The models
Paul was undeniably gorgeous. Women would gush about his looks and then apologize for being so forward. Even men would remark on his handsomeness. But they soon learned that complimenting his appearance was not the best way to strike up a conversation.
Staring at his good looks, the women would stop listening to what he was saying. Too distracted by his beauty, they would forget to engage in conversation. This was a problem for Paul, as he wanted more than just looks-based compliments. He wanted genuine connection.
To Paul, being told he was beautiful was a curse. He had heard all the typical superlatives used to describe his looks and he hated it. People treated him like a piece of art or a statue, not a person. They complimented him on something he had no control over. He had been born with good looks and it did not mean anything to him.
He longed for people to talk to him about his thoughts, his hobbies, his goals, his opinions - but they were too distracted by his looks. In his opinion, he was no different than anyone else except for his appearance.
Even as fashion trends shifted, Paul would still be himself - a regular guy with a rapidly-diminishing claim to a certain type of beauty. He worked as a model and always looked the part, but he had no ego about his appearance. He knew the industry was fickle, and eventually, someone younger and trendier would replace him.
He found it amusing that some of his fellow models were so obsessed with their looks, compulsively checking their reflections in every reflective surface. But Paul was secure in who he was. He knew that it was not his looks that defined him, but his character and spirit.
When his modeling jobs ended, Paul often wanted to just hang out with the crew and have a beer. Or, he tried to find a place to watch a sports game. After a while, he stopped doing that. He grew tired of living in a world where everyone stared at him with admiration and curiosity. He joked that he was more popular than the Mona Lisa - at least she got a break when the museum closed.
He found it difficult to make real connections with people. When he once asked someone if they'd ever had a conversation with a peacock, they looked at him blankly.
Over time, Paul became friends with the hair and makeup team. They treated him like a regular person, not an object of beauty. One day, he heard one of them say, "When you look at diamonds all day, every day, they're just rocks. Pretty, polished rocks, but just rocks."
This gave him a new perspective on his own situation. He realized that being viewed solely as an object of beauty could be isolating.
Despite this insight, he couldn't help but feel a little lonely. He decided to ask one of the makeup artists out on a date, but she politely declined, explaining that she had a strict policy against dating clients. While he was disappointed, he respected her professionalism.
Paul called Harmony, a matchmaker he'd found online. He explained that he was looking for a serious relationship, but was having trouble meeting people.
Harmony responded, "You seem like a great catch. So, what's the problem?"
Paul was a bit exasperated. "I told you. I can't meet anyone and get to know them."
"Okay, but why? Is it your personality, your looks, or something else?"
"There's nothing wrong with me. I'm just tired of superficial dating."
"You'll think this is silly," Paul said. "I'm just a regular guy."
"But...?" Harmony said. She had a hunch about where this was going.
"I'm supposed to be so good looking that women can't take me seriously," he said, embarrassed to admit it out loud.
"This is a common problem," Harmony said reassuringly.
"Is it really?" he asked.
"You wouldn't believe how many people say the same thing," she said, shaking her
With a smile, Harmony said, " Let me see what I can do for you." Though she'd heard this line plenty of times, she approached each client as an individual. She wasn't a cookie-cutter matchmaker. Every client's needs were different, and she catered to each one accordingly.
Sonia was her name. She wasn't just beautiful on the outside. She was intelligent, charming, and interesting. But that beauty often overshadowed her personality. People would look at her and never really see her. This was frustrating, to say the least. She also loved the attention it brought her.
As a matchmaker, Harmony's goal was to find the whole package. She hoped to find a match for Paul who would complement his best attributes. Of course, looks mattered, but they weren't the only factor. She knew that compatibility, chemistry, and other intangible traits could be just as important. And for someone like Sonia, who'd been told all her life that she was beautiful, finding someone who saw beyond that could be life-changing.
Harmony had a gift for seeing what others didn't. A gift for seeing beyond the surface. It was more than a career for her, it was a calling.
Harmony was caught off guard when Paul walked into her office. He was even more handsome than his pictures had suggested. It was a pleasant surprise, and she couldn't help but think he would be the perfect match for Sonia.
Trying not to stare, she shook his hand and led him to a sitting room. As she walked ahead of him, she whispered, "Gorgeous, meet Gorgeous."
The room was set up for comfortable conversation, with two plush armchairs, a small table between them, and a plant in the corner.
Sonia stood as they entered. She greeted him warmly and they shook hands.
Harmony introduced Paul to another Sonia, She wondered why they hadn't met before, considering they both work in the same industry. However, they realized that they work in different areas, with Sonia focusing on cosmetics and Paul specializing in men's clothing and cologne. They shared some inside jokes and laughed together. Harmony served them refreshments and left them alone to chat.
During their conversation, Sonia and Paul discovered that they had many things in common. They enjoyed the same type of food but frequented different restaurants. Both of them liked cooking at home to avoid attention. They also had similar music collections, except for their preferences in vocal or instrumental tracks. They bonded over their shared love for the Great American songbook.
As they talked, Sonia complimented Paul's hair, and he complimented her smile. They found the excessive admiration from fans amusing and laughed about it. They continued their conversation, which veered away from work and fame, focusing on their personal interests and tastes.
Eventually, they discussed old movies, with Sonia expressing her fondness for black-and-white films and praising the lighting of that era. Paul asked about her favorite star, and without hesitation, she chose Garbo. Paul found this interesting and paid Sonia a compliment, saying she was even more beautiful than Garbo.