A Model Child
By Jena Corso
Edited By Angela Meyers
Chapter Three
Out the door Ray went, feeling as self-assured as he could possibly be,
as he made his way down the hallway and then over to the elevator. Down
he went, double checking his phone on the ride before the doors parted
at the ground floor and he noticed some of the other models making their
way to a big stretch limo.
Over he went, checking in with Miss Opal who casually gave him the once
over before she nodded, running her finger down on a list.
"Very prompt. That's a good start, Miss Rinkovic," winked Miss Opal,
checking his name off on a list. "The second limo for the under 21
ladies please, and mind that big hairdo when you get in, Ramona."
"Yes, Miss Opal," replied Ray, softly smiling and walking over to the
big white car.
As he got in, his eyes bulged, immediately recognizing Sailer Lee
Brinkley-Cook and Kaia Crawford-Gerber, who were sitting at the back,
staring him dead in the face. They were celebrities themselves, being
daughters of famous models that he was now sitting across from, and
before he could even say hello, he was being nudged to move down next to
them as more models crammed in.
"Hey Ramona," said Janice, a girl he had met earlier. "I'm loving that
color on you."
"Thanks," said Ray, sliding over carefully. "You look amazing, too."
"Just amazing?" said Janice with some attitude. "You think you look
better than me since you got Veronica McDermott to dress you in this
winter ice bullshit outfit, and a fucking snowman on your head."
"Uuummm no," gulped Ray, wanting to crawl under the seat. "Not at all."
"Just kidding, bitch! And yeah, I am feeling fab since l I got Sarah
Walker to dress me, who is trying to make a name for herself," joked
Janice, bumping up against him before looking over at the famous girls.
"We all can't be dressed by Armani and Chanel you know."
As Janice looked over at Kaia, up went her middle finger before giggling
at Janice.
"Oh Kaia, I didn't see you there?" teased Janice. "Good to see they
butchered your hair like they did Heather's."
"Speak for yourself, Janice," joked Heather, sliding over. "I may have
lost the battle with a shear happy gay blade, but at least my colorist
isn't color blind."
All the models were rolling, laughing at each other as suddenly Ray
began to realize they were just regular people snapping on one another.
It felt good that earlier Janice and Heather had befriended him at Miss
Opal's meetings, but now he was being initiated into a much bigger group
of girls becoming a part of their little modeling sorority.
The laughing and joking never stopped, as it actually felt nice to be
part of the clicque all the way there but then as soon as the limo
pulled up at the event, the joking ended and girls were all business.
He watched how they carried themselves stepping from the car and then
standing behind one another waiting to pose for some pictures. On the
red carpet they'd be asked who they were wearing as he'd been briefed to
answer and then pose on command.
It was not a premier or celebrity event, but instead more of a fashion
junket aimed to catch the eye of potential buyers before tomorrow's
runway and to make an impression.
Make an impression he would as they called him to go next, and his first
step on the carpet would begin with a huge smile followed by sheer
terror, tripping over a seam between carpets.
"Oh my..," Ray was startled as suddenly he looked up, being caught by a
big gentlemen.
"And yes I do have women falling all over me in my next film," joked the
man, looking up at the photographers snapping pictures. "Galaxy Warriors
hitting a theater near you next weekend."
"Thank you?" mouthed Ray, sheepishly looking up at the strapping man.
"Don't mention it gorgeous, and we'll have to have a drink later." He
winked, standing him right back up and whispering in his ear. "What's
your name?"
"Ramona," whispered Ray. "Ramona Rinkovic, and sure."
"Ramona Rinkovic, everyone," smiled the man, kissing his hand before
walking off. "And thanks for playing along, Ramona."
Flashbulbs and questions now started popping, as Ray had been left to
pose as he should have been previously, quickly thankful his debut
didn't begin with him falling on his face. As the attention was turned
his way, he did not panic, instead soaking up the attention and instead
releasing a big smile.
"Ramona Rinkovic," said Ray, putting his hands on his hips. "I'm wearing
a magnificent Betsy Opal original, designed by the renowned Veronica
McDermott, and my hair and makeup is by the fabulous Pierre Latour. I'll
be in their new collection all weekend, which I'm sure will be the
sensation of the show."
As more questions were being thrown towards him, he just smiled and
turned, having been coached on giving no further details.
The cameras were instantly loving him, as in no time he'd seamlessly
blended in as one of the models and become one of the girls to look out
for on the catwalk.
In an unpretentious way, he was just another pretty young face pitching
a product, yet mother's dress and his conspicuous hairdo certainly made
observers take notice.
He looked statuesque and elegant with his thin, long legs ever so
gracefully bending one smooth knee at a time as he swayed, delivering
the goods from every angle. His mother's dress was a soft sky blue color
made of delicate silks, tulle and stiff chiffons. The short cocktail
length and lean shape could not have been more perfectly suited for a
graduating teen becoming a young woman, as it flared beneath his
diminutive waistline.
It was a strapless cocktail dress, who breast line was partially
concealed by sky blue pleated rounded tulle in the shape of Japanese
hand held folding fans or "Sensus" which acted like delicate cups atop
his cloaked faux breasts. Underneath this delicate detail, concealed
boning beneath the soft satin defined his thin frame before the satin
slightly ruffled out in a dainty skater style skirt. A layer of sky blue
tulle matching that at his breast line helped embellish the hourglass
shape he was naturally missing, as it daintily poked out in front before
turning from barely visible into a floor length train of see through
fabric in the back.
Silver glitter at the edges of the tulle at both the skirt's edge and
breast line would add a wondrous sparkle, but sewn in rhinestones at
various places within fans and scattered down the train would serve as a
continuous glistening.
With his long legs being highlighted as much as the dress, he knew he
might have shown the top elastic of his thigh high hose when he fell
back, yet it wouldn't matter as his skirt was so short he was pretty
sure they were designed to be seen. Beneath the glistening hose, his
fully laced stilettos looked shoeless, as his feet were tied in. A one
inch silver platform that fronted the matching metallic heel would make
his legs seem Amazonian, as five inch spikey heels would have him
looking eye to eye with most tall men.
If this didn't make him seem tall enough, his hair being extended upward
would do the trick. It was a hairdo that could be pulled off by only
those looking to draw attention, as it mimicked JLo's super bowl
promotion, yet one upped her creatively.
With his newly reddened hair pulled back tightly off his face and neck,
it soon was secured in a top positioned, tight sock bun. Above the large
base bun though sat a second slightly smaller bun in a platinum blonde,
before a third smaller bun in sky blue locks topped it off. Beneath each
bun, a layer of wrapped hair extensions to match each bun would serve as
a gorgeous sleek barrier to hide the mass of pins that held this complex
ensemble in place.
Like a fancy tiered wedding cake, his artistically crafted multi-colored
hairdo never wavered from its a snowman shape, as it's originality would
draw onlookers for a glance, but his sheer beauty would keep their eyes
upon him.
Fronting the towering updo, the lone long lose hair section in front
would span across his forehead from right to left in a ruffled wave,
adding a touch of Hollywood glamour as it bent around his cheekbone and
again beneath his chin. Triple tiered, large rhinestone marbles would
mirror the shape of his hairdo, growing smaller as they spanned up
towards his lobes as the big earrings wavered with his every move,
clanging off his jaw. It would be that touch of the ice his mother was
referencing, and a thick matching bracelet would gleam above his white,
long pointy nails, and three small rhinestones would serve as additional
eye glitter glued at the outer crease of each eye.
Thick lashes would waver next to each of those stones, as his eyes would
dazzle from blended blues and thick black liner. Opal brow accent colors
would succumb to the flash of royal blue, as the focal shade before
hints of metallic would distinguish the eye socket. Winter white
undertone shadows at the bridge of the nose and beneath the eyes would
elegantly add to the framing, before gently fading next to his high
shine blush. The pink rosiness at the apple of his cheeks not overtaken
by the obvious bronzer near his forehead and chin, but regardless he was
simply glowing from every angle.
Thirty seconds of flash bulbs popping would seem like he'd worked an
eight hour shift, as they signaled him to finish up and move on as the
next girl was ready to be thrust into the spotlight. A few last smiles
would conclude his work, as the dark cranberry long wear stain would pop
his white teeth atop his Juvederm Ultra XC enhanced lips, and a high
shine lip gloss would truly illuminate his face.
As he turned, he was no different than any other model serving as a
figurine to be complimented or critiqued, as inside he went. From the
public eye to the private party, he now really had to switch gears to
dazzle socially, as a representative of the brand instead of just posing
as a living, breathing mannequin.
"Champagne, miss?" a waitress offered as he walked in.
"Absolutely," said Ray, taking the glass and looking around, seeing his
mother across the room notice. "Uuumm... maybe not just yet."
As he put the glass back down, he began walking towards his mother, but
almost instantly Miss Opal interrupted him on the way.
"Darling, there are a few people I'd like you to meet," said Miss Opal,
grabbing him by the arm.
"Sure," said Ray, walking with her. "That's what I'm here for, right?"
"For your mother's sake and mine, I certainly hope so," said Miss Opal,
guiding him to a crowd. "Fredrick, Vincenzo, may I introduce you to one
of my newest girls, Ramona Rinkovic. Isn't she fabulous?"
"I love her!" squealed Fredrick, taking Ray's hand. "She's a ten in a
zero, if I'm right! She is fabulous!"
"Oh course you are right," smiled Miss Opal. "Aren't you always,
darling?"
"Oh please!" said Fredrick, flicking his wrist, pleased. "And you've
astounded me again finding these young models that are so tall already.
I assume Pierre made her up, because she looks too perfect but I thought
you couldn't use under fifteen girls in this show."
"Sometimes we get lucky, my love," said Miss Opal. "And you can see how
marvelous Pierre's work is up close, as she's already eighteen."
"Amazing!" said Vincenzo, touching Ray with both hands on his waist.
"You've astounded us again Betsy. I look forward to the collection on
her! I hope from what I see in front of me already that you've pulled
out all the stops on a girl like this!"
"I believe so dear, and she'll be modeling a collection exclusively from
one of my most prominent seamstresses," said Miss Opal. "Of course you
remember Veronica McDermott's work?"
"Interesting?" said Fredrick. "So this is her she's modeling now?"
"Gorgeous," said Miss Opal. "Isn't it?"
"It's magnificent," Fredrick said, tapping his chin before questioning
her. "And Christian mentioned one of your new girls he was smitten with
earlier in his snakeskin collection. Is this her?"
"It is," said Miss Opal proudly. "And she was in one of Veronica's new
outfits as well. Spin for the gentlemen, darling."
"Well done then, Betsy," said Fredrick as Ray slowly turned on command.
"Then I see you have Veronica going a little more risqu? this year, as
last year I remember what you showed me from her being a bit more bland?
More big box store stuff if I remember, right?"
"Well I do have many clients to satisfy my love, so at times I have her
do more volume oriented outfits, but I thought her work this year on
Ramona would perk your interest," said Miss Opal.
"If I wasn't married to a gorgeous Korean gentlemen, then maybe," joked
Fredrick, cracking them up. "But in all seriousness, I will have an eye
on you, Miss Rinkovic. I like what I see?"
"Thank you," smiled Ray, giving a little half curtsey.
"Wonderful, darlings," said Miss Opal, air kissing then. "But remember
dears, so does Giovanni and Coco. Veronica's collection this year will
be nothing but high end."
"You mean you'll be doing only exclusives with it?" Vincenzo asked
before she walked away.
"That depends, but let's just say get creative and everything will be on
the table," said Miss Opal. "It was a pleasure as always, gentlemen."
Off she took Ray by the arm over to the next group of potential buyers,
once again in sales mode. He was getting quite the education just
listening and speaking when spoken to, as he smiled happily and was
learning. He would be joined by his mother at times when Miss Opal would
call her over to hop nob with certain buyers, and at other times
completely exclude her.
There would be those that were hand happy, wanting to feel the dress and
the fit, as well as some men he realized that must have been straight,
that may have just wanted to cop a feel.
He allowed people to touch him or pose with him without much of a fuss,
as it was mostly harmless work, as he sold himself to sell dresses. In a
way it was quite taxing to have to be "ON" at all times while being
evaluated and criticized as they searched for even the most minor flaws.
Second guessing the shoes he was in, the earrings he had on and every
color tweaked on his eyelids would not be off limits, as buyer after
buyer would attempt to find a tiny thread sticking out or a hair out of
place. Compliments through would be flying when conversation first
began, but that would change once pre-show potential deals would be
pitched, as everyone was there to feel each other out and position
things.
After being taken to select people around the room, he?d be discarded
like a used napkin and sent over with the pack of Miss Opal?s models
while she pulled a different girl to pitch another of her line's
designs. He?d be pulled out when she needed him to be marketed to a new
buyer as the other girls were used to the yo-yo routine and thought
nothing of it.
When finally his mother came over on her own and pulled him aside, she
gave him a huge hug and then squeezed his hand.
"I love you so much Ray, and this has been amazing," said his mother,
not letting go. "You?re doing incredible."
"I?m just doing whatever she asks me to, but really I?m not doing much,
mom," Ray replied as she put up her finger. "I mean Designer McDermott.
I just mean I really just walk around and let them check me out."
"That?s what models do," winked his mother. "Now I?ll be leaving with
our seamstress group shortly, as our bus picks us up in ten minutes, so
just keep doing the same thing and then right to bed with you please. I
want you well rested for tomorrow, and I won?t be in until late, as
we?ll all be making late night alterations after what we?ve learned
tonight from buyers."
"Ok, but hopefully not much will change for you?" nodded Ray before
thinking. "Wait, they bring you here on a bus?"
"We can?t all be models in limos, my princess," laughed his mother,
touching his face. "Now no after parties, and once the limos take you
back to the studio, drive right home!"
"In this?" said Ray.
"Everything downstairs where your clothes are is in lockup, so yes
unless you?re not comfortable driving in heels?" thought his mother,
before deciding and pointing at him. "Maybe better yet, just leave your
car at the studio since we?ll drive tomorrow together anyway, and uber
it home."
"Sounds good," nodded Ray. "See you later."
"Careful getting out of the dress, and do the best you can getting off
all this makeup," Hugged his mother. "My wipes are in the cabinet, and
do not even think about going to bed without doing a facial scrub or
with all these pins on your head."
"Stop worrying?" smiled Ray. "I got it."
"Love you, and good night," winked his mother, walking away.
"Wow, your designer just adores you?" said Janice, as he walked back to
the pack of girls. "Doesn?t she?"
"I guess," smiled Ray. "We have a great relationship."
"Speaking of great relationships?" teased Erica. "Looks like you?re
about to be offered a shot at one that is, I say could be quite steamy."
"What does that mean?" asked Ray confused, seeing his mother coming back
over. "And excuse me a second."
"Sorry, one last thing and you?ll definitely be ubering for sure," said
his mother, casually sliding something in his hand. "I realized you have
no keys in that purse, so here?s my house key."
"Ahhh," thought Ray, dropping it in his purse. "Good catch, Mrs.
McDermott."
"Excuse me, miss," interrupted a waiter. "Champagne for you."
"Oh it?s ok," said Ray politely right in front of his mother. "Thank you
anyway."
"You?ve done your job, Miss Rinkovic," winked his mother, softly rubbing
his back. "None for me please, as I must be going, but I told you a
glass or two would be ok, and I think you?ve certainly earned it."
"Wonderful, and this is our finest," said the waiter, handing it to Ray.
"It?s from the gentleman across the room, and he?s asked if you?ll join
him."
"Ray, that?s Liam...." His mother grabbed his wrist. "He thinks... holy
shit he..."
"Relax, I know who it is, and I met him outside," said Ray. "Plus we
talked before when I was with Ms. Versace and Mr. Armani. It?s cool, and
he?s a nice guy."
"Who thinks you?re a model?" asked his mother.
"I am a model," Ray replied, holding up the glass towards him before
whispering to her. "Now don?t embarrass me. You?re not my mother here
you know."
"Maybe not," said his mother through her teeth without parting them.
"And he is old enough to be your father."
"Exactly, so it?s fine," said Ray, rolling his eyes.
"You think being with a man who?s easily twice your age is fine?" asked
his mother, stunned.
"Everyone here that matters is at least twice my age," laughed Ray. "Now
go, because if by being with him means hanging out with someone that?s
influential for selling dresses then that?s what I?ll be doing over a
drink. Nothing else now, and goodnight again, Mrs. McDermott."
"Please tell me this is still my son in this dress, and I?ll still be
making your girlfriend a prom dress this year," said his mother,
clutching his arm.
"Of course you?ll be making Tracey a prom dress, but don?t mess up my
head while I?m working," said Ray, squeezing her arm back. "We need to
sell dresses, so you can afford to rent your son a tux, so please trust
Ramona to do her thing."
"I do trust you, honey," said his mother anxiously. "But he?s a known
playboy and..well... I don?t want his disgusting hands all over you."
"I?ve had hands all over me all night," smiled Ray. "I?m way past being
immune to it, and it won?t be like what you?re worried about. Love you,
and good night."
He blew a kiss to his mother before turning and raising a glass as he
walked over towards Liam.
She stood watching as Ray air kissed the entire group of men and then
suddenly her son was sitting on a stool at the center of a high table of
five other men. She couldn?t hear what they were saying, but stared as
some playful touching made her sick to her stomach and then she felt
slightly better as some other models joined them. At least the ratio of
guys and girls would be changing, as there was little else she could do
but trust him, wanting to vomit watching him giggle like a crushing
school girl and then went out to get on the bus.
Texting went back and forth as she tracked him being there another two
hours and quizzed him in messages to make sure he was telling the truth.
When finally she got home, he was fast asleep with his face wiped clean
and her dress hanging up neatly in his room, yet her bathroom looked a
wreck, with towelettes, pins and hairpieces scattered everywhere.
That she could deal with, barely able to sleep until she passed out
exhausted from the big day, as next thing she knew he was shaking her
awake as her alarm was blaring without her even flinching.
"Holy shit!" screamed his mother, popping up. "Did I oversleep! What
time is it?"
"No, you got up exactly on time mom, but maybe go take a shower,"
laughed Ray, standing there in a bathrobe.
"What would I do without you?" He hugged his mother as he handed her a
coffee mug.
"Uuumm maybe have to work less?" joked Ray, throwing up his hands. "Or a
lot lot...lot less since I realize sending a girl like me to college is
expensive."
"The college part, yes," laughed his mother, before saying. "But girls
would kill for a mother who could dress you like I could! Imagine that?"
"Are you imagining that?" Ray asked.
"I damn well am not," replied his mother before sipping her coffee.
"Except for today, ok?"
"I guess we?ll see about that then, won?t we, Designer McDermott?"
teased Ray. "They expect me to be glamorous?"
"Thank you for pointing out the obvious," said his mother, rolling her
eyes and then looking at him. "And wait, you didn?t wash your hair did
you?"
"I know you told me not to, so I didn?t," said Ray. "I?m a good girl,
mom."
"And if you weren?t after I left, I don?t even want to know," said his
mother, covering her ears. "I have to focus on the job now, but once
today is over, we are going to have long talk about so many things I
never thought we would."
"Like what?" asked Ray, a little annoyed. "I?m eighteen, and you said
you didn?t care if I had some champagne. You said you were ok with it."
"I don?t care about that, but what you?re doing while you?re having it
and who you?re doing it with? I damn well want to know all about,"
smirked his mother. "Now I know you?re legally an adult all of a sudden,
but while I still pay your bills and you live under my roof, I get to
know exactly what?s up with you?"
"You tracked me and texted me all night," laughed Ray. "There?s nothing
to talk about, but selling your collection."
"We?ll see about that Miss Ramona, you little flirt?" his mother replied
before kissing his cheek as she walked by him. "Love you so much, now
get out of my way so I can shower."
An hour later they were in the car together on their way to the show, as
not much was said initially as both of their minds were racing. Ray
could feel his palms growing sweaty while his mother was abnormally
quiet before he turned down the radio, noticing her talking to herself.
"It?s going to be fine, mom," said Ray, reaching over with his hand and
rubbing her shoulder. "Your designs are spectacular."
"Honey, I?ve thought that plenty of times before, and sometimes it?s
worked out and other times?" paused his mother. "Really most times? Not
so much."
"Well I think it?s that you just didn?t have the right model all those
years," said Ray, putting both his hands under his chin and batting his
lashes at her.
"Damn right I didn?t, and that doesn?t work so well until your makeup?s
done and your lashes are on, just so you know," laughed his mother,
having to loosen up, reaching over and taking his hand.
"Got it!" smiled Ray. "I?m just getting into character."
"Just be yourself like you?ve always been behind the scenes," said his
mother. "Really, you?ve always been my best model, and you were cute
back when you first started helping me too, but much too young."
"Exactly, so look at me now," smiled Ray. "So relax. I told you I got
this."
"Oh gawwddd honey! It?s scary, but I know you do," His mother squeezed
his hand. "You?re so damn tall and skinny and you know... I like what
you picked from some of my old stuff to wear there today. That skirt
didn?t sell much, but it?s cute on you."
"Cute won?t be what we?re after today, mom," said Ray as she pulled in
the spot. "Sexy pays the bills, so hug me and time to forget I?m your
son now."
"I know," said his mother, tearing up as she hugged him. "But it?s easy
for you to say."
"And it?ll be easy for you too once I?m out of the makeup chair," said
Ray, breaking the hug and getting out of the car. "Love you, and I won?t
see you again today, but Ramona will so she?ll see you when it?s time to
dress her."
He closed the car door, waving goodbye as inside the big hotel he went
as his mother needed a minute to fix herself after wiping away some
tears. Inside she went for her pre-show meeting with the other
seamstresses and Betsy as they went through all the last minute
preparations for the event.
She walked over to her dressing area, making sure all was in order as
everything in these shows was mapped out precisely. Each outfit, shoes,
jewelry and hair or makeup tweaks was scripted down to the second, as
were contingency plans should a heel break or a seam rip even a thread.
She was on pins and needles as it grew close, as models began scrambling
to be dressed as she awaited Ray?s exit from a private makeup room on
another floor. Once any initial primping would be finished downstairs,
nothing else would soon be as secluded, as girls would have only modest
privacy or space back stage. She looked at her watch almost every minute
now, and then just as she was about to go running down the hall
panicking, her model's white bathrobe, fully made up, would turn a
corner from the elevator bank and come into vision.
"Well hello darling," said Ray, air kissing his mother?s cheeks. "I?m
ready for you to dress me."
"Darling?" Snickered his mother as it broke the ice.
"Excuse me. Mrs. McDermott," smiled Ray, flicking his wrist and bending
his neck. "Now shall we."
"I guess we shall, Ramona," said his mother, breathing in, getting
focused before opening his robe.
Quickly she inspected him as she helped him from his robe as he stood
only in a nude gaff and slippers, looking like some flat chested pre-
hormonal girl. Without hesitation now, he?d stepped from his slippers
inside a twinkling bronzy gold backless gown before he took hold of her
shoulders as she buckled him inside emerald peep toe stilettos. It?s
plunging neckline would soon be adhered against his bare skin with
hidden double tape, and a front slit at the left would deliver the leggy
appearance they were after. Massive pewter disk earrings would rebound
outside his cheekbones as Pierre joined them, looping them through his
holes and then snapped a thick pewter collar like cuff around his neck.
With all the overdone blushing and luminizer across his cheeks, his
stage makeup would be dramatic behind fully blackened out eyes. Hints of
copper on his inner lids and metallic bronze high shine lip gloss would
pick up on the dress?s amazing silk tones as Pierre pulled back the
parted side of his bobbed hair with an emerald clip to finish off his
hair. From a side part, the flat ironed style would look incredible for
the edgy evening look, as the blonde tip on the right side touched his
bare shoulder and the rest of the red locks shone from the stage lights.
When the last touch of hairspray had evaporated from the air, he winked
at his mother, turning and walking off without any hesitation. He would
start the show as the edgy cocky girl model his mother was after that
Heidi wanted no part in playing, as he summoned his inner diva and a
fuck you attitude.
She could barely look as he lined up with the models and the music
began, knowing she?d now done all she could as she watched from
backstage. When finally his turn was up, heel after heel would cross
while his hips would sway as he sauntered, making each step as sexy as
the last. Poses and turns on the catwalk would do nothing to deliver any
doubt he was just another runway model, yet to Veronica it felt like he
was walking on egg shells as she took every step with him.
When finally he came back stage, he hurried over to their dressing area
just as every other girl did to her own, as they quickly undressed him.
"Oh gawwwdd!" yelled his mother, shaking as she was working on getting
him ready for the next outfit. "You did amazing."
"Better than amazing," said Pierre, pulling his hair back into a wig
cap. "And keep it together, Veronica."
"Never a doubt, Mrs. McDermott," winked Ray, as they changed his shoes.
"And just wait until we get past the evening gowns."
Veronica could barely function as she helped him into the burgandy, one
shoulder gown with one long sleeve. Atop his head, Pierre pulled a long
wavy brunette wig, as quickly Veronica needed to accept that Ray?s star
was shining brightly. Once they turned his lips scarlet, his long limbs
took off like a rocket in her creation that was completely open in
showing off his long legs in skyscraper silver heels.
His changes now soon became routine, as a pink page boy wig with the
black pantsuit would send some buyer's pens flying across their note
pads, and then a very short, canary cocktail dress with his bob bumped
up and brushed back like a socialite in turquoise pumps would garner
their full attention.
A thick, ridiculously long raspberry pony clipped to the back of his
head would bounce off his ass as he sauntered out in a zebra striped,
wrap mini dress with red thigh high boots and black lips. A skirt made
of black feathers beneath a motorcycle jacket like bodice and spikey
biker patent boots would end the edgy segment of the show, as the place
was buzzing.
The teen queen collections would now close out the last segment, as a
royal blue, ruffled prom dress with a fall full of red curls three
quarters of the way down his back would deliver his Cinderella moment.
It would be her Quincenera dress next though that would bring down the
house, with his red curls exchanged for a tiara in front of a blonde,
side spiral sweep as she brought his inner Barbie to life.
The bubble gum pink strapless a-line bejeweled dress was so immense it
almost hung off the sides of the catwalk, sending ooohhhs and aahhs
through the audience and delivering his biggest challenge not to fall,
as he almost knocked the other model from the stage as he passed her on
his way back.
When the last change came for the finale, he could barely stop smiling
as he felt like Miss America, being zipped into his long purple sequin
dress. A flat iron would straighten any wreckage that had occurred while
they tugged and scrunched his bob, as he couldn?t stop smiling while
they repainted his lips.
He squeezed his mother?s hand without saying a word when she zipped him
up that last time before he touched his fingers to his lips and then
hers before he turned, coming out for the finale. He could barely feel
his legs walking the runway that last time before joining in with the
models, blowing kisses and jumping heels when the last girl joined them.
They all felt the great sigh of relief that no one had fallen on their
asses or let the audience in on any minor flaws as the curtain went down
just as his time as Ramona had thankfully run out.
"Aaahhh," sighed Ray, holding his chest as he walked backstage, never
more relieved in his life.
"Well that was quite the sensation!" said Miss Opal as Ray walked off
for the last time.
"Thank you," said Ray, shaking a little. "But it was all her. I just
walked around out there."
"Which is harder than you?ve made this, Miss Rinkovic! You?re a
natural," smiled Miss Opal, touching his arm softly as she walked past
him. "Go ahead. She?s dying to see you now."
"Oh my gawwdddd, Ramona," yelled Janice, interrupting and embracing him.
Seconds later, others would join him as before he could get anywhere
near his mother, he was stuck in a huge group hug. Girls were shivering
and crying as the pressures of every step were finally behind them, as
the show was a huge success.
Ray was certainly not as emotional as the genetic girls, holding it
together until his mother worked her way through the crowd, making eye
contact. Mascara running down her face would send him sprinting in
stilettos, as she practically squeezed the air from his lungs when they
embraced.
"I can't believe how good you were?" cried his mother. "I know I?m
biased. Really biased, but everyone was saying it."
"It?s just walking and posing, mom," giggled Ray, wiping his eyes. "I
told you I?d be fine."
"She was more than fine, and so was your collection, Veronica. My phone
is buzzing about you," said Miss Opal, coming over now. "We?ve already
got a half dozen people with serious interest, and more to come. Your
calendar will be filled with meetings this week, and that?s without
offers we?ll have to field tonight."
"Really, tonight?" said Veronica, astounded. "That?s never happened to
me before. Which pieces? I was planning on enjoying the after party with
Rae."
"You?ll have plenty of time to party together almost anywhere you want
when this is over. I?ve got interest from different groups for all of
the pieces," Betsy touched Veronica?s arm. "The gowns! The cocktails
dresses! The risqu? stuff! This collection Veronica is the hit of the
show, so now is not the time to back down as we must strike while the
iron is hot. Please now let?s go, I have people waiting in our
conference room."
"Strike mom!" smiled Ray. "You?ve worked too hard not to! Do it!"
"But honey," said his mother, wiping her eyes. "Don?t you at least need
my help and I?ll..."
"Be fine," smiled Ray, giving her a little shove. "Go do it!"
"I love you so much, and you do deserve to party your ass off this
time," said his mother, hugging him again. "Go have fun without me
lecturing you for a change."
"Really?" sighed Ray, feeling the freedom.
"Yes, I trust you, and just be smart," said his mother, wiping under her
eyes. "But I know you will be!"
"Exactly, and I do not have all night to fix the water works, ladies,"
said Pierre, hugging Veronica.
"Oh Pierre, I can?t thank you enough," said Veronica, squeezing him and
then looking at him. "You made my outfits come to life with the way she
looks."
"Well, your designs should hopefully make my bonus check come to life,
so let?s be sure to make some great deals, ladies," said Pierre, taking
a sponge under Veronica?s eyes. "Now let me fix you."
"That is the plan, Pierre," said Miss Opal as he repaired Veronica?s eye
make up.
"But not always the result, so let?s get back to striking while the iron
is hot and I?ll help her change," said Pierre, stepping back and looking
at Veronica with the mascara wand in his hand. "Come, Miss Ramona, my
curling iron is red hot, and so will you be once I clean you up for the
after party."
"You know where your dress is for the party, right sweetie?" asked his
mother. "It?s the..."
"Red one in our dressing room downstairs," interrupted Pierre, touching
her arm. "Would I send her out in anything short of looking fabulous
after everything today?"
"I know you wouldn?t," smiled Veronica.
"Good luck, ladies," said Pierre, signaling him. "Now please Ramona, so
we can let our bosses get to work."
"Absolutely! I?m so proud to be your girl, Mrs. McDermott," winked Ray,
squeezing his mother?s hand and walking off with Pierre.
Back to their little dressing room went Pierre and Ray, as Pierre helped
him off with his dress and then into a soft silk bathrobe and his
slippers. He closed his eyes, enjoying a moment of tranquility and
relishing the warmth of the curling iron winding through his hair,
feeling such a sense of accomplishment. A few tugs on his locks were
such a welcome relief to those that had tugged on his anxieties, as
Pierre worked on his hair as never had he felt better about doing
something for his mother in his life.
A sticky sensation at his lips and then some gliding across his eye lids
felt like a million dollars as Pierre tapped on his cheek for him to
open his eyes. A few last strokes of his wand and then Pierre?s fingers
pinching at his lobes would be music to his ears as they both smiled
when finally Pierre stepped back.
He stood up, sliding the robe from his shoulders, feeling proud to step
into a little corvette red dress his mother had created for the party.
It was short and flirty, feeling like he was almost wearing nothing as
Pierre zipped him in and then opened a box, dropping some skyscraper
heels at his feel.
"Not what we originally planned, but compliments of Christian himself,"
smiled Pierre, unbuckling the straps. "He was quite taken with you
Ramona, and they are magnificent, so I suggest we debut them, which I
imagine is what he?s expecting."
"I just model, and it?s not like my mother would be sending me out in
her dress in flats, so who am I to argue," smiled Ray, sliding his feet
into the shoes.
"You know she wouldn?t," laughed Pierre, closing the straps.
"Exactly, so as my mother would say, ice me up," joked Ray, holding out
his wrist. "And you know I can?t thank you enough either?"
"That I do know," laughed Pierre, wrapping on a bracelet. "But my bitch
of a boss Betsy better, and this was all my pleasure, Ramona."
"Mine too," smiled Ray, as he looped a necklace on him.
"Damn right I am, and what a long way you?ve come since you were the
most adorable little preschooler," laughed Pierre, changing Ramona's
earrings. "Now please before I get emotional too, let?s get the hell out
of this room."
He nodded at Pierre then turned, fluffing his wavy, curly hair from
under her long pointy nails and rubbed her immense cherry glossed lips
together. He batted his lashes and stepped back, staring at the soft
chiffon, red halter dress and then looking down at his feet in Louboutan
platform cage heels, looking ready to party.
He walked with Pierre and then down the hall as across the street they
went into the adjacent night club for the extravagant after party. It
was barely forty minutes after the show, but some of his new model
friends were already there, as champagne was already flowing and round
of shots were coming being consumed.
"Go ahead, Ramona," said Pierre, touching his arm before joking. "Let
loose a little and enjoy before your mother changes her mind."
"I know, right," laughed Ray. "She forgets I?m eighteen."
"No she doesn?t, but in some ways that makes it harder," said Pierre,
taking a drink off a tray and looking across the room. "Now go because I
have some other heads I?ll need to get my hands on now and obviously
you?ll have your pick of gorgeous guys tonight!"
"I just flirt for business like you taught me," said Ray, touching his
arm. "I have a girlfriend you know."
"So I heard?" said Pierre, sipping his drink. "And not tonight I
imagine?"
"Well not like this I guess? And what about you?" said Ray, seeing the
group of fashionable men towards the other side of the room. "So that?s
you type?"
"Honey I flirt for business as well, but models flock to these hands
when I?ve got scissors in them, but when I don?t I like a different
clientele," laughed Pierre, handing a drink to Ray. "Have a drink,
girl."
"I wasn?t judging Pierre," said Ray. "I..."
"I know sweetie, and you?re in no position to anyway, are you?" Pierre
elbowed him.
"Obviously not." Ray put his hand on his hips. "But I wasn?t."
"It?s ok, and you?re still young, but loosen up," said Pierre, pushing
Ray?s arm up, pushing the drink to his lips. "I myself thought
differently when I was eighteen too, but eventually we come to grips
with who we are and so will you, darling?"
"I guess," nodded Ray, sipping his drink. "Thanks."
"You're welcome, and embrace who you are. You?re too beautiful not to?"
said Pierre, hugging him and then heading off. "Now go have some fun,
don?t drink too much and enjoy being a fashionista, because you?re not
that little diva I met as a pre-schooler anymore."
They shared a final laugh as Pierre now went his way and Ray went over
joining the models as they partied hard after a long day?s work. Out
with the other models he went dancing without a care in the world for
three or four songs until Ray noticed the other girls looking past him
instead of at him now.
"Excuse me while I cut in, ladies," said the man, tapping Ray?s
shoulder.
"Like you?re really that polite, Liam?" joked Ray, turning and looking
up at him.
"Of course I am," said Liam, holding his hand, momentarily turning him
towards him away from the girls. "But I?m not that into sharing."
"Sharing a dance?" laughed Ray as Liam started to dance with him.
"Well that, and sharing you with all the other models," Liam reached
out, touching his arm. "It?s great to see you again, Rae."
"Nice to see you, too," replied Ray, feeling his fingers softly slide on
him.
"I was wondering if you?d be making an appearance here tonight," Liam
asked, dancing closer.
"Why would you think I wouldn?t?" said Ray, looking right into his eyes.
"Oh I didn?t know if you?d be out with one of your boyfriends or
something?" smiled Liam, stepping back and taking his hand. "I know how
you models are?"
"Do you?" laughed Ray as Liam lifted his hand and began slowly spinning
him. "Forget that! I bet you do."
"Maybe, but what I can?t forget is how beautiful you are," said Liam as
Ray came out of the slow spin. "My eyes were glued to you today."
"Sure me and all the other drop dead gorgeous girls," laughed Ray as
their hands broke and they were dancing. "But thank you. It was quite
the show, and I didn?t even know guys like you came to shows like that."
"I have a great appreciation for fashion, and it was amazing but not
more amazing than you, Ramona," said Liam, taking his hand again. "And I
know you saw me from the catwalk?"
"I?m not sure I did?" said Ray, looking down. "It?s very bright and hard
to see faces with the light in your eyes."
"Is that so?" smiled Liam, playing along, lifting Ray?s chin and looking
into his eyes, smirking. "Maybe, but I think that?s bullshit! Because
you looked right into my eyes, almost like this, didn?t you?"
"Ahh those bloodshot eyes in the first row on the left," teased Ray,
pushing his hand off his face. "Well yes, now I remember. They?re tough
to miss."
"And so are you," said Liam, softly sliding his hand down his arm.
"Which is why I didn?t want to miss out on seeing you tonight, because
if I did who knows when and if I?d ever get the chance to see you again,
Ramona."
"You know you are a huge celebrity, and just you wanting to hang out
with me is quite flattering, but I?m thinking maybe I?ve given you the
wrong impression here," replied Ray, stepping back.
"Or the right impression," said Liam, putting his hand behind Ray?s back
gently. "And I want you to meet my agent. Rae, this is Seth Ginsberg,
and I thought you two should meet."
"Your agent?" Ray was stunned.
"Yes, and since you don?t have one," said Liam. "Well he?s the best, and
he?s interested in working with you. He has plenty of models."
"It?s a pleasure, Miss Rinkovic," said Seth, taking his hand and kissing
his wrist. "And I know this is not exactly the right place to talk
business, but Liam spoke so highly of you last night, and you were
marvelous in the show."
"Thank you," said Ray dumbfounded.
"Then can we talk outside for a moment," said Seth, putting his hand on
Ray?s elbow to escort him
"Yes, and don?t worry I?ll come with you, Rae," said Liam, touching
Ray?s back gently. "We?ll take a ride in my limo and just chat with Seth
a little."
"But there?s nothing to talk about guys," said Ray, pulling back. "This
was just a one off for me."
"Then a five minute ride wouldn?t hurt, and here?s my card," said Seth,
handing him his card. "Because maybe it was originally, but you should
know people are interested in you, so it doesn?t have to be."
"It?ll be fine, Ramona," said Liam, snapping his fingers as over came
his body guards, surrounding them. "I?ll keep you safe, and I think you
should listen."
"Listen?" asked Ray.
"For me please just listen, and I?m just trying to help?" smiled Liam,
again touching his back. "And he?s already my agent, so I have nothing
to gain."
"And I?m Sailor?s," pointed Seth, towards the models. "And Kaia?s. And I
saw you with Janice. I just signed her two months ago, so after we talk,
feel free to ask them anything about me."
"Holy shit!" gulped Ray before nodding. "Ok.... Uuummmm I?ll listen, but
five minutes max, please."
Seth nodded his agreement as Ray wanted no part of this but followed.
Out the back door they left, as sitting there was a white Rolls Royce
phantom limo with a driver standing by. As the door opened and they got
in, the body guards stood outside as quickly Ray was inside alone with
Seth and Liam.
"This is your limo, Liam?" said Ray, astounded.
"Not bad, right?" replied Liam, sitting back and crossing his legs.
"Incredible," smiled Ray as his eyes got huge, looking around.
"Like you, Ramona," said Seth, flattering him. "You were incredible
tonight, so I?ll cut right to the chase, since I will honor your request
to be brief. People are very interested in you. Many people! Important
people!"
"Yeah right?" laughed Ray, sitting back, amused. "I mean I feel like I
did ok and held my own, but no.... Those girls have been great to me,
but they?re real models. I?m a fill in."
"But that?s the thing Ramona, you don?t have to be," said Liam, touching
his thigh.
"I?m extremely flattered, but trust me I do," said Ray, looking down,
seeing Liam?s finger softly moving near his knee before casually pushing
it away.
"Well, in my opinion you don?t Ramona, and I?m ready to offer you a
contract," said Seth, handing it to him. "You can take it home and read
it, or send it to your attorney, but I?m offing you double the standard
scale. Sure, it?s not what an established model makes in the business
five or six years, but it?s double what a rookie makes. It?s really
short term for a year, and it?s something we can both grow with
depending on how many shows you want to do."
"You?re fucking with me, right? Because you?re saying that?s what they?d
pay me per show, and I can?t even look at this," laughed Ray, pointing
at the numbers and then closing it, reaching it back over towards Seth.
"Please take it back! I?m going to college in the fall, and trust me I?m
not the type of girl you?re looking for."
"I wouldn?t be here if I didn?t think you were, but that?s what they?d
pay you per day, and a typical show is three days," said Seth, pushing
it back towards him. "Now you think about it, because I don?t want to
overstay my five minute welcome, Miss Rinkovic, and just so you know,
you can still go to college while you do this. Sure, you need to miss
some classes here and there for travel internationally but if we did a
four year contract instead of a year, I could get your entire education
included and payed for on top of the wages if you are committed to
twelve big shows a year."
"A full ride, plus the paycheck?" said Ray, shaking his head and
clutching the paper tightly.
"Plus possibly a few commercials and magazine shoots," said Seth,
sliding toward the door and knocking for them to open it. "Now have a
nice night, and I do love your stage name. Ramona Rinkovic. I like the
choice, Rae."
"Thank you," smiled Ray, before pausing. "And I didn?t tell you it?s a
stage name?"
"You didn?t have to, Ray McDermott," grinned Seth, with one leg out the
door. "I do my homework, Rae."
"You mean like you..." gulped Ray.
"Know everything," nodded Seth. "Yes."
"And you?re still interested in me?" said Ray in disbelief. "As your
model?"
"You think I make offers like this every day and pay double scale to
just any rookie model?" smiled Seth, shaking his head. "Have a good
evening, Miss Rinkovic, tell your mother congratulations on her
collection, and think about it. We can certainly write in that you?d
still always be her primary model at no charge if that?s what you
desire, but I can have you on the runway modeling for Vera Wang in Milan
next weekend and in Paris for Donna Karan the next. Good night again you
two."
"You ok?" Liam asked as the door closed and Ray was staring down at the
agreement again. "It?s overwhelming I bet."
"Overwhelming?" said Ray holding his stomach. "That?s the understatement
of the year."
"You just need some time, and some air," said Liam, knocking on the
window near the driver. "Drive my man, and please unlock the moon roof
so I can crack it for her."
"I can?t believe you were helping me like that," said Ray, astounded.
"Why would you do that for me?"
"Why wouldn?t I?" smiled Liam, pressing a button and opening the moon
roof. "It?s in the stars and it?s a beautiful night out there, isn?t
it."
"No, you?re the star," said Ray, realizing he was sitting quite close to
him now with his arm around his shoulders. "And thank you anyway, but
I?m not so sure about any of this."
"Well no one ever is, and look up because maybe someday you could be one
too," said Liam, softly rubbing his back. "Even being as beautiful as
you are it?s a tough business and industry to crack, so everyone just
needs the right breaks."
"What are you doing, Liam?" said Ray, closing his eyes for a moment,
feeling his finger softly slide on his vertebrae. "Dancing and having a
drink was one thing, and it was really nice but obviously you know the
deal with me now."
"Rae, what I know is there?s something about you that I?m extremely
attracted to, but even beyond that, people helped me get my first
break," said Liam, pulling away his hand. "I?m sorry if I just made you
uncomfortable, but I just thought if I could help you then why shouldn?t
I?"
"My first break?" asked Ray, thinking. "You mean the one I wasn?t even
trying for."
"You sure about that?" smiled Liam. "Because you damn well killed it out
there."
"Thank you, and that?s sweet," said Ray, fighting back a tear. "But
really I was just doing what I had to do, and I do really appreciate
your trying to help me, but it?s not what I meant."
"Ok?" said Liam, looking confused. "But now I?m not sure what you mean?"
"Of course you do! I?m saying knowing what you know now?" said Ray.
"You?re still attracted to me?"
"Why not?" Liam reached over, taking his hand. "I mean you models all
are quite the flirts, but after you get past the false eye lashes and
the fake hair color, you?re one of the most beautiful girls I?ve ever
seen."
"But when you do get past them, you heard your agent, so you damn well
know the deal," said Ray, pushing away from him. "Or did I need to make
sure you understand the rest is still fake too, right?"
"Not to me it?s not, Ramona," said Liam leaning in.
As much as Ray wanted to turn away, he couldn?t, as Liam?s lips softly
touched down on his. It was brief but tender, as Liam touched his face
with his left hand, halting the kiss, moving his lips no more than an
inch or two away before waiting, then pressing down again. Fifteen soft
seconds would be enough to send a chill down his spine as their lips
parted, with Ray needing a minute to grasp what he?s just done.
"That feel fake to you, Miss Rinkovic?" smiled Liam, looking into his
eyes.
"I don?t know," said Ray meekly, looking down, seeing their finger
intermingled. "I?ve never..."
"Well I?d like to say I never kissed a model before either, but that
would be bullshit," Liam squeezied his hand and then knocked on the
window. "Thing is I?ve never seen the show in Italy before, and I?m sure
I?ve never kissed one that was about to walk the runway in Milan or
worked for Vera Wang. That much I know."
"Liam, I?m not sure about just about anything but..." Ray replied as the
car door opened and he saw a plane. "Are you kidding me?"
"Again?" Liam stepped out and reached his hand in. "You know I?m not."
"You want me to get on that?" asked Ray, stepping from the car, looking
at the stairs being rolled over to a private jet. "Who?s is that?"
"Mine, and if you decide against the show, or my agent or anything,
we?ll just come back in the morning," said Liam, taking his hand. "Hell,
it doesn?t matter to me, but we can at least have a nice breakfast in
Italy in the morning, or if you don?t want to do that, then we can fly
anywhere you want tonight?"
"Are you crazy?" Ray asked.
"Possibly?" laughed Liam.
"I?ve only flown a few times in my life, and never like that?" said Ray,
dumbfounded.
"Then you sure you want to pass it up?" smiled Liam, putting his arm
around him.
"Anywhere?" Ray turned towards him.
"Anywhere?" nodded Liam. "Now come on, let?s just go inside and I
promise we won?t take off until you tell me to."
"Oh gawwddd yes," said Ray, leaning in against him as they walked arm in
arm.
"Good evening, sir," a beautiful stewardess said as they walked up the
stairs together. "And welcome miss. How was the show?"
"Fantastic, Tammy," said Liam, greeting her with s kiss on the cheek.
"And this is Ramona."
"Welcome, Ramona," said Tammy, holding out her hand, showing off the
plane. "Champagne is on ice and I?ll give you a minute. I?ll be in the
cabin with the captain, so just call if you need anything."
"Thank you, Tammy," winked Liam, as she closed the door to the plane.
"We?re in no rush, so I?ll let you know."
Ray could not believe his eyes as he stepped away from the staircase and
was now inside the luxury jet. Mahogany woodwork, leather seats and
plush carpeting made it look like a living room as fancy as any he ever
seen, let alone been inside.
"Not bad, right?" said Liam, proudly showing off his prized possession.
"Holy shit," Ray said as Liam touched some buttons, dimming the lighting
slightly. "And we can go anywhere in this?"
"Anywhere?" Liam replied, pouring two glasses of champagne and reaching
out, handing him one. "Cheers."
"Cheers," said Ray, clanging glasses and taking a sip before putting it
down then taking Liam?s glass from his hand, putting it down as well.
"But before I agree to go anywhere, let?s see if you can take me there
with our feet on the ground first."
For the first time now, Ray wrapped his wrists around Liam?s neck and
stared at him for moment as they stood face to face before giving a
slight nod, closing his eyes. For a split second he told himself he was
still just a boy leaning into kiss his girlfriend, as he tilted his neck
barely able to breathe, initiating their kiss.
He was certain that possibly it was too strong or not how it should be,
as maybe as a girl he should be less aggressive, yet he had no idea what
it must have felt like on the other side. He tried going a little
softer, as maybe he was thinking too much, but quickly his worries would
be forgotten, feeling Liam?s hand slide under his dress, touching just
beneath his ass.
He would react almost instinctively, pushing it down his left hand yet
his mindset would now be altered as Liam had taken over the pace,
sliding his tongue inside Ray?s mouth. A few swirls against each other?s
tonsils and the pressure of his long nail tips pushing back against his
skin as he held Liam?s powerful hands at bay would cement his submissive
femininity in his brain as their kiss grew even more intense.
They would make out hot and heavy with their hands all over each other
for fifteen minutes until finally they came up for air and Liam?s eyes
just seemed to never leave his.
"Damn, for an inexperienced girl, you?re some kisser," said Liam, trying
to catch his breath.
"An inexperienced girl doesn?t make me an inexperienced kisser though,
does it?" said Ray, looking over at the window?s reflection, wiping the
lipstick from around his mouth.
"Definitely not," said Liam, softly kissing him again and then sitting
down in a big leather chair while holding his hand. "So why don?t we get
a bit more comfortable, and you must want to get out of those heels by
now?"
"Is that the line you use on all the girls?" smiled Ray, as Liam gently
pulled him down to sit with him.
"You?re sitting on my lap now, aren?t you?" laughed Liam, leaning down,
squeezing his foot and massaging through the pump.
"Go easy!" said Ray, standing back up and straightening his skirt. "I?m
new at all this, and I?ve always been the one trying to get girls into
my bedroom, so thank gawwd you don?t have one here."
"Well, as a matter fact, if I click this, Liam slid open a small panel
on the wall.
"Seriously?" said Ray, surprised again, seeing all the buttons.
"Do it girl, and the wall folds down. It?s behind there," smiled Liam,
putting Ray?s finger on it. "I wasn?t trying to be that brazen, but if
you want to see it, press it."
"Oh jeez," said Ray, having to press it now. "And don?t get the wrong
impression, but how could I not."
Down folded a wall panel now, as a large bed began coming down and then
Ray stopped pressing the button down arrow and switched to the up
button, raising it back up.
"Temping I know," laughed Liam. "And I thought you were a virgin?"
"Well when it comes to being with let?s say someone like you, then sure,
but by some different standards, that are securely tucked away right now
then not exactly?" joked Ray, throwing out his hands. "So in my current
state? I guess I am."
"Aaahhh got it," said Liam with a grin, reaching out and squeezing his
hand. "I?m sorry I didn?t mean to pry, but you?re just so beautiful."
"Of course you did, and it?s ok I guess," sighed Ray, turning away,
letting go and looking out the window. "But I?m still so overwhelmed
about not just meeting you but everything, so let?s take it slow ok?"
"I?m in no rush," said Liam, putting his hands behind his head. "I don?t
film again for weeks, Ramona, so I?m yours as long as you want me."
"Well, it is Sunday now, and I was planning on a little R&R," said Ray,
climbing onto Liam?s lap and straddling him.
"A little R&R sounds good to me," smiled Liam as they kissed briefly.
"Good, because since you got me trapped in this wondrous plane and
feeling like I never have before?" said Ray, kissing him again quickly
before leaning back and looking into his eyes. "Then what are you going
to do about it, mister big shot actor."
"I was thinking just treat you like the woman of my dreams if you let us
take off. Maybe I?d treat you to the most romantic week of your life in
Rome and Madrid before we touch down in Milan and then Paris," smiled
Liam. "Sound good?"
"You?d want to spend all that time with me?" Ray was getting excited.
"Like all of it?"
"Why not?" Liam softly kissed him.
"That sounds like a dream, but even if I said yes, I don?t have anything
but the clothes on my back," said Ray. "And beyond that, I don?t even
have a passport!"
"Well I know a few designers that could take care of that the second we
touch down, and don?t worry, my agent that still could be your agent,
will have one there before you even get to customs," grinned Liam.
"This is insane," smiled Ray, flexing his brows. "I have school Monday!
I?d be cutting class!"
"Models do it all the time, and the agency knows how to handle that,"
Liam planted a quick kiss. "And besides that don?t worry, I could
promise you quite the proper education."
"Ohhh myy gawwwwwddddd," shivered Ray. "My mother would fucking freak!"
"Probably, but don?t all girls make their moms freak, and if you don?t
mind me saying it, you?ve taken good care of her this weekend, so when
it comes to freaking out moms as a daughter, you?ve got some catching up
to do," joked Liam, stealing a soft kiss.
"Ya think?" Ray bit his lip and then smiled. "Really, I?ve got
everything to catch up on when it comes to being a daughter you know."
"Then we best begin working on that, Ramona," Liam said before beimg
stopped, confused as off of his lap climbed Ray, grabbing his purse from
the other chair as Liam looked at him oddly. "Ok maybe not? Your texting
her now?"
"No, I?m turning off the tracking on my phone, and I?ll call her in the
morning," smirked Ray, hitting buttons on the phone. "To Rome and Madrid
and Milan we go, Liam. Let?s just hope you don?t regret this half way
across the Atlantic."
"Never!" said Liam, all excited before hitting the intercom. "Rome
please, Mr. Watkins."
"Yes sir," said the pilot. "I?ll plot the course and notify the tower
for clearance."
"Really?" "Never?" laughed Ray as the plane?s engine started. "And I
thought I?d never be interested in being someone?s girlfriend either?
But here I am, doing exactly that."
"Maybe you?re just doing what you?ve always been meant to do?" said
Liam, smiling.
"Well I never thought I'd be doing this, but it just feels so right?"
said Ray, reaching down, unbuckling Liam?s belt. "But before I do,
please get Seth on the phone."
"Now?" gulped Liam as Ray was unfastening his button fly.
"Sure! I was raised never to speak with your mouth full, so I?m thinking
the faster the better," smirked Ray, slowly pulling down Liam?s zipper.
"Seth, Ramona needs to tell you something quick," sighed Liam, putting
him on speaker.
"Hey Ramona," said Seth. "You think about my offer already?"
"Well I?ve been thinking about a lot of things, and right now I?m
thinking big! In fact very big, so hope now?s a good time and we can
wrap," said Ray, wrapping his nails around Liam?s manhood and squeezing.
"things up quickly?"
"Let?s do that, Seth," said Liam, letting out a breath. "Please don?t
waste her time."
"What did you have in mind, Ramona?" asked Seth.
"Well, the four one year options starting at triple the scale that
escalates by 50% each year with the full college ride, plus the shows
and commercials," said Ray, slowly yanking him. "How?s that stroke you,
Sethie boy?"
"Oh I don?t know," Seth replied. "To get even close to that, you?d have
to guarantee double the shows, a few extra appearances and for us to
have much more control over you know... maybe adding some curves here
and there in the future. We?d need you to be a bit flexible?"
"Oh I?m not sure how flexible I could be?" teased Ray, bending Liam?s
shaft. "I?m new at this, but I like quite a bit of control you know."
"Oh shit, easy!" yelped Liam, feeling some pain. "Give her some control,
Seth. She can?t bend it that much."
"I?m just possibly talking a small boob job in the future. She can keep
the thin frame," said Seth. "In fact we?d still want her to actually fit
in a size zero indefinitely, because we?ve got so much more we can do
with her that?s unique. So how?s that stroke you now, Ramona?"
"I?m not sure how far I?ll be taking my Ramona act after this contract,
so the boob job will have to be a mutual option, but if that?s all you
want, then I?m good with everything else, because the rest is quite
solid," Ray stoked Liam's cock, pulling it. "Wouldn?t you agree, Liam?"
"Oh yeahhhhhh?" gulped Liam.
"We?re rock solid then Seth, except I?ll need one last thing before I
can fully swallow this?" said Ramona, leaning down and giving a quick
lick.
"What?s that?" Seth asked.
"Well, I?m thinking a few cameos in Liam?s movies. I don?t care what,
but something tasty," smiled Ray, quickly sliding his tongue around the
head as he held it firmly.
"Something tasty?" asked Seth.
"Well it doesn?t have to be anything with teeth," said Ray, giving a
minor love bite on Liam?s flesh. "Maybe a minor love interest, or even a
moment as a sinister bitch? Anything juicy really, so let?s say three
bit parts and we can seal this with a kiss?"
"I may be both of your agents, but that I can?t control," Started Seth.
"That?s controlled by.."
"Yeah, you can. I?ll get it done," yelled Liam, dying to have him go all
the way down on him. "Write that shit in and I?ll make it happen."
"You heard the man," smiled Ray, digging his nails into his manhood. "So
we?re solid."
"Yup, I?ve taken it all down, so I?ll add in the changes and email it to
you for execution," replied Seth. "Anything else?"
"Pleasure doing business with you, and we?ll be hanging up now so I can
take it all down too," said Ray, sliding his index finger around the
rim. "Now copy Betsy on my email. She?ll be expecting it and will be
managing me like she does some of your other girls."
"Oh I didn?t know," said Seth, surprised. "Of course, and that?s
wonderful as we work well together. Have a safe trip."
"Excuse me one sec, and hold out for me, babe," said Ray, kissing his
manhood then lifting his phone and dialing. "Betsy, expect the email and
it?s done. Now don?t you dare bend on my mother?s deals and negotiate
until you get what we talked about. If you expect to manage Ramona,
you?ll make my mother the money she deserves. Now don?t say a word to
her about any of this, and I?ll call her in the morning! Good night."
"You little vixen," laughed Liam as he ended the call. "You have Betsy
managing you, and were you just using me to get the best deal you
could?"
"Maybe a little bit sweetheart, and I?m only on a weekend contract right
now, but don?t take it personal," smiled Ray, reengaging his grip. "That
part was business, and my manager?s advice, but this part is pleasure,
unless you?ve changed your mind about us being together in Europe."
"Not at all, and I?ve never been hotter for a girl after that," smiled
Liam as he was being slowly stroked.
"Never," said Ray, not letting go yet getting off his knees and kissing
him.
"Never!" sighed Liam when the kissed ended. "Never! But I?ll have to
watch you more closely from now on though. I?ve used so many people to
get what I want, so I guess I deserve to be used once and awhile, but I
have to hand it to you Ramona, because I just did not see it coming."
"Well that seems to be about to change, and since I?m enjoying handing
it to you," smirked Ray, pulling a little faster as he got back on his
knees. "Trust me, you?ll be coming! And often."
"Damnnnn," moaned Liam before Ray suddenly stopped and paused.
"Something wrong?"
"No," said Ray, taking a breath. "I just wanted you to know nothing
happened that fast. Yes, Betsy petitioned me to be one of her models
after the show, but that?s it. Our kiss was genuine, and was not
business. And really neither is this."
Down went Ray?s head as he kissed the head of Liam?s manhood before
parting his lips, beginning to slide it in his mouth before Liam stopped
him.
"Wait?" Liam smirked. "Then I wasn?t used?"
"Well to finish things off maybe," smiled Ray, looking up at him,
spinning Liam?s dick around with his fingers. "Let?s just say I might
have forwarded Betsy the original agreement when I was turning off my
tracker, but either way I?m thinking I might have just ended up exactly
where I was meant to be."
"That you did, as the beautiful girl that I?ll have on my arm who I?ll
be showing off all over Europe," said Liam, touching his hair. "Now I?ll
shut up so we enjoy a safe and I?m sure rewarding trip together."
"Good, because I was planning on being on a lot more than your arm until
we get there," said Ray, reaching up and pushing the button, allowing
the bed to begin to drop down. "And really this should be the trip of
your life, since you don?t have to worry about any paternity suits with
me like you have in the news lately, since obviously I?m the safest girl
you?ll ever be with."
"That sounds like a dream, and I?m all in," said Liam. "But with some of
the stuff we?ll be doing in that bed, I may need some guidance on. I?ve
kind of never?"
"You think you?re the only one that?ll be flying by the seat of his
pants or her skirt," laughed Ray, sliding his tongue all the way down
the shaft. "You are my first ever man, that?s my first ever deal and if
you make me think too much, this is never happening! Is that what you
want?"
"Oh no," said Liam. "And I?ll never say never again."
"Now sit back and enjoy your flight, because this may be my first time
for lots of things, but this model is planning on taking you to Never
Never Land," said Ray, sucking him completely now.
Up and down he bobbed on Liam's cock, as it took merely seconds before
he felt Liam?s muscles tense up and then he opened his throat as wide as
he could, preparing for a rush like none before.
"Oh gawwdd Oh gawwdddd Oh yeahhhh," yelled Liam, tapping the back of his
head. "Ooohh shittt. Oh shit! Ramona! Ohhhh Rayyyymmmooonnnaaaa!"
"Wow! Maybe I yanked too long with all the phone calls, but," said Ray,
picking up his head and licking his lips. "Kind of quicker than I
expected, but fucking hot and don?t you want to
"Uuummm sorry," said Liam. "I wasn?t exactly trying to disturb you at
the moment but..."
"Then don?t," said Ray, raising his brows and wiping around his lips.
"And I?m digging you calling out my name, but stop with the banging
noise. It?s like you're going to break a window?"
"Well I wasn?t," said Liam, turning Ray?s face. "And if you don?t deal
with it, I?m thinking she might."
"Mom!" gulped Ray, seeing his mother in the window.
"Honey, we need to talk," yelled his mother, pounding on the window.
"Please open the door."
"What the fuck are you doing out there!" Ray stood up before punching
Liam in the arm. "Why the hell didn?t we take off?"
"Well maybe the plane didn?t?" smiled Liam, quickly zipping up.
"Please honey," knocked his mother again. "I?m not stopping you, but I
can?t have you run off like this."
"Don?t worry. Not the first parent to want to kill me, and I?ll be up in
the cockpit," said Liam, getting up, walking over and opening the plane
door. "Hello, Mrs. McDermott."
"Liam?" said Veronica, giving him a nasty look as she walked right past
him. "You son of bitch."
"Mom! I can?t fucking believe you?re here," said Ray mortified. "I
turned off my tracker."
"Yeah, but not until you got here," said his mother, walking over and
sitting down in a leather chair. "Don?t you think I would know something
was wrong when you turned it off? Now sit."
"Are you fucking crazy?" Ray was pissed. "Sit? This is ridiculous mom.
Get off my boyfriend?s plane!"
"Your boyfriend?" said his mother. "Do you even hear yourself?"
"Ohhhhh," gulped Ray, sitting down across from her. "Well..... Maybe
that came out wrong?"
"No, I think it came out just as you wanted it to," scolded his mother,
opening her purse and hanging him a wipe. "Wipe your chin. You?re
disgusting!"
"Am I?" yelled Ray back at her, wiping his chin and tossing it away.
"That from the girl that got pregnant as a teenager? Like you never?"
"Gave a blow job first chance I got? No?" screamed his mother back at
him. "So you sucking his dick is all my fault then?"
"At least I?m eighteen," said Ray, standing up, yelling then thinking
about it, feeling bad and backing down. "But no. I?m sorry. I don?t know
what?s come over me except this."
"Oh," sighed his mother, calming down as he pointed to himself.
"I just felt pretty and glamorous and I guess sexy," mumbled Ray, biting
his nail nervously. "And I?m sorry I know what tonight means to you, and
it?s not about me."
"It?s ok, and all I care about is you anyway," said his mother, staring
at him as she pulled his hand away from his face. "And I?m thinking
maybe I do know what?s come over you, and it is my fault obviously
honey. All of it."
"No mom, I?m the one that wanted to do this," said Ray, taking her hand.
"I?m the one that got caught up in being a girl."
"Yeah well I?m the one that dressed you as one," said his mother,
sitting back down. "So trust me, it?s not your fault."
"Well you did teach me to walk in heels." Ray smiled,sitting across from
her again, reaching out his hand. "And make me wear amazing outfits."
"I know," nodded his mother, taking it.
"And I?d do it all over again to help with your designs," said Ray,
getting up and nudging her over, sitting next to her on the same chair.
"Maybe it fucked up my head, but honestly I felt so good doing it. It
may sound weird to you, but it felt normal."
"Oh gawwddd," yelped his mother, standing up and then turning, looking
him dead in the face. "You know that I told you that your father left us
when you were almost three?"
"Yeah?" said Ray curiously. "You?re saying that was bullshit?"
"No that parts true," said Veronica, taking a deep breath. "The part I
left out was back then he?d get home before me from work and pick you up
from the sitter. I was a new seamstress at the time, and we needed the
money, so he hated that I worked but really all he had to do was have to
watch you until I got home, which was not even an hour."
"And that?s why he left?" Ray asked.
"No. Not at all," told his mother. "At first it was fine with being
mister mom until I got home, but when I?d get there and kick off my
shoes, some little person couldn?t wait to put them on."
"Really?" said Ray surprised. "You mean me?"
"Yup, and he?d freak," laughed his mother. "I told him you?d grow out of
it and you were just playing walking in heels, but seems like you never
did."
"Then that?s why he left?" asked Ray, puzzled.
"Of course not! The asshole was chasing things in heels every second,
and wanted no responsibility," said Veronica, shaking his head. "So what
he was interested in chasing in heels wasn?t you or me."
"You?re thinking this is why I?m so good in heels now," said Ray as his
eyes grew wide. "Because I could walk in them as a toddler."
"Maybe?" said his mother. "But the rest may have also had something to
do with my job after he left. That?s when I started making clothes
rather than curtains, as it paid a lot more except what you don?t know
is that?s when your modeling career actually started, not today."
"I don?t understand?" said Ray confused.
"No, more like you don?t remember," replied his mother. "You know all
those catalog pictures I have framed of my dresses from back then?"
"Yeah?" gulped Ray.
"You were the little girl in them," said his mother.
"The girl with the little pigtails on your office wall!" said Ray,
astounded as his jaw dropped. "That?s me!"
"Every little girl in my office on the wall is you, and that's about
when your hair began growing like weeds," said his mother. "You did
catalogs and some ad campaigns. I have a drawer full of pictures and all
the dresses are still in the guest room closet."
"But not the little girl in the pink tutu in your studio with all the
blonde curls and the huge bow on her head, right?" said Ray, covering
his chest. "I?ve been making fun of that picture for years?"
"And I wanted to smack you when you did, but I held my tongue. You were
platinum blonde until about seven when your hair finally got darker,"
Snickered his mother. "You cried if I didn?t have a bow in your hair or
any nail polish on you. You were the girliest girl right up through
kindergarten."
"I lived as a little girl?" said Ray, feeling light headed.
"Until you started understanding you had something else between your
legs, then we moved to where we live now and I slowly weened you off it
before first grade," said his mother, biting her lip. "I purposely
stopped making kids clothes then, and you were happy enough with bright
color shirts and shorts until it was forgotten. Remember any of it?"
"No actually?" sighed Ray. "But if I?m being honest, there was something
that made me feel whole when you made me model for you at home. It was
weird, but I felt so comfortable doing it."
"I know," nodded his mother. "I shouldn?t have allowed it, or even asked
you to do it but I knew it did."
"So you always knew I?d...." started Ray.
"Want to model? Maybe?" interrupted his mother. "But maybe wanted to
outside the house? No, but I was petrified you might?"
"Petrified, why?" said Ray, getting upset. "You were afraid I?d fail at
it?"
"No, petrified you?d be amazing at it, and you are?" said his mother,
leaning towards him, touching his face. "Petrified I?d lose you to it."
"Petrified you?d lose your son, you mean?" said Ray, enjoying her touch.
"Probably.... but it's you I love unconditionally Ray, so I guess not if
he wanted to be my daughter?" said his mother, getting emotional.
"I..I...I?m not really prepared for that, and I would need a little time
but..
"But that I?m not sure about that either, mom," said Ray, getting a
little emotional now too. "But I guess I am trying to figure that out?"
"No kidding?" smirked his mother. "And in a big way?"
"I guess?" smirked Ray. "But right now I?m going to ask that that you
settle for your model? Not a son or a daughter please. Because she at
the moment has never felt better? In fact, never more at home being that
model?"
"Ok." Veronica wiped tears. "Never more at home huhh?"
"Yeah," nodded Ray, holding back some tears.
"Well then I trust you," nodded his mother, standing up, wiping under
her eyes and composing herself. "I do."
"That means everything to me, mom," said Ray, letting out a deep breath.
"Thank you."
"Good, then home will start in Milan and I?ll meet you there," said his
mother, taking a breath herself now. "Just promise me to be smart and
check in."
"Really?" said Ray, totally caught off guard. "You?re still letting me
go?"
"Letting you go completely? Hell no?" laughed his mother. "Turn on your
tracker, and I?ll call you out of school."
"Yes mom," nodded Ray. "I love you mom?"
"You damn well better?" said his mother, hugging him. "And never hide
any deals from me, because I?m your mother and I?ll always have your
best interests at heart, but good job negotiating on the contract,
Ramona."
"Of course, and considering what I?m wearing, I kind of like that you
called me Ramona," said Ray, squeezing one last hug. "That felt nice,
mom."
"That was a test, and I thought it might," said his mother, breaking the
hug and looking into his eyes. "Oh gawwddd let me go and get back to
work honey before my emotion gets the best of me again."
"Sure," nodded Ray. "But what do you mean a test?"
"Don?t worry, you aced it, and make sure you call me every morning and
every night until I get there," said his mother, walking over to the
door. "I?ll handle the rest while you?re gone, and love you sweetie."
"Love you too mom, but I still can?t believe you let me be a little girl
for three years," smiled Ray, waving goodbye. "How many moms would do
that?"
"Ones that made dresses and had a kid pretty enough to pay the
mortgage," winked his mother, walking out. "Now don?t worry about a
thing, and see you in Milan, baby."
He watched her walking down the stairs through the window, thinking
about what she said as Liam came out of the cockpit and then the engine
started.
"Finally," said Liam, coming out and planting a quick kiss, walking over
to the door. "Everything ok?"
"I guess," Ray said. "But you don?t think..?"
"That if that lasted any longer that we?d be stuck on this runway
missing our window to leave?" said Liam, coming out and closing the
door. "Yeah I do, but forget that... Ready right?"
"Oh gawwdd.....I?m so scared." Ray looked out the window, watching them
pull the stairs away from the plane. "Europe? Modeling? You?"
"Us," said Liam, walking over and touching his back softly.
"Ok," nodded Ray. "And I guess I?m as ready as I?ll ever be."
"It?ll be fine," said Liam, softly kissing him.
"I hope so?" said Ray, feeling apprehensive, looking down at some
goosebumps on his arm. "At least I feel like we both got a few things
off our chest, and she said I shouldn?t worry. She?ll handle
everything."
"So then you shouldn?t worry?" said Liam, cradling him in his arms and
kissing his neck. "I got you."
"You don?t know my mother like I know my mother," said Ray anxiously.
"So it?s hard not to...Believe me, you have no idea?"
"Well since she?ll be handling things and you got some things off your
chest," said Liam, kissing his ear then sliding his arms around Ray.
"Then remember those things Seth mentioned? Maybe you?ll be getting them
on your chest?"
"You think you?re funny," smiled Ray, pushing Liam?s hands off his
padded boob area. "Yeah.. don?t think so!"
"Fine," laughed Liam, instead wiggling their fingers together. "But I
bet at least it feels good to have it behind you now."
"You know I?m not sure how it feels?" said Ray as he looked out the
window, seeing his mother disappear inside the hanger as the plane was
turning on the pavement. "Or if anything is behind me?"
"Well I?m not sure how it feels from behind either, but we?ve got a long
trip, so you?re about to find out," said Liam, pressing the button as
the bed came down as the plane turned onto the runway. "And often."
"The bad jokes are your way of seducing me?" said Ray, shaking his head
as Liam sat on the edge of the bed, patting it for him to join him. "Not
what I meant you jerk, but you don?t waste any time, do you?"
"When I?m with a woman this beautiful," replied Liam, coercing Ray to
come over, climbing onto his lap and kissing him. "No fucking way."
For a minute they kissed, softly touching each other and they looked
into each other?s eyes as Ray was calming down, enjoying being Ramona.
"Maybe you mean this vulnerable," said Ray, stepping back, reaching
under his dress and dropping down his panties. "Promise you?ll be
gentle."
"I?ll be anything you want," grinned Liam, standing and kicking off his
shoes and dropping down his pants before sitting back down on the edge
of the bed.
"Ok and thanks for sending a limo for my mother," said Ray, leaning in,
softly kissing him and pushing him back on the bed and climbing on top
of him. "A Bentley! That?s sweet, and means the world you did that for
me."
"In the interest of not ruining our sex life, I?d like to say you're
welcome," laughed Liam, squirting some lube on himself and touching
Ray?s crack with it. "Now this should help, and so will he when you
sign, but full disclosure, that?s Seth?s limo."
"Wow that?s so! Ray started to say before questioning him. "Wait? You
called him?"
"No, Betsy called him after your mother stormed out of one of her dress
deals," said Liam, reaching under Ray?s ribs, pulling him gently towards
him, then leaning up his neck and kissing him. "Then while you were
talking he called me."
"And?" Ray kissed him back.
"And nothing," laughed Liam, spinning over on top of him then moving his
face down, dying to kiss him again. "From what he told me, looks like
they?ll be co-managing you, and she?ll be changing some of the terms of
your deal."
"Oh gawwdd! That?s not funny," said Ray, avoiding the kiss as Liam slid
his hand in his and their fingers locked. "Why can?t she just butt out
and worry about her own deals."
"Because this butting out I think is not in her nature when it comes to
her little girl, but your boyfriend butting in is certainly in yours,"
smiled Liam, squeezing his finger and leaning down, pecking another
kiss. "Now stop worrying, everything will be amazing."
"Ok," nodded Ray as they shared a soft kiss.
"That?s my girl," Liam let go of his hands and slid his down Ray?s body,
lifting his legs up in the air, spreading them and repositioning himself
a little.
"Ohhhhhh... Holy shit, easy!" cried Ray, feeling some penetration of him
entering. "Ohhhh gawwdddd! Liam, I?m not so sure about this now!"
"Oh yeahhhh baby! Of course you are," sighed Liam, pushing in and
beginning to thrust. "Oh yeah Ramona."
"Ohhh myy gawwddd. That fucking hurts!" Groaned Ray, biting his lip as
it got faster. "Liam, maybe I shouldn?t! I have girlfriend! A prom date!
Oh gawwdd, what am I doing? I don?t think my mother expected this?"
"Who are you kidding Ramona, you sexy bitch of a model?" laughed Liam,
thrusting faster. "Not from what I heard!"