ROMANCE IN THE LIGHTS

It was the ninth month of the year, the annual runway show of models from all parts of the world. Models from all aspects of the world stood behind the backstage in elegance just to kill the walk.

Standing in their midst was Fiona Badminton, an amateurish model who kick started one of her numerous jobs just to help raise money for her mother's bakery shop.

Her best friend had told her about the price to be won just for participating. It was enough for her mother's debt. Not In any way aiming for first place or be picked, she stood in her best posture, just from the looks of her you could tell she was nervous. This was the first time she'd ever stood in this much crowd, it was overwhelming for her, she turned to her best friend, Amy.

"I think I'm about to pee, Amy" she broke out, in anxiety.

"Huh? Why?? You can't do this now, Okay?" She stated, as she helped her adjust her gown in the right places. Fiona was uncomfortable, she shook a little bit then decided to hold it in till after the show.

Watching other models walk in majestic, so poise, she took a deep breath then, tried to calm her nerves down.

Just then the host climbed the podium to announce the arrival of a very important official.

Adjust the microphone and so not leaving her face, she said in a really small soft voice.

"Good evening everyone....it's a great privilege to welcome the chairman of this honorable event. Everyone, let's give it up to Mr. Sebastian Winchester, Owner of the Winch Enterprise, has come to grace us with his presence yet again this year.

The crowd clapped, Sebastian Winchester, stood up as he walked to the stage, the aura of confidence and elegance emitted as he walked. He had the perfect height, dashingly handsome, with a strong jawline and captivating emerald eyes. He gave a small smile, with lips curled in a smile hiding his dentition. His well tailored tuxedo gray suit suit, which complimented his brown hair all helped back.

With an air of poise, he raised his glance up at everyone, commanding the attention of everyone, inclusive of Fiona.

She felt a little excited, mixed with anxiety. Their gaze met with each other, with each gaze lingering at each other. Her eyes wavered, she quickly looked away..

Sebastian stood still, as he cleared his throat, as he made his stance.

"It's a pleasure to stand before you all. And I am delighted to represent Winch Enterprise and My grandfather who couldn't be here but is here in heart and mind. And for the model backstage, if you can hear me backstage, you are beautiful and we can't wait to see you display art made in dresses." And with that, he gave a light nod and then turned to leave for his chair, Fiona glued her eyes on him as he took his seat, she couldn't help but admire him from where she stood.

"Sebastian Winchester....you like him right?" Amy nudged her with a smile on her face, Fiona helped not but blush.

"You have to walk to practice, Fiona." Amy told her, as she asked back into the rehearsal room, Fiona stared at him,nshw could tell that she was attracted to this man. Who was he?

She returned back to the rehearsal room, and without looking she bashed into Edith Joseph, the model queen of Winston.

She has won the Miss universe five times in a row and is still counting. She is the beauty goddess or so she thought. And to top it all up, she was the fiancee to Sebastian Winchester and that added to her qualification eligibility. This was not a good day for Fiona, she gave a short bow.

"I'm really sorry I didn't see you there." She apologized sincerely, Edith watched her with much disgust in her eye, she hated the fact that Sebastian sponsors commoners to parade with her in the runway show. But what could she do? Sebastian was a sick giver and sweet she was lucky to have him look at her. As they say, he never looked at a woman twice and if he did, he had something with that lady, and she had to be Edith.

"Can you watch it?? You dirty thingy, she cursed under her breath as she used her index finger to close her nose.

"What are you even doing in that dress? What's with the organizers of this event? We can't keep letting lunatics like you do this with me." She spat out of her mouth like Fiona was a bag of dirt.

"But I told you that I was sorry." Fiona tried to say, unaware of who she was speaking to. Fiona was a mixture of calm and fierce and chose the both when the need arises.

"The guts..." Edith's eyes squinted just at the look of Fiona.

"No one talks to Edith that way and goes Scot free. You'll pay dearly for this and that's all I have to you." And with that she walked away,

"You shouldn't have spoken back to her." One of the models said from behind, with her hands crossed against each other.

Fiona's face twisted into a frown, wondering if her words were trying to get her more upset than she already is? Or to calm her down.

"And why is that? She is a model here just like any of us."

The lady gave a light laugh, "you really don't know who Edith Joseph is?" She questioned , but Fiona shook her head, is she expected to know? The lady she bumped into didn't look like she was huge or something, she had her dress on too which means she was also doing this.

"I don't know who she is by the way?" Fiona asked, her face cringed in concern,

The lady, dressed in a simple mermaid tail dress, turned fully to her.

"She is not nice."