Chapter Text
She studied her reflection on the glass table.
There they were – the faintest hint of crow’s feet. A few years ago, their very sight would have sent her into a spiral of self-loathing. Now, she found herself growing into them. They made her feel more mature - helped her to stand out amongst the sea of doe-eyed candidates.
As she flicked through the finalised papers, a man in a suit offered to get her a drink. She ordered without lifting her gaze – sparkling water, room temperature. When it arrived, she sipped it through the provided straw, careful not to smudge her wine-red lipstick.
While the cool liquid bubbled in her mouth, she glanced back at the glass and the creases that kissed the corners of her eyes. She wondered if they had swayed him in any way too.
She knew that her intelligence and aesthetics had played a major factor in her success. Of course, nothing was outright stated in the contract, but she could read between the lines - between the invasive bodily inspections and demanding IQ tests. Top percentiles this and low risks that. All in all, it had been a great novelty; one she had easily passed with flying colours.
Before long, the man in the suit returned.
“He is ready to see you now.”
With little fanfare, she was shown to a lavish study where he was sitting behind a grandiose desk.
“Welcome.”
He spoke her mother tongue with such fluency she could have mistaken him for a local. For some reason, it unnerved her.
“Please,” he continued, “take a seat. You’ve flown a long way to be here. Is there anything I can get for you?”
She settled into the plush chair before him and ignored his shallow attempts at hospitality.
“I need to be in New York by Friday.”
His eyes narrowed.
“For business?”
All the warmth in his previous greeting was gone. She wondered if he was picturing her getting wasted in a nightclub. That was an amusing thought. Those days were long behind her now.
She maintained her gaze, unafraid of his attempt at intimidation.
“Fashion Week VIP. Just for the day.”
It was the first one she was to attend as a guest rather than a model. He gave a cautious nod of approval. I’m ever so glad to have your permission, she thought to herself dryly.
“I too have engagements to attend to. I assure you this will not take long.”
She could not discern if that had been an attempt at self-deprecation. He did not seem to have a sense of humour.
“Now, then – to our business.”
He handed her the rectangle of paper.
“The first payment of your monthly stipend, as we agreed upon. You should find it covers both your compensation and maintenance for the duration of the contract’s terms.”
She studied the cheque, and her breath caught in her throat. It was far more than she was expecting. Did she have the most recent contract? Was there a new clause he had gotten one of his shifty lawyers to include?
The corner of his lip pulled into a thin smile.
“You may notice that I have been quite generous. In fact, it should be enough to cover the entirety of your tuition and any extra living expenses. Such a shame for one such as yourself to be reduced to living like a commoner, hm?”
She clenched her teeth. Before the wrinkles had graced her temples, she had been very comfortable. The second she showed signs of aging, all her modelling contracts mysteriously dried up. She had been offered all manner of plastic surgery, but she had adamantly refused. Her body was a temple, and nothing in the world would make her besmirch it with chemicals and experimental treatments.
The man before her was old. Not ugly, just old – and here he was handing out cheques like they were free samples at a beauty expo.
That had been her fault though – after all, he had business in his blood, and she had gone into a profession that specialized in vanity. Now, she was older and wiser. Now, she was making the career decision she should have made years ago.
I’ll take your money, old fool, she thought, I’ll take it, and I won’t give a shit about your cheap attempts at patronizing me.
“I have heard there will be many applicants to the ENM this coming year. If you so wish, I can guarantee your admission.”
She repressed a snort.
“I do not need your assistance, thank you,” she said in a poised manner.
He let out an amused chuckle.
“I’m sure you do not. You really are as intelligent as you are beautiful, my dear.”
Her nose wrinkled ever so slightly, but she disguised this with a small smile. She noted that he was wearing glasses. Part of her physical examination had included an eye test. It appeared it did not matter if he did not have perfect vision.
She gave the contract in her hands a brief lookover.
“You have included my addendum?”
“That is correct. You will relinquish my asset and all associated responsibilities with it at the end of the contract’s term.”
He paused and gave her what she could only discern as an attempt at a compassionate look.
“This is not the first contract I have written up in this manner. Trust me when I say some become sentimental. It’s a woman’s natural response, after all. If you wish, I can allow you to have certain –”
“I assure you that I will have no attachment to it,” she replied, a cold edge to her voice.
He raised an eyebrow at her but said nothing else. She was ready to get this over with so she could leave.
“I assume you received my requests?”
“Of course – your comfort is my utmost priority.”
“And if we are unsuccessful?”
“It would be a first. But, if on the rare chance it were to occur, we would simply try again. After all, it would be a shame to let all that potential go to waste.”
He smiled, showing off his pearly white teeth, and she felt her stomach turn.
“Kenzo will lead you to my chambers. I will join you shortly.”
He stood and bowed to her as she was escorted to the exit. This would be the second-last time she would ever see him again.
Once she reached the threshold, she heard his voice call out to her.
“The Togami Corporation thanks you for your service.”