Chapter 1

Finale Model

Maliwanag na ilaw na bumabalot sa buong entablado, magandang tunog mula sa malaking stereo, ang nagkikislapan na ilaw mula sa bawat kuha ng mga tanyag na photographer sa bansa, at lubos sa lahat ay ang mga paghanga mula sa mga manonood sa gabing iyon.

Famous, beautiful, outstanding, a goddess... etc. That's what everyone can address to a model like Vanessa Dizon who participated in the runway that night. That night was a special night for a model like her. Kanya kanyang abilidad sa paglalakad sa buong sulok ng entablado. It was a battle of fame and beauty, and Vanessa should have accomplished that all in being able to succeed in her place as a top supermodel.

Iyon ang kanyang goal sa gabing iyon, ang mabihag ang mga mata ng mga importante at malalaking tao na babibilang sa industriya ng pagmomodelo. It is challenging for a model like her to reach that point, and Vanessa will do her best to show everyone her ability on the runways. Katulad ng ibang modelo ay ibubuhos talaga niya ang lahat ng kaya niya sa gabing iyon.

Vanessa is in a finale walk, of course, she expects to be the finale model in such a most renowned clothing company that night. Thank you to her manager who secured that special number for that event. Hindi madaling maipagkaloob sa isang modelo ang finale walk at napaka swerte na niya sa lagay na iyon.

For her, she was suitable for that part because she knew she could deliver it well and also this previous months she gained more popularity in her modeling career. Doon nakabase ang botohan sa runways director and owner. Sobra siyang nagpapasalamat sa manager niya na walang sawang sumuporta sa pagbo-boost ng karera niya. Higit sa lahat, sa assistant niyang si Odette na sa simula't simula ay ito na ang naging kasa-kasama niya. Through the ups and downs of her modeling career ay palagi itong nandiyan sa tabi niya. She was not only her assistant but also she is like her own sisters. Limang taon ang tanda nito sa kanya kaya itinuturin rin siya nitong nakababatang kapatid.

"Vanessa... look, you should have to give all your best for this event. Heto na tayo. Sa tatlong taon mo sa karera na ito na ang break para sa 'yo. Tonight, some of the big and prestigious entertainment agencies will approach you to join their company. And look, lahat ng nandito at imbitado ay puro nabibilang sa top list agency ng buong bansa. So get ready because anytime we will choose one of the best agencies to advance your careers, okay?" reminded her manager, Martha. Hindi lang isa, dalawa o tatlong beses nitong pagre-remind sa kanya kundi maraming beses na.

"Always noted, Martha. I will give all my best to satisfy the owner of this luxurious clothing line in the town. Also, to satisfy everyone's presence, and do not worry, I will never let you down," then she winked at her manager.

Martha was satisfied with her response. "That's my girl," wika nito.

Martha is already in her late twenties. She is not a big-time manager but with her special skills and resources, she always helps to boost every model she has been handling. At isa na si Vanessa roon. Siya rin ang mas nangibabaw sa lahat ng nahawakan niya dahil sa isa siyang mabait, masunurin, malakas ang self-confidence, humble rin siya at higit sa lahat kalmado siyang modelo. She has a good reputation and a very charming charisma that she unintentionally entices with her deep beauty. Sa isang pag-ngiti lang nito ay marami na ang mahuhumaling sa magandang mukha nito.

Odette smirks on the other side. "Alam kong petiks lang 'yan sa 'yo, Vanessa. Huh, ikaw pa ba? Ikaw pa ba?" tiwalang tiwala ito sa kanyang kakayahan. Well, Odette is right about that matter.

"Thank you so much. Kahit kinakabahan ako ngayon ay huwag kayong mag-alala. I will definitely go to the top, I promised." pangako niya sa mga ito.

After the artists retouched her makeup, Vanessa heaves a heavy breath. Unti-unti niyang inalis sa kanyang dibdib ang nararamdamang kaba. She should have not felt it instead replaced it with a full of determination and confidence. Tama si Martha, iyon na ang break na hinihintay niya na mangyari sa buong buhay n'ya.

She is already 20 years old, and her career is already rising. Sa edad niya ngayon at estado, nasisiguro niyang mas aangat pa siya sa kanyang karera kung mas may malaking ahensya ang papansin sa kanya. Her contract with her agency has already expired. Si Martha na mismong humahawak sa kanya ang nag suggests na huwag siyang pumirma muli, instead, she should wait until this event comes. Her Manager will sacrifice to lose her as one of the best artists para mas makilala siya sa industriya ng pagmomodelo. Iyan ay mangyayari lang kung mas may malaking ahensya ang hahawak sa kanya.

"Your turn," wika ng floor manager sa kanya sa backstage.

She smiles softly. "Okay, thank you."

She ready herself for her finale walk. Tuloyan niyang inalis ang buong kaba. All she had to think is her future career. Isa rin siya sa larangan na iyon na gustong masungkit ang title na Supermodel.

She slowly shows up in the crowd with her luxurious appearance. Her eyes twinkle with the camera's lens clicking all over the crowd, she shows her keen smile while she confidently walks the runways. Wala na siyang pakialam sa oras na iyon kundi ang ibigay lahat ng makakaya niya sa mga mata ng mga guests. Little did she not know that there were a few people who noticed her and intently looked at her appearance in the crowd, isa na doon si, Barron Hudson.

"Get me her details!" Barron's deep voice commands his Assistant, Rene who is sitting beside him.

"Yes, Sir," she politely responded to her boss. Hinugot agad nito ang kanyang tab sa kanyang bag at saka kinuha ang buong detalye ng modelo na siyang naka assign sa finale walk sa dress event ng gabing iyon.

Barron is still gazing at the tall, slender, and beautiful model in front of the crowd. He intensely looks at her appearance. He was convinced that of all of the models at that event, this face is the most charming and beautiful among all models. He narrowed his eyes while his hands were on his chin. At that time, he was hoping that this woman would take a peek in his direction.

To his surprise, it suddenly happened. Palapit na ito sa pinakadulo malapit sa unang hilera ng mga manonood kung saan nakaupo si Barron at Rene. She quickly looked in his direction and then she seductively winked.

"I like her!" he said.

"S-sir? Are you saying something?" nauutal na tanong ni Rene sa kanyang boss habang nag-angat rito ng tingin.

"She," turo nito kay Vanessa. "Sign her in our company, effectively tonight!" may diin niyang wika sa kanyang intelligent assistant na kasa-kasama niya sa lahat ng kanyang lakad.

Rene smile. "That's possible to happen, Sir, dahil nag expire na ang kanyang kontrata sa ahensya niya kaya madaling makuha natin si Vanessa ngayong gabi."

"Vanessa?" his deep voice mentioned that name.

"Her name is Vanessa Dizon, Mr. Hudson," lahad niya sa buong pangalan ng model na nasa entablado.

"Okay. I will leave it to you, Rene. You immediately look for her tonight and bring her to me!" he commanded.

"Sure, Sir. 'Yon lang ba?" tanong ni Rene sa kanya.

"Deliver her some bouquet on behalf of my company," he added.

"Noted, Mr. Hudson." Rene immediately calls the expensive flower shop in the town. After she gives some information and instructions, she hangs up. "Done, Sir. Is there anything else?"

"You better go backstage and look for her manager or assistant. You better get her before anyone can do it!" wika nito sa P.A habang ang mga mata nito ay nasa modelo pa rin at mariing nakatutok. At that time, all the models showed up, but his eyes were only fixed on that model named, Vanessa.

"I'll go now, sir." Rene left and followed his instructions.

'You have the guts on flirting with me, Vanessa. Hmmm,' he playfully said in the back of his mind. Isang pilyong ngisi ang naglalaro sa dulo ng kanyang labi habang nakatingin pa rin sa bawat kilos nito.

'Vanessa... what a nice name,'