[35]
“What did you bring, Brina?” asked Justin as he found the staff he trusted to be by Giselle’s side. Aside from Brina, he also entrusts Nico to give her the best direction in every shoot that Giselle will do. Especially with a new brand, in case Giselle lacks the confidence to go ahead and try to complete the collaboration well.
“Cookies.” Brina smiled cheerfully. She slightly lifted the paper bag that bore the logo of one of the brands where Giselle often spent her money on snacks. And if Giselle was already inside the shop, it was hard to get her to leave unless she had filled her shopping cart with chocolate-colored treats.
Brina herself wondered, was the girl’s mouth not nauseated by the constant sweetness of chocolate?
“You’re very attentive to him.” Justin laughed. Glancing at the Rolex wrapped around his right arm. “It’s about to start. Are you ready?”
“Ready,” said Brina, Nico, and Irena in unison. In the lobby of the hotel where they were staying temporarily until the final night, the facilities as invited guests for the summit night were provided by Ford. A luxury limousine sedan was waiting for Justin and the team to exit the lobby.
“I think Woddy’s in a very good mood,” Justin said when he saw his pick-up car in the lobby, including a Ford staffer who approached Justin. As a good guest, there’s nothing wrong with accepting the host’s hospitality, right?Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.
“Do you think Giselle can get third place?” asked Irena with great curiosity. Her hand couldn’t be separated from her cell phone as she continued to monitor how Miss World’s social media was going this time around. A lot of support was pouring in for Giselle which made her happy. Somehow following all the activities of Giselle and the other contestants that were shared on the online media page and aired live on a separate channel, made Irena excited.
In fact, they often invite other models to watch because there are some that are shared for free including tips and tricks in terms of practicing the style so that it is not monotonous.
“I wish it were true.” Brina could not wait to arrive at the Ford building. To be sure, it was already full of other invited guests. “You’ve got the lamp stick, right? I’ve sent a glow-in-the-dark bandana with Giselle’s name on it to the staff watching in the stands.”
“Already!” Irena showed me what she had in her bag. This included a large poster that she was ready to fly in support of Giselle. “Even though that girl is annoying, but seeing her struggle during quarantine, I have a little sympathy.”
Justin, who saw their noisy behavior, could only shake his head in wonder. He leaned a little against the door because he chose to sit on the edge, just to observe the night that was getting late in Milan. After the final, there was still a social gathering that would take place. And of course, they would return to the hotel late at night.
“How about you, Justin? You look so normal on finals night. Nothing you’re expecting from Giselle?” asked Brina with a curious look. The questioner gave a quick glance and then shrugged his shoulders. It made Brina scowl. “Even though in the interview between their casual activities, I remember that Giselle was designing her own dress to test the extent of her knowledge of fashion. At least if there are any problems during the fashion show, Giselle can quickly overcome them.”
“Ah, yes,” Irena snatched at Brina’s words just now. “I remember. Giselle was asked about her goals for the big night and she said, I want to do my best for all my supporters. Especially the ones who’ve given me such a great opportunity to be here. Just wait a little longer. I’ll do it.”
Justin sighed softly. “I didn’t give Giselle a big target. What for? It’s better for her to have fun and gain experience that will help her in her future career. If Giselle can get third place, I’m very happy. Honestly, I don’t expect much because Giselle’s rivals are not just any models.”
Both Brina and Irena were silent. Justin’s words just now had some truth to them.
“Besides, doesn’t setting a target for her sound cruel? Even though she’s just jumped in and has already given me a lot of benefits. I want Giselle to be herself. It doesn’t really matter who becomes the champion or finalist. I’m already proud that she’s one of the Miss World contestants. If she wants to come back next year, maybe then I’ll set a target for her.”
“Okay,” Brina interjected. “Speaking of Giselle’s activities during quarantine, I think you’re right, Justin. The style director who was their coach during quarantine is not just any coach. I didn’t even realize Ford could bring that guy in.”
“Samuel, right” Justin grinned slightly. His eyes returned to the road they were traveling towards the Ford building. His memory was suddenly filled with a man he knew quite intimately. When they were both studying fashion in New York City. Samuel Pranjavesh was a stern man but what he said every time he gave a briefing was really a trigger for someone to keep pushing his skills until he was really good at it.
“Do you know her?” asked Nico with a curious look. “I heard that she’s hard to find unless she has an appointment.”
“We used to be close, but due to the demands of work, we’ve loosened our communication a bit. Sam sent me a message saying that I’m very lucky to have a model as beautiful and beautiful as Giselle. Samuel even offered to work with me on a jewelry brand in New Castle. I think we’ll discuss the matter later.”
“You really don’t waste opportunities, do you?” Brina chuckled but there was still a certain pride when it came to working with Justin. The man always knew how to find loopholes when it came to cooperation.
“There’s no way I could waste such a small thing, Brina. Seriously.” Justin chuckled. “Did you guys talk about Giselle?”
“What’s going on?” asked Irena curiously. usually if Justin was a little more serious in his tone, it meant he had something to discuss. But why in the car? Why not before they left?
“Wish me a successful mission.”
“Huh?”
“What mission?”
“What are you planning, Boss?”
But Justin gave no response other than to silence his voice. To the annoyance of the three of them, until their car stopped at the lobby area, Justin didn’t want to make a sound at all.
“Our boss is too much. We should have known something like this would happen,” Nico said, trying to be patient with the sometimes arbitrary Justin.
Meanwhile, in the dressing room, all the contestants were getting ready for the outfits they would be wearing as part of the sponsorship of the show that would be held in two hours’ time.
“You’re so beautiful,” Harvey praised sincerely. On Giselle, who is wearing a calf-length skirt with a penguin tail cut. Even the leather corset that wraps around the waist makes Giselle’s body slimmer. Not to mention the 1800’s vintage-style blouse with a ribbon sweetener at the neck. Not to forget the boots that covered almost the entire surface of Giselle’s calves. The soles she wore tonight were quite high, but it wasn’t difficult for Giselle to wear them and show them off on the main stage.
“Really?” asked Giselle with a suspicious look. “I don’t really want to take your word for it, Harvey.” She stares into the large mirror that shows her reflection complete with what she’s wearing tonight, while turning slowly to pay attention to any small details she might have missed.
“Do I look like I’m lying?” Harvey chuckled. He adjusted his gloves. Making sure her wavy hair falls in a beautiful bun. It matches the dress she is wearing, although it is a little revealing at the shoulders, but it doesn’t matter. The pearl necklace as an embellishment fits Harvey’s skin and neckline perfectly.
His face was stern but had enough radiance to attract many people to pay attention to him. Which made Giselle stare at him for a while.
“What… are you doing?” asked Harvey, squinting suspiciously. “Don’t tell me you want hot chocolate.”
Giselle did not respond to the taunt. Instead, the girl moved closer to Harvey, who seemed surprised that Giselle’s behavior was sometimes random and quite absurd.
“I realized one thing finally,” Giselle grinned faintly. Her eyes flickered up and down scanning how Harvey looked in the mini. Other than the right choice of dress, there was something she realized as soon as she laid eyes on the only friend she considered at the Miss World pageant.
“You don’t give me the creeps, Giselle.”
“I asked you to change agencies for no reason. I’ve seen what kind of designs my boss has come up with and I’m sure they’ll fit you perfectly.”
“What are you talking about, anyway?” Harvey was getting annoyed.
“Monochrome does suit you, Harvey.” Giselle pats Harvey lightly on the shoulder. “Come on, you have a chance to rise as high as you can without doing anything underhanded.”
Harvey grimaced slightly. “You know, if it’s that easy then Maya will do many things to take advantage of it.”
“So make the most of Justin. My boss is a good man. He’s a white-winged angel who never demands anything in return. as long as you obey him, Justin knows how to return the money he’s spent.”