The Perfect Sin

02

𝗟 𝗨 𝗟 𝗔

It's actually embarrassing how many time I've pressed replay on the same song since I first started playing it, a mere ten minutes ago.

Overplaying songs has to be one of my worst habits but I just can't seem to stop doing it. This is exactly why I end up getting bored of songs after a while — I do it all to myself.

I reluctantly decide to skip I Hate U by SZA and select Crying Lightning by Artic Monkeys instead. My taste in music is honestly all over the place. I'll listen to any style, any singer, from any year.

Crossing my leg over the other, I shift on my bed as I lay on my back, continuing to flick through some of the pictures I took at a wedding last weekend. With my camera in hand, I smile to myself, knowing that this couple are going to have these pictures of their special day to keep forever.

Since attending the event at Gallery by Giorgio last year, I've been so blessed with numerous opportunities to further my career.

I met some incredibly talented people and made some new connections in the photography industry. I learnt more and discovered more about myself as a person and as a photographer.

Everything in my life seems to be just perfect right now. It's as though all the things I dreamed about as a child are finally coming true.

A warm smile finds it's way onto my face as I turn the camera off, sitting up and getting off my bed. I reach down to my shoes and slip them on, briefly pausing the music playing in my earphones.

Hooking the strap of my camera over my head, I hang it around my neck and walk over to my small vanity table, picking up a small hair tie and putting my hair into a messy bun.

I actually think I have finally managed to master doing the perfect messy bun. Believe it or not, it's taken a lot of practice and dozens of re-watched TikTok tutorials, but I've finally got there.

It's not as easy as it looks, I'll tell you that much. One time you try to do it and it's too scruffy, so you take it out and try again only for it to be too neat, so then your back at square one again. You have to have the right amount of strands hanging and enough hair in the actual bun, otherwise it just looks floppy and you may as well just put it in a ponytail or something.

Satisfied with my hair, I pick up my purse and phone before heading out of my apartment. It took me a considerable amount of time trying to find the perfect place in a city like New York. For a start, I could barely afford anything that even remotely caught my attention.

It was really challenging, I can't deny that, but after a lot of saving and cutting down on things, I finally managed to collect enough money to get myself a place. The rent isn't too pricey, and with the money I earn from freelancing, I'm able to have this apartment all to myself.

To say I managed to do all of this on my own and without any financial help makes me feel pretty damn proud, and I'm not going to knock myself down and complain about its size because although it may be on the smaller side, it's still perfect for me.

It has everything I could need; a kitchen, living area, bathroom and bedroom. As long as I'm safe, have a bed to sleep in and food in my refrigerator, I consider myself extremely fortunate.

As I make my way out of my bedroom and towards the kitchen, I notice Simon sat on the back of the couch, washing his paws. I approach him, stroking his head as he purrs into my hand.