Rina was at the fashion house with the new models Joel had brought in to work with her. They needed to put out more content out there and she couldn’t do it all alone. With the International Fashion Show in the plans, they had to get the models ready to walk the runway.
Rina was going to sit this one out since she wasn’t exactly sure she wanted to reveal her face just yet. For some reason, she enjoyed the peace and sanity of being anonymous. She loved reading the comments on Instagram about her being a sensation. The uncertainty of what would happen the moment the world knew her weighed down on her.
“Your back is too stiff,” she gently corrected one of the models walking the runway they had created on the fourth floor. It was a large space meant for only the training of the models. Rina still hadn’t been able to get over the surprise that had been etched into their features when they walked into the room and met her sitting with her legs crossed, waiting for them.
“Oh my God!” The first girl who had entered the room screamed, forcing the rest behind to push her aside, intent on seeing what had made her scream that loud. Their eyes registered shock as they came face to face with Rina.
“Welcome to O. S. N fashion house,” Rina said, pulling herself off the seat. “Here, we prioritize productivity, efficiency, and quality with a great attitude. I’m certain Joel saw that before bringing you all in.”
“Unbelievable!” Another one snapped, her hands covering her mouth. “You’re the country’s sensation. The anonymous model. This is insane.”
There was a look of excitement and honor on their faces and in that moment, Rina realised that not everyone out there hated her. Some people still rooted for her, knowing that something about the stories and accusations wasn’t true. It was relieving to find that out.
“That leads me to my second point,” Rina continued, pacing around the girls who had pooled in the center of the room. “You, the media team, and Joel are the only ones in the world who know my identity as the model of O. S. N. And until I’m ready to reveal that, I would like for us all to keep it to ourselves. I know Joel made you sign an NDA and you know what would happen the minute you reveal what you know.”
“A court action will be instituted against us,” one of them answered in a tiny voice.
“You’re right.” Rina nodded. “But more than that, you would have to deal with me and trust me when I say I don’t easily let things go. Are we on the same page?”
They all nodded, and Rina had gotten right to business. They’d been training for a month now, and since the fashion show was to happen in another month, Rina had to increase the intensity of their training, slotting in their appearances at other fashion shows O. S. N had walked in, as well as commercials some of the models had been used for.
It was nice to watch them grow from the moment they’d stepped into the building. Joel had gone for the models who weren’t well known in the industry previously, because it was his way of giving back to society. But he had made them such great names, and they could easily take care of themselves with the money they earned now.
“Rita, did something happen to you today?” Rina asked, still with the same gentility she used to address the girls.
Rita stopped and shook her head, her eyes widening with worry.
“Are you sure?”
She nodded.
“So why then are you walking like you have a million problems weighing you down? Your posture is all wrong, your chin is down, your legs are wobbly and you’re acting like you haven’t eaten all day. Do you need a break?”
They’d been rehearsing all evening and Rina could understand if they were tired and needed to take a few minutes off the runway.
“I’m sorry,” Rita sighed. “I just got the news that my grandmother died. I guess it’s affecting me. I’ll try not to think about it. I can do it.”
“No,” Rina said, shaking her head. “Why don’t you all take a break? Be back in thirty and please, I don’t want to have to look for anyone so try not to fall asleep. Rita, come with me.”
They walked to her office together, where Rina’s eyes fell on the clock hanging above the door. It was terribly late – 11 pm – and even though Rina had planned that it was going to be an overnight training since there was a show earlier that day and they hadn’t been available, she didn’t think Rita could walk through the night with the death of a loved one weighing her down.
“How do you feel?” Rina asked as she sat behind her desk, edging Rita on with a small smile. “I know it’s not easy going through grief. Is there anything I can do to help?”
Rina couldn’t count the number of sessions she’d had with her models since she started working with them. Beyond being a mentor and a trainer, she tried to forge a relationship with them, letting them know that they could come to her whenever they wanted. And they respected her for it.
“Can I go home to be with my mom?” She whispered quietly, tears stinging the corner of her eyes. “She’s alone right now and I can’t imagine what she’s going through.”
“Of course,” Rina nodded. “We can call the training session over and converge again tomorrow evening. But first, do you mind walking one more time? Joel wanted to see what we’ve done so far before we leave.”
“Okay,” Rita replied. They left the office together after thirty minutes to join the other girls up on the runway. Joel was already there, leaning on the wall. The moment he saw Rina, a grin appeared on his face and away from the girls, he reserved a small wink for her.