Untouchable

Untouchable - Chapter 9

Chapter 9:
Almost
(almost drowned and almost kissed)

“What does my schedule look like for the next days?” Engfa asked me and Miss Plaifa as we settled into the RV, heading toward the gala she was to attend that evening.

“Well, you have a photoshoot tomorrow at King's College for Nike,” I replied, rifling through my notes to confirm the details.

“Make sure you’re prepared, Engfa. That photoshoot could take the whole day,” Miss Plaifa advised from the passenger seat, glancing back at us with a knowing smile.

“A whole day? Am I expected to be alone in this?” Engfa replied with a scoff, rolling her eyes.

I silently echoed her sentiment, my thoughts mirroring her annoyance. A whole day? I had always assumed that photoshoots typically wrapped up within six hours.

“Yes and no,” Miss Plaifa said brightly, her tone cheerful. “Charlotte will be there with you, so no need to fret.”

"That's not what I'm asking," Engfa rolled her eyes.

“Wait, you won’t be there, Miss Plaifa?” I inquired, disappointment already gnawing at me.

“Oh, darling, I have another commitment tomorrow. Just make sure to keep an eye on Engfa, will you? And if she gets into any mischief, call me immediately,” she instructed as if Engfa wasn’t even sitting right beside us.

“Seriously? It’s like I’m invisible here,” Engfa grumbled again, but Miss Plaifa simply brushed it aside. “And why is the photoshoot at King’s College? Isn’t this shoot for sportswear ad?”

“Exactly! You’ll be using the college gym for the shoot. And your fellow model’s name is… what was it again?”

-----

"Aoom?!" I exclaimed, taken aback to find Aoom lounging in a producer's chair on the other side of the indoor tennis court of the college gym. I halted mid-step, sensing Engfa come to a stop behind me, her presence heavy with an air of annoyance.

In an instant, Aoom sprang to her feet and sprinted across the track, scooping me up into her arms and twirling me around as if I were a child.

"Charlotty!" she squealed, and we both erupted into laughter at her goofy antics.

“Put me down!” I protested, lightly smacking her arms that were wrapped around my waist. Just then, we were interrupted by a disapproving cough from behind us.

Aoom halted her playful spinning and turned her gaze toward Engfa. I didn't need to look to know that her irritation was already evident on her face. It hung in the air like a storm cloud.

“Oh, hi!” Aoom chirped, gently setting me back down before striding over to Engfa. “I’m Aoom Thaweeporn, the rookie model you’ll be working with. I’m a fan, Miss Waraha.” She extended her hand for a shake, beaming with enthusiasm.

But Engfa being herself as always, ignored the gesture entirely, turning her shoulder to walk past Aoom without so much as a glance.

"Austin, follow me," she commanded coldly, striding toward the make-up artist on the other side of the court where Aoom was sitting earlier without even throwing me a glance.

“What’s her deal?” Aoom wondered aloud, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"Oh, it's perfecly normal," I replied with a playful roll of my eyes. "She's just being her usual self,"

Aoom laughed and I started walking.

"How's life as Engfa Waraha's PA?" Aoom continued, falling into step beside me, her voice laced with teasing tone.