When the group of women left ZL Group, their faces were twisted into masks of rage.
Erica was blissfully ignorant of what else was going on, and continued snapping photos from the balcony of their villa.
'Hmm…I still need a drone. But I don't want to dip into the cash Matthew floated me. Let's see if I can take on some freelance work and pay for it that way, ' she thought.
She took out her phone and sent a message to Chantel. "Hey, know anyone who needs portrait work? I'll even take on a contract with a company at this point. I need cash and fast! Let me know, okay?" She was so short of money that she started to tackle other people's projects for pay.
It took a bit for Chantel to reply. "Hey, I just got your message. I was shooting my new drama. We just broke for a meal. And I've got a plum assignment for you. Why don't you take pics of me? I've always wanted to be a model for the famous photographer, EM!"
Erica chuckled, "Sounds like a plan. And if we screw up, I can always fix it in post. But I couldn't charge you—you're a friend. And I have to focus on making money now."
Tessie and Chantel knew better than anyone how good Erica was at photography.
"No problem. Just use your professional name EM. People will be lining up in the streets to model for you! But I'll put the word out you're looking for work!"
The name "Erica" wasn't well-known in the photography industry, but everyone knew EM.
"Thank you! Love you, dear sister-in-law."
Looking at the word "sister-in-law," Chantel smiled happily. It had been more than two weeks since she saw Gifford. Keeping this in mind, she rang her assistant. "I'm heading back home in two days. Get me tickets, please. I'll be gone for at least that long."
"Yes, ma'am," came the assistant's prompt reply. Chantel ended the call, and called her agent to let her know. Her agent wasn't okay with it. "Two days? You're in the middle of a shoot, not to mention the fact that your time off is affecting the work we can find you! Have you thought about that? Your opportunities will be drying up! Why don't we wait a bit to schedule a vacation?" The agent was just looking out for her. She knew Chantel had always been short of money.
But Chantel shook her head. She had promised Gifford to be home more often. No matter how much money she made, it was not as important as family. "Just make sure to let everyone know."
Knowing Chantel had made up her mind, the agent had to acquiesce. "Okay," she said. "It's your career."
Like a good friend, Chantel came through for her. The next day, Erica had some lucrative work.
The subject of her photo shoot was a famous young man named Dylan. He was a rising star in the industry, and figured that some photos by a high profile photographer would do a lot for his reputation.
He projected the image of a tough guy onscreen, and got tons of action movie roles. But he was really quite effeminate! Definitely not what Erica had bargained for.
'It's not my business. I'm just a photographer. I take pictures, ' she thought.
However, what annoyed Erica was that the effeminate man was way too chatty. While she tried to line up the perfect shot, he kept babbling away. "Why do you wear a mask?" he asked as he pointed his fingers at her in a womanly way.
Erica didn't want to talk, but she felt embarrassed if she ignored him. "I have a cold, and I don't want to give it to you. Hence, the mask." She pointed at her face.
"Oh, I see. How old are you anyway?"
She answered perfunctorily while adjusting the shutter speed, "Take a guess."
At that moment, the studio was in an uproar. Rather than the usual din of calls for "action," sound effects, and lines being recited, there was a different kind of commotion.
She didn't pay much attention to it. Sometimes people stood and gawked at a star walking on set. That kind of thing happened at least a couple times a day.
But this time, it was different!
This was no star, even though everyone recognized him.
The moment he stepped into the studio, he saw a woman in a mask snapping pics while a man posed for her.
He walked up silently and finally stood beside her.
Dylan shouted excitedly when he saw the man beside Erica, "Wow! It's Mr. Huo! Mr. Huo is here!"
'Mr. Huo?' The woman who was taking photos suddenly had a bad feeling about this. She turned her head and—sure enough! She didn't even know how long Matthew had been standing behind her.
"Ah! Honey! When did you get here?" Erica put down the camera at once and walked to her husband with a smile, holding his arm.
But that was just an act, as she thought to herself, 'I'm screwed. He caught me lying again.'
Matthew glanced at the woman wearing a mask. Unsatisfied, he pulled it off. Only when her tiny face was completely exposed did he feel better. "Is it fun to hang around in the studio?" he asked sarcastically.
The scene astonished everyone nearby. They then realized that the photographer was Mrs. Huo!
Erica smiled awkwardly. She told Matthew that she was hanging out with friends today. "I need the money. This shoot alone is worth a couple hundred thousand. How could I turn that down?"
If it weren't for the money, she would have smashed the camera in front of the effeminate man and left!
Dylan didn't seem to notice what was going on between the two. He ran over and cut in, "Mr. Huo! I'm so excited to see you!"
He must be really excited to have tears in his eyes like that.
Matthew was not so enthused. He didn't even acknowledge Dylan's presence.
However, Dylan didn't seem to notice that, either. He continued, "I'm a big fan, Mr. Huo. Can I have your autograph?"
Matthew's cold eyes fell on his face. "Talk nicely!"
"Oh—what? What did I say that was so wrong?" The young star pouted his lips.
"Hahaha…" Seeing the embarrassed look on Matthew's face, Erica couldn't help laughing out loud.
Matthew couldn't stand it anymore. He had always hated this kind of man. He cocked a fist, threatening to hit the star. When Dylan saw his angry face, he moved aside and said, "Aw, Mr. Huo, please don't do this to me! You're my idol. Not in the face! Not in the face!"
Seeing that Matthew was about to beat up Dylan, Erica quickly pulled on his sleeve and said, "No, honey. It's not worth it!" 'Let me finish taking photos of him and get the money first before you hit him! Otherwise, that's two hours I'll never get back!' she exclaimed in her mind.
Matthew straightened his clothes, grabbed her wrist and said, "Come with me!"
"No, I can't leave now. Look, I have a job to do! Just be patient, and I'll be done soon!"
"You don't have to earn money this way!" Matthew disagreed. Why did his wife have to put up with this womanly man to earn that paltry amount?
Erica held his hand tightly and begged, "It's not the money; it's my reputation. What if people knew I walked off a job like this? C'mon, let me finish!"
Seeing the embarrassment in the woman's eyes, Matthew sighed helplessly and his heart softened. With a straight face, he said, "I'll wait for you in the car. I'm leaving in ten minutes!"
"Okay, okay, I'll be quick!" He said ten minutes. But she could shoot for twenty minutes.
The man then left the studio.
In the end, Matthew waited for the woman in the car for thirty-nine minutes before he saw her running over in a hurry.
When she was about to get in the car, another staff member stopped her to talk about the clean-up process for the photos. More than ten more minutes passed.
When she finally opened the door and got in the car, the man stared at her expressionlessly. After she sat well, he asked indifferently, "You value your time pretty highly. Don't you think you should value mine?"
Putting the camera bag aside, Erica leaned over to hold his arm and said in a low voice, "I'm just busy today. You know, I'm a normal person. I can't just stay home every day, right? Part of it is that I'm bored. And you saw the gloves I'm wearing. I won't hurt myself. Don't worry!"
"You have a comeback for everything, don't you?" He only asked one question, but she told him a lot.
