doors wide for us to walk in. I check over my shoulder before we enter, that same feeling dwelling in my stomach.
“Are you okay?” my agent asks, her hand lying on my upper arm. I throw her a dazzling smile.
“Yes, of course. Thought I clocked some paps.” The fib rolls off my lips easily, and any further worries are lost when Lauren introduces me to her team, and we begin the shoot.
I keep my back straight and tuck my hands into my suit trouser pockets; the stance pushing my longline blazer back. I hook my ankles whilst Beth, an assistant, tucks my hair behind my ears. I lift my head as Gerry gushes about how incredible I look.
“You scream power! I love it.” He snaps a few more, then requests I lean against a deep mahogany sideboard. “Darling, you look sensational.” Beth faffs with my hair. “Zara, you're a dream,” Gerry compliments. I take my place again against the sideboard whilst he gets his shot.“Window shot, then we’re done,” he promises me.
Two hours later, and we’re finally through with the shoot. Gerry is clearing up his equipment, and Miranda hightailed it out of here after her builder called with an issue, so it’s just Lauren and me. She fires questions in rapid succession, and I answer just as quickly, just as truthfully. She goes on and on about my success, my campaigns, collaborations and new perfume, the mention of a clothing line and how I’m not just a model buta businesswoman.
“Miranda is a great agent, supportive, she’s been in the game a long time, and her advice is paramount when I’m looking to further myself,” I say breezily, watching her observe me like a rare artefact and not a person.
“She scouted you at sixteen. It’s been highly suggested you were homeless prior to that point.” Lauren clears her throat, seeming uncomfortable, but her eyes gleam hopefully. My face pinches, but I keep a fixed smile on my face.
I laugh her comment off. “Well, as you can see, that isn’t the case. I’m thoroughly enjoying throwing myself into new ventures and pursuing new avenues to push myself intellectually and grow in this industry.” She looks disappointed, as if she honestly thought I would bare my soul to her.
“Grow. You’re twenty-four and London’s most sought-out model. Can you go higher?”Herlaugh is light, but her gaze is a little jealous.
“I guess only the limitless will know. As you mentioned earlier, my perfume is due to launch soon. I’m working with Georgie Blare, and I’ve loved being part of the process, experimenting with scents and assisting with designs. It’s been a huge learning curve.” Every word is practised, precise, and aimed to appease my fans and draw more labels to seek me out.
“You seem like you’re ready to take on the world. You model for the biggest names, and your portfolio boasts fashion designers from around the globe. What is the one thing that keeps you grounded? How do you not let it all carry you away?” By the look on Lauren’s face, I feel like this is one question she personally wants the answer to.
It’s the easiest question I’ve ever answered.
“Honestly, I appreciate the opportunities presented to me. It’d be silly not to. But at the end of it all, I’m still just a person, no different from you or any other woman. I love sharing these moments with some of the biggest creative minds and artists in the world, but my health, that's important, and my friends.”
“You have no family.” She’s back to being uncomfortable again.
“No, perhaps that's what keeps me grounded. I have all this, but when it starts and solely ends with just myself, it doesn’t seem so glamorous. I’m enjoying my life. It's a huge adventure, and I can’t wait to see where this path takes me, but I also like to slob out and watch awful TV. When I’m not working, I spend my time with my friends.”
