The Last Day of the Photoshoot
The studio buzzed with a feeling of completion. Flashes from the cameras clicked in rhythm, stylists tugged at last-minute details, and the creative director yelled directions with increasing passion.
Malee was on her game, poised and confident, owning each shot completely. The light set her just so each pose, each smile carefully built to perfection.
Aria watched from the sidelines, clutching her clipboard tightly. While her professional facade was securely intact, her eyes hung a fraction longer than required on Malee.
The launch of the campaign was just days away, and there was tension running through the team. Elan's success rested on this moment.
Malee drew Aria's gaze and gave a tiny, sincere smile. It flashed and was gone, but it worked something in Aria, a combination of surprise and something she couldn't quite define.
The Weight of Work
In the office, meanwhile, things were a whirl. Emails flooded in, meeting schedules doubled, and every aspect of the launch was questioned under Aria's exacting eye.
Her assistant, Pim, kept dropping by with reminders and coffee refills, feeling the pressure mounting. "Breathe," Pim kidded once, gliding another cup across Aria's desk.
Leaning over her laptop, her phone buzzed once, twice, again.
Malee's name flashed on the screen.
Malee:
"Coffee? Just 15 minutes. No big deal."
Aria gazed at the message. She was consumed in work, her mind whirling with deadlines and tasks.
Aria:
"I'm swamped. Not sure I can."
She hesitated for a moment before sending it.
Seconds after, the screen flashed again.
Malee:
"Will bring coffee to you."
Aria's heart missed or was she imagining? She put down the phone, trying to concentrate on her spreadsheet again.
Launch Meeting: Strategy Session
The following morning, the glass-encased conference room hummed with urgency. The launch was just a week off. Each department head attended: PR, product development, digital strategy, influencer management.
At the head of the table, Aria clicked through her slides with telling rhythm.
"Urban women between 22–34, digitally native, aspirational. They're not purchasing simply skincare; they're purchasing identity. We frame Elan Beauty as both premium and personal exclusivity with relatability."
She pointed to the slide with a funnel chart.
Our goals: create brand awareness with an all-channel omnichannel campaign, achieve a 15% increase in engagement on TikTok and Instagram Reels in the first month, and garner a minimum of an 8% conversion rate on our website."
Malee was seated roughly in the middle, looking polished in a cream-colored blazer, not saying a word. When Aria cycled to the ambassador slide, Malee broke her silence.
"So, I'm not just a face in a frame. I'm supposed to embody the entire brand narrative aspirational yet approachable, bold but consistent. Correct?"
Heads turned. It wasn't often models chimed in during strategy.
Aria's lips pressed into a thin line, though her voice stayed steady. "Exactly. The ambassador role here isn't ornamental. It's functional. Every interview, every post, every clip adds to the halo effect."
Malee sat back with a relaxed smile. "Good. I don't enjoy being for show."
Some laughter ran around the table. Aria's pen tapped once on her clipboard before she proceeded.
Following the Meeting : A Charged Encounter
The team departed, chattering about deadlines and product. Aria remained behind, collecting her notes. Malee waited as well, holding fast until the door was closed.
"You're relentless in there," Malee said, crossing her arms. "All those numbers, funnels, KPIs... You make it sound like a war plan."
Aria did not glance up. "That's because it is. Campaigns like this don't just sell products. They determine whether a brand goes down in flames or flies high."
Malee cocked her head. "And if it flies high... will you finally breathe?"
Aria hesitated for a second, then bundled up her papers quickly. "I don't have time to breathe."
Malee smiled gently. "Good thing I keep showing up then. Someone has to remind you."
Aria finally glanced at her sharp, unreadable before continuing past. "Don't make it your mission."
Malee's grin widened as she followed her out of the room. "Too late."
Launch Rehearsal : The Ballroom
Two days hence, the Mandarin Hotel ballroom was abuzz. The rehearsal for Elan's official launch had commenced not only for the press crew, but for an exclusive delegation of investors, influencers, and stakeholders who had been invited to get a sneak preview of the campaign vision.
Aria hovered close to the stage, headphones on, delivering sharp instructions.
"Segment Two lighting cue should be tighter. And ensure our Tier A influencers are in front row visibility is everything."
She spoke in a clipped, concentrated tone. Perfection was mandatory.
Malee walked in a few minutes later, wearing a fitted ivory suit that made the demarcation line of the room double-take. She was not in model form today no posing, no artificial smile. She moved like she fit in.
Aria's eyes flew up against her will. She forgot to breathe for a moment.
At the time of the ambassador walk-through, Malee didn't merely sashay down the stage. She paused at the podium, tugged on the mic, and started to speak smooth, confident, effortless.
"I know this is only a rehearsal," she repeated, smiling weakly at the audience of investors and influencers. "But Elan isn't just a brand to me. It's confidence. It's showing up exactly as you are and daring the world to keep up."
There was a murmur of respectful approval around the room. Some of the investors nodded, impressed. A few influencers were already out with their phones, taking cutaways.
Aria stood stock still. This wasn't in the script.
When Malee left the stage, Aria was backstage waiting for her.
"You weren't supposed to speak," she said flatly.
Malee cocked her head. "I spotted an opportunity. And it worked, didn't it?"
Aria's lips tightened. She wanted to protest but Malee was correct.
"Next time, check with me first," Aria grumbled.
Malee moved in, voice dropping to a whisper. "Or perhaps you just enjoy being surprised by me."
Aria gave her a look calm, expressionless. But the faint curve of her lips betrayed her for half a second.
Later, at the investor cocktail run-through, Malee moved smoothly through the ballroom. She smiled for pictures, talked small, even coaxed a notoriously cranky venture capitalist into laughter.
Across the room, Aria sat with folded arms, impassive face. But when Malee caught her eye, she offered a fleeting wink fast, playful, seen by no one else.
Aria turned away at once, but her ears grew warm.
At the end of the evening, when the crew broke down, Malee crawled into the seat next to her in the vacant ballroom.
"You didn't tell me I did good," Malee said with a tease.
Aria did not look at her. She gazed down at her clipboard. "You didn't mess it up. That's something."
Malee beamed, pleased. "Nonchalant as always. But I'll take it."
Aria finally met her gaze for a moment. "Don't get used to it."
Malee's smile grew, but she spoke not a word. She didn't have to.
Silence between them was almost sweet for once.