"Start from the top! You look like a graceful newborn giraffe, staggering through the world." Lia yelled out while lightly hitting the back of Valentina's legs with a large paper fan.
She completely ignored the exhausted expression on Valentina's face as she ordered her around. "Move to the beginning and start again, chop chop!"
Even though she was grumbling in her heart, Valentina obeyed the short woman and dragged her exhausted body to the starting line.
She was currently engaging in model training 101. Since Lia was going to be styling her for the upcoming carpet, the woman had asked to see how she walked and posed for photos. Although she had posed decently thanks to her skills, her walk and attitude were 'completely unsalvageable and a waste of her beautiful face and long limbs' according to Lia. Which is why she had ended up in the situation she was in now.
Lia had commandeered one of the rooms on the ground floor, brought in ceiling-high mirrors from god knows where, and taped a straight line along the length of the room. After forcing Valentina to change into athletic clothing so she could 'see how her body was moving', she then forced Valentina to walk with books balanced on her head. For the past 6 hours, she had made Valentina walk back and forth until Valentina was paler than a piece of paper. She had taken so many trips to the bathroom to cough up blood when her chest became stuffy that she was surprised there was any blood remaining in her body. She was exhausted, her head was pounding, and she felt as if she were on the verge of passing out. Who knew that simply walking back and forth could be so strenuous?
As she collapsed on the floor while panting heavily, Lia began to lecture her again.
"You need to understand and believe in why we're doing this. You need to build a character and persona when you're on the red carpet. Who are you trying to be and what are you trying to convey will be very important. Being an actress is not just selling a character on screen, you have to do it off-screen as well. Your clothes, your makeup, the way you walk, and speak, it all needs to be curated now before you come under microscopic scrutiny from the media and fans." Lia lectured for the umpteenth time.
"Teacher Lia?" Valentina raised her hands as if she was in class.
"Yes, my favorite student! Speak up!"
"As far as I know, I am your only student. I understand what you're saying but what does this have to do with me? I am an actress, not a model. I don't need to learn how to walk or all that other stuff unless it's for a role." And the way her career was going, such a light and fluffy role would never fall into her lap. It seemed she would be stuck as a villainess for a while.
"My dear favorite student. Shall I beat you some more?" Lia asked in a threatening tone. "What is your plan if you get a role that asks you to become a model? Or you meet a rival on the red carpet who has more presence than you. Or you even work with a top fashion or jewelry brand that wants their goods represented in a certain way. What if you're invited to a fashion show? Or the Met Gala, will you still say it's not important? In this industry preparation is key and the red carpet is a battlefield soaked in blood and tears for women. Some people have been preparing for red carpets for months with large teams of people and obscene amounts of money spent on curating the perfect look so they can make the right impression. Thinking that you can skate by with a pretty face is a foolish endeavor. Pretty faces are born every day! You must seize the opportunity and improve your skills while building your brand. Whether or not you're a model, actress, or singer, you must curate the brand you want to be known for. Although you're an actress, there's no reason why you can't branch into modeling or other opportunities. You don't know who is watching you and who will offer your next role or deal! You're too early in your career to be so closed-minded!" Lia roared while slapping her fan on her hand.
Valentina: "....."
When she thought about Lia's words and realized that maybe she had been taking the industry too lightly. People like Aaliyah and others had money and management teams to help them look the best, procure them the best outfits and jewelry, and the best stylists. She was already starting from an underprivileged position. If she wanted to climb up she would have to open her mind up and build her skill in all things.
Seeing that Valentina's eyes had widened with realization, Lia gave her a devilish grin, "Within the three days we have remaining, I plan on hammering the attitude and walk of a supermodel into you. Then when you wear the clothes I have chosen for you, you can bring your charisma and aura out to the fullest extent! I will make you a fashion icon that nobody has seen before. You can do it right my favorite student?"
"Yes ma'am." Valentina dragged her aching body up again in the loaner heels and stood the way Lia had advised her to. Although her legs were shaking and her calves aching, her feet felt fine. It was just that she was too weak.
Seeing that Valentina had stood up again, and her expression looked firm, Lia smiled.
"Excellent. Walk again."
So Valentina walked.
She walked. And walked. And walked.
By the time Lia released her at 9 p.m. and she took off the heels, her whole body was shaking, and she felt shadows creeping into her vision. She had never stressed her body the way she had stressed it today and she seemed to be going into shock.
***
She felt absolutely drained of energy.
Without knowing what was going on or who was even around her, she somehow made it to her room and passed out on her bed.
**
After she released Valentina, Lia sat quietly on the living room couch as she waited for Kaiser to get home.
As she sat there, she became lost in her memories of a happier time. Of a time when Luca wasn't here yet when Kaiser used to be a troublemaker, smiling and laughing more as a mischievous young man, and of when there was another cheerful voice that used to fill the house with laughter and warmth. Of when there was a central figure bringing their mismatched group of personalities together in a way that just worked. But things had changed.
Now all she and the rest had were their memories of happier times. Everything that reminded her of that person was gone. Only the people who remembered her remained.
It was a little sad, being one of the people left behind. As she sat in silence while reminiscing, she heard the sound of footsteps walking.
"Alaïa. What are you still doing here?" A familiar voice sounded out behind her.