Rhea Sinclair lounged in her dressing room, her legs submerged in a warm water bath as her team of stylists and assistants bustled around her, preparing her for the upcoming runway fashion show.
The focal point of the attire was a stunning yellow dress and satin veil adorned with intricate designs that seemed to dance across the fabric. As the veil was carefully placed on Rhea's head, she gazed at her reflection, her eyes narrowing slightly as she adjusted the fit.
"Isn't this going to be the highlight of the season?" one of her assistants asked, excitement evident in her voice."I hope so," Rhea replied, her tone detached, her focus still on her reflection. Just then, another assistant chimed in,
"Happy birthday to Isla Sinclair, Ms. Rhea! I almost forgot today is her birthday."Rhea's expression darkened, her eyes flashing with anger. "What are you talking about? Don't mention that name in my presence again," she snapped, her voice low and menacing.The assistant took a step back, visibly taken aback.
"I-I'm sorry, Ms. Rhea. I didn't mean to—""You didn't mean to?" Rhea's voice rose. "You didn't mean to remind me of the embarrassment that child brought to my doorstep? She came to my house, in front of all her friends, and dragged my name through the mud. She'll regret that. If she thinks she can cross me and get away with it, today's birthday will be a day she'll cry about."
One of the older stylists, who had been working with Rhea for years, spoke up, "Rhea, maybe you shouldn't be like that. It's supposed to be a day of joy. After all, it's the day you became a mother."
Rhea's gaze turned icy. "Being a mother is wonderful, but it's terrible when your child wants to bite the finger that fed her. That's not motherhood; that's stupidity."
The room fell silent, with only the sound of rustling fabric and soft murmurs as the team continued to prepare Rhea for the show, careful not to cross any lines.
As Isla Sinclair stepped into the bustling head office of the modeling society, she was immediately enveloped in a whirlwind of excitement. Fans and paparazzi swarmed around her, cameras flashing and questions flying left and right. The workers at the office couldn't help but beam with smiles as they welcomed her warmly. Isla's eyes sparkled as she scanned the crowd, her gaze locking onto Lindsay, her friend who had been waiting anxiously with a surprise.Isla made her way through the throng, her smile growing wider with every step.
She pushed open the door to one of the offices, and suddenly, confetti burst forth, showering her in colorful paper. Flute players, stationed in the corner, began to play a lively rendition of "Happy Birthday." Lindsay was clapping and singing along with the other workers, her eyes shining with joy.
Isla's face lit up, and she burst into giggles, overwhelmed by the kind gesture. She hugged everyone in turn, thanking them profusely for making her special day so memorable. The paparazzi snapped pictures, and others made live videos, capturing the heartwarming moment. Bouquets of flowers and gift boxes were presented to her, each one accompanied by sweet messages and expressions of love.Once the commotion died down, and Isla was finally alone with Lindsay in a quieter corner, they both let out sighs of relief. Lindsay grinned mischievously.
"Now that the chaos has died down, how do you want to spend the few hours we have before the show?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with ideas.Isla's face lit up with excitement.
"Let's go to Sasha's house and indulge in some desserts. We can take more pictures and post them online. It'll be fun!" Lindsay nodded enthusiastically, and the two friends began making plans for their adventure, already looking forward to the sweet treats and quality time together before the evening's show.
As the clock struck 11:30 PM, signaling they had one hour and thirty minutes before the show, Isla, accompanied by Julie, Sasha, Wendy, and Lindsay, arrived at the modeling agency.
The team sprang into action, whisking Isla away to get her ready. Within a short span, Isla emerged transformed, her charm radiating as she shone in her outfit.
Her friends were left speechless, their jaws dropping in awe as they took in her stunning appearance. The makeup accentuated her features, her nails were perfectly manicured, and her curly hair cascaded down her shoulders like a golden waterfall.
"Wow, Isla, you look breathtaking!" Julie exclaimed, her eyes wide with admiration."You're absolutely stunning!" Wendy chimed in, her voice filled with envy. Sasha nodded in agreement. "You're going to slay the runway" Lindsay smiled warmly.
"You deserve all the attention, Isla. You're a superstar!"
With their compliments and words of encouragement, the group left the agency in Isla's SUV, heading towards the venue of the show. As they arrived, the paparazzi swarmed around, cameras clicking wildly as Isla stepped out of the car with her friends.The group posed for photos, their outfits drawing admiring glances.
Julie's red gown with designed roses was a showstopper, Wendy's white linen gown exuded elegance, Lindsay's purple gown with adorned ribbons added a touch of whimsy, while Sasha's short blue body hug with butterfly wings and diamond-studded ends sparkled like a vision. Their nails were long and perfectly fixed, sprinkled with glitter, and their shoes matched their clothes flawlessly.
As they catwalked onto the red carpet and into the large runway hall, they instantly became the talk of the show. People couldn't help but wonder if Isla had somehow managed to bend the rules, given her friends' prominent presence at such an exclusive event. The buzz around them grew, with many eyes fixed on the group of friends as they made their way into the heart of the fashion extravaganza.
As they entered the grand hall, the vibrant atmosphere enveloped them. The room was ablaze with lights, and the air pulsed with the beat of pop music. Models mingled with guests, while men in suits sat at exquisite tables, indulging in expensive food and fine alcohol. Some people stood, wine glasses in hand, engaged in animated discussions.Julie, Wendy, and Lindsay's eyes widened as they scanned the room, their laughter and chatter filling the air. Suddenly, Julie's gaze landed on Rhea Sinclair, resplendent in a goddess-inspired outfit with a flowing veil.
The others followed her gaze, and their laughter grew louder."Look at her, she's totally copied one of Isla's styles!" Lindsay giggled, her eyes sparkling with amusement.Wendy chuckled. "She thinks she's a goddess, but really, she's just a copycat!"
Just then, a waitress approached Isla, smiling. "Right this way, Isla. I've reserved a table for you and your friends."As they followed the waitress to their table, they were stopped by several people who wanted to greet Isla, take selfies, and wish her a happy birthday. Amidst the commotion, they noticed Rhea Sinclair already seated at a nearby table, laughing with her friends.Rhea's eyes locked onto Isla, and her expression darkened. "What is she doing here?" she demanded, her voice rising.
"This is my table!"Isla stood her ground. "No, it's my table. I reserved it."The situation was on the verge of escalating into a noisy confrontation when some burly bodyguards, who seemed to be Julie's security detail, stepped in. They politely but firmly escorted Rhea and her friends away from the table, leading them to a waitress who booked a new table far removed from the door, almost out of sight.Rhea's face was a picture of fury, her friends seething with anger alongside her.
"This is humiliating," one of her friends hissed. "We'll make them pay for this embarrassment."Rhea's eyes narrowed, her gaze fixed on Isla and her friends. "We'll start with Julie. She's the one who thinks she can just send us to the back of the hall like we're nobodies. She's now on the top of our target list." Her friends nodded in agreement, already plotting their revenge.
As the afternoon wore on, the mistress of the event took the stage, announcing a special segment featuring upcoming models showcasing their exceptional styles. Julie and Lindsay watched with great enthusiasm, discussing each model's outfit and laughing heartily.
After food and desserts were served, the event organizers announced a new segment: choosing the best dressed male and female of the day. The crowd cheered as the nominees were revealed, and Lindsay, Wendy, and Sasha were among the top 10-6. They made their way to the stage, greeting fans and giving short speeches to thank their designers and stylists.
Meanwhile, Julie noticed Isla was distracted, her eyes fixed on her phone. Curious, Julie peeped into Isla's screen and caught her sending love emojis to Cade.
There was also an "I MISS YOU" gif she had previously sent, accompanied by romantic lines. Julie's eyes sparkled with amusement as she teased Isla.
"Hey, are you starring in a romantic web series?" Julie joked, her voice barely above a whisper. Isla's face flushed with shyness as Julie continued to tease her about Cade, playfully tickling her.
"Stop it, Julie!" Isla laughed, trying to change the subject. "Hey, do you remember that love web series we used to watch in high school?"
Just as they were reminiscing, the sound system blared, announcing Julie's name as the 4th best dressed female model of the day. Julie's face lit up with a radiant smile as she made her way to the stage with effortless charisma. The crowd applauded, and eyes of admiration followed her every step.However, not everyone was pleased with Julie's recognition.
Rhea Sinclair and her friends sat in the distance, their faces twisted in scowls. "She thinks she's so perfect just because she's got a few designer clothes," Rhea sneered, her voice dripping with malice.
"She's nothing without her father's money." Her friends snickered and chimed in with insults, their jealousy and resentment towards Julie.
After Julie's speech on stage, Judy Keen and Rhea Sinclair were announced as the 3rd and 2nd best dressed female models, respectively. They both strutted onto the stage, their dresses shining under the lights, perfectly capturing the theme's essence.
After delivering their speeches, the guests were asked to cast their quick votes for the final award. The anticipation was palpable as the mistress of the event took the stage once again.
With a flourish, she announced the winners: Isla Sinclair, the birthday girl, was declared the best dressed according to both the guests and the judges, followed by Sasha in second place, and Julie in third. The crowd erupted in cheers as the mistress declared,
"Once again, the Daisy Damsels have managed to claim the top three positions!"Isla beamed with pride as she accepted her trophy, while Sasha and Julie received beautiful medals.
Other models looked on with disappointment, and Rhea's crew seethed with anger and jealousy. As the show came to a close around 6:30 pm, Rhea watched Dakota, the head of the screening group, congratulating Isla and her friends on their wins and wishing Isla a happy birthday. Rhea's jealousy burned hotter, her anger simmering just below the surface.
Meanwhile, Julie, Wendy, Lindsay, and Sasha waited for Isla to finish discussing with Dakota. They were buzzing with excitement about their grand surprise for Isla's birthday. Friends and invited guests were waiting at Isla's house, and Cade had sent a video showcasing the decorators and other preparations. The black Audi model they had chosen as a gift was adorned with a red ribbon and two balloons.
As Isla stood apart from her friends, her dad called her, wishing her a happy birthday in a loving and humorous way.
"Happy birthday, sweetie! I hope you're not too old for birthday cake and ice cream. By the way, when are you going to date? You're getting older, and I don't want you to be ridiculed on the internet for being unmarried."Isla rolled her eyes good-naturedly.
"Dad, I'll try, okay?" She pretended not to be interested, but her dad's words made her blush. When Mr. Sinclair ended the call, Isla's face was still flushed.
"I wish I could tell you, Dad. But I'd rather respect my man's decisions."
She skipped over to her friends, hopping into the car with a spring in her step. Her friends looked at her, amused.
"You look like you're drunk, Isla!" one of them teased.Isla giggled, feeling hyper.
"Let's just get home, I'm starving!" Her friends laughed, and they ordered their driver to head to Isla's house, where the birthday celebration was waiting.
As Isla opened the door to her house, she was met with a burst of confetti and red roses flying through the air. The sound of slow birthday music filled the room, played by a group of violinists standing in the corner. The indoor pool, located just behind the kitchen, was transformed into a colorful spectacle, decorated with balloons and glitter.
Isla's eyes widened as she took in the scene before her. Under the stairs, a mountain of presents towered above, with big boxes stacked neatly and others scattered all over the ground.
She couldn't contain her excitement, and her screams of joy echoed through the house as she laughed and thanked everyone for the surprise.On the dining table, a magnificent chocolate cake caught her attention, adorned with the words "IT TOOK 33 YEARS TO LOOK THIS HOT" in bold letters. Tears of joy rolled down her cheeks as she gazed at the cake, surrounded by the people she loved.
Some of her friends from college, whom she hadn't seen in years, were there with presents, adding to the warmth of the moment.The atmosphere was electric, with Isla's favorite music playing in the background. After basking in the surprise for a while, Isla announced that she had a special outfit for her birthday photoshoot and excused herself to go upstairs to change.
As she reached the top of the stairs, she spotted Cade standing there, his eyes fixed on his phone. Isla's heart skipped a beat as she gazed at him, her mind racing with thoughts of the special bond they shared.
"Hey." She called.
"Wow. I've been watching the show all day. Congratulations." He said, pulling her close to himself. She just blushed incessantly, as he said each word.
"I'm tired of seeing you flush so red. This isn't you, Isla."
"You're the first man that makes me feel this way. Like a new person."
"Hello? What about Brian?"
"Please don't talk about Brian. I think he'd be happy if I...If I'm happy. I'll take you to him one of these days. I haven't seen him in months!"
"Oh." Cade's voice went low.
"You're a star, Isla. If you watch the videos, you'd be so proud of yourself! You slayed!"
"Really?" Isla chuckled and Cade nodded.
"Too bad I'm not a model. I could have been best dressed male."
"I saw your pictures with him, and I wanted to rip him apart! Whydid you allow him to get so close?" Cade complained.
"Hey! It was just a picture, okay? Nothing attached."
"I know but you shouldn't have let him touch you. You should have been one meter apart." Isla laughed out loud.
"Who wants to be one meter apart with such a charming guy?"
"I know this guy! He's not charming - he's worse physically, socially and intellectually. I'm sure he's a complete slob on bed."
"What about you?"
"I'm the opposite." Cade winked.
"Hmmm..."
"Let me prove it." Cade placed his lips softly on Isla's and licked them slowly, cupping her head in his hands. He bit her lower lip so she could open for him and she almost responded but stopped, hearing loud footsteps.
Sasha nearly caught them but Isla pushed Cade to a corner of the room.
"Sasha, what's wrong?" Isla licked her lips.
"You look worried..."
"Julie! She's nowhere to be found!"
"What?"
"We've been trying to call her, but somehow her phone is switched off."
"Julie doesn't switch off her phone. And I'm sure she wasn't with a flat battery." Isla ran out of the room and followed Sasha. They left Lindsay and Wendy to stay with the guests and bring up a game, telling them that something came up and Isla had to attend to it, assuring them she'd be back on time.