Also late October 2025, probably
A soft breeze gently wiped over the North Atlantic coast. The morning sun embraced the edges of the Portuguese mountainside and blanketed the yellowing tree leaves in its warmth. The water of the coast bubbled up on the sandy beaches, crashing softly on the rocks resting along the shores and the hulls of small yachts docked peacefully in the small harbour.
Glimmers of light pierced through trees and into the slits of the Venetian shades that covered the large slabs of tempered glass around the property. When these beams of sunshine arrived upon Svi’s eyelids, she felt her rhythm come into motion as she slowly opened them. She pushed the thick blanket off of her equally fluffy black and off-white fur coated body, allowing some of her internal heat to radiate off of her and dissipate in the room. Her keen ears twitched from sensing the subtle shaking of the leaves outside from the cool sea wind, and she finally sat up from where she laid in the middle of the queen-size mattress.
The plain white walls that surrounded her were as sterile as a laboratory, with the contemporary right angles of the modern house carving a strict but luxurious chamfer through the bedroom. She turned her attention to the cold glass and metal slate on her nightstand, picking up the handset and flicking through her notifications as part of a typical routine. One of them vibrantly stood out to her as she scrolled through the digital list of rounded off grey boxes with all sorts of deadpan information.
Excitedly, she stood up from where she slept, phone in hand, and cheerily made her way to the lavatory, doing her morning business as she read through the new email.
Hey Svi!
Good to hear from you after all this time. Shame about your Instagram account, but honestly these emails don’t feel like a bother to me at all. We’ve had enough online literacy lessons to know the do’s and don’t’s of sending emails back and forth so I think we can stick to this for now.
Svi let out a small giggle while reading this first portion of the email she’d received, but before reading any further, she set her device down on the counter next to her and continued her ritual. She twisted the shower knob, letting water pour out like an indoor downpour. The warmth contrasted with the internal temperature of the room, letting small clouds of steam fizzle out and fogging up the glass that surrounded the small cubicle.
She then entered, carefully watching her step so as to not slip, and letting the warmth envelop her in a soft drizzle. She squeezed out a handful of her favourite Ouai volumizing shampoo and massaged it into her scalp, slowly pulling down to reach the ends of her wet platinum-blonde hair. Foam and bubbles lined the top and back of her silhouette as she began to wash the product off after it being entrenched in her for a while. After this, she moved onto a shea butter and honey bodywash for the fur all over her body, careful to get it between important regions. She scrubbed lightly with her fingers, from head to tail, ensuring that she’d have gotten full coverage before turning the water back on and rinsing herself off thoroughly, guaranteeing that no last bit of soap remained on her.
Turning the handle back and stopping the flow of liquid, she first shook herself thoroughly with the door still closed, before stepping out and taking a towel from the nearby rack, patting herself lightly all over.
She then took out a blow dryer from a cabinet next to the large bathroom mirror, plugging it in and letting the warm air puff at her body, sending her pelt and hair into a backwards motion as they reacted with the steady moving wind from the small turbine-like device. To finish off this part of her routine, she grabbed a small detangling brush from the counter in front of her, and started to pull it down over her off-white coat in patterned, swiping motions.
Her process was interrupted as a futuristic, corporate ringtone sang out from her phone, vibrating and shaking the marble around the sink with a low buzz.
Here we go. Just another day, I guess.
She looked at the caller ID, and set the comb down, picking the call up with a swipe. “Alo?”
“Bom diaaa~! How are you feeling this morning, Ana?” Spoke the fruity voice of a highly energetic twink on the other end of the phone.
“As great as always when I get a call from you, Leo. What’s today’s agenda?”
“Oooh~! Morning voiceeee~! You sound like, so different when you’ve just woken up, I swear. Exciting~! Anyway, for today you have brunch with… Director Sanchez if you remember him… he wanted to discuss with you about that video shoot with AzulBeau. I’ve given the address to Bruce, so he’ll be picking you up at 10. Then after that, there’s a photoshoot and interview with Caras later at 2 pm…”
“Have they said who the photographer will be for Caras? I don’t remember from last time.”
“Apparently some guy from Australia? They didn’t give much details other than his work is apparently pretty chic and unique, soooooo. Don’t worry, it won’t be with Bruno again, I don’t think.”
“Anything but Bruno!” She chuckled over the phone, even though her physical face was that of malaise.
“Oh my god, I know right? I mean, granted, it’s for Caras so it won’t be anything raunchy, but girl, that last shoot he did for you? He took too many strange shots? Like, ugh, was that one where yo-”
“Yes, Leo, we both don’t like him. What’s next?”
“Oop, my bad diva… Next up you’ve got an event with… Ooooh, Felicia!”
“Felicia?”
“Yesss, y’know? The humanitarian organization run by Sendo?”
“Ah, my bad, how could I forget. What time was it supposed to be at?”
At this point, she put the handset on speaker mode, setting it down near her, before continuing to groom her thick leopard coat.
“It’s actually later in the night, you just have to give a speech, which I’ve already prepared for you~! They’d like for you to be there by 7 pm at the latest.”
“Aw, obrigado, Leo… Is that all for today?”
“Mmm, yes! Producer Almeida bailed out on a dinner with you at the last minute, because of a quote on quote “emergency” but we all know why he actually did that…”
“Drugs again, isn’t it?”
“Right?! God, he can put a great movie together, but he really needs to lay off of it badly! If I had to deal with his stinky breath one more time-”
“You’re starting to speak out of line, Leo.” She cut him off with a hint of laughter in her voice.
“Oh my god, sorry! You’re not gonna fire me for that, right, queen?”
Svi let out a hearty laugh. “Of course not! You’re one of the few people I can trust.”
“Aww, girl, I love you so much. It hurts me to take 15% percent of your earnings every year, but that’s what the contract stipulates. I’ll be so sad when it ends, but we can still be friends after, right?”
“Of course, we can. Is there anything else that you need to tell me?”
“Mmm, nope! You’re all set for the day! I updated your calendar and it should’ve forwarded about… now! I’ll be seeing you later~!”
“Thanks, Leo.”
“You bet!”
With that, the room was once again loud with silence. Svi sighed and continued where she left off, combing the rest of her pelt until all the excess had gathered into white clumps underneath her. She observed herself in the mirror, paying close mind to the area around her navel and waist.
So much maintenance…
She moved onto the next part of her morning, and started by washing her hands with an anti-bacterial soap, then tying her long, wavy blonde hair up into a neat ponytail. She began to rub her face with an oil-controlling deep pore cleansing balm ensuring she was getting it through beneath the fur on her face and reaching the skin, doing this for at least four minutes. Right after, she focused on a foaming facial cleanser to use alongside the oil-controlling balm, squeezing a subtle amount onto her fingers and wiping all over her face for the next two minutes. She took care to allow the foam to mix together with the product she had previously used, getting in between tight spots around under-fur ridges and creases that lined her mouth, jaw, eyebrows, and eyelids. With sufficient coverage acquired, she then turned the faucet on and leaned down into the sink, letting the warm water run as she completely washed off all the excess for another four minutes to complete the next part of her rigorous self-care.
Taking a towel off the nearby rack, she carefully patted it over her countenance, gathering every last droplet that tried clinging on. Once dried off, she looked over herself in the mirror, carefully examining her under eye, lips. She squeezed a small amount of retinol cream onto her index finger, and liberally applied it to areas she deemed important, before finishing off with a moisturizer to prevent her skin from drying out.
Svi walked back into her bedroom and navigated towards the large, walk-in closet, picking up a fluffy, beige robe and dressing herself lightly. She looked around for a bit, feeling as though she missed something important, but carried on and drifted downstairs to the kitchen, where she grabbed a few basic ingredients to prepare herself a small meal.
The deafening quietness of the walls as she sat alone in the kitchen rang in her eardrums. The cold granite countertop reflected the light atop her as crumbs fell from the toast that disappeared into her mouth. Getting bored of the silence, she paused her breakfast to grab the remote for the television. Next to the small plastic electronic was a flyer she remembered picking up after a photoshoot a week ago, and Svi finally recalled what she missed a moment earlier. After turning the television on, she flew up the stairs and scrambled to find where she left her phone, eventually coming upon it in the bathroom, where she unlocked it once again and continued reading the email she received as she went back down.
I’m still doing good. College stresses me out sometimes, but that’s on me for deciding to go with 8-week courses instead of the usual. Tuition is expensive though, even with scholarships, so the more time I can work, the better.
If you’re wondering about the car, I still have it. It’s been a bit of a pain in the ass lately. UAMC can design an engine that’ll last forever but can’t design chassis components that are both easy to work on and last long. I’ll have to change a couple worn out parts which will be another financial drain… that’s what I get for choosing to put looks before maintenance I guess.
Svi giggled. That’s so like them.
How’s your life going over there? Last I heard you were scouted by a modeling agency but we never really heard from you back. Hope you’re making the big bucks! Bet you’ve been walking up and down the catwalks like a true diva wearing all sorts of Vivienne Westwood clothes (or should I say couture?), and I’m guessing you’ve got yourself a car now, too. Will I be able to see you on Miss Universe soon? Being a model must be awesome.
She paused for a moment as she read that paragraph, and took a deep breath. Her deep thoughts were interrupted by a notification from her door, and quickly went to a different app to see who it could be.
Upon checking the camera, she was a bit taken aback. It was a well-dressed elderly gentleman, someone who she’s very much familiar with. She looked at the time and felt her chest start to pump faster.
Shit, did that much time really just pass?
She rushed to the front door to open it, greeting the man, who looked at her face with a highly concerned expression.
“G-good morning, Bruce! You got here early!”
“M-ma’am, I don’t suppose you’re… leaving in that?” He said, averting his gaze.
Her heart sank upon hearing those words, and she looked down at herself to find that she really wasn’t wearing more than her eggshell coloured robe, her chest almost spilling out from the upper untied portion of the faux fur garment. She quickly turned around, hugging herself in embarrassment.
“I- I’m… well… just come in, Bruce… we might end up just being late…” She said shamefully as she left the door open and waddled up the stairs.
“I suppose I’ll go turn the car off, then.”
Warm lights dotted the interior of the contemporary building with relaxing warmth in combination with the cool blue of the sea and sky entering through the wide open windows. A stark contrast to the clattering of silverware on dining plates mingling with fine music and indistinct conversations. The smell of the modern seafood cuisine was strong, enticing the nostrils of every patron who walked into the restaurant.
A champagne-coloured SUV with a distinct circular red-and-gold badge rolled up to the establishment’s facade where a skinny young man with short, curly blonde hair dressed in a Gucci crystal top and tight-fitting pants awaited. Leaves and rocks crunched under the weight of the heavy, imposing vehicle as it came to a gradual halt. The man opened the door, greeting the passenger cheerily.
“Heyyy~! What took you so long? Oh my… Stunning!”
“Sorry for being this late, Leo. Is the Director in there already?” Asked Svi as she stepped out. Her outfit for this outing consisted of a long-sleeved Vivienne Westwood top and patterned trousers, finished with a pearl orb necklace and a pair of bas relief earrings.
“Yup, let’s go!”
The two spotted a lightly bearded man with slicked back hair sitting at a small table, dressed in a simple orange turtleneck and vest, while wearing a round pair of glasses over his dark brown eyes. Sitting next to him, a woman in a frilly long-sleeved blouse with short brown hair in a mushroom-style cut and rectangular glasses. Leo led Svi to the table, who awkwardly said their greetings.
“Kept me waiting, huh?” Said the man in a deep, ruffled tone evidently showing the audible effects of years of cigarette usage.
“Traffic.” Svi said in a joking tone. “I’m really sorry, this morning was a bit rough. Have you ordered food yet? You should have!”
“That would be a bit rude if I hadn’t waited. But we can certainly go over the menu real quickly.” He said, as nonchalant and serious as he always was.
“The director insisted that we wait.” The woman next to him quipped.
He raised his hand to get a waiter’s attention, who promptly came by to hand the party some menus and filled their glasses with water. Svi looked over the choices of food, finding a couple of things interesting, but ultimately going on the safer side with a selection from the restaurant’s most popular dishes. The same couldn’t be said for her giddy manager, who looked as though he could eat every single meal option listed, and when the server returned Svi had let out a small cough to let him know not to step out of line when they were to order food.
“So, about that shoot. I invited you out here because I’ve been having a bad feeling about it. The rest of my crew feels the same way.” Said Sanchez as he handed the menu back to the waiter.
“What’s so bad about it? I don’t think I was informed of anything outside the venue and theme.”
“It’s exactly that, that management of theirs is so vague with everything. I’m not sure if this is going to be worth the time and effort. What did they even tell you about the venue and theme? The producer’s a guy I barely hear anything of.”
“Nothing more than what they told you. Besides, AzulBeau’s got a good reputation. If they want me as the lead, that’ll give me more opportunities to grow, would it not? Also, you’re going to be there for me, aren’t you, Sanchez?”
The man sighed, but before he could say another word, their orders had all arrived with steamingly hot aromas radiating from them and dissipating into people’s scent buds. Svi looked disapprovingly to her left as a healthy serving of Lobster salad descended in front of Leo, who was almost drooling at the sight of shrimp, oysters, and most importantly, lobster that filled his ocular vision.
“What? Can’t enjoy myself? You know, this is a seafood restaurant, right?” He said snarkily. In contrast, Sanchez’ assistant remained conservative with her meal, going with a small serving of Hake fish. All Svi could do was roll her eyes as her Guilho style Squid was presented before her. “You’re supposed to be taking notes for us. But go off.”
The aroma of the clawed crustacean was thankfully enough to calm the slightly annoyed feline down as she admired the well-made meal she was about too eat. “This smells good, where’d you even find this restaurant?”
“Hm, you didn’t know about this place? That’s a surprise.” Sanchez said before he took a sizable bite of some fish.
“Hm, was this featured on the Michelin Guide at some point?
“Good girl. You really know your stuff, don’t you.”
“The things you need to do in this world…”
They exchanged a few quips in between bites, but seemed so distracted by what they were eating that they completely discarded the reason they even went to meet up at the restaurant in the first place. This was until Sanchez took one last gulp of his Codfish and continued where he left off.
“We’ve known each other for three years, which is coincidentally the same time you’ve spent in this industry. I’m over a decade your senior, so when I’m calling something out, it’s probably because it’s something I saw in the past.”
“But a studio like AzulBeau? It could just be a lapse in their judgement instead of intentionally being malicious. I’m trying not to be too negative here.”
“You do have a point. It’s just that I don’t want you to go through what you did your first year if something goes wrong.”
Svi paused at those words, but immediately snapped back so as to not raise any suspicion. “I understand, Director. But if they put you in the lead, that must be something good, isn’t it?”
“When did they say that?”
“Hm, but it has you listed as Director, is it not? Leo, can you show him?”
Leo pulled out his laptop from his bag, quickly showing him the details they have received so far. “It lists your name, as well as Director Fernando de Jesus.”
“de Jesus?” Sanchez looked closer, alongside the other list of writers and preliminary crew. The theme that was given was indeed vague, but at this point, Sanchez couldn’t help but think of the worst.
“I’ve heard of his works before. I think personally, it could be a great chance for me to star in something big. It may not be an adaptation like what really sells nowadays, but the producer appears to have built a powerful team of writers to go along. His last movie sold really well at the box office for being a completely new story.”
“I’m trying to tell you this man isn’t who you think he is. Are you willing to take a risk like that, Svi?”
It was clear that the man was adamant that she doesn’t go forward with this plan. Svi perked up at that name, glaring at him like he had just cursed her ancestors out.
“I know de Jesus. You think you may know yourself well, but he knows himself better. His words are far more enchanting than you think. Agree to his whims, and you may risk losing yourself again.”
“Ouuuu…” Said Leo out of nowhere. All eyes suddenly turned to him as the tension was suddenly released with his irrelevant remark. “Oop, I’ll… umm… use the restroom real quick!”
With the annoying twink having left the table, the adults got back to talking.
“You should think carefully, Svi. I’m a softie, but please don’t take advantage of that. I don’t want another repeat of two years ago. You’ve built yourself up this much, don’t let it all crumble back down.”
“Do you think I could accept the role then back out later?”
“Then risk your reputation? You’re always an agreeable person, almost to a fault, so if you turned tail after finding out it’s not something for you, do you think people would see you the same way?”
“Is this industry really that shallow?”
“Of course it is. Actors are called actors for a reason. You sell false products here, whether it’s something as simple as a smile, or your whole personality. There are risks with being your true self on stage, and wanting to look complex can make you actually lose depth. Lies are everything in this world.”
Sanchez took a sip of his juice. He didn’t mean any harm in his words, but to Svi it all felt fatal, as though with every syllable he spoke had a sharp edge being thrusted into her and twisted before being pulled back out. She had much to learn about the industry despite being in it for what felt like an eternity, and it where she was was merely a teaspoonful of a significantly larger casserole.
The three of them sat in silence until Leo finally returned from the lavatory as though nothing had happened. “Dessert, anyone? Ouuu, Ana, you’ve actually barely finished your meal…”
“I’m good on dessert. I was thinking of saving some of these for Bruce if they let us have carry-out, instead of giving him money for lunch like I always do. How about you, Sanchez?”
“I’ll pass, thank you.” He said, nudging his assistant to ask for a cheque. “The meal is on me, but please, S-… Ana, carefully consider what I’ve told you today. Don’t put yourself in another unnecessary jeopardy, okay? You’re at the point where you’re big enough that any kind of fall will be painful, because the higher up you go, the sharper the spikes at the bottom become.”
There was a thick feeling in the air around them as Sanchez was handed the bill. Leo observed Svi’s face adamantly, but was unable to tell what she was thinking of exactly. She put on a stoic, almost emotionless face with her blue eyes looking deader than a sea full of salt. This ambience followed even as they all said their goodbyes and left the restaurant.
Bruce came back around in the sandy metallic Sendo SUV, and Leo opened the door for Svi as they both stepped into the Arts Deco-lined interior.
“Here you go, Bruce. If you don’t like squid I can still give you lunch money as always. Thank you for your patience.” Svi said as she handed over the small container.
“Oh, I haven’t had squid in a long time, thank you ma’am!” He gently put the container in the front passenger cushion next to him. “When we lived in Faro, my father would grill squid for us every other month. It was my favorite when I was younger. Those were the days…”
Faro…
“Ana… I’m sorry if I was… out of line earlier…” Leo began apologizing out of nowhere, which took Svi by surprise and got her out of the emotive trance that she was in earlier. She looked at him rather confused, but didn’t interrupt just yet as he continued. “You see, it’s just… I felt the mood was like, so super duper heavy and serious, and I wanted to try and cheer you all up and lighten the mood! Promise!”
“I mean, it really was supposed to be serious. But I appreciate it, Leo.” Svi said as she looked out of the window on her side. She leaned the chair back, navigating the car’s touchscreens to activate the massage feature. She let out a small purr as she felt the machine begin to knead her lower back gently.
“You’re not mad, right?” Leo leaned over his seat towards Svi.
“I can never be mad at you… I think I just need… some kind of breather…”
“Actually, come to think of it…” Leo took out a tablet from his bag. “…beyond the next three weeks your schedule hasn’t really been set in stone. You have one last commercial to shoot for Zara before the holidays, but that’s about it. I don’t think a break would be a bad idea. Maybe get together with some family and ease your mind.”
“Mhm…” Svi was pretty deep into her automotive effleurage, but she ultimately still heard what her manager had to say. Furthermore, she remembered what Bruce had just said moments ago, and her eyes opened fully as she asked Leo to grab her phone from her purse. She went back to her email app, and continued reading what Lily had sent her in response.
Do you have any plans for the holidays? I’ll probably just be working myself. I’m getting pretty sick of driving this Alpena every day, so I might get myself something simpler, like a Yamada or something. But that requires money, so I’ll definitely need to work more. I’d definitely love to hear what you’ve got in mind. Not sure how much different things are across the pond, but definitely let me know!
With that, as Bruce drove them along to their next destination, Svi began to compose a reply, formulating a plan in her head.
“Leo, can I ask you a favor?”
He looked over to her, cheery like a golden retriever. “Of course, queen!”
“Be a dear and look at vehicle auction websites for me, will you? I’ve got an idea!”
