Carpe Diem - Jesse 3 (7 page)

“Cara mia, what do you mean? I told you last night, don’t say no until you come to my studio and we go over the details. Having you work with me would really help me out. You see, Alicia, the little tramp, has run off with a Latin model from Spain, the one we saw her with.”

“What?” Was that true or was he just making this up to get me to come and work for him? “Oh. I’m sorry to hear that, but I...”

“No, silly. I was joking. She’s left for holiday this morning, and my other assistant... let’s just say we aren’t exactly on speaking terms, right now. So, while Alicia is gone, I could really use your help, actually.”

“Well...” Damn, I felt myself caving. My resolve faltered for a moment, but I stuck my chin out and continued to say what I had called to say. “Look, Gio, your offer is very generous, but I just can’t accept.”

“Oh, my dear, but why? You can’t refuse me now. We haven’t even begun. Come today, to my studio, and see, I will explain everything. It will be a great little job, besides you will only be here in Italy a short time. Take advantage of it.”

“I... I really can’t, Gio. Jesse needs me.” Well, that sounded stupid. “What I mean is, I came here to be with Jesse when he is not training. Working with you would probably mean twenty four seven.

“Niki, I understand that completely, so how about you just do
one
gig with me. Have you ever heard of Franco Delamonte?”

“Yes, of course, he’s the best designer in Italy.”

“I just landed an assignment to shoot Franco Delamonte’s new collection. He is coming today. You have to come. You will be able to meet him in person, chat with him about his designs, and discover what inspires him. You can’t pass up an opportunity like this.”

He could tell by my silence that I was considering it.
Damn you, Gio
. He was right.

“I thought you were here to further your career? Are you really going to quit on me before you even give it a chance? I’m sure Jesse will understand. You said he is at his training camp all day, right? What else are you going to do when he is there? I’ll make sure you get home before Jesse is finished with his training.”

I let out an audible groan of frustration. “I suppose...”

“Well, are you coming?”

I thrust my hand through the hair at the nape of my neck. This might backfire on me but... this was all Jesse’s fault. He taught me to “seize the day,” so what the hell, here goes.

I squeezed my eyes shut tight and said, “Yes, I’ll be there.”

“Magnifico. Come by my studio this afternoon, as we had planned, and we can go over all the detail of the Delmonte shoot and discuss a schedule that will work for you, I promise. I don’t want you to be unhappy with this arrangement, my dear. You will be home in time for your boyfriend.”

He sounded sincere. Maybe he was just trying to help me. Maybe he wasn’t trying to get in my panties after all. He came through and I would have my first opportunity to meet someone revered in my field. When he told me about Delmonte, the tone in his voice had changed and he sounded more business-like, no longer like a siren’s song, luring me in.

When I clicked off the phone I felt better about the assistant job with Gio. It no longer seemed to be the threat I had feared before.

Niki

T
he cab driver nosed into the curb to let me out. With my hand on the door latch, I hesitated as I peered up at a dark stone building.

“Are you sure this is the address I gave you?” Maybe he hadn’t understood my English. This building looked more like a warehouse than a studio.

I scrolled through my contacts on my phone searching for the address Gio had given me to check it one more time, only half listening to what the cab driver’s response.

“Si, signorina, this is the address you requested.”

As I was checking the address I received a text from Jesse.

“Have a special surprise tonight! Be sure to be home by seven, babe.”

My heart fluttered with excitement. The mere thought of seeing him still had that effect on me. I wanted that euphoric feeling to last forever. It was a sure sign that my love for Jesse was rock solid. I wrote back,
“Yay. Can’t wait, sweetie.”

When I stepped out of the cab I had a renewed vigor. I refused to let Gio manipulate my feelings anymore. I could do this, I thought. I could handle Gio.

Standing in front of a large, rustic, wooden door, I straightened and prepared to knock, but before I could barely raise my hand, it was flung open. Filling the doorway with his perfectly sculpted physique was Gio.

“Niki, you came! Bellisima. You look amazing,” he said, his smile widening with approval. I had fused over my outfit once again, always wanting to appear fashionable, as I figured I was somewhat of a walking advertisement for my design style. I wore skin tight jeans, a pair of over the knee black, high heeled boots and I threw on a soft crinkled fabric scarf as an accent piece. I figured I had better dress the part every moment, as if I were already a well-known designer. I mean, who wants to see a designer in their grubs, anyway? It’s like seeing your hair dresser at the grocery store on a bad hair day and everyone says, “She’s a hair dresser?”

Gio stepped aside, allowing me to enter. I was delightfully surprised to find out that the inside of his studio looked nothing like the ominous outside. The interior space was lofty and open, with large windows for daylight to create a soft natural look in the living areas. Gio lead me further into darker areas of the studio, closed off from all light, except for the bright candescence of his special photography equipment. There were several stages set up in this area of the studio, equipped with photographers’ umbrellas and large lights mounted on stainless steel tripods, ready for the next model to come and strike her pose.

“Gio, this is amazing. You have quite a studio set up here. Look at all of this.” I walked over to a section between the “photo shoot” sets and marveled at the array of props. There were scarves, hats, a purple and gold Mardi Gra mask, large swatches of sheer fabric in every color of the rainbow, a red velvet chaise lounge and several stools of various heights. I picked up a hot pink feather boa and wrapped it around my shoulders like I was wearing a mink stole.

After seeing that his studio was legitimate and he wasn’t trying to lure me into his clutches, I felt more relaxed and light hearted. I joked around and struck a pose, repeating the famous line of Gloria Swanson, who played the part of an attention seeking actress in an old movie, directed by the famous Decil B. DeMille. “I’m ready for my close up, Mr. DeMille.”

He chuckled in response and explained, “You can shoot almost any type of sessions in this studio. Even some of the more delicate...” He stepped closer and looked into my eyes and, for a split second, I wondered if I had misjudged him. Without a word, he took the boa off of my shoulders and tossed it into one of the prop bins and escorted me to the next area of the studio where there was a makeup station with a long counter and mirrors for makeup artist to bring their supplies and set up before a shoot.

I realized I was still a little on the defensive when I let my breath out. It was difficult for me to trust men. I suppose because of my dad, but I was working on that issue and trying not to read something into the simplest gestures, so I brushed it off and tried to sound casual. “Like what?”

Gio leaned an elbow on the makeup counter and once again his demeanor appeared relaxed and businesslike.

“One time I was offered 50,000 euro to shoot a very private erotic photo shoot with one of the most famous Italian models in the country. She wanted an erotic, surreal artistic photograph to frame and give to her husband for his sixtieth birthday... she was younger, of course, and the husband was a big time movie producer. I can’t tell you who he I,s because it’s confidential. If the paparazzi got ahold of that, they would have had a field day.”

I raised my eyebrows.

“Of course, I accepted the assignment. But it wasn’t until the day of the shoot that I learned it involved men dressed in unicorn costumes and other strange mythical, half beast-half animal creatures pretending to... well you can guess the rest of it.”

“That’s insane. Did you go through with it?”

“Of course. It was art. Art can be anything, even something as ridiculously weird as that.”

I rolled my eyes and then pursed my lips in thought. As much as I enjoyed the tour and the stories, I was here to learn more about how I could assist him with this gig. An hour had already passed and I wondered when we were going to get down to the details. I tried to sneak a peek at my watch without Gio noticing.

Finally, I just jumped in and blurted out. “But tell me, Gio, what is it you want me to help you with? You said you want me to be your assistant...”

To my relief, he got straight to the point. “Yes. I have one assistant who helps me with lights but I need someone to give the models props, make sure we all have drinks, and basically just go get whatever we need. I can’t pay you, but you said you had time on your hands in the days and you wanted to learn about the fashion industry. This way you can meet designers, see how we photographers work to show off the designs in spectacular photos and how they make it into the biggest fashion magazines. To get ahead in this industry it helps to know the right people, have connections and if you’re with me, you will be meeting several. And since you will only be here a month I thought it could be great for you. What do you say?”

“That sounds amazing, at least during the day it won’t be a problem. You mentioned Franco Delmonte. He is coming today?”

Gio’s lips curved into a smile. “Franco isn’t the only one coming. There will come with several people, models and all the assistants. You’ll have fun.” Gio pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and checked the time. “They are a little late, actually, but that’s not unusual. I’m guessing they’ll come around six.”

“But I thought they’d come this afternoon.” I couldn’t hide my disappointment.

“You know how these designers are – they say two o’clock then don’t show up until six. Or sometimes these things go on into the night.” He shrugged.

Anxiety shot through my stomach with a sharp pain. “I can’t do that.” The words jumped out of my mouth before I could stop them. I had to be back to the hotel before Jesse. I simply couldn’t stand him up a second night in a row.

“No problem, do what you need to do to be with your boyfriend but these people don’t have a very flexible schedule.” Gio gave me a sidelong glance, studying my reaction to his words. Then, with an expression I couldn’t read on his face, he cocked his head to the side he changed the subject, “Are you planning on staying in California when you go back to the states? It’s not the best location for fashion, you know. New York is more prominent for fashion.”

“That’s true, but I have to go back to California first and then who knows what the future will bring. I do love New York City. I was just there with Jesse. We stayed in the fashion district; it was the most wonderful experience. I loved every minute of it.”

“I’m going back there again, in the spring. You should come. I have meetings with some designers and a couple modeling agencies. If you are serious about getting into the New York fashion scene, I might be able to help you.”

“I appreciate that, but why me? You haven’t even seen any of my work, yet.” I honestly didn’t understand why he was so adamant about helping me when I was a mere student.

“I know that you’re good because Keely taught you and she said good things about you. But to me that’s not important. What’s important is what’s inside. The spirit, the glow, the artist inside of you is so strong, the way you move, the way you talk, the drive you have, it springs from you. I want to hear everything about you. I want to hear about your family, how you grew up, all those things, because all of that made you into the unique person that you are.”

Oh damn
. I knew it. All of those little innuendoes, little flirtations they were come-ons. All he wanted was to get in my pants. I wonder how much of what he’d said was even true? Does he really know Franco Delmonte, or any other designers for that matter? He hasn’t proven anything yet. There probably isn’t even an appointment today – with any designer, let alone a famous one. First they were supposed to be here early, now they probably won’t show up until after six. He knew I had to leave by then. Suddenly I felt stupid for being so naive, lured in by good looks and a charming Italian accent. I was such an idiot.

I opened my mouth to speak but before I could say a word the door swung open with a loud bang. A boisterous entourage of people swooped in, swarming around a distinctive looking man in the center who seemed to be directing everyone else, barking out orders in Italian, waving his arms with strategic gestures high in the air. Everyone was talking at once. There were a few models with their makeup artists and hair stylists, the man I assumed to be Franco and his assistants, and a sophisticated blonde woman I would later learn to be the modeling agent. I stood there, with my mouth hanging open, as they all greeted me and Gio with kisses on the cheek.

He was for real and it was all happening on time after all. A wave of relief washed over me as I realized I would be able to take a peek at Franco Delmonte’s new collection, see him in action and still make it back to the hotel in time for my evening with Jesse.

Soon everyone was involved in the photo shoot and Gio was scurrying around the studio like the Mad Hatter, trying to get everything in place. Before I knew it, my first day as Gio’s assistant was over and I had to leave. I glanced at the time on my cell phone and realized it was already 6:10. I had to be back to the hotel by seven to meet Jesse, so I called a cab to come pick me up. Meeting Franco Delmonte had been nice, but once he was introduced to me, he made the polite amount of conversation so as not to look like a jerk and then got caught up in the business at hand, his photo shoot. Even though I was a little disappointed I didn’t get to know him better, I understood. He was on the clock. This was a job. Photos had to be taken and I was just another upcoming designer out of thousands, if not millions.