Phoenix
Part 31: The Weight of the Air
Albatross and Phoenix step through the company’s elegant glass doors. Phoenix nervously adjusts her hair as they head toward their department, in the direction of the studio.
As they pass the reception desk, several employees exchange glances. As if a bit of gossip is already spreading.
Phoenix (muttering):
“Oh my God… I must… I must look like I ran here. Or like I’m half-asleep. Or both… and… why is everyone looking at us?”
Albatross suppresses a smile, leans slightly toward her so only she can hear him:
Albatross:
“Because you’re beautiful, even in the morning.”
Phoenix stops short, blushing from head to toe.
Phoenix:
“Me? In the morning? Sometimes even my own mirror gets scared of me… seriously…”
Albatross laughs softly, then gently guides her toward the studio.
In the cosmetics department
Phoenix prepares the models for the advertising shoot
Phoenix is in the studio, applying makeup to the models for the advertising photo shoot. With Albatross so close, nothing seems to go smoothly.
When she sets the blush palette on the table, she nearly drops the brushes, accidentally spilling several tools onto the floor.
Of course, Albatross sees it. And every time, he appears right behind her. Too close.
Albatross (deep, quiet voice):
“Should I help?”
Phoenix flinches.
Phoenix:
“N-no! I was almost done…”
Albatross:
“I can see that. So intensely that all the brushes fell.”
Phoenix lowers her gaze, her voice soft.
Phoenix:
“Sometimes… I mean often… it happens… when you’re nearby.”
Albatross watches her with a half-smile.
Albatross:
“Hm. I see. Then I’ll stay nearby.”
Phoenix’s face turns as red as freshly applied lipstick.
Female colleague:
“Albatross, the shoot starts in ten minutes!”
Albatross nods, but doesn’t take his eyes off Phoenix.
Albatross (gentle, deep voice):
“Until then… try not to knock anything over, alright?”
Phoenix (muttering, embarrassed):
“I’ll try… although… I can’t promise anything…”
A smile appears at the corner of Albatross’s lips—exactly the kind of smile that makes Phoenix barely able to breathe.
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