11. Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

Sage

" T hank you SO much!" I hug Annet again, and she laughs at me.

"Stop thanking me, Sage. This is literally my job."

I look in the mirror and touch my hair again. With the Moore event tonight, I really wanted a new hairstyle. I know this is Annet's job as my personal hairstylist, but I'm grateful she pulled off this new hairstyle.

We always have my hairstyles planned out a few days in advance, but I told her I wanted a blonde wig last night and she made it happen.

"I know it's your job, but seriously, you're the best for pulling this off so fast."

She smiles proudly in the mirror, and after she takes a few pictures of her work, she leaves.

I grab the physical copy of Vincent's invitation and let my fingers run along the pretty ink. He has someone handwrite all of his invitations, and whoever they are have amazing freaking handwriting.

I read over the part where it says I can bring a plus one, and I definitely want to bring one of my friends since none of our other girls were invited, but I feel like it's too last minute to call anyone.

Considering this is a Moore event, I decided to just call Helena, and maybe she'll consider canceling her photo shoot to come with me.

The FaceTime call rings a few times but then it ends and I get an auto message from her saying, working.

I stare at our messages, and she only loved the picture of the dress, so she must be really busy because she usually gets excited and calls me to see how I look in my outfits, but she seems off, and I can't tell why. When I texted The Eight group chat yesterday, she also didn't reply.

I decide not to think much of it and call Mel instead. Going to this event would be great for Mel to get her name out there, and I love giving baby models a boost. She answers after a few rings, and she's in the middle of blending her eyeshadow.

"Hey, Sage."

"Hello, Mel Mel. Are you busy?" I notice her smile growing before she sets her phone up against something.

"Not really, what's up?" Before I can answer, she glances back at the screen, and her eyes light up. "Oh my God, your hair looks so freaking good."

"Right!" I look up at my mirror again, and I'm officially obsessed. I know I say this every time, but this might be my favorite style yet.

"Annet knows what the hell she's doing. That wig is going to look great with your dress tonight."

At the reminder of why I called, I go on. "Speaking of, would you like to be my plus one tonight?"

She goes still before turning to the camera.

"I know it's so last minute, and you only have a few hours to get ready, but I don't want to go alone, and I think it would be great if you went and met some other–"

"Are you serious?!" When she shoots up from her seat, I think I have my answer. "Oh my god, of course I'll come! Thank you!"

I laugh at her excitement, but then she looks around frantically.

"I can't do my own makeup for a Moore event!" She starts wiping off the bit of makeup she has on, and I tell her to come over since Cara and Lynn are on their way for my makeup. I'm sure they can also do hers.

"Shit, what the hell am I going to wear ?!"

"I'm friends with the owner of one of the dress stores down at Rodeo Drive. I'm sure we can find something."

She thanks me profusely, and I break into a laugh as she starts packing her things. I shoot Annet a quick text, asking if she can come back to do Mel's hair, and like the saint she is, she says she's turning back.

"Are you sure I look good?" Mel glances down at her dress again, and I grab hold of her hands, causing her to look up at me.

"Yes, Mel." I give her a warm smile, and she takes a deep breath, nodding. "I wouldn't let you walk out the house if you didn't look good, and I certainly wouldn't have let you come to this event if you didn't look amazing."

"Right, I just feel so underdressed. Everyone is going to be in custom outfits by huge designers, and I'm–"

"You look great, babe. It doesn't matter if you didn't get a custom dress. You could wear a trash bag and make it work."

She smiles at me as she sits taller, and she looks much more confident. I ask her if she's ready, and when she says she is, we climb out of the car.

I thank the driver before walking into the hall, and there are already a lot of people here. A few familiar faces come up to me, and I'm surprised I know more people than I thought I would.

"Ms. Hale."

I turn at the sound of that familiar Italian accent, and Vincent is walking to us with a beautiful woman on his arm.

"Thank you for coming." He leans in and kisses my cheek gently.

I greet him the same way in return as I thank him for the invite, and his eyes land on Mel beside me.

"Is this your plus one?" He holds a hand out to her, and as she takes it, he kisses the back of her hand. I love the way they greet people in his culture.

"Yes, this is Mel Jimenez. She models with me at Magic."

He takes in her outfit. "I remember from my runway show the other night." He nods at Mel in approval, and her cheeks redden at the attention.

Vincent introduced the woman he's with as his wife, Nora, and she leans in to kiss both of my cheeks before greeting Mel the same. "Vinnie was wondering who you'd bring tonight." Nora nudges her husband like she's teasing him, but his glare doesn't falter.

"May I ask why?" I voice shyly and he looks between Mel and me then shrugs.

"You stood out to me at my show, Ms. Hale. I didn't invite any of your other colleagues, but you've been in the industry long enough to know there'd be opportunities here for your plus one. I wanted to know who you want those opportunities for." He gestures towards Mel. He doesn't say anything else, but he looks at Mel like her being my plus one made him notice her in a new light, and now I'm even happier I brought her.

"Ms. Hale ?"

I feel my entire face light up at the sound of that voice. I turn on my heels and force myself not to run to her only because everyone in here would think we're insane.

"Ms. Sloan ?" I keep my voice hushed but say her name as if I were her biggest fan and meeting her for the first time. She laughs and pulls me in for a tight hug. I told Vlaire I was going to be here tonight since it was a no-brainer Vincent invited her and I'm glad she was so willingly to come. I guess the fashion show wasn't too hard on her the other night.

She pulls away but quickly pulls me back in for another hug, and I squeeze her back with a laugh. When she pulls away again, she holds my hand and glances at my hair. "The blonde? So your color." She glances down at my dress, now nodding in approval. "Wow."

"Right?!" I go still and immediately turn to Vincent. "Oh my goodness, thank you so much for the dress, by the way. It's beautiful."

He nods in response, and I swear I see him crack a smile.

"Thank you for wearing it tonight."

I didn't think I had an option, but either way, I didn't want one.

"Do take pictures in it tonight."

I assure him that I will, and after his wife says it was nice meeting us, they walk off.

Mel stands off to the side shyly, but I pull her closer.

"Vlaire this is Mel, Mel this is Vlaire." They give a quick hug to each other, but Mel is as stiff as a board and barely remembers to bring her arms up for the hug. I stifle a giggle behind my hand at how starstruck she is.

"I'm sorry." Mel shakes her head but still looks shocked to be standing in the same room as Vlaire. I don't blame her. Vlaire is royalty by blood to us models, even if she doesn't model.

"How did you two meet?" Mel glances between the two of us, keeping her focus on Vlaire as I explain.

"We had exchanged interactionson Famoura,andwhen I was in Brazil, her hometown, for a shoot, she offered to show me around."

Vlaire smiles over at Mel as she elaborates. "I wasn't on social media very much at the time." She glances at me, and I offer her a reassuring smile, remembering that was around the time her mom passed. "But on the rare day that I logged in, I saw a compilation of her best shows that a fan edited, and she reminded me so much of my mom. I reposted it on my story, and we were practically internet besties until we finally met in Brazil, as she mentioned."

I feel my heart warm at her words. "I am nowhere near Sloan status," I voice with a nervous laugh.

"At this rate, I'm sure you'll reach it." She nods behind me, and just as I turn, a man Vincent is talking to swiftly shifts his gaze aside from me. "I know him very well. It won't be long before he offers you a pretty, multi-billion-dollar contract and sweeps you away from Magic."

I turn to her, unable to find any words.

"Wait, really?" Mel voices for me, and when Vlaire nods, I will myself to remain calm and badger her for details on what he may have told her later since people are watching.

I notice a few cameramen have gathered around awkwardly,waiting to take a picture. I signal them over with a welcoming smile, and the flash is immediately in my face. When I look over to the side, Vincent is watching with a prideful smile.