9. Fierce Competition

"Did you know that Vine magazine will open the model selection for London Fashion Week?" As he walked hand in hand with Jonathan down the hallway of the agency building, Axel frowned. Jonathan the manager's words had piqued his curiosity. Axel stopped and looked at Jonathan curiously. "Did they do the selection?" he asked. London Fashion Week is an event that takes place every six months. It is an event that models from various agencies look forward to. In the past, London Fashion Week was sponsored by quite a lot of high society. That's why the models who are selected to participate in London Fashion Week will participate in a bigger event. That is New York Fashion Week with the media spotlighting them. Of course, the models consider it an important thing. Because they need that stepping stone to get noticed by other magazines that are bigger than Vine magazine. "I have, but not all. You've been nominated, Axel." Axel's eyes rounded perfectly. "What? I've been nominated?" Seeing Axel's surprise made Jonathan surprised too. In fact, for a moment they both looked at each other dumbfounded. "You're surprised?" Jonathan immediately burst out laughing. "It's like you've never been nominated. Hey, even you always get nominated. Why are you surprised?" "Not about that, but..." Axel's sentence trailed off. Jonathan noticed that his model still looked confused. It was as if he had never experienced being nominated. "Why, is something bothering you?" "Yeah," Axel quickly nodded, "aren't I going to a brand photo shoot overseas?" "You're still going, Axel," Jonathan said. "Aren't you happy about being nominated?" "I don't mean to be, but if I keep getting shortlisted-" "Are you worried that other models, especially the junior ones, won't get their chance?" Jonathan asked, cutting Axel off. Again, Axel flinched. He was stunned to realize that Jonathan could always read his mind. "Ah, I forgot that you can always read my mind, Mr. Jonathan," Axel replied with a heavy sigh on the last word. Jonathan didn't answer immediately. He watched for a moment as Axel looked annoyed and turned his gaze in any direction. Throughout their work together, Jonathan knew that Axel always prioritized junior models to get opportunities. Moreover, this modeling agency did prioritize well-known models. Instead of paying attention to debuting models in order to make a name for themselves. "Why should I be included?" Axel asked again. "Axel," Jonathan called, his voice low and serious. He now faced his body towards Axel. "I know you always want junior models to have the same opportunities. But this Vine magazine thing isn't in the agency's hands." "Nonsense," Axel said, laughing sarcastically. "Mr. Jonathan, how can I be sure they didn't do a backroom deal to get me nominated?" Jonathan had no answer for that. All at once his lips felt numb. He had nothing to say because what Axel said was true. His brain instantly replayed the memory of an incident. This was four years ago. When Axel was in the first year of his modeling career. Luck was on Axel's side because Axel had already gotten quite a few magazine contracts. It wasn't a big magazine that year, but it was a stepping stone for Axel. After all, there was no junior model who immediately got a contract for up to ten magazines at the beginning of his career. This made Axel's modeling agency, for whatever reason, so aggressive that Axel could be nominated for the selection of models for the United States Fashion Week. Unfortunately, Axel was not ready for the extra training. Axel tried to refuse, especially since his best friend-who was also another model of the same age at this agency-wanted the nomination. As a result, Axel's friendship with the model was destroyed because Axel was chosen. "If you still remember that incident-" "Do you think you'll be chosen again like that year?" A voice from behind made Jonathan stop talking. Axel and Jonathan's attention shifted. In unison they immediately looked away to the source of the voice. Axel stiffened at the arrival of Woonshik - a photo model from Korea with his manager. Woonshik was dressed in a suit like he had just finished a photo shoot. There was a sly grin on his face. "If you're worried, it means you're indirectly very confident of winning," Woonshik continued in a sardonic tone, talking in English. Axel's eyes immediately narrowed, returning the sharpness of Woonshik's eyes. But there was actually a part of Axel's heart that throbbed with pain. Seeing no warmth in Whoonsik's eyes like before, Axel still felt unwilling. "I didn't know you had started to read other people's minds," Axel replied, rather calmly. There wasn't the same cynicism as in Woonshik's sentence. Jonathan already had a cautious look on his face. Woonshik and Axel's meetings always created an atmosphere of serious tension. But in contrast to Jonathan, Woonshik's manager wore a satisfied grin. Woonshik's manager hated Axel because of his success. "No need to waste energy on that." Woonshik walked over while giving his manager the code not to follow. Deliberately throwing a challenging expression at Axel. "Because I already know your character who always thinks you're better than anyone else." Axel didn't flinch at all when Woonshuk confronted him. Even their distance was only one step. Even if Woonshik showed hatred right in Axel's beady eyes, Axel tried not to be affected. "Wow, you're really experienced in judging people. Why should I feel better than others?" Axel asked. Axel didn't flinch at all when Woonshuk confronted him. Even they were only one step apart. Even though Woonshik showed hatred right in Axel's beady eyes, Axel tried not to be affected. "Wow, you're really experienced in judging people. Why should I feel better than anyone else?" Axel asked. Then Axel leaned closer to Woonshik, whispering, "Even without me admitting it, I'm already better than anyone." Woonshik's jaw hardened and the glint in his eyes intensified. He followed Axel's backward movement. For some reason, seeing Axel's lopsided smile was irritating. "You're annoying. You're still the same as four years ago," Woonshik quipped as his lopsided smile faded. His tone lowered. Woonshik's words went straight to Axel's heart. Somehow it was as if Sungho knew the words that were Axel's weakness. Always and always, Sungho brought up the incident four years ago in every conversation the two of them had. "Remember this one thing, Axel..." Woonshik's sentence hung for a few moments. A sharp glint of emotion was captured in Axel's eyes. "The reason you're able to stand tall like you are now is because... you stood on many other people's hearts." Axel swallowed hard. His throat was constricted. Slowly but surely, Woonshik's words seeped into Axel's mind. Triggering more anger to erupt in his chest. The more Axel thought about their broken friendship, or how many junior models were pushed aside because the agency favored him. The more Axel's hurt was palpable. "Hey, watch your language, Woonshik!" Jonathan, who had read the situation, started to speak up. His eyes flashed at Sungho. "Hey, hey, you don't have the right to meet-" "I have the right to speak up!" cut Jonathan off at Woonshik's manager's words. His snapping instantly stunned Woonshik. "What happened back then wasn't my fault..." "Never mind, Mr. Jonathan," Axel said immediately without taking his eyes off Woonshik. One hand was extended, restraining Jonathan. "Don't say anything. It will only make things worse." Jonathan actually wanted to say more. But Axel didn't want the situation to get worse. As a result, Jonathan held his lips to keep from saying anything. "We don't need to waste time on them. I need to focus on the nominations, right?" Axel asked, deliberately insinuating Woonshik. Woonshik's hands on his right and left sides were clenched. Axel saw that, but didn't say anything. Finally Axel invited Jonathan to leave Woonshik's presence. It didn't matter what Woonshik or his manager did. But as Axel walked away, Woonshik exclaimed, "You see, Axel, I made sure your name won't be on the list of top model stars for long!" Unbeknownst to Woonshik, Axel was holding his chest tight. How could Woonshik turn out to hate him that much?