Paris

THE STRUCTURE of Notre Dame inspired her. Its few blocks away with Von's suite. And she couldn't believe her moment yesterday. If she got this McCloy Fashion Week, it will be the beginning.

"Are you ready?" Von asked, he promised her to drop on the venue.

"I'm always ready." She kissed him on the cheek and slid out of his car. Before she could walk away, she glanced back at him.

Bukas ang bintana nito. Pinapanood siya.

"Thank you," she muttered.

Kinindatan siya nito. "You can do it, Jess."

The conviction on his voice boosted the spirit that she knew loved this field. The spirit she thought she lost when she arrived here. She waved at him before she swirled and headed inside the building. Just like before, there were lots of models. But this time, all of them are major models. Ang ilan pa roon ay madalas niyang makita sa mga malalaking Fashion Show.

Kinilabutan siya. Nanliliit. Pilit kinukumbinsi ang sarili na ang mga ito ang mga makakasama niya kapag nakapasa siya.

"You were?" A man in crisp suit blocked her vision.

"Hi! I'm Jessica, Miss Bechkam invited me here." Ipinakita niya ang calling card na ibinigay sa kanya kahapon.

The man glanced on the card. For quite a while the hard and intense on his eyes lifted into an amused. "So, it's you... this way Miss Smith."

Pinuno niya ng hanging ang kanyang dibdib. Sumunod sa lalaking ito papasok sa elevator. She had cold feet every stepped she made. Some of the models turned their heads at her. Maybe they were wondering who she could be. Well... she's nothing, for now.

Huminto ang lalaki. Inilahad ang papasok sa automated sliding glass door. "They are inside, Miss Jessica."

"Thanks, Sir." Kabadong siyang lumakad papasok. The floor is made of high-class tiles. That she cannot do anything when her high heels click-clack to it. Pulling everyone's attention. She saw Mrs. Bechkam sat next to Mr. McCloy. He is talking to his secretary, then he subtly motioned the other guy on their table to let her probably introduces herself.

"She is Miss Jessica Smith," inunahan na siya ni Mrs. Bechkam.

Lumapit ang sekretarya ni Mr. McCloy sa kanya. Hininga ang kanyang portfolio. Sa gilid ng kanyang mata ay nakita niyang umusog si Mrs. Bechkam at may ipinakitang video sa katabi. May ilang pag-uusap sila bago lumingon sa kanya.

"You've been part of O'dil's Fashion Show in the Philippines. Opened a lot of major Fashion Shows, the current on that was Majesty. She is huge. You wear the fantasy bra on the leading lingerie in the Philippines. And to top that all, you won Asia's next top model. Why did you hide us such important information, Miss Smith?" The woman on Mr. McCloy's left side spilled.

Kabado siyang tumingin sa mga taong naroroon. Napangiti nang kumindat si Mrs. Bechkam sa kanya. I should answer that, right? For the last, she confidently stood up and smiled. "I wanted to be simple. To get your interest without those achievements. Because if I did, it will overshadow who I am."

May sinabi 'yung babae kay Mr. McCloy, ngunit ang may edad ng lalaki ay pinahinto iyon. "What do I have to expect with you today?" he asked.

"Can I walk again?"

Mr. McCloy shrugged his shoulder. "The floor is yours, Ms. Smith."

She excitedly got out, put her gym bag on the side of the hallway and removed her leather jacket. Leaving her tight xxs white t-shirt and her stripped jeans. Tinanggal niya ang tali sa kanyang buhok at binuyangyang iyon. Isang marahas na buntong hininga bago siya pumasok sa sliding door at pinakita ang kanyang totoong lakad. How confident and self-reliance she was.

Mrs. Bechkam smiled the entire of her walk. While Mr. McCloy and the woman on the left watched her carefully.

One last turn around and she do her version two point one trademark.

Ngumiti si Mr. McCloy pagkaraan ay tumingin kay Mrs. Bechkam. "You are right," he said.

Mrs. Bechkam was pleased. Then she gave her a satisfied and proud smile.

Inugat siya sa kanyang kinatatayuan. Kabado sa maaaring desisyon ng panel.

"Ms. Smith, what are you doing in the weekend?" Mr. McCloy asked her.

It's a weird question. She found herself fidgeting. "Honestly, I don't know."

"Why don't you join us?"

Napatakip siya sa kanyang bibig. Nag-unahan ang luha sa kanyang pisngi. Sa hiya sa kanyang reaction ay tumalikod siya at tinakpan ang kanyang mukha.

Mrs. Bechkam reached for her. "Congratulations, Jessica."

Umikot siya at kinagat ang kanyang ibabang labi. "Thanks for making my dreams come true."

"We need a potential model like you, Jessica." Hinawakan siya nito sa magkabilang balikat. Tumitig sa kanyang mga mata. "Fixed yourself. Go downstairs and meet your co-models for the McCloy Fashion Show on the weekend."

After a quite a while drama upstairs. She mixed with the waved of models. Habang kausap ang mga nakilalang Nigerian at mangilan-ngilang Asian models ay tinawagan siya ni Chloe. Buong saya niyang ipinagmalaki rito ang tagumpay niya ng araw na iyon. Ilang oras pang rehersal at pep-talk ay naglingunan sila sa bumabang si Mrs. Bechkam.

Ilan sa mga sikat at highest paid models ay pumalibot sa kanya. They are in a group chatting. Bumaba ang kanyang atensyon sa cellphone noong maka-receive ng notification tungkol sa Glamour Philippines. Hindi niya sana papansinin iyon ngunit naagaw ng atensyon niya ang caption. The Cristobal's son finally found his cheery on the top.

A distinct pain drew on her chest. She opened the link and looked up when someone poked on her.

"Jessica, I'd like you to meet Lapeetah. The Brazillian model and actress from Haute. She's Chloe Trevor and Priscilla Almaldy's best friend. She's the one who saw you on the casting," Mrs. Bechkam said.

Naibalik niya ang kanyang cellphone sa back pocket ng jeans niya para makipag-beso sa modelo. "It's an honor." She humbly rested her hand on her chest and let her eyes speak with this beautiful creature who gave much attention to her.

Lapeetah smiled at her. "I saw you in the Ford for the first time. Trying out the casting for Cannes Collection Show. It's an awful scenario, isn't it?" Lumingon ito kay Mrs. Bechkam. "Most of the model there are fierce that they would harm any first timer dreamer. And when she walked I'd acknowledge the intimidation. Her dad passed away two weeks ago on that day."

Mrs. Bechkam looked at her sympathetically. "That's bad but hey... this girl." She looked at Lapeetah. "She will walk on the weekend. It will be more exciting. McCloy is curious about her. I wanted to meet O'dil tomorrow and discuss something."

Sa kanya ito tumingin.

"You'll come with me," she added.

Tumango siya. Ngumiti.