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Nine months. Jean and Bailey had been dating without his wife's knowledge for nine months. Jean only partly minded, when she was feeling particularly rowdy about the subject. But Bailey didn't feel too bad about it. He had been married to three other women before her, surely she wouldn't even be too surprised if she ever found out.
Until those nine months had been up he pretended. He was mainly working with his beautiful model but on some days when he was around he stopped by their house to visit Bramble. Kissing her as she met him by the door.
Rosemary was still a lovely looking woman, not a Jean but still attractive, and let's be honest, in the nicest way, he was a player. He had no problem making out with her to make up for the time he had been away. He'll make up to Jean for it later. He already knew she was going to be pouty about it when he came back. But it was nothing his charm couldn't fix. (And gifts. He loved buying his dearest things, especially to show he was sorry).
"I saw your pictures, wonderful as always" she smiled as they pulled away from the kiss. Her arms still around his neck, keeping him close. David couldn't help but laugh at that,
"Always feeding my ego" he pecked her once more before moving further into the house. "Those posh twats were hard to work with most of the time. Always getting on me about 'do this' or 'do that', they ended up liking it my way, so all that fussing had been for no reason. Told them being a bit more creative was a good idea but do they ever listen?-Oh I also found such a fantastic model a bit before it. The girl I was modeling?" His wife nodded, having seen the pictures in the magazine, "she's fantastic! Has a natural knack for poses and looks incredible in everything," Bailey gushed. He had a tendency to talk a lot, not that Rosemary minded. It was always nice seeing him so passionate about his work. Especially with all the criticism she knew he faced.
"Careful, or I'll start to think you like her instead of me" she giggled, Bailey couldn't help but think about how right she unknowingly was, but they still could go strong. Before he did anything as drastic as divorcing his wife he needed to know if it was worth it. If Jean was going to leave him right after now that the shoot was done then it wouldn't really have been worth it.
Though maybe his interest in Rosemary had always been slipping, he always had trouble figuring when he lost interest in someone.
He wrapped his arms around her. "Have you seen her?" He laughed before quickly kissing her cheek in apology, "just teasing, just teasing," he surrendered, "don't get your knickers in a twist" Rosemary playfully smacked his arm as he winked. He was always like this, and she loved him for it.
Bailey wasn't really like most guys, he wasn't trying to be proper or posh, he wasn't overly a jerk, or an alcoholic for that matter. He was just so much more. He dressed differently too. Not scared to wear more casual, punk clothing like black on black or leather pants or jackets, hair rarely slicked back. It was just the way he was. He was more out there and didn't care about what others had to say. If he wanted to do something he'd find a way to do it. It was all those things that attracted Rosemary to him in the first place. He stood out and was always attractive while doing it. You couldn't blame her for swooning, not when so many others had too.
"You'll be busy then I assume, now everyone's going to want you to take their photos."
She'd been right, he already got a few calls from different companies. And if Jean was up to it he was planning on using her for most. Of course he knew he'd need different people at some point but surely they'd want her with how much attention she was getting too. Clearly this Vogue deal had been the best thing for the both of them, all thanks to his creativity and lack of regard for the rules and her looks and compatibility to deal with him.
Such a perfect pair they were. Hopefully it could last.
Bailey would be staying the week before meeting Jean again for new headshots. Now that she was a rising star she should have a reference for people to go by that's just for her. No flaunting off sponsored clothing or strict guildlines on location. Just something that Jean could call her own and enjoy herself.
He went out with his wife in the meantime. They went shopping at some point and Bailey couldn't help but take photos of her along the way. The surroundings just looked too pretty with her in them. Bramble rolled her eyes when she heard the familiar click,
"Really David? Why must you bring your camera every time?" She borderline scolded, she was a typist and therefore not used to so much attention. What was a famous photographer doing taking photos of her? The thought amused her, even if she knew he had always done this.
"We've been dating for two years and almost married for one, more importanly, why are you still surprised?" He took another one. She didn't even think she would've looked good in that one because her brows were furrowed and lips pulled into her attempt at a thin line. She wasn't really upset, no, not one bit. But it did get a bit tedious knowing photos may be taken at any point. Admittedly it was also endearing.
She pulled him along, holding his hand as they walked down the sidewalk, "you've taken enough photos for this week. Enjoy yourself without your camera,"
"I enjoy myself plenty when I'm with you," he teased, getting her to bite back a smile. She loved to indulge him but even more so liked depriving him of the satisfaction of knowing those playful remarks got to her. Only in bed will she surrender to blushing. "Shut up you tease," she pushed him, getting him to laugh and carefully push her too. What a scene they probably looked like to passerbys on the street. Rosemary couldn't find herself caring and she absolutely knew David didn't either.
The week went too quickly for Rosemary's liking. She savored their memories though and she knew he'd return to her soon. She was late to her typing job that Friday morning but it was worth it to kiss her husband goodbye and made sure to see him off.
Her days went by as usual, just now with the once again absence of her beloved.
On the other hand, Jean and David were very happy. As inconsiderate as it may have been for David to enjoy himself and his mistress and lead his wife on, it couldn't be helped. Jean was wearing a lovely dress, something that suited her (everything suited her!) And of her own chosing. Maybe she had some help but if so then Bailey wouldn't know. He didn't know what she got up to in her free time. Not really worried about that though. She looked so natural in the outdoors as they wandered in hopes of finding someplace suitable. They did find a few, stopped to eat at some point too. Unfortunately the only time they kissed was when Bailey couldn't resist the urge and pulled her along between two bricked buildings. No windows and kissed her.
Limited to just kissing, but they walked arm in arm. Only pulling away when Jean got excited and went on ahead a couple of steps or when they happened to stray enough distance and Bailey took a few photos of her without her request.
God she looked so amazing.
They were semi-popular now though, should've realized at least one snoopy reporter would've taken a photo. Not as good as Bailey's of course, and from the looks of it the person didn't have a steady hand either. But it was enough to see them both smiling and elbows interlocked. (Jean thought holding hands was a bit too scandalous in public with his wife in the picture). And boy did he get a bloody lecturing about it when he did see his misses.
"No! I knew something was off. You barely touched me the whole week, I knew it- damn girl got your attention didn't she? You no good-" Rosemary was positively fumed. Despite being in the wrong he couldn't help but feel a bit boiled at her outburst. Though realistically he knew he had no right.
"God forbid I have a female model then? Rose you know I love you. Sorry I didn't make out with you as much but it's not my fault the bloody Vogue people are exhausting! It's nothing to get fussy over, now is it? We're not even holding hands, not like I do with you when we walk. And of course I was taking photos of her, what do you think we were there for? Stop being so unreasonable" did he just always get attracted to stubborn women? He must have a type. She scoffed and plopped down on the couch, looking directly at nothing and crossing her arms to show him that her lack of words was not a sign of forgiveness.
"I'll be back later, hopefully by then you'll have been calmed down" he lit a cigarette as he left.
He was in the wrong, he knew it and was going to make up for it properly.
Rosemary stared down at the photo with hatred. Admiring the grainy look the photo gave the Shrimpton girl. She still looked good in it.
Bailey didn't return until an hour -almost two- later. He did so with a rectangle handheld box that he placed on the coffee table in front of the couch. Rosemary had been cooking so the box could be a surprise.
"Bailey, that you?" She called, no longer sounding too infuriated but maybe she was just hiding it. He was practically at the kitchen when she asked that and by then she turned to see him. Apron tied around her waist as she covered the pot. Done stirring it, it seemed.
"Come," he said gently, which was uncharacteristic of him. He didn't usually reply with one-word statements. But the pull of her hand promoted ther to follow closely behind. Sitting on the couch when pushed down gently, "I'm sorry Rosey, didn't mean to get mad. And you know I love you. Jean is just a model, I can't help but being seen with her silly. I hope this can make up for it," his voice was gentle and softer against her neck where he was buried. She opened the box which revealed a silver necklace with red stoned intertwined and two dangling chsrms at the end. It didn't have any words on it but it didn't need too, the jewelry itself was enough.
He knew how much she favored necklaces. And he loved seeing her in red, saying it complimented her features. She smiled kissed him, "I'm sorry too, I should've been more understanding. Thank you so much David"
She never found out she'd been right, but it could be guessed she assumed it. But not long after David told her they couldn't be together anymore. It took a while for the actual divorce but the ties were cut with them already. He was seen more and more with Jean, who now openly held his hand and when brave enough kissed his cheek. Usually it was he doing the affection though.
He felt a bit bad, Rosemary had been good to him but during thekr course together he had to her too. It wasn't like he was totally awful. He hated to have to break it off like he did but his love for Jean was too much for him to constantly hide. And when he found himself not particularly happy seeing his wife anymore he knew it was then that he had to put a stop to her. The love he got from Shrimpton afterwards was worth it. No more yapping about his wife or tendency to cheat.
Jean had a bit more trust in him and Rosemary found herself moving on. David was living quite happily too with Jean, as they did in fact go back to New York to work on more things together for various projects. It was the start of a new movement and the two of them seemed to be the face of it.