When We Happened

Chapter 7: The House of Andersen

Chapter 7

The House of Andersen

Fucking hell.

Tama nga lahat ng sinabi nung babae kanina, Jeric Jacinto is big fucking deal.

At nasa harapan ko siya ngayon! Nakaupo sa long-table kung saan kahilera niya ang Creative Director, Main Designer, at OWNER ng House of Andersen. Kung nakaupo siya sa tabi nila, it only means one thing...

His opinion matters to them.

Tapos winala-wala ko lang ang pagpapakilala at pagsagot sa mga tanong niya sa akin kanina nung kinausap niya ako. Fuck, dapat talaga ay nakinig ako sa handler ko at sa bosses ko. Pero ginawa ko naman ang best ko maging polite at friendly!

Isang moment lang talaga kumawala ang totoong Asher kanina. Malas ko lang at sa harapan pa ito ng mukha ng House of Andersen. Shit talaga.

"Hello, everyone. Good afternoon," bati ko sa kanila matapos iabot ang portfolio ko sa kanila, ayon sa instruction ng isang staff na sumalubong sa pagpasok ko dito sa office ng Creative Director nila. His name is Ken Tomas, I only learned about his name because it was on the folder my handler gave to me earlier. Pati na rin pangalan ng mga kasama niya.

Si Jeric lang ang wala doon.

"Please introduce yourself, Asher."

"I am Asher Flores," I started introducing myself. "I'm 24 years old. I used to be a professional tennis player but now I am pursuing my modeling career."

"Seeing your portfolio, I can see that you're fairly new to this industry. You don't have that many photos and most of what you have here are for commercial photoshoots and social media campaigns."

"Yes po."

"You don't have any editorial photos."

Fucker. Nasa planning stages pa lang kami nung editorial "fun shoot" na gustong gawin para sa akin ng mga bosses ko. "Yes."

The Creative Director gave me an irritated look as he closed my portfolio shut and sat leaned back on his chair. "You do realize you're auditioning for The House of Andersen, an avant-garde fashion house." He played with the pen in his right hand as his eyes perused me from head to toe. "We need models who can do editorial, not commercial."

I know what he's saying is true and valid, but I have never felt more insulted with the way he's talking to me like I am just a dumb newbie. Well, oo. I guess dumb newbie naman talaga ako when it comes to industry standards.

But who says I can't attempt to do better at an editorial shoot? I haven't done one, but really, does that mean I can't deliver what they want for their brand?

I looked back at the Creative Director and gradually squared my shoulder, ready to fight for my space in the industry. "With all due respect, sir, I believe I can be the model that you are looking for. What I lack in experience, I will make sure to make up for my work ethic. I've been practicing my poses, my facial expressions, my walk and I am being coached by the best trainers from the Tatlonghari Modeling Agency--"

The owner of House of Andersen raised his hand to stop me from talking. The man himself, Mr. Andrew Andersen.

"Darling, we're not playing trial and error here. We make wearable art pieces here in the House of Andersen, not just some fast-fashion garb that can be worn by just... anyone."

He did not just say that. This fucking tool did not just say that.

Huminga ako nang malalim para pakalmahin ang sarili ko. "I understand," I managed to say through a fake smile I didn't know how I mustered. "I completely understand."