Strike a pose

The air backstage buzzed with tension—an electric charge that made every breath feel heavier. Models fluttered around in designer gowns and towering heels, makeup artists made last-minute touch-ups, and the distant murmur of the audience filtered through the thick velvet curtains. This wasn’t just a fashion show. This was The Grand Luxe Fashion Show—the pinnacle of high fashion, where only the best walked.

And tonight, I was one of them.

I stood by the mirror, adjusting the delicate straps of my custom gown—a shimmering

silver piece that clung to my curves and flowed like liquid metal. It was bold. Daring. Designed to make a statement.

Miss Glender knew exactly what she was

doing.

I took a breath, trying to quiet the flutter of nerves in my stomach, but the chatter nearby made it impossible to focus.

“She shouldn’t even be here,” a voice hissed behind me.

I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. Selene. My biggest rival—and the

reigning queen of PT Entertainment’s

modeling division. Her voice was as sharp as the heels she wore, dripping with the kind of disdain that only came from someone who’d had everything handed to her.

“She’s nothing but a charity case,” Selene

continued, loud enough for anyone to hear.

“A delivery girl playing dress-up.”

I ignored her, but the heat rising to my cheeks betrayed me. Selene had been circling me like a shark since the day I signed my contract. To her, I was an outsider—an unpolished nobody who didn’t deserve to share the spotlight.

But tonight, I wouldn’t let her win.

“She’s not even that special,” Selene sneered to a cluster of models, all of whom giggled on cue. “I mean, does she think Heldon’s going to notice her?”

At the sound of his name, my pulse jumped.

Heldon.

The most famous actor in the country—the golden boy of the entertainment industry.

His face was everywhere—movies, billboards, magazine covers. But no amount of glossy

images could capture the sheer presence he had in person.

I caught a glimpse of him earlier through the curtain—seated in the front row, legs crossed in that effortless way only he could pull off.

He wore a sleek black suit, tailored to

perfection, the sharp angles of his jawline

softened only by the faintest curve of a smile.

But it wasn’t just his looks that captivated

people—it was the way he carried himself. Charismatic. Mysterious. Untouchable.

Rumors swirled around him constantly. Some said he was cold and distant. Others claimed he was a heartbreaker who left a trail of

broken hearts behind him. Whatever the truth was, one thing was certain—when Heldon walked into a room, the world paid attention.

And tonight, every model backstage—

including Selene—was desperate for his.

I let out a slow breath, shaking off their

whispers as the showrunner’s voice crackled over the intercom.

“Final call. Models to the stage. Mizo, you’re up third. Make it count.”

I squared my shoulders, lifting my chin. I didn’t come this far to fade into the background.

The lights hit me the moment I stepped onto the runway—a brilliant blaze that melted the backstage noise into nothing. The music thrummed beneath my feet, each step in

perfect sync with the pulse of the bassline.

I moved fluidly, my gown shimmering with every stride, as if the dress had been crafted for no one else but me. The crowd blurred into shadow, but I felt their eyes—all of their eyes—fixed on me.

When I reached the end of the runway, I paused, tilting my head slightly, the light catching the curve of my neck. I let the corner of my lips lift into the faintest smile—just enough to hint at mystery. Confidence. Power.

And then, as I turned, my gaze met his.

Heldon.

He sat perfectly still, his expression unreadable, but something in his eyes

sharpened—like he was seeing me for the first time. It was just a second. A heartbeat. But it burned through me like wildfire.

And for a moment, it felt like we were the only two people in the room.

By the time the final model exited the stage, the audience erupted into applause. The lights dimmed, and I exhaled the breath I hadn’t

realized I was holding.

Backstage was a whirlwind of motion—stylists pulling at gowns, assistants murmuring praise—but Selene’s eyes burned with jealousy when they landed on me.

“You think one good walk changes everything?” Her voice dripped venom. “You’re still nobody. Don’t forget that.”

I didn’t answer. I didn’t need to. Because as much as she wanted to believe it, tonight had shifted something.

And I wasn’t invisible anymore.

I was wiping off my makeup in front of the dressing room mirror when a soft knock echoed against the door. I turned, expecting one of the assistants—only to freeze when I saw who it was.

Heldon.

Up close, he was even more breathtaking. His hair, dark and effortlessly tousled, framed a face that was all sharp lines and smooth edges. But it was his eyes—deep,

magnetic—that held me in place.

He leaned casually against the doorframe, one hand tucked into his pocket. “Impressive walk,” he said, his voice smooth and rich. “You’re new, aren’t you?”

I swallowed, suddenly aware of how fast my heart was beating. “I… yeah. I guess you could say that.”

His lips curved into a faint smile as he stepped closer, his presence pulling the air from the room. “You don’t seem like the type who’s

easily impressed,” he said quietly. “But tonight—you caught my attention.”

I blinked, trying to process his words. Heldon’s attention. On me.

Before I could speak, his phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling him back into reality. He glanced at the screen, exhaled softly, then looked at me one last time.

“I’ll be seeing you around, Mizo.” He turned and disappeared into the hallway, leaving the scent of his cologne lingering in the air.

I stood there for a moment, my pulse roaring in my ears.

The city had always felt too big—too

impossible. But tonight, something shifted.

And I was just getting started.

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