"I'm so happy for you Eloise. You're walking for Leena Antonio that too as a showstopper. Do you know what does that means? You'll get tons of projects after that." Trish said, looking at me dreamily. I smiled and shrugged my shoulders.

"But Eloise." Her lips curled downwards. "I'm sad that I won't be able to witness your amazing runway walk and your showstopper dress as they want their own artists to do your makeup. I can't come with you."

"Who said you can't?" I raised an eyebrow while my lips curled up into a small smile. "I asked Leena if I could invite my best friend and she said yes."

"You're joking, right?" The pure shock could be seen on her face.

"Nope." I grinned. Squealing, she hugged me.

"You're the best, Eloise."

"I know." I winked.

"But Eloise it's a huge event. I don't even have a dress. You should have told me before, I could have bought a dress." She frowned.

"Well..." I trailed off.

"No need to worry. Your dress is here." Evan came into my room with a bag in his hand. Trish flickered her eyes between us in confusion.

"Surprise, surprise. We both had it planned a few days ago." I laughed at her.

"Aww, thank you so much." She again hugged me and then she hugged Evan. "You're the best boyfriend in the world." They both shared a quick kiss.

"So, Trish, you go get ready. Evan will come back to pick you up after dropping me at the venue." I said.

"Let's go, Eloise, The faster I drop you there the faster I'll come back to pick up my cute little bear." He squeezed her cheeks.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Evan went to open the door and in a few seconds, he called me out. When I went outside, I found an unknown man standing in my living room wearing a black uniform.

"Good afternoon, Miss Nicole. I'm Jimmy, your bodyguard/driver. Mr. Adams sent me for your service." He said.

My jaw hung low. That means Daniel wasn't joking when he said he'll send a bodyguard for me. Trish and Evan were staring at me for an answer.

"Ah! Okay, Jimmy." I said and faced my friends. "Daniel wanted me to have a bodyguard. So..." I cleared my throat. "Evan please give the car keys to Jimmy. He'll take out the car."

"No need, Miss Nicole." Jimmy interrupted. "Mr. Adams has sent a car for you."

"What?" I immediately dialed Daniel's number.

"Hey, Eloi."

"Why did you send a car for me? I have my own."

"Because I wanted to. Listen, Eloi, don't argue on this. Just keep the car, it's for you. Okay? And don't worry about anything, Jimmy is my trusted person. Listen we'll talk later as I picked up your call in the middle of the meeting so I gotta go. Bye."

"Dani—" He hung up the call. I sighed in frustration. Now I have no choice but to use the car.

"Evan, I'll go with Jimmy. You stay here and bring Trish to the venue in my car, okay?" I said to him. He came closer to me and whispered.

"I can't leave you alone with him. He's a stranger, Eloise."

"Evan, he's Daniel's trusted bodyguard. And I trust Daniel." I whispered back.

"You sure?" He asked again. I nodded my head and gave him a reassuring smile.

I picked up my bags which Jimmy took from my hands, I asked him not to do so but waved me off by saying it was his duty. Huffing, I gave in.

"You two," I pointed at my friends. "Don't be late."

I then left for the venue with Jimmy in a black BMW Daniel sent for me. When we reached the venue, Jimmy helped me reach inside as paparazzi had blocked the way. I thanked him for his help and bid goodbye to him.

"Oh! See, who is here. My showstopper model." Leena beamed when she saw me entering the green room. Leena is a very sweet lady in her late forties. I greeted her by giving her cheek to cheek kiss.

"So? Are you excited to see your dress?" She asked.

"Of course." She then led me to a single-user green room which was booked for me.

"Here it is." She removed the cloth from the mannequin and my jaw hit the floor.

"Oh goodness, this is just...wow! This gown is so gorgeous. I can't take my eyes off it. You are an awesome designer Leena." I said in awe. My eyes refused to leave the sight of the gown.

"Thank you, darling. According to me not only the dress but the one wearing it matters too. I'm sure you're going to stop the show." She patted my back.

"Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity," I mumbled.

"Ah! No need to be sentimental. I going out and sending my team to prepare you for the show. Good luck, Darling." She said and went out.

I moved near the mannequin and brushed my hand on the sleeveless, golden sparkle long dress. It had a thigh-high slit and a diagonal cut on the upper region of the gown.

I was lost in admiring the beauty of the gown when suddenly the door of the green room burst open with a bang. When I turned around, fuming Claire came into my view. She stepped in and locked the door.

"Why is it always have to be you?" She said gritting her teeth.

"What are you talking about?" I asked in confusion.

"The showstopper for almost every show. Why is it you every fucking time!" She shot a deathly glare at me.

"Firstly, lower your voice." I glared at her too. "Secondly, I don't beg anyone to hire me. They come to me. Get that?"

It was kept secret that I was the showstopper of the show as Leena didn't want to reveal it to increase the curiosity of the guests and the media.

"Just because of you I'm viewed as a second choice. Daniel too gives priority to you and not me. Tell me, what are you doing to gain all the attention, huh?" She gave me an accusing look.

"I'm warning you not to involve Daniel in this." I shot back. "Everyone has their own opinion, everyone in this industry decides themselves who they want to work with. I'm just doing my work, nothing special. I think you should concentrate on your work rather than other things this will help you to be viewed as a first choice."

"How dare you!" She took long strides towards me and raised her hand to slap me but I grabbed her wrist.

"Don't you fucking dare. I'm not meek that I'll let anyone walk over me. I know how to handle people like you." I threw a venomous glare at her. She struggled to take her wrist out of my grip but wasn't able to. I jerked her wrist away.

I sighed and rubbed my face with my palms. Calm down, Eloise. Control your anger.

"Listen, Claire, today is a big day for both of us. So brush away your insecurities and prepare yourself for the show. You never know you might end up getting remarkable offers after the show." I said calmly.

"You do not tell me what to do." She shouted and left the room.

Great! Just fucking great! Way to ruin the mood.

At the same moment, my phone went off. I didn't want to talk to any but still, I looked at the phone screen to see who was calling me. My mood suddenly became a little bright when I saw "Mr. Playful" flashing on the screen.

"Hey," I mumbled.

"You sound low. What happened?" He asked in concern.

"Claire happened," I said annoyingly.

"You two will never get along. What did she do this time?" He asked.

"Nothing much...she just ruined my mood." I pressed my head with my fingers.

"No need to worry when Daniel is here. I will brighten up your mood." I could bet that he was grinning.

"And how would you do that?" I asked, biting my lower lip.

"Umm... I didn't think of that. Wait, let me think." He paused to think and I smiled broadly. He's such a case.

"I've got an idea. A virtual kiss, that would work. You like kissing me, right? And I like it too. We can't share the kiss right now but we can kiss virtually. Let's do a video call." He said enthusiastically.

"Virtual kiss? Really? You're a unique piece, Daniel." I laughed.

"There, you are laughing. I brightened up your mood."

"Yes, you did it." I shook my head, smiling like a fool.

There was a knock on the door of the green room and the team of artists entered. I asked them for a minute.

"Daniel, I've to go prepare for the show, talk to you later."

"But I want my kiss." He whined and then sighed. "It's okay, I'll take my kiss when we'll meet. Take care and rock the show, and do not forget to smile on the runway. Actually, do one thing, smile for me at the end of your walk. I would love to see that picture as I can't see you live."

"I would be happy if you were here to witness it but it's okay, your work is important too. See you later."

"Definitely."

I hung up the call and sat on the chair and let the team doll me up for the event. After almost two hours I was ready to grace the runway. The event was going to start in fifteen minutes and I was sitting in the room, giving pep talks to myself.

Evan called me to inform me that they have arrived.

The event started and models started to grace the runway one by one and at the end when my chance had arrived, the lights were shut off and a three-step, neon-lighted staircase was placed on which I was asked to stand. Within a few seconds, slow music played and the spotlight focused on the last step of the staircase.

I stepped down the stairs but kept my head low. Just when the lights illuminated the runway, I craned my neck up and looked straight. And with a confident look, I stepped forward.

When I was at the edge of the runway, I gave a pose that showed my leg and when I was about to turn back, I flashed a broad smile and blew a kiss. 'Just for you Daniel', I said in my mind.

When I went behind the stage, Leena hugged me tightly. "You were awesome." She mumbled. After the runway, it was time for the interview with the media. I was asked many questions about the dress and a lot of pictures were clicked. I posed with Leena and the team. After giving poses, I was talking to Leena in a corner when a familiar voice interrupted us which made me turn my head in the direction of the voice with lightning speed.

"May I also have a chance to take a photo with you?"

Leena beamed "Oh, Daniel, how are you? I'm glad you accepted the invite." They exchanged cheek to cheek kiss.

"It's been a long time since we met, so I came to meet you." He smiled at her.

"Flatterer much." Leena grinned.

"That I am." He winked. " And Leena, the show was amazing. You're a great designer." He said.

"Thank you so much." She smiled.

"Can I have a talk with your showstopper?" He asked, making eye contact with me. I was in shock to see him here but the desire in his turned my shock into nervousness.

"Of course." He then started walking towards me, grinning like a fool.

"What are you doing here? You had meetings, right?" I whispered, trying to control my nervousness.

"You wanted me here... how could I not comply with your request? Besides, it was an important event for you, I didn't want to miss this."

He's the sweetest man I have ever met.

"Thank you." I smiled but I could feel the moisture welling in my eyes. I'm not a cry baby but I get emotional whenever he does something for me.

"Anything for you." He whispered.

We then gave poses to the media. Daniel excused himself from Leena and dragged me into a deserted corner.

"What are you doing?" I asked as I made eye contact with him then I looked around to see if anyone saw us.

"I wanted to talk to you in private." He smirked.

"About what?" I eyed him suspiciously. He pulled me closer to him by grabbing my waist. I squealed and placed my hands on his chest.

"You rocked the show, Eloi. It was the first time I saw you live walking on the runway and believe me, I couldn't take my eyes off of you." He praised and tugged me more close to him.

"You look ravishing in this dress." He whispered.

"Trust me, your exposed leg is giving me a different feel." He then brought his lips near my ear. "It is turning me on." He whispered huskily and kissed my earlobe. I blushed profusely.

"Dan...Daniel, leave me. Someone might see us." I said, looking everywhere but him.

"Let them see." He said in a heartbeat.

"What's wrong with you? They'll gossip about us." I tried to free myself from his grip but he tightened it around my waist.

"People will always gossip, we're just giving them a new topic to gossip about." He beamed.

What he is up to?

___________________________________________

I would have been the biggest fool if I didn't attend her show. I just wanted to surprise her that's why I kept denying her invite.

I arrived five minutes before the show started and took the seat in the back so that she couldn't see me. I eagerly waited for her entry and when she graced the runway, my jaw almost dropped on the floor.

The way she walked on the runway was mind-blowing. She stole my heart away— not that she hasn't already— but it was hypnotizing to watch her performing live. And that high-slit dress of hers added fuel to my excitement.

I couldn't take my eyes off of her. I couldn't hold my grin when in the end she smiled as I told her to, and I almost laughed when she added extra spice by blowing a kiss.

"Tell me, Eloi, the kiss in the end...was that for me?" I raised my eyebrows.

"What do you think?" She too raised eyebrows, trying to tease me.

"Definitely for me." I winked, grinning ear to ear. "But that flying kiss couldn't reach me. I think it flew somewhere else. I want my kiss." I leaned forward but she applied force on my chest to push me away.

"Dan—" I didn't give her a chance to speak as I dipped my head and claimed her lips in a passionate kiss. My hand automatically traveled down her exposed thigh which made her shudder. The skin to skin contact filled me with desire. I controlled my urges to take it further and removed my hands from her thigh. I let go of her lips and pressed my forehead against hers.

"I'm glad that I'm here. Now, I can protect you from the prying eyes of men."

"Possessive much?" She raised her eyebrows and a mischievous smile played on her lips.

"Hell yes, I am." I kissed her lips one more time. "I can't see any other man flirting with you. That right is solely mine."

"I'm thankful for these smudge-proof lipsticks, they make it easy to kiss without creating a mess," I said rubbing my thumb on her lower lip.

"Now let's go and attend the party otherwise, you'll complain that people are gossiping about us— not that I mind but you do," I said, brushing her hair with my fingers.

"I mind because it doesn't take time for the news to spread." She rolled her eyes.

"Trust me, Eloi, this wouldn't matter by the end of the party."

I laced my hand with her and walked to the hall where the party was being held.

__________________________________________