With a couple of equipment in her hands and a heavy camera on her back, Michelle arrived at the main entrance of the building. Very few people came in and out, but her eyes immediately honed in on one person standing in the lobby.
That person caught sight of Michelle and came over.
"Are you Michelle?" Randi asked in an unfriendly tone.
From her voice, Michelle could tell that she was Randi, her contact person. She greeted the other woman with a smile, "Yes, I am. Nice to meet you, Randi."
But compared to how she spoke on the phone, Randi seemed different in person. Michelle had a feeling that Randi didn't like her, but she didn't know why.
Randi scanned her from head to toe.
'With her short black hair and baby face, it's hard to tell that she's twenty-five years old.
Her nose and mouth are so-so, but her eyes are big. Also, her skin looks smooth and creamy like milk.
In short, there's nothing special about her.
She is neither tall nor shapely. Her figure is not as good as Valerie's, let alone her temperament.
She looks very ordinary. How could a woman like this seduce Valerie's fiance?'
After giving Michelle the once-over, Randi said vaguely, "So-so."
Now, it was obvious that she was disliked. Michelle gave Randi a strange look before peering down at herself.
'What did she mean by that? Is it that I don't look like a photographer?
Or does she think that I'm not good at what I do?'
Randi held her gaze and remarked, "Michelle, you're a photographer who's working for Caroline's studio, so I thought that you'd be very good. But I went online just now and realized that you haven't posted any photos."
When she heard that, Michelle thought that the other woman was doubting her capabilities as a photographer.
But that was hardly Randi's fault. After all, Michelle didn't have a proper portfolio yet.
She was still a newcomer in the industry. She wasn't surprised if people doubted her skill.
So she was determined to give every opportunity her best and to shoot excellent photos. She was going to exceed her customers' expectations and make a name for herself.
'Go for it!'
Michelle told herself encouragingly.
Thinking that that was the reason why Randi was being unfriendly, she just smiled politely in return.
When she smiled, it made her seem so pure. Her smile usually had a good effect on people. It made her look approachable and trustworthy.
Stunned after being graced with a smile like that, Randi frowned in confusion.
'What's the matter with her? How can she smile so freely, as if she doesn't care what other people have to say?'
Michelle asked, "Did you come down to meet me? Thank you. Now, let's go upstairs. Which floor are we going to?"
Still looking at her as if she was odd, Randi coolly replied, "The eighteenth floor."
"Okay, let's go. Where's the elevator?" Michelle looked over the other woman's shoulder and quickly found the elevator.
"The elevator does not work," Randi lied with a straight face. "We can only get to the venue by stairs. It's right this way."
Michelle was surprised, but she still followed after her. "Why does the elevator not work?"
"I don't know," Randi answered dismissively and led her to the emergency staircase. "Remember: it's on the eighteenth floor. You can take your time while going up the stairs."
As she looked up at the many levels she would have to go through, Michelle gulped audibly and thought, 'The eighteenth floor? I have to carry my camera and equipment up to the eighteenth floor?'
Even without her gear, she couldn't walk all the way up there.
That would be too exhausting.
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