By the time they completed the concept photoshoot, it was already way past the time for lunch .

It was tiring but Yeo Ri had fun and learnt a lot from Jang Choon Jae and Park Soo Yeon's guidance . By the end of her photoshoot, she had somewhat gotten used to posing for the camera and shed away a large portion of her earlier nervousness .

Perhaps it was because of the friendliness of the people she worked with, or the fact that there was only a few people present, Yeo Ri actually felt quite comfortable in her own skin by the end .

"How was it, Yeo Ri-ah?"

"It was fun . Thank you giving me the opportunity to do something like this, Auntie . "

"Oh, it's alright . If you like it, then shall I arrange for another photoshoot after your audition? VAGUE Magazine is looking for young models so I can probably slide you in," she smilingly said . In her head, she was already dividing Yeo Ri's schedule . She wouldn't heap a lot of things on her, but give her just enough things to do so she could experience the life of a talent . Hopefully by the end of the three-month trial period, Yeo Ri would be willing to sign a long-term contract with her company .

"Auntie, you can do that?" Yeo Ri's eyes widened . VAGUE Magazine was one of the top-selling fas.h.i.+on magazines in the country! She had no idea why Park Soo Yeon was doing so much for her . Perhaps her luck was finally turning for the better, she thought . Though, she still took Mrs . Choi's words with a grain of salt .

"Of course! I can be considered as a famous person with connections, you know?" Mrs . Choi squared her shoulders with pride . One of her best weapons was her past connections with many big-shots due to her being a former queen of the silver screen and she would never hesitate to use them; it was one of the main reasons why her company was doing well despite its small size . Of course, her sweet words were bait to get the girl to stay for long-term, but Yeo Ri would definitely not regret signing with her company since she planned on delegating a lot of resources to raise her up .

"Then, please take care of me, Aunt—President . " Yeo Ri smiled gratefully at the older woman . Suddenly, a flash of envy crossed her heart . Da Na's mother was so kind; she wished she had someone like Park Soo Yeon as her mother .

Yeo Ri wondered, if her mother was still alive, would she be like Mrs . Choi?

Park Soo Yeon smiled happily, oblivious to the girl's true thoughts behind her perfect smile . Yeo Ri would be a great new addition to her Hope Entertainment family, she thought .

After wrapping up the photoshoot, Park Soo Yeon sent Gun and Yeo Ri home after treating them to lunch .

The very next day, Park Soo Yeon called and sent over a copy of Yeo Ri's freshly-printed portfolio to the two's house . "Another copy had been sent along with the audition registration form to the recruiter . The initial screening's result should come out in a week or two," the older woman had said .

After hanging up, Yeo Ri had pulled Gun to sit next to her and open the thick envelope together . Slowly, she took out the binder that was her 'model portfolio' and nervously flipped to the first page .

"W-wow . . . "

Yeo Ri let out a breathless voice .

"Is this really me . . . ?"

Every page was gorgeous, highlighting her beautiful features . Looking at the pictures, Yeo Ri was completely awestruck . It was on a completely different level .

"You look so pretty," Gun murmured, his eyes marvelling at the masterfully-taken photos . As expected of a professional; the pictures that he would usually take of Yeo Ri was child's play next to this work of art .

The Yeo Ri in the photos felt alien to her .

Wearing white, her eyes glittering like dark gems; she looked like the definition of an innocent beauty, completely unfettered and untarnished by the darkness in the world . Perhaps, this was what her schoolmates had in mind when they nicknamed her 'Lee Cheonsa' .

" . . . Mr . Jang is amazing," Yeo Ri said . Was this the strength of an amazing photographer? He had completely moulded her image into the narrative that he had envisioned .

Yeo Ri stared intently at the page she was looking at .

A girl dressed in white, bathed in a flutter of feathers, smiling gently .

'How hateful,' she thought . 'How enviable . '

If only that was the real her .