DAYS PASSED, I didn’t hear a call from Rexon, so I took the time to train at Cindy’s fashion & style. My trainer Farrah taught me almost everything, from proper walking to projecting and how to pose in case I stumble on the stage that is unlikely to happen.
"Apart from the gowns that you will wear, the guests will look more at the model's faces. You should look fierce anytime and anywhere. Especially your catwalk that everyone is waiting for. You are the main attraction of the event, so you should improve. " Farrah grabbed my two arms after we practiced proper walking.
I nodded with a sigh, I didn't want to disappoint Miss Cindy as well as Dad in her dream for me so I followed everything she taught me.
"Perfect! Now give me your fierce look Cherry!" Farrah shouted below the stage. I quickly posed and stood bravely in the middle of the stage.
"Bravo! You did a great job!" she applauded me.
I immediately sat down in front of the stage to wipe off my sweat and drink water. We have been practicing for a week and I have learned a lot from her.
"We are close to our goal, we still have plenty of time for you to perfect everything and I'm grateful you did it very well," she praises me again.
"Thank you, Farrah if it weren't for you I wouldn't be able to do this." I gave her my wide smile, we are now walking out of the building.
"I am just doing my job. You are a good listener and a fast learner. Cindy is also good at choosing a model, she had a brilliant eye to see a precious gem like you," she praise again.
I smiled at what she said.
"So, see you again tomorrow!" She waved at me from riding in her car. She asked me to go ride with her a few times but you strongly refused so lately she has not been teasing me either.
I started walking along the sidewalk. I still had to cross the footbridge to reach the other road to get on the jeep.
I do this every day, I don't even realize that I've been in this job for a few months. I haven't talked to Rexon for a month. He doesn't call or text at all. Sometimes I texted him to say hello but I didn't receive a single reply.
I am hurt because I know the truth. He's busy with Lara, especially now because she has a baby. I also know that Dawson, his brother, who I first heard about is abroad, has not yet arrived. Even though I don’t like but I still feel jealousy out of place.
I just focused my time rehearsing. I don't seem to feel tired especially now that the big event of Cindy's Fashion & Style is approaching in just a few days.
Ma'am Cindy's new clothing line will open and I am excited and at the same time nervous. I won't forget Rexon either, I don't want to admit it but I wish he was here and one of the applause from the audience.
"Okay that's it for today, pack up guys!" Farrah applauded us, before turning to me.
"Cherry please stay where you are," Farrah said to me.
"Ah 'yes!" I bowed politely and straightened my hair.
"Cherry come over here!"
"Is there a problem? I noticed that you're not on your own these fast few days when the big event is near and if you make a mistake."
"I'm sorry Farrah, maybe I'm just a little sleep-deprived and nervous at the same time," I explained.
"It's really like that, no one doesn't feel nervous, even though I'm nervous too." she smiled at me.
I bit my lip and nodded.
"Okay, if you want to rest first for tomorrow so you can get a rest. I don't want you to get sick when the fashion week comes," she speaks softly at me.
"I'm not going to give up!" I barely laughed at her just to reduce the tension between us.
"That is why you need to take some rest before our final practice on Friday."
"Okay as you said." I didn't go against what she wanted.
I just rested all day at home and did a beautiful rest. Tomorrow, we were fitting my gowns in case there is something that can be repaired and something can be done. I also received a call from Miss Cindy who greeted me. I think she's more nervous and didn't even have more sleep than me because of organizing the event this coming Sunday.
"Are all the lights okay? I want the spotlight to be scattered in this area when Cherry steps in the middle. Some spotlights are supported for her gowns and face." Miss Cindy said loudly to the electrical staff.
"And Cherry, can you ramp your final walk please?" she commands me.
I quickly did what she said. I was not afraid to walk in a pose. My legs no longer hurt wearing my stilettos because my feet were used to it. I walk as straight as a model. My face seems to want to give a lot of emotion to every look around.
I stopped in the middle and did the final pose. All the lights were on me, I feel like I’m a superstar because of the attention they give me. I wanted to cloud my eyes but I strongly restrained because I didn't want to disappoint Miss Cindy especially Farrah who is hard work for this.
"That was very good! Please give a round of applause to Miss Cherry!" Cindy said loudly to everyone.
I lightly wiped the grain of tears that dripped down my cheeks. It's a different feeling than you they appreciating you. The feeling that someone cares and loves you even in small things.
"Thank you! Thank you so much!" I said softly before I was greeted by Farrah's hug.
***
I let out deep breaths. And I shake my hands repeatedly to remove the nervousness.
"Relax, Cherry this is your night. Show me here how many months you've been hard work for. Just put it all here!" Farrah's voiced was shaking too, I knew she was as nervous as I was.
"Stop your pores so you don't sweat! He glared at me so I laughed.
"Yes, madam!" My answer.
"There's a lot of people outside, I'm so excited!" she told me to quickly hover over the gown I was wearing.
This is just one of the gowns I will be wearing so I'm the first one to be seen on stage to be perfect.
I peeked a little to visit them. And I saw Dad sitting on the side. I earnestly closed my eyes and uttered a moment of prayer before gathering air into my chest.
"Welcome to our first ever Fashion & Style show! We have a real treat for you tonight! In just a few moments you will get a chance to see our models displaying some of the hottest fashions from the one and only Miss. Cindy Fajardo! "
I heard the announcer speak from outside even his introduction to Miss. Cindy.
"Are you guys ready?!" Strong question of the announcer to the audience.
"So, please get comfortable and relax, when I call our first model, this is her first appearance being model of Cindy's Fashion & Style. Please give a big hand to our debutant, Cherry Mae Banaag!" When my name was announced I bravely rumped in the middle with no fear.
I was almost stunned by the applause of the audience, not because of the beauty of my walk but because of the beauty of the gown I was wearing.
But I couldn’t help but look at the audience and that grabbed my attention Rexon who was wearing a black Americana sitting there while watching me.
I stopped walking for a moment. I felt my feet stick to the stage because of the intensity of the stare that enveloped me.
His eyes were intensified, his lips are perfectly in a thin line. How can he easily hang me on to something incomprehensible?
"Cherry..."
Suddenly I came back to reality when I heard Farrah call my name. I blinked for a moment and continued walking. I reached the first center where Rexon's desk was.
He has holding a flute glass of champagne and bring it to his lip seductively. I swallowed before I decided to turn around to go back.
"What happened?" Farrah's eyes widened.
"I-I'm sorry," I said apologetically, before blinking emphatically.
I feel my heart leak out of my chest because of the intense nervousness. I also did a series of shakes just to relax.
You can make it, Cherry! I whispered to myself before changing my gown.
I walked again after some models I was with.
"Here comes again our F&S model, Cherry Mae Banaag! She's wearing a sexy outfit that you can pick up at Fashion and Style, our favorite shopping destination!"
"She looks so comfortable wearing her sexy gown. She looks just as great as the models and stars in their Ads." The announcer added.
I stood in the middle again and looked straight into Rexon's eyes with a smirk on his lips. But I didn't want to be affected by his smile.
I even saw him raise an eyebrow and slightly raise the flute glass he was holding in the air before I turned away.
"Damn..." I whispered while stepping back.