DIAN.

The view up here is beautiful. Am having so much in my mind so I had to escape the noise down the hall. Funny enough, I've not even had a chance to talk to my parents. I saw them among the judges earlier when on the runway and after that a chance to even say hi slipped. It doesn't bother me anyway, I got used to their ever-busy schedule since childhood.

I've always felt like a stranger to my own family but anyway, it stopped bothering me when I realized bothered or not, nothing would ever change. Maybe it is fate.

"Whatever the thought is, seems deep."

Turning my head, am met by some Gucci shoes. This got me by surprise.

"You again?"

"Ouch, you say that like am such bad news. It actually hurts more than I thought."

"Huh, no offence meant. It's just that we don't know each other and I can't wrap my mind around you helping me earlier."

"Oh, so now you complaining?? That is where you supposed to say thank you instead."

"I would not name that a complain. It was an indirect compliment."

"If you say so. And I wouldn't call us exactly strangers. So, take that as me helping a friend."

I look up to his face and he has soda in hand. My insides tilt and a nausea tic feeling rise in my throat. Whoa not now please. I've had enough of this day.

"Hey are you okay?"

"Mmmhh…...y eeeaaahh…Am fine, nothing to worry about."

Sometimes I get so mad at myself. Like right now I don't understand why am reacting this way.

"Okay, soda??"

"No thank you. Am actually not a fan sooo… But thanks anyway."

"So, now that my soda was turned down why don't you tell me what you like and I'll get it for you."

Ooooh… This is not going well. Is he not leaving? I came here to get away from talking and he is not doing me any good. Should I tell him to leave? But that would seem rude considering he helped me earlier.

"You don't have to insist, am not that helpless you know. I think you've helped me enough for the day."

"Enough you say? That is even not close to maximum. So, try another escape plan."

Yeah, he got me there.

"Are you always this stubborn?"

"Not normally but right now I don't mind."

"Huh, you quite something. All I want is to leave this place. A lot in my mind already."

"What are we waiting for? We can leave then."

Is this guy for real?? Am not in the mood for this.

"The princess is changing her mind?"

Wait, what? Did he just call me a princess?? Do such words exist anymore?

"Nop, it's just that I came with my best friend and the car is hers. So, I don't just get to leave."

"No problem, you can just inform her that you leaving and I'll give you a ride."

Say what now? Hope think. Am speechless, as much as this guy is a stranger, I really want to leave this place. If I decide on waiting for Aimmy, she might not get enough of her mom and I'll end up stuck here for the night. I have to go, and I have to go now.

"Am taking the offer, let's leave."

"It was actually not an offer. I'd rather call it rescue. Am DIAN btw."

"Dian, am Hope....

"HOPE JOYFSON. Yes, I know."

What does he mean he know… Has he been stalking me? I give him a weird look and he smacks.

"Come on... it's not what you think. The MC was calling out your names remember?"

OOHH… Right. I even look stupid now. How can I think a hot guy like him would waste his precious time in stalking a girl like me? I pity myself.

We walk down towards the parking lot and a feeling of relief take over. I so needed to leave.

"Which companies have you modelled for?"

This catches me by surprise and I stop in my tracks. Is he trying to make fun of me?

"Anything wrong? Why did you stop??"

"Are you trying to be funny??"

"Funny?? Why?"

"Me modelling for companies?"

"Why not? So, you do solo I assume?"

"What makes you even think am a model?"

"Because you are. You were so great on the runway and I was sure to have seen you in a magazine before."

I actually don't know what gets into me because the next second after his statement, I burst out with laughter.

"That's you trying to make me feel better. You can just be honest on how pathetic I was. No offence will be taken. Nice try though."

"Am being serious Hope."

The way he says my name startles me. Its ridiculous though if he is serious. One look into his face tells me he's not joking.

"You for real…"

"Of course, I am."

"Thankyou but I've not modelled for years. The last time I did was eleven years ago. In my senior school leaving party."

"You must be kidding. What??"

"Yeap, the girl you saw on the runway must have been the younger me who came back to life."

"I'll just give you one advice, let the younger you sign up for a modelling job at one of the big companies. She is amazing, and don't kill her no more."

His words hit me hard. If only he knew I couldn't keep a simple dinner job leave alone modeling.

Taking my phone, I send a short text message to Aimmy informing her of my departure.

Understanding why am trusting this guy is already a challenge. I mean, he is so determined to show me it is no problem depending on him. Our first encounter was not a pleasant one though. During the show, all contestants were to have a partner. Like a couple's competition. Hope being Hope, definitely she didn't have one. You can imagine how frustrated I was, learning that I was not just forced into a competition against my will but also, I had to find a damn partner.

Now that's where Dian came in. He came up to the stage, offered me his hand and said, "You'll do just fine." All I wanted was to bail and run off but he changed my mind. I just had to speak sense into myself. If this stranger who was not even among the competitors, would have the courage to come up and help me. Why would I disappoint him?

It was such a coincidence that we were wearing a similar brand. He wore Gucci from head to toe. Yeah, he seemed like one of the Gucci ambassadors. I was wearing a Gucci hood dress and Gucci wedged boots and we ended up being so compatible for the show like a real couple.

And might I inform you that he was a better model than I had imagined. He really acted it out. I should probably ask him if he is some famous actor out there that I have no idea of.

The crowd had given us a standing ovation and I so wished the feeling would last forever.

"Here we are."

Dian suddenly interrupts my thoughts and I realize we are at the parking.

"Wow, didn't realize it."

"I'll get the door for you."

He is about to open the passenger's door when he hesitates.

I guess maybe he confused the cars. This is an Audi R8 the 2022 model and it has not been launched yet. Considering we are in 2021, having a coming year's model must be quite expensive.

"Melissa what are you doing leaning on my car? Can I help you?"

Wow, so much for being judgy. This car is actually his?

He is speaking to a not so tall lady but looks tall with the help of the six-inch heel she's wearing. She is comfortably leaning on the front part of the Audi.

One look on her face and I can tell she is about to burst with insults.

"Is that how you talk to me now?"

"Am sorry Melissa, didn't mean to be rude."

"Yeah, and since when do you call me Melissa? You've always called me Lissa."

Okay, this girl seems quite dramatic. I decide to make my presence known. At least if they have to argue, they should beware of my presence to avoid unnecessary insults.

"Hey, am still here you know. She is your girlfriend?"

Well, I guess I ruined everything because before Dian can actually answer, she chips in.

"So, you were with this? Her? While I was busy looking for you everywhere? And you, yes am the girlfriend so keep your cheap scent away from him."

Wow, so quick with insults. It hurt deep knowing I wore cheap things but actually hearing someone say it out loud, that made it worse.

Dian seemed quite pissed because he was already clenching his fist.

"Melissa stop it! I don't get why you would go looking for me. Am a grown up."

"I invited you here Dian, and you had to run off to be with her. You should not have saved her the embarrassment at the stage. You should have modelled with me."

"Lissa, you had a partner."

Ooh, so he actually calls her that. I feel a knot in my heart and I just have to ignore.

"Yes, I did. But because you were not among the competitors. If I knew you would end up on stage, I would have chosen you."

"Lisa am done with your dramas. Am leaving, move away from my car."

He unlocks the car, and as much as I want to run off and let them be, I don't. I've spent my entire life running off when am scared or afraid, and that changed today the minute I walked on that stage.

I didn't expect any dramas today but it is as if everywhere I go they follow.

Instead of running, I slip in the passenger's seat and make myself comfortable. Am done being afraid of some rude random persons that bug in my life without warning.

The car is adorable. The seats are a mesmerizing kind of black brown and leather. It is even better than I imagined.

Dian joins in the driver's seat and we drive off.

The journey is quiet and Dian's mind seems far off.

He might have realized am watching him coz he stares at my hands for a moment then returns his gaze to the road.

"Am sorry about Melissa. She should not have said that to you."

"I get it. Jealous girlfriend sees his hot boyfriend with a random stranger. I would probably act the same."

"No, she had no right. She is not my girlfriend."

"Huh, you don't have to deny it. You should not have treated her that way. How will she get home?"

"She drove her own car. And we are not dating."

He is still denying it.

"If she's not, you should have said that Infront of her."

Dian just stares at the road and assumes my comment. Well, just as I thought.

The rest of the journey is crowded with silence and I sleep off.

A hand on my shoulder shakes me from my sleep.

"Sleepyhead, your phone has been blowing up."

Mom is imprinted all over the caller ID. Seriously, I left already!

"Hello Mum, I'm sorry I left."

"What do you mean you left? You better be coming back because everyone expects you in church tomorrow."

Oh nooo…tomorrow is on a Sunday. I should really have thought of it before leaving.

"Mom, maybe next time. Am already far away, can't turn around. Besides, I have a lot going on. Am just not in a good position."

"Dear, are you all right? You sound troubled. You can talk to your mom you know."

"Don't worry mom, I'm perfectly fine. I'll make time the coming Sunday."

"Sure, you better. Will be having the winner's party on the same day."

"Okay mom. Have to go, bye."

"Take care baby. Remember mommy loves you."

"Love you too mom."

Well, that just happened, I have to be home coming Sunday. Great. Just great.

Mom will definitely not take No for an answer. I miss her though, guess its all the reason I attended today's event. We've not met in a while and she is the only reason I'd go back home.

My dad on the other end, I have nothing against him. It's just that we are not that close. We rarely even talk unless we bump into each other on social media.

My life is just uniquely strange.

"You seem unsettled." Dian's hand on mine startles me. I quickly recall his conversation with Lissa and I pull my hands away.

"I'm fine." With that, I plug in my earphones and drown in music.

DIAN'S POV.

This girl beside me looks so adorable. Am tempted to stop the car and just watch her sleep.

Our drive has been quiet. Not what I had planned but had no choice when she kept bringing up Lissa, Melissa…. whatever the name, I just don't get the difference. Actually, the reason I call her Lissa is because I don like the name Melissa. I had this crazy ex back in Senior school, by the name Melissa. Ever since, I just don't like it.

Now Melissa must have misunderstood why I called her Lissa and taken it for the wrong reasons. She even titled herself my girlfriend. Well, I've always known she is crazy but that was on another level.

I take a look at Hope and she seems restless. She keeps moving her head from side to side and her screams makes me almost roll us over. Stepping on the emergency, I stop the car.

"Adam No....!

Please don't... I can't.

How am I supposed to get through...?

Noooo nooooò noooòooo! You can't leave…."

"Hope, wake up. It's just a bad dream. You are with me."

Her entire body is shaking and tears can't stop flowing from her eyes. The urge to hold her is so strong that I don't think twice. Pulling her to my chest, I listen to her heart beat. It is as if she has been in a race. She silently sniffles and tighten her grip on my back.

Her fragile state annoys me. She does not deserve this. Clenching my fist, I feel so angry.

Whoever this Adam is, am going to find out.