Chapter Text
From opposite worlds, one would not expect a socialite such as Nina Van Horn to get with someone far from that status as Maya Gallo. Even if her father was the boss of one of the most influential magazines in Manhattan, she was far from the peak of the social hierarchy. Alas, she couldn’t understand why Maya took the job at Blush, to begin with. Blush represented vanity, unrealistic beauty standards and diet tips that would make a professional medical expert weep in the corner. Hell, it was everything that Nina loved and known.
At first, she believed it was out of desperation, though it was a small factor since she needed a job, that wasn’t the main reason why she took it. Maya had years of journalism under her belt, she was interested in the bigger picture. Exposing the truth of various issues, bringing them into the public eye was in her line of expertise. It was not definitely click bate like, “How to spice up your sex life in three easy steps.” It was within the first week of Maya working at Blush that Nina soon realized that she wanted to expose the fashion world, it truly was. Nina couldn't have been more annoyed that some journalist came in and wanted to bring down her whole world. Sure, the fashion industry was not the most moral place of business and Nina knew this. She’s been working in this industry for so many years and though it has its perks, she’s also seen the dark side of it.
She would continue that endless cycle that brought both pleasure and misery. The industry is not just a job, it’s a lifestyle. She saw how it could consume a person, slowing taking over their life and influencing every decision they make. It happened to her. Even if she knew the ugly truth behind that curtain, this was all Nina had. This is what she knew best, she wasn’t like Maya with her bright ideas and a drive for the truth. She was a model that made it big at one point in time and is now passing that knowledge to other young impressionable girls hoping to make it big. Just like her. Nina shot down every story idea that Maya would bring up sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn’t. Nina and Maya had this rivalry going on, nothing major but just taking jabs at one another. The truth was that Nina didn’t hate Maya, but she didn’t like how she saw the fashion world. She didn’t like she viewed her as this air headed bimbo who made it big on her looks, she was more that than that. She just wished she saw that too.
Nina was everything that Maya loathed about the fashion world. Ditzy, always partying and egotistical blinded by their own attractiveness to not see what was right in front of them. She’s made her opinion on the industry very clear to everyone but in all fairness, Nina made her view on Maya and her work very clear from the get-go. In all honesty, she thought that Nina and she could get along or at least be civil, but she has made it clear of what their relationship is. In all honesty, Maya admired Nina, she built a whole legacy for herself and continues to do it til this day. With all of her years of experience she could of used it to give advice to up and coming models. She could of revolutionized the industry as we know it.
Instead, she goes out each night, hooking up with every person on the planet and getting drunk. Sometimes in that order. As much as Maya admired Nina, she couldn't help but envy her as well. She longed to have this exciting life that Nina had. Stories that she could tell her numerous friends at parties . Maya wished she could've been as care free as Nina but that not who she was. She was a graduate of Standard University; she wrote stories that won her countless writing awards hell she made a stuck-up anchorwoman cry on air. She may not be a sexy model, walking down numerous runways but she was still one hell of a woman. Nina’s birthday bash was something to remember, both ladies realized that may be there was more to the other than they led on.
Maya watches Nina in pity, observing the tall woman talk to someone on a payphone that was not in service. As she hangs up the phone, Maya speaks up, “Hey Nina, are you ok?” “Of course, I am, why wouldn’t I be?”, Nina brushes off her question. Maya struts on over to the payphone opposite her, “I was just wondering because you were talking to someone on a payphone that’s not in service.” Maya holds up the phone. “That’s ridiculous, I was on a call with my boyfriend”, Nina retaliated holding up the phone, Maya used. “Nina”, Maya sighed clearly done with her games. “Alright fine, my boyfriend I broke up”, Nina confessed. Maya still couldn’t comprehend why she faked the phone call. “He ditched me for some twenty-year-old model for Vogue”, Nina almost burst into tears. Thoughts rushed through Maya’s brain, thoughts of anger. Thoughts of pity and thoughts confusion. “That’s insane!”, Maya blurted out. Nina looked up at her, unsure of how to feel. “You have years of modelling experience not to mention very attractive for your age” Maya continued. Nina then formed a small smile. “You’re overall a fun person to be around any person would be lucky to be with you.”
Nina’s eyes lit up and her face turned red, she didn’t expect this from Maya, “You really mean it?” “Of course, I do”, Maya replied with a small smile. “I shouldn’t have been so harsh on you”, Nina said, shame befell on to her. Maya attempted to brush off her statement, but Nina interrupted, “I was jealous that this young journalist, full of ideas was coming into my world and had the wrong impression of me.” Maya swiftly turned to the model as she tried to take back her word, “I meant it not me obviously.” “Nina, do you think I didn’t like you because of what I thought of the the fashion business?”, Maya asked curiously. Nina shyly nods her head, “Maybe.” Maya scoffed, “Whatever I said about the magazine or fashion, it has nothing to do with you.” “That’s where you’re wrong miss Maya!”, Nina stated boldly as she stood up. “This business represents me, it’s a part of me. It’s been a part of me ever since I joined this circus”, Maya was in shock, she’s never seen this side of her before. It was kind of a turn on.
“Unlike you, miss “I graduated from Stanford” I didn’t. This world full of shallow minded, party animals is all I’ve ever known.”, Maya is beyond speechless, wanting to say something, anything but her mouth won’t open. “I’m not like you Maya, I’ll never be like you.” At that point, Maya had enough. She went over to the model and without giving it a second thought, she planted a kiss on her luscious, red lips as she griped her hips. There was only one thing Maya could say at that point, “You talk too much.” Nina had no idea what was going through this little journalist’s brain but who was she to turn down this kind of offer. From the corner of her, Maya spotted some guests coming out of the bar. She pushed herself off Nina and wiped her lips, thanking God she didn’t get caught. As Nina caught her breath, she said totally flabbergasted, "You're an absolute animal." "Speak for yourself", Maya scoffed. "Nina that absolute sex goddess, shocked by little old me", Maya teased. Letting out a small laugh, Nina replied, "Well maybe I'm all talk but I'm used to this with men, not with. Nina became silent. " "Women ?", Maya asked, attempting to finish her sentence. "You", Nina responded bluntly. Both women didn't know what to say after that, I mean what could you say. A silly rivalry turned into a night of passion and ecstasy. What their relationship is , still unknown but who says that have to figure it out tonight ? Maya whispered tot the tall former model, “Let continue this discussion at my place.” Nina was speechless, the only thing she could say was her name, “Maya.” “It’s Miss Gallo, to you”, she whispered seductively. Nina smiled as she took her hand and quickly exited the bar.