Chapter Two: The Audition
Ella's mobile phone buzzed once on the counter of her bathroom, making her jump a little as she stepped out from the shower. She grasped it excitedly, checking the text message as she wrapped the fluffy white towel around her body.
Good luck, darling.
Show Bruno how much you want this.
See you soon.
Marilyn x
She had spoken to the gorgeous older woman she'd met in Dubai on a couple of occasions since she had returned to England. The blonde siren had been very keen to get the whole audition thing moving as quickly as possible and, remarkably, it had been arranged within a week. Today was the day.
She still hadn't said a word to Marc about her meeting with Marilyn, nor the follow up telephone calls, or even today's audition. Wait on the outcome, she'd decided, in case it all proved to be a waste of time. She had no intention of looking foolish in front of her boyfriend if it all came to nothing. He'd just laugh at her.
Marilyn had told her whilst her photographer—Bruno—could be an absolute prick, he was also the best in the business. She'd suggested that the best way to deal with him was to ignore his rudeness, work with him, and follow his instructions to the letter. He knew the industry inside-out and understood exactly what the clients wanted to see.
He'd be certain to bring out the best in her.
Ella tried to control her heavy breathing as she thought of what the future could hold. This time for the better! She'd already turned her life around once—escaping from her troubled background in the Inner City estates. Moving away from it all to the party town of Brighton had taken a lot of guts.
Subsequently meeting Marc had been the icing on the cake, even if the relationship was on its last legs. It had been a great ride until recently, but in truth it was probably only the memories of their happy earlier times that was holding them together right now.
But this ... this was a chance to make something of herself that was beyond her wildest dreams.
Slipping out of the white towel, she smiled to herself as she checked out her toned body in the floor-length mirror. Perky tits, hard nipples, tight ass—she'd have Bruno eating out of her hand.
Guys always did.
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Ella sat quietly in the taxi, staring out of the window as it approached the innocuous looking building on the other side of the road. She was disappointed it didn't look more impressive, although the 'Secret Fantasies Modelling Agency' wording subtly emblazoned in red across the cream façade certainly sent a shiver through her.
Marilyn had told her she would explain the derivation of the name when they met for lunch. It was a new concept that would excite her, the strawberry-blonde woman had teased.
That could wait. Right now, the future—her future—awaited.
She took three deep breaths before feeling able to exit the cab and head across the road. The reception area was large and spacious, with photographs of female models adorning the walls. She took a deep breath. Her photograph could be up there soon...
She was still daydreaming when a voice greeted her.
"Ella?"
Wow, that was impressive. The receptionist knew who she was before she had introduced herself. The Latina woman looked attractive enough to be a model herself and had no inhibitions about showing off her mocha brown, curvy flesh in that short, light blue dress.
And nor should she, with that stunning figure. Was this the standard she was up against? Ella hoped not.
"Bruno is expecting you," the dark-haired woman continued, clearly checking her out as she spoke. Those large eyes had definitely taken a moment to take in her entire figure and outfit. "Come on, let me take you to Roy in make-up. Bruno doesn't like to be kept waiting."
A shiver fluttered through Ella's body as the Latina turned on her heels and led the way. This was it. It was now or never.
Her eyes covered the girl's near perfect ass as she followed her along the narrow corridor. The tight dress clinging to the receptionist's peachy ass looked like it had been almost sprayed on.
She took Ella into a small rectangular room and introduced her to the larger than life make-up artist. His tone, outrageous fashion sense and mannerisms suggested he was gay, but she quickly discovered he was also a genius at hairdressing and make-up.
"What do you think, sweetheart?" he eventually asked her when he had restyled her hair. He had a hint of a lisp.
Ella gave a surprised gasp as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. He had changed her look completely. Her dark hair was woven up so that it looked bigger, much bigger and voluminous, back combed to increase the height. It made her look very glamorous, she thought.
"I love it," she beamed at him, happily teasing the huge hair in her hand.
He grinned at her as he went back to his task, his eyes working her face like an artist worked a painting, applying the make-up carefully and then brushing away the few blemishes she had. When he'd finished, he adjusted the mirror so that she could fully appreciate the effect.
Her eye-liner was black and much thicker than normal, framing her beautiful eyes in an almost feline way. Her cherry red painted lips complimented the heavy, dark mascara and the big silver hoop earrings completed the look.
"Perfect," she gleefully told him, testing the effect by giving a provocative pout into the mirror.
"Perfect, indeed," he agreed, almost preening himself as he admired his own handiwork. "Now, can I get you anything else, maybe a little something to calm your nerves? A glass of wine or a little coke?"
"Um... wine would be good, thanks," she stuttered, a bit surprised at the flamboyant make up artist's offer.
The mention of the coke made her even more nervous. She did drugs regularly, of course, who didn't these days? But cocaine? She'd seen the effects on people she knew and had always stayed away from it. Still, just the mention of the expensive drug cemented the feeling that this was it, the Big Time, and her opportunity to reshape her life.
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Roy took her directly to the dressing room when, at last, they were finished. Ella had had no idea the process would take this long, but the wine had helped calm her nerves.
