“At long last, we are finally getting somewhere” Jan exclaimed happily, “After all these months from making the first initial plans for the book we have finally manage to get together in one room and hopefully get things underway” he plonked himself down on the cream coloured leather sofa of the hotel room to face Bono and Anneka who had just joined him.
“Yeah it’s been pretty hectic with the tour and my other commitments” Bono replied, “But I really wanted to do this, so hopefully we can achieve something in this two week break I have given myself”
“I am sure we can manage it” Jan assured him, “We got a week In Africa do to some of the photo shoot, I got a lot of idea’s for that I want to run those by you now, that’s why I wanted this meeting today”
“Well we might have a few idea’s of our own we want to put in as well” Anneka spoke up, “So I guess this is as good as time as any before we get on with it”
“Sure” Jan replied nodding, “I don’t mind some input, just as long as you remember I am the photographer and probably know best. he then reminded them.
Bono and Anneka exchanged looks. Anneka had warned Bono that Jan could be arrogant and difficult to work with at times, wondering if taking on this project with him would work, feeling sure she would be lucky if she didn’t end up choking him with his camera strap after a week in his company.
Bono who was over enthusiastic about it all, had been a little dismissive of this problem feeling sure he could handle Jan just fine. Which was why Anneka sat back in her seat and let Bono do the talking seeing he was so sure he could work his charm around Jan. Both men were used to getting their own way most of the time.. It would be interesting to see how it would play out.
She shot him a sidelong glance as he sat in the chair across from her, occupied in his negotiations with Jan about his own ideas and input for the book that he envisioned his expression serious his voice firm, he was letting Jan know who was in charge.
Anneka realised with some amusement he would probably wear Jan down with words and ideas until the photographer accepted his input just to get him to be quiet and give him a break
For herself and Bono, it was the first time they had been in each others company in a while, most of their conversations had been over the phone or on the internet. She had decided not to mention her run in with Laurie over two months ago in New York to him.
The project they were working on now was too important to her to let personal things get in the way. She felt quite sure she could handle the situation without dragging up the past, as long as she focused on what they could achieve for the greater good together.
***********************************************
Although Jan had decided to take shots of Bono and Anneka separated, he also wanted to take shots of them together to portray certain aspects of his work and ideas.
They were In Africa in the more affluent part, the photo shoots taking place in the courtyard of a hotel
Although they would be working also in the less fortunate areas Bono insisted he did not want to exploit this side too much. He didn’t want the book to reflect the worst of the situation of people dying of starvation and disease The world was influxed with those sort of images for decades and where tiring of them, becoming indifferent and he decided it would do their cause no good.
On this Jan and Anneka were in complete agreement with him, but decided to use mostly the African landscapes, to show that their was beauty and something worth saving
Jan’s photographic vision was to show how power and greed and even sex which existed in the Western world affected those in the third world. But wanting it to be something to catch people’s attention and give the vision more impact he decided it would be interesting for one photo shoot about power, to have Bono dressed up as a woman kneeling in a stance of submission and Anneka dressed like a business man in a suit and tie who would be standing over him with her foot on his knee looking overpowering and masculine
It all sounded great and Anneka and Bono were looking forward to the shoot, but when the time came for Anneka to stand over Bono who was garbed in a plain blue dress and a long dark wig, she was finding it hard to look over powering and masculine when she kept looking down at him, and found herself giggling instead much to Jan’s exsaperation
“I am sorry” Anneka apologised, “I am trying to be serious.. And I am taking this seriously. But its hard to try and look superior at Bono kneeling on the ground dressed like that, with that long dark wig, he reminds me of my aunt Greta.. And from this angle the view I am getting from standing over him I can see his hairy chest down the front of the dress ” she confessed giggling
“ Hmm, well maybe I should go blonde?” Bono suggested with a grin “Does any of your aunts have blonde hair?” he queried with a wink, “What about a redhead.. I would quite like to be a redhead” he then announced, before looking down the inside the front of the dress and exclaiming “Oh my, you are right I bet your aunt doesn’t have a hairy chest like this.. I think I need to cover up a bit more” which send Anneka into another fit of laughing
Jan shook his head in despair, not in the least amused “This is worse than working with children”
But they finally got their act together, Jan pointedly reminding Anneka that she was a professional and should act like one. Anneka agreed apologising again, and putting all her effort into it, managed to give Jan what he wanted, looking down into Bono’s face without wanting to laugh out loud so he and able to finally do the shoot.
***************************
The atmosphere the following day was less jovial, but Jan was filled with wide eyed enthusiasm and anticipation “Ok I am going to have this as one of the centre pieces of the book” he informed Bono and Anneka as they stood gathered in a makeshift studio with all white walls and a bed in the center of the room with black satin sheets
“In this shoot you will be exposing lust and desire. Considering both of you represent to a certain degree these lucrative emotions that have made you fanous, I thought it would be good having you involved together”
“Sounds intriguing” Bono murmered staring thoughtfully at the bed, then glanced at Anneka dressed in lacy trimmed red negligée that wardrobe had been ordered to dress her in “What exactly do you want us to do? He queried trying not to smirk
“Nothing pornographic I hope” Anneka warned suddenly feeling uneasy about Jan’s latest idea and aware of the way Bono was looking at her
Jan send her a look, “Please, I don’t plan on this book ending up in the shelves of smutty mags.. I am an artist, give me more credit”
“Yeah Jan is right, we should trust him on this” Bono agreed “I am sure whatever he has planned it will be done with the utmost taste”
“Exactly, both of you are classed as beautiful people, objects of desire for males and females around the world, the glamour and the glitter melding as one” Jan visualized
“I want you Anneka sprawled out on the bed on top of the sheets, with Bono lying over you, and so to ease your mind it will not look pornographic when I superimpose a picture of the starkness of the African plain over the top of it.. remember what I said about the clashes of two separate very different societies and cultures.. This is what I am trying to tell here, so please behave today” he warned
“We will try our best” Bono promised sounding solemn then gesturing with his hand towards the bed, and a mischievous twinkle in his eye as he turned back to Anneka “Ladies first I believe”
“Forever the gentleman” Anneka mocked in return, burying the uneasiness she felt beneath her proffesional bravado as she went over to bed listening to Jan barking orders for the postion he wanted her to pose as he set up his camera.
She lay on her side, stretched out with one leg slightly tucked up, one arm stretched out above her head.
Jan then ordered Bono to sit next to her, his shirt buttons undone, he wanted Bono to lean over Anneka as close as possible, face to face that their lips were almost touching but not quite.
The pose was quite intimate, and despite telling herself this was just a photoshoot, Anneka found her pulses seem to be thrumming with Bono being so close, she found herself only too aware of the heat and scent of him Jan insisted that Anneka slide her hand inside Bono‘s shirt to rest it against his chest, and she discovered that the thing that had caused her so much amusement yesterday was now having a completely different affect on her now as her hand rested lightly against his skin.
It was doing weird things to her senses and it took all her effort not to squirm and wished it was all over with and she could get up, When Jan insisted that she and Bono make eye contact, she was finding it difficult, much to Jan’s irritation
“Anneka what are you doing?” he demanded “I said look into his eyes, not at his nose or chin”
“Sorry- I didn’t realise” Anneka lied, swearing silently into herself at her own inability to hold it together. She did not want Bono to see the affect he was having on her. Those blue eyes of his were indeed concentrating on her in a way that made her suddenly recall Laurie’s words, how Bono had feelings for her. Suddenly she wasn’t sure if it all was just for the camera’s benefit, or something more. She chided herself for letting her mind distract her in this way this was not the time to let her mind think on such things
“With great effort she forced to bring her eyes up to meet Bono’s, and heard Jan ‘s voice, “Right give me desire, yeah that’s it Bono, look smouldering… this is about sensuality you know the old adage, ‘Sex sells’.. this is what I want from both of you, eye to eye contact telling the story… Anneka, you are holding back babe, I want you staring into Bono‘s eyes with the same desire, not staring through him, you are suppose to be wanting him as much as he wants you”
Realising this could end up tortuously long if Jan didn’t get what he wanted Anneka found herself having to let go of her own personal fears and relax, concentrating on what they were trying to achieve refusing to explore her own feelings too deeply
Telling herself it was ok to let herself be drawn into Bono’s smouldering look, to let herself be swallowed up in the moment and to go with the flow of the emotions that were welling up inside her that he was managing to unwittingly provoke, to make that connection with him, because she was doing this as her job it wasn’t personal, and yet despite it all, it felt very personal.
“Great, that’s exactly what I want” she heard Jan call out, and heard the camera clicking, although from what seemed a long distance away.
“Alright you can relax now, I’m finished” Jan called out cheerfully turning away to pick up another camera
“Pity” Bono murmured huskily so that only Anneka could make him out, “ Just I was starting to enjoy myself” his eyes where still locked with Anneka’s as he spoke, and she realised that it was not for the benefit of camera anymore, she felt his lips brush against hers ever so lightly, but it still had the devastating effect of sending a hot flush through her veins, startling her into pushing him away and putting some space between them, not quite believing what had just occurred.
Bono sat up straight moving to the end of the bed running a hand through his short hair. Anneka sat up swinging her legs around the edge of the bed, not daring to look in his direction, and glad that Jan was occupied messing around with his camera to notice what had gone on between them
“I think I had better go and get changed” she said getting up, her voice sounding strange to her own ears. She found herself making her way blindly towards the direction of the door. In her head she could hear his ex wife Laurie’s taunting implication that the only reason Bono had wanted to help her out with her charity campaign was because he was interested in her personally..
She had tried to dismiss it and ignore it. Not wanting to believe it was his only reason for renewing their friendship.
She thought it was because he admired what she was trying to do in their cause for poverty, that he was sincere with wanting her help, not just her body. and this wasn’t all about them getting together. Now she wasn’t so sure, she didn’t know what to think or believe anymore. Could she have been so naïve and stupid and blind?
“Annie!” She heard him call her name, his tone urgent as she got halfway across the room.. She felt torn, part of her wanted to walk on and pretend she hadn’t heard him, but aware that he would know then she was running away from him, and the affect he had on her.
She forced herself to stop and turn to face him questioningly, hoping she looked more composed than she felt
He was standing up now, but kept the distance between them, those blue eyes filled with concern as he tried to read her expression. He opened his mouth as if to say something, then seem noticed the tension and anxiety in her face before he could get any words out, telling him this was not the time.
Shrugging his shoulders slightly he shook his head dismissively, “It doesn’t matter.. It can wait I guess” he told her lowering his gaze,
“O.K.” she managed to reply faintly, knowing full well he was lying, but relieved he appreciated the fact she was still too shaken to deal what just had occurred between them and letting her walk away
“Yeah it’s been pretty hectic with the tour and my other commitments” Bono replied, “But I really wanted to do this, so hopefully we can achieve something in this two week break I have given myself”
“I am sure we can manage it” Jan assured him, “We got a week In Africa do to some of the photo shoot, I got a lot of idea’s for that I want to run those by you now, that’s why I wanted this meeting today”
“Well we might have a few idea’s of our own we want to put in as well” Anneka spoke up, “So I guess this is as good as time as any before we get on with it”
“Sure” Jan replied nodding, “I don’t mind some input, just as long as you remember I am the photographer and probably know best. he then reminded them.
Bono and Anneka exchanged looks. Anneka had warned Bono that Jan could be arrogant and difficult to work with at times, wondering if taking on this project with him would work, feeling sure she would be lucky if she didn’t end up choking him with his camera strap after a week in his company.
Bono who was over enthusiastic about it all, had been a little dismissive of this problem feeling sure he could handle Jan just fine. Which was why Anneka sat back in her seat and let Bono do the talking seeing he was so sure he could work his charm around Jan. Both men were used to getting their own way most of the time.. It would be interesting to see how it would play out.
She shot him a sidelong glance as he sat in the chair across from her, occupied in his negotiations with Jan about his own ideas and input for the book that he envisioned his expression serious his voice firm, he was letting Jan know who was in charge.
Anneka realised with some amusement he would probably wear Jan down with words and ideas until the photographer accepted his input just to get him to be quiet and give him a break
For herself and Bono, it was the first time they had been in each others company in a while, most of their conversations had been over the phone or on the internet. She had decided not to mention her run in with Laurie over two months ago in New York to him.
The project they were working on now was too important to her to let personal things get in the way. She felt quite sure she could handle the situation without dragging up the past, as long as she focused on what they could achieve for the greater good together.
***********************************************
Although Jan had decided to take shots of Bono and Anneka separated, he also wanted to take shots of them together to portray certain aspects of his work and ideas.
They were In Africa in the more affluent part, the photo shoots taking place in the courtyard of a hotel
Although they would be working also in the less fortunate areas Bono insisted he did not want to exploit this side too much. He didn’t want the book to reflect the worst of the situation of people dying of starvation and disease The world was influxed with those sort of images for decades and where tiring of them, becoming indifferent and he decided it would do their cause no good.
On this Jan and Anneka were in complete agreement with him, but decided to use mostly the African landscapes, to show that their was beauty and something worth saving
Jan’s photographic vision was to show how power and greed and even sex which existed in the Western world affected those in the third world. But wanting it to be something to catch people’s attention and give the vision more impact he decided it would be interesting for one photo shoot about power, to have Bono dressed up as a woman kneeling in a stance of submission and Anneka dressed like a business man in a suit and tie who would be standing over him with her foot on his knee looking overpowering and masculine
It all sounded great and Anneka and Bono were looking forward to the shoot, but when the time came for Anneka to stand over Bono who was garbed in a plain blue dress and a long dark wig, she was finding it hard to look over powering and masculine when she kept looking down at him, and found herself giggling instead much to Jan’s exsaperation
“I am sorry” Anneka apologised, “I am trying to be serious.. And I am taking this seriously. But its hard to try and look superior at Bono kneeling on the ground dressed like that, with that long dark wig, he reminds me of my aunt Greta.. And from this angle the view I am getting from standing over him I can see his hairy chest down the front of the dress ” she confessed giggling
“ Hmm, well maybe I should go blonde?” Bono suggested with a grin “Does any of your aunts have blonde hair?” he queried with a wink, “What about a redhead.. I would quite like to be a redhead” he then announced, before looking down the inside the front of the dress and exclaiming “Oh my, you are right I bet your aunt doesn’t have a hairy chest like this.. I think I need to cover up a bit more” which send Anneka into another fit of laughing
Jan shook his head in despair, not in the least amused “This is worse than working with children”
But they finally got their act together, Jan pointedly reminding Anneka that she was a professional and should act like one. Anneka agreed apologising again, and putting all her effort into it, managed to give Jan what he wanted, looking down into Bono’s face without wanting to laugh out loud so he and able to finally do the shoot.
***************************
The atmosphere the following day was less jovial, but Jan was filled with wide eyed enthusiasm and anticipation “Ok I am going to have this as one of the centre pieces of the book” he informed Bono and Anneka as they stood gathered in a makeshift studio with all white walls and a bed in the center of the room with black satin sheets
“In this shoot you will be exposing lust and desire. Considering both of you represent to a certain degree these lucrative emotions that have made you fanous, I thought it would be good having you involved together”
“Sounds intriguing” Bono murmered staring thoughtfully at the bed, then glanced at Anneka dressed in lacy trimmed red negligée that wardrobe had been ordered to dress her in “What exactly do you want us to do? He queried trying not to smirk
“Nothing pornographic I hope” Anneka warned suddenly feeling uneasy about Jan’s latest idea and aware of the way Bono was looking at her
Jan send her a look, “Please, I don’t plan on this book ending up in the shelves of smutty mags.. I am an artist, give me more credit”
“Yeah Jan is right, we should trust him on this” Bono agreed “I am sure whatever he has planned it will be done with the utmost taste”
“Exactly, both of you are classed as beautiful people, objects of desire for males and females around the world, the glamour and the glitter melding as one” Jan visualized
“I want you Anneka sprawled out on the bed on top of the sheets, with Bono lying over you, and so to ease your mind it will not look pornographic when I superimpose a picture of the starkness of the African plain over the top of it.. remember what I said about the clashes of two separate very different societies and cultures.. This is what I am trying to tell here, so please behave today” he warned
“We will try our best” Bono promised sounding solemn then gesturing with his hand towards the bed, and a mischievous twinkle in his eye as he turned back to Anneka “Ladies first I believe”
“Forever the gentleman” Anneka mocked in return, burying the uneasiness she felt beneath her proffesional bravado as she went over to bed listening to Jan barking orders for the postion he wanted her to pose as he set up his camera.
She lay on her side, stretched out with one leg slightly tucked up, one arm stretched out above her head.
Jan then ordered Bono to sit next to her, his shirt buttons undone, he wanted Bono to lean over Anneka as close as possible, face to face that their lips were almost touching but not quite.
The pose was quite intimate, and despite telling herself this was just a photoshoot, Anneka found her pulses seem to be thrumming with Bono being so close, she found herself only too aware of the heat and scent of him Jan insisted that Anneka slide her hand inside Bono‘s shirt to rest it against his chest, and she discovered that the thing that had caused her so much amusement yesterday was now having a completely different affect on her now as her hand rested lightly against his skin.
It was doing weird things to her senses and it took all her effort not to squirm and wished it was all over with and she could get up, When Jan insisted that she and Bono make eye contact, she was finding it difficult, much to Jan’s irritation
“Anneka what are you doing?” he demanded “I said look into his eyes, not at his nose or chin”
“Sorry- I didn’t realise” Anneka lied, swearing silently into herself at her own inability to hold it together. She did not want Bono to see the affect he was having on her. Those blue eyes of his were indeed concentrating on her in a way that made her suddenly recall Laurie’s words, how Bono had feelings for her. Suddenly she wasn’t sure if it all was just for the camera’s benefit, or something more. She chided herself for letting her mind distract her in this way this was not the time to let her mind think on such things
“With great effort she forced to bring her eyes up to meet Bono’s, and heard Jan ‘s voice, “Right give me desire, yeah that’s it Bono, look smouldering… this is about sensuality you know the old adage, ‘Sex sells’.. this is what I want from both of you, eye to eye contact telling the story… Anneka, you are holding back babe, I want you staring into Bono‘s eyes with the same desire, not staring through him, you are suppose to be wanting him as much as he wants you”
Realising this could end up tortuously long if Jan didn’t get what he wanted Anneka found herself having to let go of her own personal fears and relax, concentrating on what they were trying to achieve refusing to explore her own feelings too deeply
Telling herself it was ok to let herself be drawn into Bono’s smouldering look, to let herself be swallowed up in the moment and to go with the flow of the emotions that were welling up inside her that he was managing to unwittingly provoke, to make that connection with him, because she was doing this as her job it wasn’t personal, and yet despite it all, it felt very personal.
“Great, that’s exactly what I want” she heard Jan call out, and heard the camera clicking, although from what seemed a long distance away.
“Alright you can relax now, I’m finished” Jan called out cheerfully turning away to pick up another camera
“Pity” Bono murmured huskily so that only Anneka could make him out, “ Just I was starting to enjoy myself” his eyes where still locked with Anneka’s as he spoke, and she realised that it was not for the benefit of camera anymore, she felt his lips brush against hers ever so lightly, but it still had the devastating effect of sending a hot flush through her veins, startling her into pushing him away and putting some space between them, not quite believing what had just occurred.
Bono sat up straight moving to the end of the bed running a hand through his short hair. Anneka sat up swinging her legs around the edge of the bed, not daring to look in his direction, and glad that Jan was occupied messing around with his camera to notice what had gone on between them
“I think I had better go and get changed” she said getting up, her voice sounding strange to her own ears. She found herself making her way blindly towards the direction of the door. In her head she could hear his ex wife Laurie’s taunting implication that the only reason Bono had wanted to help her out with her charity campaign was because he was interested in her personally..
She had tried to dismiss it and ignore it. Not wanting to believe it was his only reason for renewing their friendship.
She thought it was because he admired what she was trying to do in their cause for poverty, that he was sincere with wanting her help, not just her body. and this wasn’t all about them getting together. Now she wasn’t so sure, she didn’t know what to think or believe anymore. Could she have been so naïve and stupid and blind?
“Annie!” She heard him call her name, his tone urgent as she got halfway across the room.. She felt torn, part of her wanted to walk on and pretend she hadn’t heard him, but aware that he would know then she was running away from him, and the affect he had on her.
She forced herself to stop and turn to face him questioningly, hoping she looked more composed than she felt
He was standing up now, but kept the distance between them, those blue eyes filled with concern as he tried to read her expression. He opened his mouth as if to say something, then seem noticed the tension and anxiety in her face before he could get any words out, telling him this was not the time.
Shrugging his shoulders slightly he shook his head dismissively, “It doesn’t matter.. It can wait I guess” he told her lowering his gaze,
“O.K.” she managed to reply faintly, knowing full well he was lying, but relieved he appreciated the fact she was still too shaken to deal what just had occurred between them and letting her walk away
He's stirring up something in me too. Annj you are a great writer.
woah!
Bono in drag, who CAN stay serious at that? One video anybody? 
but he makes a hot chick tho, a FURRY hot chick!
