05

Alexis went back downstairs where she had the girls waiting. She had to let go of the fact that she was foolish and let her idiotic hormones rule over. But at least she got a great deal right ?

Pfft, as if

He didn’t know a thing about how to walk on a ramp. For half of these women, this would be their first show. But atleast they were strugglers and she had hand picked them and trained them all by herself. She’d trained them so it wouldn’t be that hard for her to train Logan herself, would it ?

She sighed. She knew she couldn’t do the same with Logan.

Logan was entirely a different case. The moment he would walk in the same room as hers, her brain would stop working. Damn these hormones.

And damn that manipulative bastard. He knew she wouldn’t bend so he took the emotional route. She wanted to punch something but she suppressed the urge. But if that something happened to be Sydney’s face….

He said there was a story behind his engagement. Some story it must be. She actually hoped that it was a misunderstanding and that she could see Logan again for another one night stand. She never repeated them but Logan was different.

Since she was on the brink of success, she couldn’t afford any relationships at that point.

A one night stand could’ve been possible if he wasn’t sitting there in his delicious suit and pleading Sydney’s case. What other explanation he had rather than the fact that he lied to her and cheated on Sydney ?

She wanted to punch Sydney. Why ? She didn’t know.

Alexis took a deep breath and called over the girls. She had it all planned as to which girl would have which dress. Now she had to change it all.

After Logan had left the office, and when she had finally come around as to what she did, Alexis realized she was short on model. She had called in on Bridget. Bridget was the typical model, blonde hair, grey eyes. So much perfection, even Lexi felt like puking. She hated them, the perfect ones. Because by the time they had reached the point of perfection, everything was fake.

Alexis hated Bridget but then she was in need of someone. And even though she had to ask Miss High Pitch here, she would.

Alexis saw Sydney sitting at a table, a smile on her face. Alexis envied her. Forget it. Women like Sydney get all.

She called Sydney

« Yes, Lexi ? » She turned towards Lexi with a smile on her face which irritated her even more.

« Alexis to you. Sit this one out. We are going to have a talk once everyone leaves. »

« But-« Alexis shot her a glare she used on Tessa when she would mess up. That seemed to shut her up and wipe that smile off her face.

Sydney was smart enough to not argue further.

Bridget came in 15 minutes later.

« Hey Alexis. »

« I don’t have time to chat here, go over there with others. Tell Cara over there, that you got Sydney’s position. »

Alexis wished she had plugs to help save her ear drums. Bridget talked in such a high pitch, damn.

« What did I do ? » Alexis heard Sydney ask in a small voice.

Alexis ignored it. She was too angry. She couldn’t be trusted to be polite at that moment.

By evening, everyone had been ready, Bridget had picked on quiet nicely. Bridget had been a pro, her show wouldn’t take any major hit because of the changes. Her ear drums were another matter.

Sydney was still sitting on a small chair, anger in her eyes. She kept glaring at Bridget. She was like a kid denied her favourite toy.

Alexis felt bad for Sydney. Logan was right, she had been upset since she came back. But every single time she looked at Sydney, she only saw Sydney and Logan together and that got under her skin. That would wipe all sympathy for Sydney just like that.

She walked over to Sydney when everyone left for home.

« You mess with my show tomorrow and I’ll have your and your boyfriend’s ass kicked. One small mistake and I’ll have your modeling career finished. Am I clear ? »

« I don’t understand. »

« You finally get what you wanted for so long. I’ve given my everything for this show. You better make this worth it. Already screwed up my dream, now don’t screw this up. I already regret ever meeting your fiancé. »

With that Alexis turned her back and walked over to the rack.

She heard some shuffling behind her which meant Sydney had gathered her belongings and walked out. There was a sheen of tears in her eyes that Alexis noticed before she turned her back on her. But she didn’t care because Alexis had her own fair share to shed.

Alexis was scared to death. Her makeup artist / hairstylist, Jay had done his best to cover up her red eyes, the tear marks on her cheeks and added lustre to her dry hair. She then remembered she had hair appointment in the morning.

Thank God, Tess had called Jay home first.

« You are a mess. » Was the first thing he said as he stepped inside her room.

« Who called you ? » She croaked as she sat up on her queen-size bed

« I did. I can’t have you walk on the ramp with that face. « Tess stepped up from behind him and looked around the room, at the clothes strewn around on the floor. « Oh my god. What happened in here ? »

Lexi groaned and hid her face in the pillow.

« I’m having none of that. Get dressed and come downstairs. I’ll clean up here. »

And then they both took over in dressing her up. Tessa cleaned up the mess in her room.

Lexi felt like an idiot for crying over something so stupid. But then it had been her dream to finally turn a dress she had always dreamed into a reality and she had been waiting for this day since forever.

Once she went backstage, she knew she had made a mistake sitting at home and crying when Tess had taken over.

Shaking her thoughts away, she went back to organising.

Anne had been crying over her bracelets, Linda didn’t like the earings, Mary grimaced at the strappy stilettos

And Tess needed to tell them that they needed to suck it up because it was what they would get.

Jay had loved to work with the women but he had been more than happy to get away from Bridget.

She glanced at the screen backstage. The cameras had covered every angle. Perfect.

The cameras were set. Lights were perfect.

She could see the seats filling up. The first three rows were VIPs. Magazines, reporters. Even Diana, her competitor was there.

And there he was, in a black suit looking all sexy. So sexy that she hated him. Logan sat in his seat in the second row, his aura so dominating that even she could feel it. He had kept his five o’clock shadow that just added to his masculinity. Dressed up in a black suit and a maroon silk tie, that coincidentally matched her dress.

She wanted to change her dress.

Alexis turned away from screen.

She looked at the girls and she knew Seasons had been the correct name for her collection.

Tessa stood near the entrance to the ramp, wearing her headphones. She would be given details as to when to send the next model.

Lexi turned towards all the women dressed in her colourful designs and clapped her hands twice catching everyone’s attention.

« Girls, all the best. You all look beautiful. Attitude and walk like you own the stage. Make me proud. » Was all she said.

The girls smiled at her except for Sydney.

Alexis went to her and hugged her. She even surprised herself by doing that.

« I know you can do it. » She patted her back.

Sydney dabbed her eyes with the tissue. And gave a watery smile.

« You ruin that make up, and I’ll send you out there just like that. » Jay threatened and started giving Sydney a final touch up.

Alexis just turned and walked over to the screen.

Let the show begin