Winter Fashion Competition Part 3
Kafi, as her name suggests, is a quiet girl.
Besides that, she's also shy and timid.
She used to stay away from the crowds and has a low self-esteem.
Anyway, who would want to be friends with a fat and ugly girl like her.
The only thing she's interested about is watching fashion shows, dreaming that one day she can also stand tall like those models wearing beautiful dresses.
But she never would've thought that it was ever possible for her to do so, not until this moment.
Kafi had an elder sister who never gives up on her and always stay by her side to encourage her.
She is also working in one of the most prestigious fashion company, Alcane.
In order to let her get one step closer to her dreams, her sister used several connections to let her witness Alcane's Winter Fashion Show since it's an exclusive event.
Kafi wanted to decline it at first since she knew she would only feel small surrounded by glamorous people, but in the end, she agreed to her elder sister knowing that she only wanted her to be happy.
Kafi stood on the corner, trying to stay out of the other guests' way.
Once she heard the host starting, her eyes unconsciously flew on the stage.
The truth is, Kafi was really looking forward for this event because she wanted to see that person once again.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Alcane's Annual Winter Fashion Competition!"
"As most of us are aware, Alcane promotes equal opportunity among their talents. This competition was open to all junior and senior designers of the company to determine the next lead for the next year's New Year Fashion Gala. After several rounds of elimination, we have come down to the Top10 designers for this year"
Yue almost cracked upon hearing the host's introduction. He really made it sound like a beauty pageant.
The host continued to introduce the designers competing and one by one they stepped on the stage.
When it was Yue's turn, unbeknownst to her, a ray of light sparkled from a girl's eyes while hiding at the corner.
Kafi was so excited seeing the person she admired on stage.
She can never forget the when she watched the latest Fashion Festival, her eyes were glued on the screen as Moon emerged from the stage with her majesty.
Despite her coldness across the screen, for some reason, Kafi felt hope, strength, and encouragement from that Moon's gaze.
Kafi wanted to get to know more about Moon, how someone like her managed to stir her heart, Kafi was sure that she is someone who had gone through a lot.
Unfortunately, she didn't manage to get any information from the internet.
She thought that that person maybe somewhat famous, but she was bound to be disappointed.
Until she heard her sister telling stories about Moon, Kafi started to hope that one day she might see her again.
All of Kafi's attention was focused on Yue so she didn't hear the mechanics of the competition.
As was stated, since they are trying a new interactive format, they included a random guest to act as the muse, assistant, and model of the designer.
One by one the audience are being selected.
The whole place darkened as the spotlight rounded the space.
In fact, despite the seeming randomness of the selection, the organizers would still keep it at standard to make the competition easier to judge so the audience chosen should be similar to models.
But who knows whose hands have meddled with the affair so when it was Yue's turn, the light was casted onto Kafi who was supposed to be inconspicuous.
Kafi was obviously frightened when she noticed that the spotlight was on her.
Despite not seeing her surroundings, she can feel the stares, some gloating, coming in her direction.
The audience didn't think much about it thinking that it was part of the randomness but the judges raised their brows at the peculiarity of the situation, specially Zilian.
He was obviously irritated at the conspiracy.
The host also felt something wrong but since he was not getting any instruction he has to continue with the event.
"May we please invite the lady on stage to join Ms. Yue" the host amicably approached Kafi to guide her.
When Kafi learned that she will be part of the competition, her fear multiplied and showed a strong rejection.
The host obviously didn't expect such reaction as all the audience selected happily obliged and excited to be part of it.
But looking at the timid lady, he can think of the reason.
The only thing going on in Kafi's mind right now is that she cannot let that person be embarrassed just because of her.
Although it took a while before Kafi can figure out what's happening, she's not dumb not to know that someone is trying to pit Moon in a trap.
On the stage,
"Well, well, isn't this a fitting model for our great designer. And since you're so great, it shouldn't be a problem for you even if your model is, hmm, how should I say this… well she seemed to had a hearty breakfast today and had yet to digest what she has eaten" Lia suddenly appeared besides Yue and started running her mouth once again.
Yue ignored Lia.
The moment something had gone wrong, Yue already searched for Kiro to signal him against making any move to stop what's going on.
Yue has to think of the overall situation. If she tried to switch out model, this can be used against her at the later part of the competition and lower the judge's impression, if she accepted, they think it would make things harder for her.
She knew this was not a simple matter, and despite knowing that the model would be switched out since it's not an involuntary thing for the audience selected to help them and that the girl seemed to reject the invitation but Yue is also concerned about the girl.
The girl unknowingly became the victim of the conspiracy against her, and although Yue knew that the enemy would love for her to take the bait, she would be willing to do so as to not affect the girl's psychology.
She can see that the girl has a low self esteem.
The girl is at the age when she would want to look her best. She was not overly fat as Lia would like to imply, in fact, it was her bone structure that is bigger than normal that make her seem large and heavy. Unfortunately, the definition of beauty nowadays is biased to those white and thin even at the expense of their own health. Since her beauty goes against the norm, it was not appreciated and was even deemed the opposite.
When she decided to be a fashion designer, Yue, not only wanted to make beautiful clothes, but also wanted to make people feel beautiful and gain their confidence when they wear her clothes.
Although the reason why she joined this competition had other motives, but her she would never lose her first intention.
Seeing that Kafi won't get on the stage, the host couldn't possibly drag the poor girl out.
The girl was even stunned at this point looking behind him.
The host didn't think much about it and planned on going back when someone walked passed him.
"Hi" Yue didn't hesitate to approached the girl to help her out in this competition.
Kafi can't believe that Moon is right in front of her. She got nervous and took a while before she could blurt out a small greeting.
"H-hi" she whispered.
"I'm Y-"
"You're Moon! I saw you at the Fashion Fest, you're so beautiful!" all of a sudden, the nervous Kafi got excited and spilled the words of her heart.
The people who heard her can't help but laugh a little which made her revert to her old self.
Yue was surprised at the energy of the girl. She didn't expect that she knew her from the FF.
Recognize her as Moon.
"Thank you" Yue is sincerely grateful.
"May I know your name?" wanted to get to know more, Yue asked for the girl's name.
"Huh-, I'm Kafi" Kafi's mind is still chaotic, she can't believe that she's now talking to the person she admired the most.
"Kafi, I would like you to join me in this competition. Would you help me?" Yue tried to coax the girl.
As if in trance, Kafi who was originally resistant find herself nodding her head.
"That's great" seeing Kafi's approval, Yue held her hand and together walked back to the stage.
The abandoned host
In fact, even Yue was puzzled how the girl easily agreed to go with her.