As years of us pass by
Years ago…
"Natalie, is this the best you could do –"Pictures were scattered to her feet as she staggered back –" if you're not doing it right, then don't do it! Don't waste other people's time. You said you wanted to become those famous photographers but with skills like this? You could kiss Vouge, harper and Bazaar goodbye."
Natalie was quiet, as she was trembling in her feet. Her upper-ups were not in a good mood this morning and had thrown a tantrum at everyone, including the poor girl for he performance in the company. But of course, it wasn't planned at all, all she was asked to do was to take pictures. Natalie was supposed to take photos of an uprising idol. They were from a small agency and were very disorganised since this was their first ever idol to debut, they were late to the shoot because of traffic.
Their makeup wasn't done and everything was a mess, Natalie could see the saddened eyes of the idols who were worried because their makeup artist couldn't do any better, Nami wanted to help. So, after hearing about the problems, she had volunteered to help with the make-up. She had a make-up lesson in her free time - courtesy to post missing you know who – she had help with all she can.
It took half of the schedule of the photoshoot, and all she could do when the time was nearing the end was take the essential photos and then leave since the idols were on a tight schedule, she had thought that they were natural and it turn out better.
But her higher-ups had thought it was terrible and felt that she didn't do what her higher-ups had told her hence the scolding.
After her higher-ups told her off, she went back to her desk to find a small flower bouquet and an energy drink and egg toast on her table. She walks closer to her desk to look at everyone had gone home.
She walks to the security guard, and the old man greets her happily.
"Natty! Did you like the bouquet!" To her surprise, she begin asking the security guard, he was a 55-year-old man who lives near and was hired as a security guard since Natalie was held back with overtime, so he had waited for her every day so he could close up. She would always feel burdened and had even asked the man to go home while she close up.
But he had insisted a lady shouldn't be left alone, hence why he always stay behind.
"Yes… did you buy those? You didn't have to…" she told him quietly but then he shake his head.
"Ah… it wasn't me, Nami, it was a group of young boys! They told me that a photographer name Natalie Miller had helped them today! They didn't have a lot of money but managed to get something for you!" he chuckled, "Such lovely boys, I didn't know who they were, but they were very polite – here they told me to give you this! I almost forget."
Ms. Miller! Thank you so much for the photoshoot! The pictures came out great and we'll work harder because you took it so nicely! Please accept our small thank-you gifts!
It was the boys that had the photoshoot today, Natalie then proceed to laugh and smile, maybe today is not that bad.
-
"Jonathan… is this the best you can do? Your debut is nearing and you are nowhere ready? Are you going to be like this?" Jonathan could only look at his CEO while his ragged dancing was the only thing that could be heard.
Jonathan Hills, trying to reach his dreams with his bandmates, was nearing their debut and everybody was sensitive. It was one of those times when your body had given up on you and you were having a burnout.
It seems like Jonathan was having it today since everything looks out of place, he was not getting any lyrics or any music out of his head, and he kept messing up the routines. Everyone was quiet since they know it was that time when they were burning out.
"I'm sorry…" sorry was something he could say right now, he was not even thinking straight, he had so much in his thought.
The scolding lasted the whole 15 minutes before the CEO went out, and everyone was sitting down; they were trying to lift the tension, but Jonathan was quiet; he was not feeling it, and he was on the verge of exploding.
The others were playing when they looked at Jonathan, who was distressed in the corner of the room, they were about to cheer him up.
"Jo! Hey man, you don't have to worry about it alright? The CEO is always up in our ass, We'll get it done in no time, We're going to play a little game do you want to join in?"
"Do you think this is a game?" Jonathan suddenly spat, Eric who was taken aback by his bandmate's sudden outburst, stagger a bit in surprise. The other two who was watching them were also suddenly quiet and no one was saying anything.
"I didn't –"
"Just forget it," Jonathan then rushed to the door, all of the boys were shocked by his sudden outburst. They had never seen their brother blowing a fume like that. They were almost used to the scolding, and of course, they know because it was nearing their debut everyone was sensitive.
They know better that their CEO wouldn't just scold without a reason; they need to focus. Eric, Hansel and Tyler was part of the group called Foreign Swaggers, with Jonathan as their final member it was like a match made in heaven.
They've been together and was ready to debut, living these guys, made it easier to understand everyone pet peeves, their do and don't. What they certainly know is Jonathan was not someone who was easily to loose his cool, but seeing today.
it seems like the three didn't know the guy at all. Hansel, the oldest out of the four, could only sigh as he looks at Eric who was worried over his friend.
"Give him some time to cool off," Hansel then looks at the door, "He's been stressed for a while, it was sensitive for him today."
Meanwhile, Jonathan was sitting in front of the building; he was frustrated; he had never shouted at anyone. It was unlike him to be like that. He looked up to see the silent night, he was so stressed over what happened today he burst out, he was never like this and he remembered a certain someone who was there when he was stressed, his somehow happy place.
He couldn't help to shake his head. He lost.
"Excuse me, are you Jonathan?" The guy looks up to see two girls and he stood up from his place, burhsing off his pants as he smiles at the two girls for recognizing him.
"Ah… yes… Hello, who are you?"
"We're you're biggest fan! Here – "they proceed to give him two chicken take-outs –" we saw you on YouTube, and we notice you were sitting here out alone, we decided to bring you food since we saw you are all still practising!" they cheerfully look at him. They pointed at the top of the floor to see the lights still on.
"We always pass these streets after work! We were going to drop by the security, but it seems like it was our lucky day!" Jonathan's heart was at ease somehow; he then smiled.
"Ah… I don't know what to say… thank you…" he sincerely bows down.
"Goodluck! On your debut, we're rooting for you!" The girls cheer him up as they bid goodbye.
He then smiles as he walks back to his brother. He needs to work harder, no matter what happened, their fans were waiting, and he couldn't be another burden.