The Model

By Lauren Shiro

She's exotic. She's beautiful. She's talented. She's unique. She's Stephania. A young successful model who started from nothing, she has experienced all the ups and downs of life. Never one to be kept down, she persists through life's trials and reaches for the fairytale ending she has always hoped for. Stephania's emotional journey is the fourth story in the Loving Her series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: VanillaHeart
• Release date: Nov 23, 2013
• ISBN: 9781311942104

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The Model

Loving Her, the series Book 4

by Lauren Shiro

Copyright 2013 Lauren Shiro

Published by: Vanilla Heart Publishing on Smashwords

Ebook Edition, License Notes

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The Model

Loving Her, the series Book 4

by Lauren Shiro

Series Dedication

I dedicate this entire group of stories in loving memory of my grandfather. My hero, my rock, my greatest fan. He always encouraged and supported my writing. It is because of him that these stories exist. I am forever indebted to him for all of his love and support. Rest in peace, RPK. You are greatly loved and missed.

Book Dedication

To my grandmother for always believing in me and being a bright ray of sunshine for all of us in the family. You inspire and encourage us all. You bring love and positivity to everyone you meet. You are a gift, you are an angel. I love you very much!

The Model

It was just another day at The Taco Shop in the mall. At sixteen, Stephania hated working, but she hated school more. Thankfully, school was a moot point. Her family was too poor for her not to work.

Her father, Harold, had passed away from an unexpected heart attack a year earlier. With four children to raise, no education and weak linguistic skills, Gabriela was overwhelmed. She had a job, but it only paid minimum wage. Gabriela, Steph’s mother, could hardly pay to keep a roof over the family’s heads. Stephania had no choice. An education was selfish; her family needed food.

Welcome to the Taco Shop. May I help you? Stephania greeted the next customer. Simply another nameless face; another mall rat who foolishly thought this was authentic Mexican food. As much as Steph didn’t like her job, she certainly didn’t envy the woman on the other side of the counter.

Wow. You are beautiful. The middle-aged woman said. She was a rather plain, unremarkable white woman with curly salt-and-pepper hair. Steph would think nothing of her if not for the kindness that emanated from her dark brown eyes.

Thank you. What can I get you?

How old are you?

Stephania sighed. What was this woman’s problem? Sixteen. Do you want a double stacker taco galore? It’s only $5.99 with a large drink.

Hmmm. Why aren’t you in school? The woman was beginning to annoy Stephania now.

Because I’m here, she quipped quickly.

The woman stood silently for a moment. After a brief pause, she spoke. Okay. Well, here’s my card. Feel free to call me whenever you’re not here. She handed Steph a small, dark business card. Stephania simply tucked it away in her pocket without so much as a glance. And I’ll have a number three combo meal, please.

Stephania turned from the woman to begin finally making her meal.

Steph stared at the business card under the dim light of the lamp in her room. Joanne Wilcox – Wilcox Talent Agency, representing models, actors and singers in the greater Philadelphia area since 1975. Why would she have given her this card? Steph wasn’t a model, an actress, or a singer. This woman must be delusional. Still, there was that look in her eye. What would it hurt to actually call her? Steph wouldn’t actually lose anything, right? Maybe she would just give this woman a call. Maybe.

Steph hung up the phone and ran into the kitchen, calling for her mother. Mamá, esta mujer es un agente de talento. Desea que sea un modelo. ¡Puede conseguir los trabajos profesión de modelo para mí y yo haré mucho dinero! Esto ayudará la familia.

Gabriela looked at her daughter, confused. ¿Qué?

Steph handed her mother the business card. ¡Mira! Esta mujer. She realized she never told her mother about her encounter with Joanne. "Me dio su tarjeta un par de hace semanas. Acabo de la llamar. ¡Dijo que soy hermosa y puedo ser una