June looked at the woman's nameplate—Esther.
Then, he looked around the spacious studio. It was all white—from the walls to the decorations and even the lights.
Esther stood as a stark comparison against the plain background.
"Why are you still here?" she snarkily asked.
"You must hate working here, huh?" June suddenly said, causing her to stop chewing her gum.
Esther's eyebrows furrowed as she locked gazes with June.
"What are you talking about?"
"But you're staying here because the pay is really good," June continued to assess her life.
Esther's frown deepened. With their gazes still locked, she realized that she couldn't read the masked boy's eyes at all.
She had always been pretty good at reading other people! And that's how she was able to kick plenty of aspiring artists out of Mr. Choi Pablo's studio before they even met the man himself.
It was obvious when someone just wanted to use Choi Pablo to get ahead in life.
However, she couldn't read this man at all. If she could pick out just one emotion, then it'd be "desperation." Not the crazy kind! But one where he must really want to achieve something other than fame.
"What makes you say that?" she asked in a wary tone.
June shrugged. "You're chewing on a packet of gum you've bought," he said, pointing to the watermelon-flavored gum on top of the counter. "But there's multiple packets of lemon-flavored gum behind you. I'm assuming it's what the office provides."
Esther looked away.
"And your computer screen," June pointed at the large mirror on the back, where her computer screen is currently being reflected. "You're looking for job placements to become a designer while playing solitaire on the side. If that doesn't entail job dissatisfaction, then I don't know anymore."
Esther pursed her lips together. She felt like she was being read like an open book!
However, June didn't stop there.
"And you must hate the color white. None of your items remotely have that color, so this office is filled with the color you hate. But looking at your designer items, I'm assuming the pay is quite nice, so you can't really leave, am I right?" he asked.
Esther didn't respond.
"Or do you want me to continue?"
"Stop!" Esther exclaimed, her face reddening in embarrassment. "That's enough," she muttered.
Usually, she'd be the one reading people at the front desk. Choi Pablo trusted her so much that she could make people leave or stay based on her discretion.
However, this was the very first time that someone had read into her life!
"What's your name?" she asked.
"You're not interested in that, I presume," June said. "You only let in people you want to anyway."
Esther scoffed, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Alright, you got me there," she said. "You passed."
This man—it felt like he could become the next big star.
"Go in," Esther continued, pointing at the largest door. "Choi Pablo is probably resting there."
June bowed his head, taking Esther by surprise once more. Usually, people would jump and exclaim in joy once they were granted permission to go in. However, this guy just looked like he was entering a fast-food restaurant.
Esther shook his head as she watched his retreating figure. "Pablo's going to enjoy this."
As June entered the large doors, he was greeted by a white room, reminding him of the rooms where people with straight jackets were locked. And in the center of the room was a prestigious camera.
June looked around and saw a man with white-blonde hair and white clothes sleeping on the white couch. His face was covered with a white book, and his fingers twitched when he heard the door close.
"What?" Pablo asked, his voice sounding higher than June had expected.
"Choi Pablo," June said, his eyes never leaving his figure.
Choi Pablo clicked his tongue and removed the book from his face before sitting up. A man, who appeared to be in his late 20s, locked gazes with June. He had an annoyed look on his face after his peaceful nap had been interrupted.
Pablo looked June up and down before shaking his head.
"Esther actually let you in?" he asked in a condescending tone. "I'm surprised. You don't have any style at all," he continued.
June remembered he was wearing all-black that day. Even his mask was black.
"But then again, she likes the atrocious color," Pablo continued. "What do you want?"
"I want you to take my headshots," June bluntly said, causing Pablo to burst into laughter.
"Oh, geez. You go straight to the point, don't you?"
"And preferably until after lunch only. I have things to do in the afternoon," June continued.
Choi Pablo smirked. "Just because Esther let you in does not mean that I'll take your photos right away. I just don't take it for anyone."
"You don't have a set criteria on who you want to capture," June said. "So, you're going to take my photos today. It can't be anyone else."
The rap upgrade—June needed it for his team.
"Are you that desperate?" Pablo asked.
June shrugged. "I'm not leaving until you take my pictures."
"Feisty," Pablo smirked. "Then, show me what you got. I haven't even seen your face, yet you want me to take your photos?"
With a quick movement, June removed his mask and hat before raking his fingers through his hair.
For a second, Pablo's breath got caught in his throat.
The man before him was a mixture of handsome and beautiful. His eyes appeared very cat-like, and his lips were quirked into a natural smile. However, his aura felt so different from his looks, causing Pablo to become confused.
It's as if he's a gangster stuck in a pretty boy's body.
"Well?" June asked. "Can you take my pictures now?"
Pablo clicked his tongue. "I've seen far more attractive faces than you," he said.
"Cha Eun Boo and Bae Sueme stunned me the first time we met. G-Dinosaur was also more charming. You, on the other hand, look like a regular idol singer."
"Okay," June accepted his statements. "But you take pictures based on your preference, right? You don't take them based on the subjects' looks."
Pablo narrowed his eyes. Alright, he got him there.
"What's your name?" Pablo asked.
"June," he answered.
"June?" Pablo tilted his head to the side. The name was familiar. He must have heard it on TV or something. However, Choi Pablo was currently undergoing a social media detox for personal reasons, so he isn't really aware of up-and-coming stars.
June clicked his tongue. "Look, I really need to get my pictures captured by now. I have an important performance tomorrow, and I can't miss it."
"So impatient," Pablo said. "You'll get hurt in the future if you're impatient. Do you know that?"
"I know," June acknowledged. "But you aren't saying what you want from me."
"Oh?" Pablo exclaimed in surprise. "How'd you know I want something from you."
"It's obvious in your eyes," June said. "Just spill it. You'll take my picture after you get what you want, right?"
"Only if I like what I'll see," Pablo answered.
June sighed. "What do you want?"
Pablo smiled cheekily as he looked into June's eyes.
"Take off your shirt."
