JALEN
I hate working for large companies. They don’t respect your time and definitely not your craft. One thing is for sure, I don’t play about my work. If this cornball I’m supposed to be meeting doesn’t show up in the next fifteen minutes, I’m out. I’ve been doing this for so long. I deserve some respect on my name. These large companies don’t give a fuck, though, and that’s my problem with them. It’s hard turning down a check, but they pay better than my own people. I promised my girlfriend Bianca that this would be the last large company I’d work for. It’s just annoying as hell.
For the most part, I’ve had one hell of a journey. I’ve been doing graphic design and photography since I was in high school. I dropped out of college to fulfill my dreams after everyone told me I couldn’t do it. I bring home almost 8K a month. I’ve been blessed enough to shoot with the hottest woman in the entertainment industry from Zendaya, Karrueche Tran, Nazanin Mandi, and more, just to name a few. I’ve worked with popular YouTube vloggers and magazine companies.
I must admit, it’s not easy. I’m surrounded by gorgeous woman damn near every day, and on top of that, I create great content for large companies like Google, Yahoo, and the like. My career is my baby for sure. I absolutely love what I do, but sometimes I wish I had an off button. I just want to turn the whole world off and sleep. I’m lucky enough to get six hours of sleep. I try to balance my life as evenly as possible, though. I give myself weekends off to do nothing. It’s hard having weekends free because most models and companies want to shoot on weekends. After that rush to the hospital almost a year ago due to being stressed and overworked, I had to give myself a break. I had been working for sixty days straight with no days off. One day, I had the pleasure of shooting my beautiful girlfriend. She had been begging me to postpone it due to my hectic schedule, but I insisted on doing it anyway, knowing damn well I needed that day off. Anyways, my head started spinning, and next thing I know, I was waking up in the hospital surrounded by family, friends, and Bianca. The doctor told me I was stressed and overwhelmed. So I just took two weeks off and went on vacation to relax.
I pull out my phone from my pocket, and it’s been well over thirty minutes. This is lame as hell. I have shit to do today. I quickly grab my things, but not before bumping into the most beautiful human being and spilling coffee all over her.
“DAMN! I’m so sorry,” I say, grabbing some napkins.
She doesn’t say anything but instead looks down at her navy blue silk blouse. I can’t keep my eyes off of her. She has this innocent but sexy look to her that draws me in. We gaze into each other’s eyes before she decides to break the ice.
“Are you going to hand me those napkins or just stare at me?” she asks with a sly smile.
“I’m really sorry about all of this,” I say, handing her some napkins. “Let me go grab you another cup of coffee,” I offer.
“It’s okay. I don’t really need it anyway.” She dabs the napkins lightly on her blouse as I watch her hard nipples pierce through the silk. I quickly turn towards the cashier, and he nods at me to let me know he’ll be bringing over another cup of coffee.
“Please! That’s the least I can do for you since I practically knocked you over.”
She takes a deep breath before putting the napkins into the trashcan behind her.
“Well?” I ask, smiling.
Before she can respond, the cashier comes over and hands her a cup of coffee.
“Thanks, bro!” I hand him ten dollars. “Keep the change.”
She smiles, shaking her head. She willingly grabs a seat at the table where I had been sitting. We sit in silence as I watch her sip on her coffee. Her olive skin tone complements her perfect nude manicured nails.
“What’s your name?” she asks in a soft tone.
“Jalen. And yours?”
“Tara.”
What the hell am I doing here? Why is this stranger making me feel nervous? Why is she so damn beautiful? I see beautiful women on the regular, and not once have I ever felt like this. She rises from her seat and grabs her purse.
“Thank you for the cup of coffee, Jalen.”
“Can I walk you to your car?” I ask in the thirstiest tone ever. I’m turning into one of those thirsty clowns who keeps sending messages after being left read. We walk outside as the busy downtown traffic and pedestrians pass us by. It’s as if nobody else is around but us.
“I didn’t drive here. I’m waiting on my Albar.”
“You mean Uber?” I correct her, trying not to burst into laughter.
“Yes! Whatever you kids call it these days. Growing up, we had taxis and cabs.”
“Growing up? How old are you?”
“[RC3]never told you to never ask a woman her age?” she glares at me.
“I’m sorry, but you don’t look a day over thirty,” I say, eyeing her curvy frame.
“Why thank you.” She blushes. “I’m 46.”
“Well, Mama, you bad. You JLo-fine, and I am not just saying that.”
A grey Camry pulls in front of us. I’m assuming that must be her ride.
“That’s my Uber. Thanks, Jalen, for that coffee.”
“Wait!” Here I go again, being stupid. “You should let me shoot you.”
“Excuse me?” she says, offended.
“Not like that. I’m a photographer, and I would love to do a photoshoot with you.” I’m not about to let her leave like that. This woman is too damn fine, and I’m willing to risk everything to see her again.
“No, thank you! I’m sure one of these beautiful young women around here would love to.”
“But I’m asking you. I’ve already worked with these young beautiful women. I want to work with this beautiful woman standing right in front of me.” I smile down at her. There’s no way she’s turning me down with this charm.
“Ma’am, are you ready?” the Uber driver asks impatiently.
“Just think about it.” I hand her my card. “I’m a very busy man, but I’ll definitely clear my schedule for you.”
She takes my card from my hand and smiles at me. I open the car door for her as she steps inside.
“Here you go, man.” I hand the Uber driver ten dollars for the inconvenience after closing the door behind Tara.
