Chapter 3
Months have passed since Tadashi had left. The office felt so empty and strange without him. All these people Callaghan keeps bringing into the place trying to replace him doesn't help at all. One after another, faces he will never remember, names he forgot two seconds after hearing, none of it mattered. He made a promise and he was trying so hard to keep it but days of interviewing “models” who didn't have any heart in the work was starting to become taxing. Miguel wouldn't have even kept this job in the states if it wasn't for Tadashi. Everything fell apart when he left, even if he was just a friend he still shared a huge part of his life with him.
“Callaghan I can’t keep going thru this, why don't you just pick someone and we can move on.” the male stammered whilst rubbing the space between his brows. “And if you say I’m being picky one more time I’m gonna fire you” he states with venom in his tone. He doesn't mean to be so snippy but being under a lot of stress, it's starting to show. “I’m sorry...I’m sorry.” he whispers.
(Miguel didn't really want to be stuck with Callaghan but he sorta became a PR agent for him. He came as a package deal when Tada showed up because he was his manager and he slowly grew on Miguel but now the man is getting on his last nerve.)
There's a pause before the other man speaks. He's hesitant, feeling how tense the air has become.
“I have one last person I’d like you to see. I was reluctant to bring them, but I believe in the current state you in, they might be the one best fit for you.”
The tired brunette snapped at his claim “If you knew this one would be the best fit why didn't you bring them EARLIER instead of wasting my time on all those hollow fake hearted people?!” Miguel buried his face into his hands before Callaghan could see the tears welling up in his eyes. This was harder on him then he thought it was going to be.
The older man didn't know what to do other than to stand by and wait for an order. He had only come to know this young man through the Hamada family. With Tadashi gone and Miguel in shambles Robert isn't sure about where he is going either. He knew Tadashi and Miguel where close, that's why he lets the poor sap yell at him for that's all he has. Robert knows the threat of being fired is hollow, but it still leaves a lasting impression of just how much this hurts the kid.
After a long stifling silent period muffled words leak through the spaces of Miguel's fingers “Fine, I will aduiton one last person. ONE. But you better hope this is the right one Robert.”
“I am almost positive this last interview will lighten your spirits. For now you have had a very long draining day, why not go home and relax. Let the worries of the week melt away over the weekend and once monday rolls around maybe you will be a little more chipper for introductions. It’s only one interview, you will survive.”
“We’ll see.”
Going home really didn't change much for the somber emotions. Now he was just depressed somewhere else. At least now he didn't have to look at everyone with a fake smile and pretend to care about what they had to say. He did care, but after a while the same lines of “Oh we've heard so much about you! Can you make us famous too?” or “You didn't really need a male model, the female body is so much more appealing.” as if this was some kind of a cheap blind date. No one seemed to grasp the fact that he was only looking for new model because his previous one whomst he had been with for 8 years died. It all just seemed like they were after one thing.
Money and Fame.
He didn't believe a single soul that auditioned that week even knew the first thing about modeling or the hardships that come with the job. Almost as if they all thought they could just walk into a room in some nice clothing and stand around for pictures then get paid. It was much more than that. So much more.
Pacing around his house got him to thinking just what kind of person was Callaghan saving anyways? If he knew this person would have been a good match, why even bother with the others? Thinking on it more he came to the idea that he might have reversed this one for the off chance that one of these unknown faces could have caught my eye. Typically in the world of fashion you always go for the unique. But none of those faces spoke out to him. (Callaghan even tried to joke with him at a point saying “maybe it's because none of the models have been Japanese” to which got not an ounce of humor out of the already pissy spainerd.)
Once rested and slightly in a better mood, Miguel wonders outside to take care of his garden and poke around amongst the cherry trees. Reaching up to pull down a branch, he lets the aroma of the petals sooth his mind. He tugs ever so gently on the flowers to pluck them off as to preserve their beauty. Once he roughly has a handful of them he heads back inside to arrange and care for them.
He hums a light tune as he arranges the flowers on a table, being careful with his placements. Saying small words over the Ofrenda, he pets the picture frame now surrounded by the flowers they grew together. “I assure you I will keep that promise Tadashi, anyway I know how”