Chapter 3: Taking the Leap

Aries lay in bed that night, staring up at the ceiling, Keith’s business card resting on her bedside table. It felt surreal. An opportunity like this was completely unexpected, and it made her feel both excited and anxious at the same time. The modelling offer tugged at her thoughts like a tempting door she wasn’t sure she should open.

She turned over, glancing at the clock—3:27 a.m. Sleep was impossible.

Finally, with a sigh, she reached over and picked up the card. The small, sleek rectangle of cardstock weighed more heavily in her hand than it should. It wasn’t just a card; it was a lifeline, a potential solution to the burdens her family had been carrying. But there were so many unknowns, and the last thing she wanted to do was make a mistake.

"I’m not a model," she whispered to herself, shaking her head. "This is crazy."

She thought about her parents downstairs, asleep after another long day at the bakery. Then her thoughts shifted to Amy, who was working so hard to make it into college. The reality of their situation hit her again like a ton of bricks. Their family needed help, and opportunities like this didn’t come around often.

The next morning, she decided to test the waters. During breakfast, while her parents were busy preparing for the day’s customers, Aries pulled Amy aside.

"Hey, so... remember that guy from yesterday? Keith?" Aries asked, trying to sound casual.

Amy’s eyes lit up. "Of course! The jewellery guy! Have you decided what you’re going to do?"

Aries sighed. "I’m thinking about calling him. I mean, what’s the worst that could happen, right?"

Amy’s face split into a grin. "You should totally do it, Aries! I know you’re nervous, but what if this is your big break? You’ve got nothing to lose."

"Except my dignity if I trip on the runway or something," Aries muttered under her breath, though she couldn’t help but smile at her sister’s enthusiasm. "But yeah, I guess you’re right. I’ll give him a call and see what happens."

Amy practically bounced on her toes with excitement. "Yes! You’re gonna kill it, I know it!"

That afternoon, Aries sat at the small desk in her room, staring at Keith’s number on her phone. After what felt like an eternity of hesitation, she took a deep breath and pressed the call button. Her heart pounded in her chest as the line rang.

"Hello?" Keith’s smooth voice answered on the other end.

"Hi, Keith, it’s Aries," she said quickly before she could lose her nerve.

"Aries, hey!" Keith sounded genuinely pleased to hear from her. "I wasn’t sure if you’d call."

"Yeah, I’ve been thinking about what you said," Aries began, feeling her nerves bubble up again. "About the modelling offer. And, well... I’m interested. I mean, I’m not sure if I’m the right person for it, but I’d like to give it a shot."

"That’s fantastic!" Keith replied, his excitement evident. "I really think you’re perfect for this, Aries. We can start small, ease you into it. No pressure."

Aries let out a small sigh of relief. "Okay, that sounds good. But there’s one thing. I don’t know anything about modelling, so if this goes horribly wrong, you can’t hold me accountable."

Keith chuckled. "Deal. Trust me, we’ll make sure you’re comfortable every step of the way. You’ll have a team to guide you."

They discussed the details of her first shoot, which was scheduled for the following week. It would be a low-pressure session, more about seeing how she fit in front of the camera and less about a full-blown campaign. Keith explained that they’d be photographing the new jewellery line—pieces that were delicate, elegant, and designed to tell a story.

"Just be yourself," Keith encouraged her before they hung up. "That’s all we’re looking for."

When the day of the photoshoot arrived, Aries couldn’t help but feel jittery. She’d never been in a professional studio before, let alone, had a team of makeup artists and photographers focused entirely on her. As she entered the studio, she was greeted by Keith, who was already discussing the plan with a small group of assistants.

"Hey," he greeted her with a warm smile, instantly making her feel at ease. "You ready?"

"As ready as I’ll ever be," she replied with a nervous laugh.

Keith introduced her to the team—a friendly group that instantly welcomed her. The photographer, a woman named Jenna, made small talk as Aries sat in the makeup chair, trying to calm her racing heart. She explained how the shoot would go, what poses they’d try, and how the focus was to make Aries feel comfortable.

After a little while, Aries was dressed in a simple yet elegant outfit that complemented the jewellery. Standing in front of the camera for the first time, her nerves spiked again, but Jenna’s easy-going attitude helped calm her.

"Okay, Aries, just take a deep breath," Jenna said from behind the camera. "We’re going to start with some simple poses. You’re doing great already."

Aries felt awkward at first, trying to remember all the little adjustments Jenna suggested—tilting her head slightly, softening her expression, turning just enough to catch the light. It wasn’t easy, but as the shoot went on, Aries started to relax. The team was patient, offering encouragement and helping her find her groove.

By the end of the session, Aries felt like a completely different person. She wasn’t a professional model, not yet anyway, but she’d gotten a taste of what it could be like. And the more she thought about it, the more she liked it.

"You did amazing today," Keith said as they wrapped up. "Really, Aries. You’ve got something special, and the camera loves you."

Aries flushed at the compliment. "Thanks. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to pull it off."

"Well, you did," Keith replied with a grin. "And we’re just getting started."

That night, after she returned home, Aries collapsed onto her bed, feeling exhausted but strangely exhilarated. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she was moving toward something, like she had a real chance to make things better for her family.

Amy burst into her room not long after, eyes wide with anticipation. "So? How did it go?"

"It went... surprisingly well," Aries admitted, smiling. "I think I actually enjoyed it."

Amy squealed and hugged her tightly. "I knew you’d be amazing! This is going to be huge for you, Aries. I can feel it."

As Aries lay in bed that night, reflecting on the whirlwind of the day, she couldn’t help but wonder what this new chapter of her life would bring. She didn’t know if she’d ever truly fit in the world of modelling, but one thing was for sure—this was her chance, and she wasn’t going to waste it.

Little did she know, this was just the beginning of a journey that would change her life in ways she could never have imagined. And somewhere deep down, she felt a flicker of excitement for what was to come.

End of Chapter 3.

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