CHAPTER 3

It’s already been a week since their confrontation, but Bria didn’t have a proper sleep. Her mind floats and is clouded by the last scene she remembers. How Dash looks at her, bothers her to the point that she can’t concentrate on her studies even on her practices.

                

“Hey Bria, is there something wrong? You look stressed. I noticed that you always made a mistake in our practice. What’s going on? It’s not like you.” One of her co-models approached her while they are on break.

“No. of course there’s nothing wrong with me. Is just that, I’m not really in the mood this past few days. You know, monthly period strikes.” Her mouth twitched as she open the cap of her water bottle and drink it and wipe her sweat with her towel.

Then she flashbacked to what she did to Jane. It was the time when Mr. Alarcon wants to pick a model that will be fit his creation. Sabria is very excited to know that she will have a chance to meet her favorite designer and even have an opportunity to be chosen as her model. She prepared so much for that day. She practices her walk, projections to the audience, even the kinds of a smile on her face. After a week Claire said that Mr. Alarcon will be visiting their agency so they practiced really hard. Bria seems so very confident in her skills and she has a high expectation that she will be picked.

“Okay guys, let me introduce to you one of the very famous designers, Mr. Alarcon,” Claire said as she held out her hand to make a way for Mr. Alarcon.

As he enters the studio, Bria’s heart was pounding so fast. She was very nervous and had a mix of emotions as she was really seeing her idol when it comes to fashion. Her smile plastered on her lips and excitement was very much clear on her face.

“Good morning models, I am Morgan Alarcon and I want to pick one lady and one man who will be the one to wear my creations. Are you ready to give all your best to be the chosen one? Good luck everyone, and one piece of advice. Think of it as your last walk on that stage but remember to just enjoy every step you make so that you can walk properly with confidence as well as with your heart. That’s all.” After he finishes his speech, he walked towards the table in front of the stage and sit down on the chair on the back while Claire told them to prepare for the walk.

 The battle starts now and as Bria watches the other models backstage, she thought that she is way better than them especially Jane, she was not that good as she is.

After several moments, it’s her turn to walk and prove to them that she is the best talent in the whole agency. She started to step forward like she was walking on a tight rope but with confidence. She lifted her chin up, straightened her back, and walked with the right amount of speed. When she reaches the center of the stage, she managed to project as if she was watched by so many audiences. Mr. Alarcon stares at her intently as if he doesn’t want to miss every move she makes.

Yes! I impressed him. He will pick me. He didn’t do this to other models except me. Bria, get ready to become a top model. She confidently said to herself.

As they finished. Claire gathered them towards Mr. Alarcon as they have already had a decision.

“So everyone, you all have the potential to become a true model and I know that you will have a long way to come. Just keep everything in place. Keep practicing, study your walk, your faces, and as I always say enjoy.” He paused and looked to Claire then he smiled before looking back at us. “We’ve decided to choose Henry for the Boys congratulations.” They clap their hands and congratulated Henry. “And as for the girls, honestly it’s very hard to decide who will I choose over these two very good aspiring models, it’s been so tough for me but Claire helped me to decide and so I made the decision. I chose…” Bria who is so confident about her was about to step forward but to her dismayed it wasn’t her name that called.

“I chose Jane as my new model.” She felt a sudden loss of hearing when she heard the name of her worst enemy. They all clapped their hands and congratulated Jane but Bria was just standing there with so much frustration. She can’t believe that it was Jane and not her. She was way better than her. She wants an explanation. She can’t accept it.

“Why did you choose her over me? Can you please explain Mr. Alarcon? I know I am better. I have more experience in modeling than her. But why did you choose her? Why?” she said, out of anger about their decision and the fact that she lost again over Jane.

Mr. Alarcon and Claire looked at each other for a minute before they turned their gaze towards Bria.

“Actually, you are very good at all. Perfect posture, walk, and facial reaction. All in all, you are very good. But there is something missing honey. You are missing LOVE in every step you make. I said earlier that you have to walk with your heart. But I didn’t see it to you. You just walk and proudly flex your talent. This is not just like that. We are the same as every artist with their masterpiece. On our every step and move, we have to give it with all our hearts for them to appreciate what talents we have. And I saw it on Jane, yes you’re right you are much better than her but she has the biggest love and passion in her heart,” he explains it to her and gave her a pat on the shoulder as he walks out of the studio. But Bria can’t figure it out she doesn’t understand a thing.

One cold night, when all of the models went home. She sneaks into the studio to find the dresses that will be used for the event. As soon as she found it, she tore one of Jane’s dresses that she had to wear for tomorrow. “You are so gorgeous but sorry, I have to do this. Blame it all on Jane, if she hadn’t stolen this opportunity from me. Surely you will be fit perfectly for me and we will be shinning like a star while being admired by many people who watch us as we walk on that precious stage.” Her eyes blazed with anger and jealousy as she tore it into pieces before she hide it in a suitcase owned by Jane. That dress cost more than half a million dollars.

She planned this and made sure to take a day off 3 days prior to the date of the incident so that no one will suspect her. But as she expected, Dash accused her right away even if there's no evidence. And it made her more furious that she wants to make another way to make her revenge.

Actually, she always did small dirty things to her just to annoy and bother Jane.

Like last month she put some ants to her dress 30 minutes before they start to walk on stage. As a result, Jane had a mild allergic reaction due to the stings from it that she had to rush to the emergency room to cure it. She remembers how swell Jane was and the reaction from her face was one of the best revenge that Bria is proud of. She knows that it was so childish, but what can she do? She just wanted Jane to suffer even in a little way she can. It makes her mind at ease. She felt a kind of satisfaction when she makes something to her.

She snapped back when someone called her.

“Bria, can I talk to you for a bit?” It was Jane. Looking straight at her with a blank expression.

Bria stood up and crossed her arms and gave her a poker face. “Oh, what do you want to talk honey?”

Their co-model walk away and bid goodbye so they could have a private conversation.

Jane came closer to her and start talking. “Bria, when are you gonna stop that petty revenge of yours? Hmm?”

Bria brought her lips closer to Jane’s ears and whisper. “So you called this petty? Tss! It’s just a beginning b*tch, wait until we come to the main course. Don’t be so excited Jane.” She grinned and slowly pulled some strands of Jane’s hair and pinned it at the back of her ear.

“Moved on Bria. Dash is not the only man in the world you know. You can meet another guy.” She said as she harshly tap the hand of Bria away from her.

“Woah! Big word. Coming from you my dear FRIEND. Yeah! You’re right, there are a lot of guys out there. So why did you steal him from me? Hmm? Why him? When there are so many guys admiring you. Answer me you wh*re!” She couldn’t control her anger and burst out. Thank goodness that all the people out there are so busy practicing with music so that no one hears what they were saying.

Jane was taken aback. She tried to say something and open her mouth but shut it again because no words came out from her. She is guilty. Bria is right. She stole Dash. She just stared at her trying to fight back her tears.

“Oh no! Did I ring some bell?” She covered her mouth as if she said something that cannot be spilled before she continued. “I’m so sorry dear, but the truth really hurts badly you know that. And by the way, I just want to say that Dash went to my house last week, maybe he misses me so bad.” She winked at her before she turns around and walk towards where the other models are.

“Good morning my gummy bear.” Her mom cheerfully said as she was walking down the stairs to have breakfast.

“Good morning to you mom. What’s for breakfast? I’m starving,” she said lazily and went to the fridge to get a bottle of water.

“You’re favorite, egg and bacon sandwich with a lot of cheese. Yummy isn’t it?” She heard her mom say as she transfer the water into her glass and drink it.

She brought the glass of water next to her as she sit and started eating. Her mom went upstairs to get the laundry to wash. While chewing her sandwich, her phone rang, and saw Claire’s name. She is waiting for her call.

“Hello?” she said, fighting her lips to form a smile out of excitement but she keeps her voice as natural as possible.

“Hello, Verone? Sorry to disturb you but I badly needed you. Do you have time? Can you come to the agency?” she said as Bria clearly notices the urgency in her voice.

Yeah! I know. I know Claire. You can’t survive without me. So yeah, I will come right away. Besides, it’s my time to shine again. Sabria Verone Villin will make her grand comeback. She thought to herself while smiling from ear to ear as she planned for this already.

She remembered what she did to Jane. She grinned as of the thought. She comes back to reality when Claire called her name over the phone.

“Verone? Are you still there?”

“Yeah! I’m still here, is there any problem? Is there anything that I can do? Just say it, you know me, Claire.” She answered after she drank the coffee on her side.

“Yes! You are a big help. Are you available on Saturday? I’ll tell you once you’re here. I can’t explain it over the phone.” Her voice turned a much softer and calm now.

“Okay, whatever it is I’ll do it. You can count on me, Claire,” she said. Trying not to be so obvious that she was so happy right now.

“Okay darling, see you on Saturday. You are my savior. I love you Verone,” she can sense the happiness in Claire’s voice.

“Okay bye. See you on Saturday,” she said and then hung up the call.

“Oh yeah! This is it, Bria. You will be back in the limelight. Good job self. Good job,” Bria proudly said to herself and celebrated her success while patting her head.

She is in the middle of a celebration when her mom suddenly appears out of nowhere.

“What are you doing gummy bear? You look so happy. Are you being with Dash again?” she asked with her beautiful smile.

“Not yet mom, but it is something as important as him. Listen, mom, I think I’m going to be on the fashion show wearing the gorgeous dresses created by Mr. Alarcon. You know him right? One of the most famous designers, the one that I want to work with,” she said twinkling her eyes and flustering a wide smile.

“What great news! I can barely see you so happy like this. I think it is your lucky day. I’m so happy for you my little bunny. We have to go to the salon and do a makeover for you. Ahmm.. You have to go fix your hair... Your..” her voice is full of Excitement so Bria cut her out.

“Mom! Mom! Calm down. I can take care of myself. I’m not a child anymore. Like duh?! I’m pretty much beautiful and I don’t have to fix anything. So will you please take a deep breath? Hahaha! You’re a too exaggerated mom. You’re funny.” She laugh hard as she saw her mom’s reaction and almost took her somewhere to have a makeover.

“Ow, I’m so sorry gummy bear. I can’t control myself, honey. I’m just so happy for you my dear. And you know I am supporting you all throughout. So I’m very excited to see you again walking on the stage while wearing beautiful dresses,” she said with teary eyes as she was so overwhelmed and happy at the same time.

“Stop crying mom. But anyway thank you for supporting me. I know you’re my number one fan. Even if we always argue with small things.” She smiled at her and pulled her mom into a very warm hug.

But that happiness will be over soon. One of her plans will not happen in the way that she wants.