Her grandma gave her the album as a present before she left home that morning.“Don’t put too much importance on what your parents say now. Young people have to find their own path in life, and as long as you don’t hurt others you’ll be doing well, my child.”Joy didn’t want to leave her grandma, either, but the old lady told her she’d be alright. “I’m very healthy, what do you take me for? I just have a bit of trouble moving, but that’s normal for people of my age.”The previous night she couldn’t sleep, so she spent her hours packing her things in a big travel backpack, that she’d have to drag with her to work. Emilia, an old friend from high school, told her she could stay at her apartment for a few days until she found something for herself.Joy hated coffee, it was too bitter for her taste, but that morning she still forced herself to drink a bit before arriving at the office. Adrien was already there, apparently discussing with the other photographer, Luca, but both of them stopped to stare at her and her backpack once she crossed the door.“What’s that?” Her boss asked “We have a photo session at the natural reserve, is that why you thought about camping?”She shook her head, her eyes looking down due to the embarrassment.“It’s not that. I’m moving later, and I had no choice but to bring this with me meanwhile. I’m sorry.”“Ok. Come here and learn this lesson too.” He turned his back to Luca again. “I told you more than once that we only have space for three photos in that article, and yet look at this. Why does the model have exactly the same expression in all of them? Don’t you know how to instruct her at all?”“Boss, I think you are exaggerating. She looks just fine.”“It’s the same thing in all of them.” Adrien frowned at the guy, then looked at Joy. “I have work to do, I cannot go with you to all the sessions as if you were babies. That’s why we meet before to talk about the concept for the photos and the articles that go with it.”“Yes, I know.” She said, biting her lips. She hadn’t even done anything wrong yet, but still gained a reprimand just because of her colleague. “Don’t think I don’t know why you’re like this. Lust after the woman all that you want, as long as you do your job properly.” He was talking to Luca again, but Joy found his words too crude.“Ok Adrien. Should I arrange another session then?”“There’s not enough time. I’ll see what I can do. Just remember it for the next time.”He picked her jacket and a black leather backpack and signaled Joy with a hand. It was time for them to go. Although he’d just reminded them this part of the job was exclusively their responsibility, Joy was still under ‘training’ for a couple of weeks, so he’d be going with her in the first two assignments.She dropped her travel backpack next to her desk and only took her equipment with her to follow him. From the office to the parking lot she almost had to run to keep up with his pace.There was something curious about his character that she just noticed, not that she would dare to ask. Adrien seemed a nice man who turned dead serious when it came to work, especially with his demands to the photographers. There was a rumour the last one resigned because he couldn’t stand the pressure of working with him. It was clear he was passionate about it, but why did he give up artistic photography to work at Zoom, then?“So what’s the story behind you bringing your closet along with you?” He asked once they reached his car.“Hmm, just… I’m leaving my parents’ house.” This was the problem about her persona, and probably the reason why she didn’t have many friends. She’d usually be quiet and collected, but once she started talking it was impossible to stop, untilt the point it became annoying, or so her last boyfriend had told her.“I was supposed to get into Law School, you know? I prepared for it since I was still in high school, my parents always dreamed of having a lawyer and a doctor in the family. My younger brother of course is still set to get into the Medicine School one day, but I’m the family’s biggest disappointment since I gave up.” She took a moment to breathe. “We fight all the time, because this isn’t a real occupation in their book, but yesterday they finally decided that it’s not worth having me under their roof and kicked me out.”He raised an eyebrow.“Do parents still raise their kids like that? I thought we were over it in this modern time.”“Parents pay for our education, isn’t it an investment that should be returned?”“Hmm.” Apparently he wanted to say something more, but decided to just shrug it off. “Anyway, you’re already a grown-up.”“Well, yes, that’s the good point. I’ll finally get more independence. Right?”He didn’t say anything else and kept his eyes on the road. Looking for something to do, Joy grabbed a copy from Zoom’s past edition, one she hadn’t read yet.“Give a call to the models to make sure they’re there on time.”“Okay.”Adrien started a rant about how it would be easier without those people. “Actually, I had another idea for the pictures that should go with Tobias’ article this time, but you’ll get to know the chief editor: she wants some well-known faces every week.”She thought he didn’t hold a high regard for the models who worked with them, as he had also criticised one in Luca’s work, but once they arrived at the park and started the session, he was all smiles.Joy heard him laugh about some silly thing with the female model during a pause while she was checking the pictures. It wasn’t strange that an attractive man like him flirted with an equally attractive woman, but she just found curious the contradiction…After the task was done, he called a cab for her to go back to the office before, and Joy found herself musing about this person. Then, was her idol really a manwho- ehm, a sexually promiscuous man just like Beth had warned her the day before?Not that it really mattered, of course. She just hoped to get along well with him and get to learn something working together. ***“Then, how was your first day at work?” Emilia asked with genuine interest in the evening after she got to her apartment, and Joy wished her parents had shown the same support.At the same time, she was glad that although her real friends could be counted with one hand, they were really the best of the world.“It was nice. I think I’m going to like that place.”She’d still have some time for some freelance work, too.“That’s great. I know you’re a fan of that guy. Tell me, is he as good looking as the pictures on the internet.”“Even more.”They giggled.“How are you and Louis doing?”“We’re fine. You’ll see him later, he’ll come after work.” Emilia said. “Actually, we are living together now.”“Really? When did that happen?”“A couple of months ago. We really haven’t been talking in a while, have we? I’m sorry, Joy. That’s why I cannot tell you to stay here with me.”“It’s fine. I’m so grateful you let me stay here today. I promise I’ll get something by the end of the week.”“Don’t worry. We’ll help you as much as we can. Now, go and take a shower, you must be tired. Later we can prepare dinner.”“Okay.”She was feeling tired, that much was true. After all, she hadn’t got any sleep the night before. After a hot shower, however, she felt more relaxed.Grabbing a shirt, she found the album her grandma had gifted her that morning, and it brought a smile on her face. Luca had also given her a printed copy of the group selfie, she quickly looked for it in her bag, and put it in the very first page of the album.It might be a bittersweet beginning, but it was a beginning she’d been hoping for anyway.