Chapter 1.2

Her reverie could have taken that long, as Vee was surprised when she realized that Lenka was already shooing her towards the backstage to get ready for the show. She was now clad in her first item to present on the runway - a black, one piece all-lace lingerie which didn't really cover up anything that much. It was high-cut and showed off her entire thighs and crotch, and her buttocks were only partially encased in a V-web of pure lace. The bust part of the piece was cut with a very low neckline which again was shaped like a "V." She suddenly remembered Guy saying that the lingerie was patterned specifically for her.

She squirmed as she recalled how she had spent grueling hours at the gym to get her entire body toned up to look perfect in her piece. She also tried to shove the memory of her very strict diet for the past few weeks and a part of her wished she belonged to the plus size group of models who would also walk for Guy’s lingerie line - a wishful thinking, though, knowing that her DNA would never cooperate with her getting some more meat on her bones. The best she could do was keep her muscles toned and whatever amount of meat she had to maintain a feminine look.

She gave herself a mental pat on the back as she turned her seductress mode on, following Lenka’s usual advice of simply believing that her body shape and build were enough.

A sexy beat could already be heard being played in the background by the resident DJ of the hotel's bar. It helped Vee to set her mood for the show as last touches of design were prepared on her piece. Her tiara and red flamingo wings as props were all set, making her look like she's ready to soar. She would just wait for the floor director's cue, and while composing herself she looked around at the other models lined up behind her. Most of the girls were preoccupied, while some managed to give her either nervous or excited smiles.

She looked around for Lenka to wait for last minute touch-ups on her face and body, but her friend wasn't anywhere close. She assumed that it meant her look might have been finished and so she moved closer to the curtains, ready to start the show. She spotted Guy from a few meters away and she tried to catch his eyes for some final cues, but she noticed that his attention was somewhere else, as he was listening intently to the wireless earpiece in his left ear, seemingly flabbergasted by what he was hearing. She wondered what could have upset the designer right at this time of the show, but she chose not to overthink. She even grinned when his eyes finally traveled to her direction, but it obviously just made Guy all the more upset for some reason. He became visibly pale, the strong, colorful lights dancing around failing to hide his seemingly shocked expression.

"Everything alright?" She called out to him, smiling, but Guy seemed close to breaking down. "Hey, we're about to start!" She laughed, wondering whether Guy was just too happy to see her finally walking down the runway in his newest lace lingerie designs. He looked like he was about to say something, but the floor and show directors suddenly shouted for her to start, and Vee had to leave and start off. She noticed that Guy was trying to call her but she motioned to the stage, mouthing that she had to start walking. Knowing that they could just talk about it after the show, Vee switched her expression back to her trademark seductive poker face and started walking.