"What was that?" Catherine curiously asked Laurice the instant she got back to their table. She just saw how one of those five gorgeous men spoke with her but did not have any idea what they were talking about at all. She surmised that the guy was actually interested to her friend but looking at Laurice's indifferent attitude, it probably did not end up any good.
"Nothing." Laurice simply replied. She did not want to concern herself with insignificant people. She was already used to dealing with those type of men it has gotten boring.
Catherine could somehow guess what had transpired between them so she did not bother asking further. If her friend wasn't interested, then it only meant one thing. The guy was nothing special.
There also seemed to be a commotion from across the other table and Catherine could tell it was from those men since she could hear voices mocking and laughing at someone in particular.
'Eh. The poor thing.'
She ignored the situation and shifted her attention to Laurice who was slurping and gulping a mouthful of ramen noodles and broth already. She was putting in tons of side-dishes in her mouth as well and was mumbling to herself. Her smile broaden. Laurice have such a huge appetite but looking at her feasting over her meal wasn't appalling at all.
"Right, Laurice. I've got good news for you honey!" She got excited herself to tell her about her upcoming project.
...
Laurice tilted her head and glanced at her friend. Seeing her happy face it seemed to be a good news indeed. "What is it?" She asked excitedly.
"I got an invitation from 'il piu notevole' in Italy to showcase my brand! God, can you believe it? 'il piu notevole' was the largest across Europe and was even awarded as the best department store at the recent Global Summit! And to have a chance to promote my brand and possibly had my clothes sold off from their racks is a dream come true honey!" Catherine shrieked while being lost in a daydream.
That was quite big, indeed!
Such invitation from a premier retail chain is limited to very few people and only reputable fashion brands and fashion houses can take part on the said fashion showcase that is to be held inside the store itself. The same prestigious department store had also launched it's very own fashion magazine which will eventually feature the event participant's apparel which would be available for distribution from across all nations.
Right. Her friend has gotten far ahead on her career as a Fashion Designer already. If the event will be successful then Catherine will finally debut her brand even beyond the domestic market.
Laurice felt like celebrating as well. She knew how hard her friend had work over the years and she deserved such great compensation for it.
She smiled widely at Catherine and exclaimed, "Wow! Congratulations Cat! You deserve it!" She leaned forward to pat Catherine on the head. It was a small gesture which they got used with that turned into a habit whenever any of them achieved a certain goal.
The both of them talked about the details for a bit. About how Catherine struggled to vie for her position in Milan's Fashion Lab which was a program created by The National Chamber of Fashion, a non-profit association promoting fashion and artisan skills of designers in the country. Catherine participated to various fashion labs and workshops and was finally able to present her brand at the previous Fashion Hub Market where she was recognized by the Association and was duly recommended to showcase for 'il piu notevole' that houses the most esteemed fashion brands of both renowed designers and novice or up and coming fashion designers of the industry.
...
"Thank you Liz. I owe you this one. Thank you for always supporting me." Catherine said thereafter. A sudden glint flashed past her eyes.
"Why thanked me honey? It was all because of your dedication and passion that got you a recommendation. I wish you all the best! I should congratulate you beforehand for a successful showcase!" Laurice was ecstatic. She was so proud of Catherine. She lifted her wineglass containing water instead to offer her friend a toast.
Catherine looked at her with a somber expression but yielded anyway clinking her glass filled with champagne towards hers.
"Eh?! You're ruining tradition, honey." Catherine pouted and protested.
Laurice pursed her lips and uttered, "Don't start Cathy. You know i don't drink."
"Just a little. Please? For me?" Her sulky puppy eyes that were begging her shot an arrow straight to her heart.
Laurice sighed. She could not bare to refuse her. Atleast not this time. Her friend was rather in a festive mood, she did not want to spoil the fun.
"Fine. Just for tonight. But only a sip." She said with a stern expression.
Catherine beamed the moment she approved and immediately asked for some wine from the wait staff in the restaurant.
'Bring out the wine! Someone's getting drunk tonight.'
Catherine was laughing in her head while someone was completely oblivious of her intentions. If Laurice knew what was going on in her head right now, she would regret coming and drinking to such place she was not supposed to.
...
Laurice thought Catherine ordered for some special wine for the both of them but she was surprised that she got a root beer instead while Catherine had some sort of sparkling wine.
Well, Good thing her friend was actually considerate enough.
She actually likes root bear. It was sweet and foamy.
Laurice does not like the bitterness of most alcoholic beverages and she has low alcohol tolerance so she never really drinks liquor.
"It's a digestif, it will aid your digestion." Catherine said to her a matter-of-factly while sipping her wine.
Laurice didn't know root bear can be that helpful. She only knows that it was pretty much just a carbonated drink. She nodded in response enthusiastically. She was enjoying her drink when Catherine begun talking about the details of the upcoming fashion showcase.
"When will the event happen?" Laurice asked afterwards.
"It's a spring/summer collection so probably late October." Catherine responded.
According to Catherine, she came back to the Philippines mainly for inspiration to create additional pieces of apparel and jewelries for her ready-to-wear line. She's been here for over a month so she must have been currently working with her brand already.
Laurice: "Next year?" She asked.
Catherine: "This year."
Laurice: "What?! Then you must be so busy. What are you idling around here for?" Laurice was stunned. She know atleast the fact that fashion shows always took an awfully long period of time of preparation and such. Designing is tough enough but putting everything together is the ultimate problem. All hands should be on deck and not so much time could be spared for rest.
Catherine pouted and said, "Don't i deserve to relax and lazy around sometime? I won't be able to do and sell anything if i look and feel like crap anyway."
She has a point there.
The Fashion Industry has a reputation to protect.
Catherine couldn't be careless. Her state of mind is her top most priority.
"Oh! By the way, i need your help with something." Catherine said oh-so-nonchalantly.
Laurice froze.
She had an inkling that what Catherine was about to say has something to do with the favor she was going to ask from her.
"That's right. I need you to do me a favor. I want you to model for me Liz." Catherine pleaded.
Laurice looked at her with a shock expression.
'The woman's crazy.'
She thought she was hearing things.
Pointing at herself with her long slender fingers, she said to her, "Are you kidding? Me, model for your brand? That's absurb Cathy."
"I'm serious. I want you to walk my clothes down the runway with a few more women i've pre-selected already. This has been part of my plan from the very beginning. Please don't disappoint me." Catherine spoke in a firm manner.
Laurice gaped at her and replied, "I might probably disappoint you, you know! I'm not a model! I can barely walk on high heels. Besides, i'm short!"
"What short? You're five foot and seven inches tall. You are actually even taller than most asian models i know." She confirmed as if it sounds convincing enough.
"It's still a no, Catherine." Laurice replied sharply.
"I do not accept. I have already signed up for you. Don't worry honey, i got your back! And you have nothing to worry about. It won't get in any way of your busy schedule in the latter months to come. Just a few appearances for fittings and practices would be enough." Catherine made it sound so simple but it was the exact opposite for her.
Laurice was starting to feel a bit hazy for some reason.
'Me, a model? Walk down the runway amongst the top models and designers before a crowd of distinguished guests from the fashion industry? Impossible.'
Laurice felt a nerve twitching.
She let out a breath and was about to talk again when Catherine spoke, "It's just one time, Liz. I beg you." She looked somehow disheartened because of her reaction. How can her heart not be perturbed?
"Fine. But can you promise me one thing?" Laurice uttered. She was still troubled nonetheless but she can only compromise now.
Catherine brightened up afterwards and reassured her. "Yes, whatever it is honey."
"If i don't satisfy any of your demands atleast, or if i'm not satisfied with my own performance, then please drop and exclude me from the show. I'm not confident at all, Cat. And there's only a few months left, i'm afraid i would not have that much time to prepare for it." Laurice muttered.
There wasn't a major change in Catherine's expression. It was as if she was expecting such outcome already. She smiled warmly instead at Laurice and said, "I promise. Thank you, Liz."
Catherine continued explaining the order and rules of the said event while also giving her some pointers and guidelines. She was well prepared and even showed her some of the pictures of her latest designs which will be presented in the showcase and that is currently being tailored by her team back in Milan.
...
Moments passed, Laurice excused herself to the lavatory. She was feeling a bit warm and heady. She tried washing her face with some cool water but it did nothing to help ease the odd sensation she was feeling. Her mind is also somehow muddled and her vision was starting to blur. She was trying to remain as conscious as possible to go get Catherine to send her back at the room to rest.
The moment she step out of the bathroom, she bumped into a huge figure. Laurice instantly got a whiff of a familiar scent and it was unsconsciously drawing her body close ... and closer ... until she actually ended up leaning at the person's back. Her consciousness slowly drifting away.
Tout de suite, the man's back stiffened.