Chapter 5

The Day Of The Fashion Show

Ava

David and I came in early to check up on everything and practice one last time. The time of the event was nearing and with every passing minute, I was nervous.

David left me in the green room where I got ready. It was time. I take a look in the mirror. I had never looked like this. This dress was beautiful.

These two days, I went the extra mile and practiced day and night to make this happen. It was the first time I was doing this. I was anxious but also there was a part of me who wanted to do this. I wanted to embrace this opportunity given to me and give my best. I sat backstage with the other models.

They all looked glamorous. They were way more experienced than I am but I had faith in myself that I can do this. I just hope nothing goes wrong. I didn't see David after he dropped me off here. There was a part of me that wanted him to see me now before I go walk on that ramp. Speaking of the devil and he is here.

I saw David enter the room. I stood up and walk up to him. He was wearing a navy blue suit and white shirt with a matching tie. I could see his Rolex watch on his hand. The one he always wears. He wore brown leather shoes with the outfit. There was something different about how he looked today. He looked handsome and I liked this approach of his.

"You look beautiful Ava."

"Thanks. You look fine too."

I wasn't joking. Fine was an understatement but I couldn't get words out of my mouth. He was a treat in the eyes.

"Come on, I wear suits almost every day. I came here to wish you luck."

That was what was fascinating. He wears suits every day yet every day he looked more and more good-looking and charming. I could look at him all day.

It was generous of him to come to wish me luck before the show. He knew I would be nervous.

"Thank you." Then he came close, closing the distance between us, and hugged me. With that, I could feel the eyes of the girls in the room. They looked up at me jealous wishing if they were in my place. I embraced him tight and all my uneasiness and fear were released when I was in my arms.

"I know this is your first time but deep down I know you will be great. Don't worry." His words seem to have a way to calm me down. I wanted to talk to him more but then we heard the announcement.

"Everyone please is seated. The fashion show will begin 5 minutes from now." The host announced over the mike.

"That's my cue to go. All the best."

David leaves me and I go back to my seat. It was good that he chose to come to wish me luck. I was calmer than before.

We heard the host calling out everyone to be seated. I was waiting with the other models backstage for our turn.

This fashion show was the largest event in the fashion department. All the companies compete with each other and only one wins. The Blitz has won two times in a row and everyone was pretty sure that we will do this the third time too but you never know.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. We are gathered here all today for The 55th New York fashion week. I, Sophia Martinez will be your host for today. Let's not waste any more time and start with the fashion show. May the best win."

Many companies went and walked on the ramp and represented themselves. We could hear the crowd cheers and claps from here. When the second last company represented we were summoned to be ready for our turn. Everyone had done a pretty job. We were the last and we waited for our call.

"Now our last participant of the day. The Blitz. Two successive wins. Will they win this time and win everyone's heart or someone else wins? Let's check it out ourselves."

The moment I have been waiting for. I go on stage and the spotlight was on me. My eyes were closing at the lights thrown upon me. There were a million lights that almost blinded my eyesight. Then I saw the crowd. There were thousands of people in the audience. A lot of cameras waiting to take photos. The judges were seated at the table in the front at the end of the ramp.

My heartbeat increased and I was getting sweaty. I was getting cold feet. I was about to go back when I thought of everyone.

Everyone's hard work will be ruined if I don't walk on that ramp. I took a deep breath and thought of David. His words replayed in front of me. I believe in you.

I can do this.

Everyone's eyes were on me but my eyes searched for David who changed my life the second he stepped in. Who would have thought that I will be in a fashion show walking down the ramp with thousands of people watching me?

I walked down the ramp as I was said to and then at the end gave a few poses when my eyes met David. He was standing there applauding for me. He winked as his lips murmured, you are doing great and I felt the huge smile that formed on my face and then I turn back to get into my position.

I could feel his eyes on me and I look at him from the corner of my eye, smiling.

"The results are here ladies and gentlemen, I would call the judges on stage to announce it themselves."

After our performance. It was time for the results. The judges and the host were up on stage. I was with David. He was nervous and I could feel it. I held his hand and he smiled. Then we looked up at the judges.

"It was a tough competition. Everyone gave their best but there is always the one who beats everyone."

One of the judges said and then the other continued.

"We would call upon stage Mr. David Smith and Mr. Mike Jones."

"All the best."

My heart raced as David went up on stage. My heart was beating so fast and I was sweating. I close my eyes. Fingers crossed, I prayed that we win this. It was a great deal for David as well as me.

"Our top two contestants of today's fashion show. It was a tough judgment as both did their best but there is always the one who beat the other."

The judge said. I can't wait for the results anymore. Can he say it already?

"And the winner is any guesses, audience."

"David, Mike, David, Mike, Mike, David."

Everyone shouts out the names but I kept my eyes closed praying hard. I wanted David to win.

"Well, the voice says itself. And the winner is..." The judge silenced the audience and spoke. He pauses before he announces the winner.

I close my eyes and cross my fingers and in my mind, I said The Blitz by David Smith.

"The Blitz by David Smith. Congratulations."

I cross my fingers and whispered his name is when the judge announced the winner at the same time. We won. David won. I did it. I immediately open my eyes as I heard our name.

I take a look at David who was looking at me with a huge smile on his face. We did it. I cried tears of joy. I jumped up and down when I heard the result. Yippeee! David came up to me and hugged me.

I was so so happy. After weeks of hard work, we got a prize. Our hard work didn't go to waste. All of it was worth it. Those sleepless nights and working weekends, everything was all worth it when we won.

"We won. We did it."

"Yess. Congratulations David!"

I congratulated him smiling.

"All because of you. You were remarkable. No one will be able to guess it was your first time. That calls for a celebration. To your first victory."

"Don't flatter me. Couldn't have happened if you didn't support me."

That was true. If I had not thought of David. I would have fled and we would have lost.

It was his constant support and faith in me that I could do it.

At the after-party, everyone came in congratulated him.

I spent time with Aria and Claire. We were all delighted. After David was done with meeting everyone. He came back at us and bade them goodbye.

"You must be exhausted. We will celebrate tomorrow. I will call my friends home if you don't mind."

"Not at all. I would love to meet them."

David

I managed to sneak in to meet Ava. I found the green room and everyone was ready and sitting in their seats. Everyone looked at me with glowing eyes. I am tired of this attention.

I was awestruck as I saw Ava. She was sitting on the chair looking at the floor fidgeting with her dress. As soon as she sees me she quickly stood up and walks up to me.

I wanted to see her before the judges therefore I sneaked in and Thank God, I did. She looked so gorgeous in that dress that I couldn't take my eyes off her. It was as if the dress was meant for her.

The dress she was wearing was a red off-shoulder full sleeves high slit gown showing off her long legs. She had a dark shade of lipstick and smoky eyes. Her hair was tied up in a high ponytail with her bangs resting on her forehead. The dress she was wearing enhanced her beauty and I had no words.

The dress was designed by me but I had never imagined that she would look this pretty in the dress.

I was flattered...

"You look beautiful Ava."

"Thanks. You look fine too."

"Come on, I wear suits almost every day. I came here to wish you luck."

To see Ava in a dress designed by me was marvelous. I couldn't describe my feelings.

"Thank you."

I came close and hugged her. She puts her arms around my body and I feel her body relax under my touch.

"I know this is your first time but deep down I know you will be great. Don't worry."

I wanted to stay here for more but then the announcement cut my statement. I will have to go back to my seat. I wish I could stay here more next to her.

I got back to my seat. It was close to the ramp. I got seated in my seat. The event began a few minutes later and everyone came in giving their best.

I waited for our turn. As soon as it was our turn I was excited to see Ava. I know she will do the best. I believe in her.

The host announced about our company. I looked at the end of the ramp. She wasn't coming in. I hope everything is fine.

Then she entered and walked in as if she was a natural. She walked that ramp with such confidence as if she owns it. No one could tell it was her first time unless told. I was stunned too.

She handled it pretty well with almost no practice compared to others and that's what makes Ava special from the others. When her mind is set on something, she will do it. I could see the smile on her lips when she spotted me. I couldn't look at anyone.

I notice her looking at me from the corner of her eyes. She is so beautiful and there was no way I could shift my gaze from her.

After the event was over. Ava came back to me and I introduced her to some more of my work friends.

Then it was time for the results. I was trembling with nervousness. This will be the first year without my dad and me being in charge. It was a great deal for me.

The judges went on the stage. Ava noticed my nervousness and held my hand smiling. Her touch calming me down for a bit.

Then they called me and Mike upon the stage. Mike and I are friends and I hate to be competing against him but everything is fair in love, war, and game.

I went up on stage and looked at Ava. She closed her eyes and crossed her fingers praying. I knew it was a big deal for her too to model for the first time.

I didn't expect her to be that brilliant but what can I say. She surprises me every time.

When the judge announced we won. My first thought wanders back to Ava. She was beyond happy. As soon as I get down the stage, I go to her and hug her. If she didn't help us out when Amy couldn't do it we would have lost.

"We won. We did it."

"Yess. Congratulations David!"

She shakes hands with me and smiles.

"All because of you. You were remarkable. No one will be able to guess it was your first time. That calls for a celebration. To your first victory."

"Don't flatter me. Couldn't have happened if you didn't support me."

As much as I wanted to stay with Ava, I had to meet other people. She went back to Aria and Claire talking to them.

I would look at her while talking to everyone. I so wanted to go back home with her and as expected it took longer than expected.

I wanted Ava to meet my friends tonight. Not my work friends. My best friends but they couldn't make it. Not like they wanted to come, they hate such events but I know even though they weren't here they watched it live on TV and supported me like they always do.

But I wanted to know if she was comfortable meeting my friends.

"You must be exhausted. We will celebrate tomorrow. I will call my friends home if you don't mind."

She smiled at me.

"Not at all. I would love to meet them."

I hope they don't embarrass me in front of her. Oh, what am I talking about? That's their job.

(Everything went on fine. What happens when David's friends meet Ava? How will they react? Will they like her? How will this dinner go? Keep reading to find out.)

...Thank you for reading...

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