The family had barely reached the reception area when Daniel's phone rang.
He glanced at the screen.
"Excuse me for a moment."
He stepped aside and answered the call.
"Hello... yes."
As he listened, his expression changed slightly.
"I understand... I'll bring them."
He ended the call and walked back toward the family.
"Mr. Nagaraju?"
"Yes?"
"If you have another fifteen or twenty minutes, one of our senior directors would like to meet Akshata."
Akshata's eyes widened.
"So soon?"
Daniel smiled.
"That isn't always the case. Sometimes, if someone from the review team happens to be available and is interested after seeing the initial photographs, they'll ask for a brief introduction."
Nagaraju looked at his daughter.
"It's your decision, Akshu."
She took a deep breath.
"I'm okay, Appa."
"Then let's go."
...
Daniel led them to another floor.
The atmosphere here was quieter. Large framed campaign photographs decorated the walls, and staff members moved briskly between offices.
He stopped outside a conference room.
"Please wait here for a moment."
A minute later, he returned.
"They're ready."
The family entered together.
Inside sat three people around a large table. Two women and one man, each with a folder containing Akshata's digitals.
Daniel introduced everyone.
"This is Mr. Nagaraju, his daughter Akshata, and her younger brother Manu."
The senior director stood and shook Nagaraju's hand.
"Welcome. Please, have a seat."
Everyone settled down.
The director smiled warmly at Akshata.
"First of all, congratulations on your first evaluation. We know it can be intimidating."
"Thank you," Akshata replied politely.
One of the women looked at the photographs before speaking.
"Daniel tells us this is your very first professional photoshoot."
"Yes, ma'am."
"And you've never modeled before?"
"No."
The woman smiled.
"That's perfectly fine."
The director leaned forward.
"Akshata, today we're less interested in what you already know and more interested in how willing you are to learn."
She nodded.
"I understand."
He continued,
"Tell us something about yourself."
Akshata took a moment before answering.
"I enjoy learning new things. If I don't know something, I practice until I improve. I'm not naturally confident in front of a camera, but I wanted to overcome that fear."
Daniel smiled quietly.
That answer matched exactly what he had observed in the studio.
The second woman asked,
"When the photographer corrected your posture, did you feel uncomfortable?"
Akshata shook her head.
"No."
"I was actually grateful because I knew I was making mistakes."
The three interviewers exchanged brief smiles.
The director looked toward Nagaraju.
"Mr. Nagaraju, family support is very important in this industry. How do you feel about your daughter's interest in modeling?"
Nagaraju answered without hesitation.
"My daughter should have the freedom to pursue her dreams."
"If this is the career she truly wants, then my responsibility is to guide her, protect her, and make sure every decision is made carefully."
The room became quiet.
One of the women smiled.
"That's a wonderful answer."
The director closed the folder.
"Thank you all for coming today."
"We'll complete our review over the next few days. Daniel will remain your point of contact."
nervous."
"You're leaving looking confident."
"That tells me you've already learned something today."
Akshata smiled.
"Yes, sir."
"I have."
Outside the meeting room, Manu whispered excitedly,
"Akka..."
"Hmm?"
"I think they liked you."
Akshata laughed softly.
"Let's not guess."
Nagaraju smiled at both of his children.
As they reached the reception area, Daniel walked with them toward the exit.
Nagaraju extended his hand with a warm smile.
"Daniel, thank you for taking the time to meet us today. We really appreciate how patiently you and your team guided Akshata."
Daniel shook his hand.
"It was my pleasure. She did well today."
Nagaraju nodded.
"We're visiting New York as tourists, and we'll be here for another four days."
Daniel smiled.
"That's perfect."
"If our review team reaches a decision while you're still in the city, I'll contact you immediately. That way, if we need another meeting or evaluation, it will be convenient for everyone."
"That sounds good," Nagaraju replied.
He took out a small notebook.
"Just to be safe, here's my hotel name, room number, and my local contact number."
Daniel accepted it.
"Thank you. Here's my direct office number and my business card. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call."
Akshata politely accepted the card with both hands.
"Thank you, Daniel."
He smiled.
"One piece of advice."
She looked at him attentively.
"For the next few days, don't keep thinking about today's photographs."
"Go out."
"See New York."
"Enjoy your family vacation."
"Sometimes the hardest part of this profession is learning to stop worrying after you've already done your best."
Akshata smiled.
"I'll try."
Manu immediately raised his hand.
"That means we can go to Times Square today, right?"
Everyone laughed.
Daniel looked at Nagaraju.
"I think your son has already planned the rest of your trip."
Nagaraju chuckled.
"Looks like I'm no longer in charge."
As they stepped outside the building, the cool New York breeze greeted them.
For a few moments, none of them spoke.
Then Nagaraju looked up at the towering buildings before turning to his children.
"So..."
"Meeting over."
"Now we're officially tourists again."
Manu pumped his fist into the air.
"Yes!"
"First Times Square!"
"And then I want New York pizza!"
Akshata laughed.
"You only think about food."
"Of course," Manu replied proudly. "You think about modeling. I think about eating. Everyone has dreams."
Even Nagaraju couldn't stop laughing.
"Come on," he said, placing an arm around each of his children.
"Let's make the most of these four days."
As they walked away from the IMG office, Daniel stood near the entrance watching them leave.
He wasn't looking at Akshata anymore.
He was looking at the three of them together.
He had met countless aspiring models over the years. Some came alone. Some came with managers who only talked about fame and money.
But this family was different.
A father who asked thoughtful questions instead of demanding success.
A younger brother who celebrated every small moment.
And a young girl who was humble enough to admit she was nervous, yet brave enough to face that fear.
Daniel smiled to himself.
"Whether she becomes a model or not," he thought, "she already has something many people in this industry spend years searching for—a family that loves her."
With that thought, he turned and walked back into the building to begin writing his evaluation report.