Chapter 500
One of them answered perfunctorily, “We don’t know. Your show was canceled earlier. It’s expected that the models are not enough.”
Natalie took a deep breath as she fought against the sinking feeling in her gut. This was not the time to panic. But even if she tried solving the problem, no one here was willing to help her out.
A model who was touching up her make-up came up to her and said, “Don’t bother. This morning a male model had diarrhea and was sent to the hospital. We knew that W Marks wouldn’t be here, so we didn’t inform the staff.”
“I see…” The last thing Natalie needed was another problem. It was as if this day was out to get her. She rubbed her head, forcing herself to focus. “This is our most important piece of the whole collection. Where can I find another male model to replace him now?”
“If you can’t find anyone, I can do it.” Derek volunteered. He put down the clothes in his hands and said, “I’ve made it to the list of the world’s most popular male models for three years in a row. I’m sure it would create a sensation if I wear your design.”
Natalie looked at him. He was one narcissistic man.
But right now, Natalie didn’t have a lot of options. “Don’t move. I need to take your measurements first.” She took off the tape measure hanging around her neck and began measuring Derek’s shoulders. He looked to be around 6.2 feet—tall enough to wear that garment.
Her fingers fell lightly on him, and he could feel her warmth through the fabric of his shirt. For some reason, Derek seemed to be particularly sensitive today. Natalie moved to measure his hip, and he couldn’t stop himself from drawing a sharp breath.
This woman was so passionate that she didn’t even show a shred of hesitation at touching him in front of so many people.
Derek lowered his eyes to look at her as she squatted down.
To his surprise, her face showed no reaction at all. She kept on taking his measurements with brows furrowed deeply in concentration, as if unaware of how intimate their position was.
Something soft and warm squeezed his chest as he watched her, drinking in her features. A sharp tingle suddenly crawled through his veins.
He had to have her.
After measuring Derek, Natalie finally breathed a sigh of relief. “You can go on stage,” she said. “You’re just the right size for the clothes.”
Derek seemed to have expected this. “I fit all the standard sizes,” he said confidently, “and all clothes look good on me.”
Natalie handed him the garment. “Cut the crap,” she said, smiling. “Go get changed.”
Derek entered the fitting room while Natalie waited outside nervously. The models had all been chosen by Draco himself. She didn’t know what the suit would look like on Derek.
“Something’s wrong with the clothes, Natalie,” Derek called out from the fitting room.
“Stop joking around, Derek,” Natalie replied, unimpressed. Her heart sank. She didn’t want to believe there could be a problem with the clothes.
Derek lifted the curtain of the fitting room and walked out. “See for yourself,” he said.
The backstage lights were bright, and Natalie could see his well-defined muscles. She could also see a tear in the fabric that cut the clothing almost in two.
Natalie was shocked. “How could this be?” she stammered. With a quick wave of his hand, Derek said, “I didn’t do anything. I guess it got torn when the former model tried it on this morning. He must have been too afraid to take responsibility, so he escaped.”
“How do you know that?” Natalie asked suspiciously. “Have you done such things before?” She was taken aback.
Derek looked away and scratched his nose. “Fine. Yes, I’ve done it before. Luckily, I was quick to escape.”
Natalie didn’t care, however. She sank into a chair in a daze.
Derek walked over. “What?” he asked. “It’s not a big deal. We just need to find some other clothes.”
Natalie’s face looked strained. Covering her forehead, she said, “This is insane. No wonder Mr. Wesley said the designers needed to watch their works carefully before the shows. I should have known something like this could happen. I should have been more careful.”
Derek lowered his head and looked at her. “Forget it,” he said jokingly. “No one will notice a missing garment or two.”
Natalie looked at him dubiously. “No,” she said firmly. “Well, what are you going to do then?” He was curious about how Natalie was going to handle this.
After sitting in her seat for a few minutes, Natalie stood up suddenly and took a deep breath. “Well, I know what to do now,” she announced.
“What?” Derek asked. He was floored by her tenacity. Before he could say anything else, Natalie pulled him into the fitting room.
Using a needle and thread, she began to hand-sew the tear.
******
The show had entered its final stage.
Zuri clapped his hands and ordered the backstage models to go out one by one. “The last works, by the W Marks. Cheer up, everyone! Don’t mess this up!”
The lights came on and the music started playing. It was late at night and the moon could be seen through the glassceiling, adding to the mysterious atmosphere.
Draco was a talented designer; his works were unique and won everyone’s praise.
“I’ve never been disappointed by Draco,” said one of the designers. The designers under the stage all agreed, praising Draco’s garments.
“His style is indeed very unique. The spring and summer collections managed to retain classical elements while simultaneously breaking with tradition. It’s Draco’s signature style,” the editor-in-chief of a fashion magazine explained. noveloz
******
Meanwhile, in Barnes.
Half way through the meeting, Brandon suddenly looked at his watch and said, “Take a break, everyone. We’ll resume in thirty minutes.”
He turned off the video conference, spun around in his chair, and picked up the remote control to watch the live broadcast of the show.
At the same time, in W Marks, Tasha and other designers were still at the office.
They gathered in the meeting room and watched the show live. Everyone was extremely excited to see Draco’s collections being displayed. Some of the staff were so overwhelmed with vicarious pride that they covered their mouths and cried.
Elizabeth was accompanying her aunt in the hospital, and they watched the show together in the hospital room. Staring at the TV, she couldn’t help but burst into tears.
Laney and Garrett were shopping at the mall when they saw the show being played on the big screen. Laney leaned against Garrett’s chest and smiled. “I knew Natalie could do it,” she said proudly.
Just as everyone thought that the show was coming to its successful conclusion, the final model failed to appear. The expression on Zuri’s face changed.
Shocked whispers started coming from the audience. “What’s going on?” someone said. “Where is the last model?”
There was still no sign of the last model, and Zuri was beginning to grow anxious. She headed backstage to check.
The next moment, bright lights flooded the stage after the 2-second blackout, stopping her in her tracks. The music came alive next in rhythmic beats.
Finally, there was Derek. He walked onto the stage and stopped in front of the starting point for a few seconds. The black hat covered his eyebrows and eyes, drawing attention to his high nose and sharp jaws, down to the sensual line of his collarbones. The tear on the clothes had been sewn into the shape of the crescent moon— W Marks Studio’s unmistakable insignia.
Derek walked on the stage, his footsteps in time with the beat of the music as he dominated the whole room.
Natalie quietly lifted the curtain, unable to take her eyes off him. Derek was a completely different person on stage. There was no trace of the lazy and lethargic man from earlier. Now, the person in front of everyone was a king, and this stage was his. Some people were born to shine under the spotlight. Derek was one of them.
He was the perfect match to Draco’s masterpiece. Natalie didn’t feel it in the fitting room, but she could see it now. Derek’s movements were sure and fluid, flawlessly showing off the clothes.
