Motivation of Memories: The Second Book of the Labors of Love Series

Hold It

"I'll take that oolong." I offer him the open bag and he pulls out a small package. I take out one of the cranberry orange tea bags and carefully unwrap it before placing it in my mug.

"How long until the photoshoot?"

"You've got a couple hours." He says looking down at his watch. "Why?"

"I'd just like to take this morning slow."

Prince's POV

After breakfast, we enjoyed more tea and quiet conversation before getting ready.  We got up and dressed at our leisure and made our way to the studio. We walked in and we're escorted to a sort of green room. There were couches and chairs, a platter of fruit, bottles of water, mints, and several large mirrors. Walking into the next room lead you to hair and makeup. Our names were  placed in the back of chairs in front of large tables with light lined mirrors. We take a seat as instructed and wait for someone to walk in. I can see the reality begin to set in for Genevieve. I did my best to reassure her in the car but her nerves seem to be running high. I reach out and hold her hand. She squeezes it firmly and I feel her hand shake in mine. Rubbing her knuckles I do my best to help her calm down. Softly, she begins to hum to herself and I can see her visibly relax.

"Hello, Everyone." A man calls as he enters with several other people.

"I'm Antoine. I'll be your photographer and this is my team. We're gonna go ahead and get you done up and dressed and get started. I have some ideas already but I want to see your natural chemistry really shine through. Mya and Tammy will be on hair an makeup today. They're gonna get you ready and put you in your first outfit. Sound good?"

"Sounds good to me. Mama, what do you think?"

"I'm ready." She says softly looking in Antoine's direction. He walks closer to her and begins to examine her face.

"What extraordinary features. Tell me your name, sweetheart."

"G-Genevieve." She says avoiding his gaze.

"Remarkable. I'm going to go set up. Please enjoy the refreshments on the table and if you need anything just ask."

"Will do." I watch as he walks away with the rest of his entourage leaving us with the two women. Without speaking they begin working on us.

"Do you mind taking your hair down for me?" The lady I would assume is Tammy asks Genevieve. She reaches behind her head and carefully removes the rubber band allowing her hair to fall down her back. Tammy combs through her hair with her fingers and begins nodding. "Ooo, I like this. You got a sew in?"

"N-no?" Genevieve says confused.

"This is all you?"

"Yes."

"Alright, girl! Well, today we're going to throw some large curls in it to start and later we'll probably put it in a bun." The woman gets to work and that's when I notice Mya mixing makeup on a piece of metal. After a few hours of hair and makeup we slide into our performance clothes. Genevieve thanks them and walks into the green room. She takes a sip from a water bottle and begins to stretch. I walk over to her and she looks up at me from the floor.

"Hey." I smile sitting in front of her.

"Hey." She smiles back.

"You ready?

"As ready as I can be."

"You shouldn't worry so much."