CHAPTER 20

"IS SHE READY??" Gemini asked and Lauren nodded.

There was a launch today for the newest perfume series for international brand BVLGARI. As the internet has it, the first Bulgari perfume was introduced in 1992, building on the brand's reputation for elegant jewelry, watches and accessories. Bulgari Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert, the first Bulgari perfume ever produced ran wild around the market and in time, the business got their first round of success. Over the years, it suffered a few set backs but it was a huge honour to know that they were back in business and needed me to model for their recent perfume launch, in the shade amore.

"Come here Eleanor...." Gemini called and I walked over to him. I was wearing a seude red mermaid tail, trapless dress that matched my lipstick. I had extensions in my hair and coiled it into a side bun.

My make up was a bit intense and the false eyelashes were incredibly long. I never liked such brands but anyway.

"So.....am Lynn, the publicity ambassador of Bvlgari", a young woman introduced herself as she walked to me. "Follow me and I'll introduce you to the Advert designer who's working with the agency that you're signed under..."

"Okay...." I nodded and followed her. I didn't know we weren't shooting here. It seemed like just the place. We followed her to a floor below and to a rather enclosed room.

this was definitely were we were going to shoot the video. There was a man who seemed busy and deep into what he was doing that he hardly noticed our presence.

"Hie Maurice...." Lynn waved and Maurice stopped what he was doing and walked over to greet us.

"Miss Eleanor. Are you the model that's going to run while on flyers with our newest brand....??" he asked and paused then I realised he forgot something.

"...amore....It's going in the shade amore and Yes...I am...." I agreed and got him smiling.

"Okay great. This is going to be a very short advert. Thirty seconds at most...."

"Alright...." Gemini nodded. "What's it gonna be like...."

"Eleanor....there's not really much you have to do....We just need you to sit on the couch, bend your neck in the most elegant way and spray yourself with this brand new masterpiece...." he turned back around and handed me a small round bottle with a triangular top.

It was in a colour that seemed to be transparent and the liquid inside was somewhat a shade of red.

"Looks like today's a red day...." Lauren smiled as she got the bottle from my hands. She quickly sprayed herself on her hands and was about to spray her entire body when Lynn walked in and stopped her.

"Sorry but you can't do that...models only...." she took it from Lauren and handed it to me.

I smiled and gave Lauren a shady look.

"What? Once it goes on the market I won't even get a chance to look at it as the price will be the cost of my two kidneys..." she yamered and held her nose up high in arrogance.

I learnt from the best, I smiled and shook my head walking towards the couch.

"Take a seat please...." Maurice asked and I sat on the chair. He lifted my legs and placed them on the couch in a way that made me seem like a rich empress on a tan recliner.

"place your arm on this...." he instructed as he helped me put my arms on the arm rest.

I did as he asked and he walked backwards to appreciate the view.

"Okay....nice....are you comfortable??" he asked and I nodded.

"Right...." said walking back to the couch and fixing my dress.

The moment I learnt the design of the advert, I questioned the whole make up thing. What was the need to wear a floor-long mermaid dress when the advert was only going to capture my face??? who was going to see the rest of the dress then?

Goodness!

"Uum..do you need me to smile??" I asked and he quickly dismissed it.

"No...Oh No....that won't be necessary..." he grinned and took out a notepad from his pocket. He removed a pencil from behind his ear and scrubbed something on it, tossed it back and clapped his hands.

"Let's do this...roll camera...." he called to his friends who I didn't even notice and they walked out.

The lights were lit and I could feel all the three cameras looking at me.

"On three, you do what we talked about right??" he asked and I gave him a thumbs up. I removed the top from the perfume and held it gently in my hands with my index finger on the topper.

"Your move Eleanor...." he called it and I figured it'd be best if I started with my eyes closed.

I slowly tilted my head to my right and landed it on my palm while simultaneously lifting my other with the perfume bottle.

With my neck quiet exposed, I sprayed once and after feeling the droplets on my skin, I slowly opened my eyes and looked at the camera.

"Cut it there....." Maurice clapped and walked towards the recording camera and from what he did, I assumed he replayed the footage.

He exchanged looks with the man on the camera and I worriedly looked at Lauren who mirrored my expression.

I wasn't tense. Shooting short scenes were much more difficult than long ones. Being a professional actress with fifteen years of experience I knew that very well.

"Eleanor ....please come..." Maurice called me and Lauren helped me get off the couch. We walked towards him and he asked us to watch the footage with him.

Gemini and Lynn joined us and the next thirty-five seconds were filled with silence.

"Uuh...what did you not like that you want me to do right??" I asked as soon as the video stopped.

"Who said I didn't like it??" he asked and I raised my eyebrow at him.

"I loved it Eleanor. It's perfect. We got a bit over time with five seconds but that's not much....it's okay...."

"How did you pull it off in a wink? Taking such shots usually takes is thirty minutes at large, when other models are doing it. It only took less than five with you and you even did it great...." the photographer compliment me and I smiled at him.

"That's Eleanor for you...." Gemini snapped his fingers and looked at them.

"Like seriously...it won't even need a lot of editing....Just a few effects and we'll be done...." Maurice exclaimed happily.

Seeing them like that made me happy too.

It was good to know that I had become experienced and would pull of a thirty minute gig in less than five without a re-do.

I was so proud of myself.

"Thanks Eleanor ma'am..." Maurice bowed and turned to a girl who I also hardly noticed was here the entire time. "...bring in the next model...."

"This way Madam....", Lynn led us out through the back door.

We took the elevator and in less than a minute we were back on the floor we were earlier.

The room was a bit crowded than before and suited my definition of messy. A long line of what I deemed to be beginner models ran to the entrance of the door.

"What's going on?" Gemini asked.

"Oh, don't mind them. They're voice models who are here to audition for the background voice in Eleanor's advert...." Lynn explained and led us into her office.

"Take a seat..." she gestured at the chair in front of her. Lauren and Gemini asked me to take it and I gladly did.

"Thank you very much miss Eleanor for doing this advert for us....it's an honour..." She began and I smiled at her. "The pleasure is mine....."

"May you please sign this for me...." she handed me a book and pointed at the bottom just where she needed my signature.

I did as she asked and got up to leave. I placed the perfume down and turned to Gemini and Lauren.

"Uh...miss...don't leave the perfume. It's yours. You must have it...."