Aurelie walked into the building with a smile on her face. Her long crimson-red dress made her an easy target to recognise. Cameras flashed. The people standing behind the media line were calling her name and asking her to look their way. She waved in their direction. Sharon who was dressed in a silver evening gown put her hand on Auri's wrist. Auri leaned her head closer to Sharon.
"I will wait for you inside," Sharon said her lips barely moving.
Auri kept her smile on and gave a small nod to Sharon who removed her hand from Auri's wrist. Auri watched as Sharon walked into the building and then turned her attention to the cameras. She gave a pose and the people behind the cameras began yelling orders.
"Look here, Auri!" someone yelled.
"What are you wearing?" Someone asked.
"A French Red of course!" Sharon said as she turned a little and looked at the cameras over her shoulder.
She waited for a few minutes and then resumed walking inside. She waved good-naturedly at the paparazzi and then walked inside. Sharon was waiting for her just inside the doors. The space was just an empty foyer with some people hanging around and talking. The real party was beyond a set of double doors that were across the hall from where Auri was. She could hear the faint sound of violins crying, and a piano's notes weaving around them. There were two men on either side of the doors dressed in black tuxes and completing their look with white gloves.
"Are you ready to step inside?" Sharon asked Auri.
Auri nodded with a small nervous smile, "Yes, I am."
With Sharon by her side, Auri took a deep breath, steeling herself for the show she was about to put on. She was about to face either Nicolas or the Dubois sisters or both. She was going to keep her feelings in check and keep the illusion going.
The anticipation mingled with nerves, but she had to maintain her composure. This was her moment to make an impression. One that lasted.
They walked towards the double doors and the two men pushed the door open for them. Auri grinned and whispered her thanks as she walked through the entrance and into the opulence that was the main event.
***
Nicolas was talking to his sister when he saw her enter the room. The doors opened and she walked in. Hand in hand with Sharon, she was a beautiful vision in red. He could see her eyes sparkling from where he was. Her crimson-stained lips were stretched into a grin that showed off her pearly white teeth. Her hair flowed around her face as she turned her head to survey the room.
She leaned into Sharon and said something. Sharon said something back and she threw her head back and laughed. People close by turned their heads in her direction and their eyes widened. Aurelie was an angel in red. Hard to look away from once you laid eyes on her.
Beside Nicolas, his sister noticed that his attention was elsewhere. His face was there expression of awe. She craned her head to see what or who would put that enthralled expression on his face. She saw who he was staring at and her eyes widened.
Was there some truth to the new articles after all? She had not paid much attention to the rumours or the whispers. Her brother had been linked to many women before. All words that were without substance. She looked back at him and in that moment, she could tell he was done for. This woman was different. Whether she knew it or not, Aurelie Engel had Nicolas in her clutches.
"Is that your new model, Nico?" Lola asked her brother.
Nicolas turned to his youngest sibling his face carefully blanking. Skilfully hiding the enthralled look he had just worn. But it was too late. She had seen it already. She wanted to tease him about it but she thought better of it.
"She's beautiful," she said instead and then asked, "Is that dress one of yours?"
"Yes," Nicolas replied, "It's from my first line."
He said with a touch of wonder. He did not think anyone would revive that look again. Somehow, she had made it look much better than anyone who'd ever worn it.
"Really?"
Lola said as she examined the model who was talking to the host of the show a polite and charming smile on her face.
She had to admit that there was something about the girl that made her look appealing. But sadness also filled her eyes as she remembered that Nicolas could not be with the model. Not without resistance from their parents.
She put her hand on his arm and he looked down at her. She smiled at him sympathetically and a quizzical expression entered his eyes.
"What is it?" his voice was awash with concern.
"Nothing," Lola replied remembering where she was.
She would support her brother in whatever way he needed. If he pursued the young Miss Engel, she would help him. He deserved happiness too. He had helped her and Lena with whatever they needed. She would help him if he needed it.
"Can you introduce me to her?" she asked her brother.
Nicolas looked startled.
"Aurelie Engel," Lola said, "I want to meet her."
"Okay," Nicolas was perplexed but he took his sister's hand and led her to the young model.
Auri had been aware of Nicolas since she got into the room. Even now as she stood in the corner with Sharon and people watched, she was aware of him casting glances her way.
She felt like the whole room was watching them, waiting for them to gravitate towards each other. Watching for secret glances or something similar. Now they were going to get their show.
He was walking towards her a woman who looked like a feminine version of him on his arm. She was looking at Auri with a mixture of speculation and curiosity in her eyes.
"Leroux is bringing his sister this way," Sharon whispered to Auri from the corner of her mouth.
"I see that," Auri said without moving her lips.
"Aurelie," Nicolas' voice wrapped around her and she openly looked at him in response.
"Good evening, Mr Leroux," she greeted him with a smile and looked at his companion, "Miss Leroux."
"I remember telling you to call me Nicolas," was the response she got from the man.
His sister grinned and extended a hand to Auri, "Just call me Lola."
Auri took the offered hand, "You can call me Auri."
The two women grinned at each other.
"Good evening, Nicolas, Miss Leroux," she said with a nod of her head in their directions.
Lola let out a laugh.
"You can just call me Lola," she said between giggles.
"This is Sharon Wilde," Auri introduced, "My agent."
"Good to meet you," Lola said cheerily she looked around the room and looked at Sharon with a gleam in her eyes.
"This is your first time here, right?" she asked.
"I've never had the pleasure of being here before," Sharon revealed with embarrassment.
"Don't worry," Lola said as she bounced to the woman and took her arm, "I will introduce you to everyone."
Auri and Nicolas watched as the young girl pulled Sharon away. Auri wondered what that was about and then turned back to Nicolas. They were alone, in a sense. People were pretending not to but they were looking their way. She felt like she was in a fishbowl or under the glare of a limelight.
There was an awkward silence between them for a beat but Nicolas broke it.
"I saw the interview you did with Lynne Hanish," he told her, "You handled her well."
Auri felt her chest puff out with pride. She smiled at him and said, "Thank you."
"It takes a clever person to deal with Lynne. She can be like a dog with a bone when she gets on your case."
Auri grinned, "I know, she was nice at first but I think she was just trying to lower my guard now."
Nicolas laughed, "You read that right."
As they descended into conversation, neither of them noticed as Valentina Dubois walked in through the entrance and her gaze landed on them. Her eyes flared with hurt as she watched him laugh so freely. He looked so relaxed, so happy. He was not like that with anyone. He was always on his guard but here anyone could tell that he was so open with this young girl.
They were so close. Too close as far as she was concerned. Was he purposefully trying to embarrass her? She could feel the pain and anger build up within her. Nicolas seemed to be building some sort of affair with Aurelie Engel. But not for long. She would break that up.
"Val," her sister Julia said from beside her.
Valentina began walking towards Nicolas and his young model.
"Val where are you going?" she asked.
"I want to meet her," Valentina said a steely note in her tone and eyes.