Chapter 2: A Brush with Fate

The memory of Jon's charming smile lingered long after they parted ways, leaving Charlie with a sense of excitement and anticipation. As she drove to her makeup gig, her mind wandered back to their chance encounter. She couldn't believe she'd met Jon Hamm, of all people! And yet, it felt like they'd known each other for years, not just minutes. The rest of Charlie's day flew by in a whirlwind of makeup applications and client consultations. But as she worked, her thoughts kept drifting back to Jon. She found herself wondering what it would be like to work with him, to see him transform into a character under her makeup brush. As the sun began to set, Charlie packed up her makeup bag and headed home, her phone buzzing with a text from Jon. "Hey, Charlie! Just wanted to say thanks again for the coffee today. Can't wait to see your work in action. Maybe we can schedule a makeup session soon?" Charlie's heart skipped a beat as she typed out a response. "I'd love that! Let me check my schedule, but I'm thinking maybe next week?" As she hit send, Charlie couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement. She spent the rest of the evening scrolling through her social media feeds, searching for inspiration for a makeup tutorial featuring Jon. She stumbled upon a photo of him from the set of Mad Men, his character Don Draper gazing out at the city skyline. Charlie's creative juices began to flow as she imagined transforming Jon into a modern-day version of his iconic character. The next morning, Charlie woke up early, feeling refreshed and focused. She spent the morning working on a makeup look inspired by Jon's character, experimenting with different shades of eyeshadow and lipstick. As she worked, she received a call from Jon, confirming their makeup session for next week. Over the next few days, Charlie's excitement grew. She spent hours researching different makeup looks, watching YouTube tutorials and scrolling through beauty blogs. She wanted to create something truly special for Jon, something that would showcase her skills and creativity. Finally, the day of the makeup session arrived. Charlie set up her makeup station in a trendy loft in the Design District, surrounded by natural light and urban chic decor. As she waited for Jon to arrive, she couldn't help but feel a sense of nervousness. What if she messed up? What if she couldn't deliver the look he was expecting? Just as Charlie was starting to get anxious, Jon walked in, flashing his famous smile. "Hey, Charlie! Sorry I'm late. Traffic in this city is crazy." Charlie laughed, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. "No worries, I'm just glad you're here. Let's get started!" As Jon sat down in the chair, Charlie began to work her magic, applying layers of foundation, eyeshadow, and lipstick. She chatted with him as she worked, asking about his favorite projects and what inspired him as an actor. As the makeup session progressed, Charlie felt a sense of calm wash over her. She was in her element, and Jon was an easygoing and accommodating model. As she finished the final touches, Charlie stepped back to admire her work. Jon gazed at his reflection in the mirror, his eyes widening in surprise. "Wow, Charlie. You really know your stuff. I look...different." Charlie smiled, feeling a sense of pride and satisfaction. "You look amazing, Jon. I think this might be my best work yet."