Chapter 61

Just when Sofia thought her day couldn't get any worse, Miss Amores informed her that there was a problem with their recent photoshoot.

How could she have so many problems in just a day? Was this the consequence of acting like an adult? Sofia wanted to curse, but this was simply her fault.

In the end, she got up, took some medicine to ease her headache, and then instructed Miss Amores to bring her into the area where they had the shoot. The moment they arrived, Sofia was immediately greeted by chaos.

“Miss, the photographer refused to shoot the new model, and the old model said they are going to pay for the contract as they do not plan to become our ambassador anymore.”

“Our brand ambassador?” Sofia frowned. Jean Smith was an actress and a model who became their brand ambassador just last year.

“Miss Smith refuses to cancel the contract.”

“Yes, but she is letting her team talk to us. They said they will pay for the cancellation of the contract.”

Sofia narrowed her eyes. “So, we have no model and our photographer refuses to shoot the replacement one?”

“Yes,” Miss Amores confirmed.

“Have you tried calling the other models?” Sofia asked. Surely, they had other models that they could use, right? When she was still the creative director, she had contacts with a lot of models who wore their clothes for their online store.

She had experienced something like this in the past, but she was able to sort it out. Sadly, the current photographer, Mr. Franks, might be different.

“Have you tried calling for replacements?” Sofia asked.

“We did. But we can’t find anyone in Illinois right now.”

“How about another photographer?” she asked.

“None.”

Sofia sighed. “Give me my phone,” she uttered. Miss Amores gave her the phone, and Sofia immediately sent a message to Alexander.

[Hey, are you busy?]

[No.] The reply came almost immediately. Then came another: [Do you miss me?]

[Can you help me with something?] she asked.

[Anything.]

This man was the CEO of a large company. Why was he replying so fast? Was he really this idle? Impossible, Sofia thought inwardly. The company that she was currently managing was not even as large as the Beaumont Empire, and yet, she was already drowning with work! Just as she was about to send another text, her phone started ringing.

“Hey,” she immediately answered. Who would have thought that Alexander would even call her? “Hey, are you alright?” His voice was soft. “Do you need me to send someone to help you?”

“No.” Sofia walked farther away to try and find a quiet spot. “Do you know a famous model or a photographer for an emergency shoot?” she asked. “Someone that is already in Illinois, if that’s possible.”

“Did something happen?”

“We are supposed to have our photoshoot for our new clothes for our online app. Jean Smith suddenly canceled and is even willing to cancel the contract.”

“Send me your current location,” he said. “Can you help me?”

“That’s a really small matter.”

Relief flashed inside Sofia. “Alright.”

“And don’t give your phone to anyone.”

“Oh...” Sofia said, recalling her calls earlier.

The only reason why she gave it to Miss Amores is that she asked her secretary to answer the rest because her head was still aching, and the pain reliever was not doing anything to help her out. So, she asked her secretary to take care of all upcoming communication on her phone. “Good. I'll see you later.”

Then the call ended.

What about her model?

He said he would help, right?

He said it, right?

“Miss, the photographer is here,” Miss Amores called out.

“Alright.” Sofia immediately went back to where the photographer was waiting for her. “Mr. Franks, it’s nice to see you.” Mr. Franks was a well-known fashion photographer who had photographed a lot of renowned actors and models for magazines.

This man’s schedule had always been full in the past. In fact, she was aware that Mr. Franks was no longer available for the rest of the year.

“Miss Lockhart. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

Sofia smiled at the man wearing a comfortable hoodie; his blue hair was especially attractive under the lighting inside the room. She was not able to come during the contract signing as she was not the CEO then. “Do you want coffee or—”

“I was promised to have Miss Jean Smith as my model today,” Mr. Franks directly said. “The contract stated that I have to shoot Miss Smith. I cannot accept any model changes.”

While Sofia was a little surprised at the man’s bluntness, she knew that something like this was considered normal in the fashion world.

Mr. Franks’ attitude was already well-known in the industry. He was one of those photographers who had a very strict work ethic. Sometimes, he would refuse to shoot models because of reasons like the model being late or the model being sick.

He didn’t like models who didn’t know their job and would not hesitate to scream at someone who did not perform well under the camera. Despite this, the people in the industry respected him.

“Mr. Franks, Miss Smith is currently under the weather. I really do apologize for the inconvenience. I am—”

“Then I should just wrap up. What’s the use of staying here if I can’t shoot Miss Smith?”

“We are doing our best to—”

“Perhaps your best is not enough,” Mr. Franks harshly said. He narrowed his eyes at her. “There is no way to reschedule anything as my schedule is already full until June next year. Even if you beg me to reschedule, I won't do it. Moreover, I would never trust your company again, given the fact that you cannot even handle your models well. Not having Miss Smith here is considered a breach of contract. My lawyers will be talking to yours for the appropriate fees.”

“Mr. Franks—”

“Please stop wasting my time, Miss Lockhart. I was honestly expecting a lot from LH Designs. I can’t say that this incident did not disappoint me.”

“What about me?” A voice suddenly echoed behind Sofia.

Sofia turned and immediately, surprise flashed in her wide eyes. Not too far away from her was someone that she met not too long ago.

“Jenny Thomas.” Mr. Franks immediately beamed when he saw the woman who was wearing a simple black shirt and jeans. “My lovely Jenny Thomas!”

“Markyyy Franks...” Jenny Thomas—Alexander’s aunt—beamed at the middle-aged man before eyeing Sofia. “I was outside when I thought I heard your loud and ugly voice. Who would have thought that you were actually here?” Jenny smiled before pulling the photographer for a hug. “And to think that I would once again see you acting like this, ah...” she sighed in an exaggerated fashion.

“And you still like walking around without a bodyguard. What did I tell you about this?” Mr. Franks kissed both of Jenny’s cheeks; his demeanor was a complete 180 from what it was earlier. “Don’t lie to me. Why are you here?”

“I was really shopping at a nearby mall...” Jenny said. “When I received my niece’s text message.”

“Niece?” Mr. Franks immediately arched an eyebrow as he looked at Sofia. “Miss Lockhart is your niece?”

Before Sofia could answer, Jenny already pulled her towards her. “I wanted her to call me mother, but she already has one... what do you think? Do you see some resemblance whatsoever?” Jenny beamed. Obviously, she was joking as Sofia and she do not have a resemblance at all.

Mr. Franks looked at Sofia and then towards Jenny. Then he looked at Sofia and then towards Jenny. “What? Say it. Isn’t she just as beautiful as me?” Jenny blinked her large beautiful eyes.