All right, an apology is in order!
I am so, so sorry for not posting in ages! The truth is, I'm at university now so there is a lot of workload! (I still manage to procrastinate though). So I know that doesn't cut it, but I'm sorry! I have not forgotten this story and I will continue it! Please support me and forgive me if I take time to post!
Thanks so much for reading, liking and following this! I get the notifications and honestly speaking, it brightens up my day!
Alright, on with the story!
"Although the idea is well-executed and follows the trend we see often these days, the outfit doesn't seem to coincide with our theme," Gabriel judged.
Two of the designers had been evaluated already. It was the two that had ignored Marinette at first; they were the ones who were gaudy and very showy in their styles. One of them was Lacy, Marinette now knew. Marinette felt very uneasy about her. Lacy had gotten good comments, nothing too good or too bad however.
The other one was the one Gabriel had just commented on. His face fell as he heard Gabriel's judgements, but he composed himself quickly. He was on camera, after all.
The last two designers did well too. Any criticisms they did receive were minor. Gabriel was the toughest to win over. Almost all of his comments were negative. The competition was tough, Marinette thought agitatedly.
There was another commercial break. "Marinette!" Madame Fortescue called, shrilly. A little startled, Marinette made her way over to her.
"There's been a bit of an emergency," Madame Fortescue said, a little nervously.
"Emergency?" Marinette echoed. "What do you mean?"
"Two of our models have fallen sick. They are vomiting every so often. Another one has tripped over something and has twisted their ankle."
"What?!" Marinette exclaimed. "That-that's awful! How did this happen?"
Madame Fortescue sighed sadly. "We don't really know. But we are one model short. We don't know what to do," she said, looking panicked.
Marinette focused herself. "We still have a little time, don't we?"
"Twenty minutes."
"That's enough. Let's get over there," she decided, as she walked over to the waiting room.
It was clear which models were sick. Their faces were pale and one of them looked slightly green. Marinette held each of their hands, consoling them. She walked over to the model who had someone bandaging his ankle.
"Does it hurt really badly?" Marinette asked with concern.
He grimaced. "It's better now, but I can't put pressure on it," he said ruefully. "I'm afraid I won't be able to stand, much less walk."
"Just rest," Marinette said to him, and he gave her a pained smile.
"Marinette!" Adrien called, rushing over to her. "We don't know what's going on, it all just happened before your turn!"
As discreetly as she could, the designer pulled Adrien to the side.
"Adrien, I don't think this is a coincidence," she whispered to him. Adrien furrowed his brows. "I have a feeling the designer named Lacy has got something to do with this," she said quietly.
Adrien considered her words. It was unlike Marinette to accuse someone without valid reasons. "I'll get to the bottom of it," he promised, as he dashed off.
"What do we do? We need a model stat!" Madame Fortescue fretted.
André walked over. "Marinette, why don't you step in?" he suggested.
Heads turned to look at Marinette. "M-me?" she stuttered. "No no, you don't understand! I have two left feet, I can't walk the runway!" she protested.
Madame Fortescue strutted over to her. "Nonsense! We don't have much time! You'll be fine! Just place one foot in front of the other!" She clapped her hands. "Get her ready, now! Someone show her how to walk like a model properly and promptly!" she ordered.
Everyone was glad to have a purpose again. The rushing began.
The models who were sick and injured gave her an encouraging smile. Marinette was whisked away and loads of girls simultaneously started working on her hair, face etc.
She was shoved into a changing room and two girls started changing her clothes.
"Woah there, I can do that myself!" Marinette yelled as she pushed them out.
Eventually she was ready. She looked at herself in the mirror.
They had given her the main female dress. The dress that didn't make sense but at the same time made all the sense in the world. Because it was so her. And she had designed this. Her heart filled a little to be able to wear her design and show it to the world.
Someone placed the jems under her eyes, just as she had planned on the mannequin. And someone made sure her half of the yin-yang necklace was visible.
Her feet slid into the shoes she had decorated, glad to see they were comfortable and beautiful. And now came the tricky part.
"Just put one foot directly in front of the other," a model instructed. "And look up and smile. Don't look down! No, yes a bit more forwards with that foot…there we go! You can place your hands on your hips if you want."
"Okay, you're on!" a manager called to her.
"Here we go," Marinette said, inhaling deeply.
Models before her were already returning back. She stepped into the spotlight, the glaze almost blinding her but amazingly, she kept her balance. Not looking down, Marinette tried to feel exuberant as she was able to wear her creation with pride and happiness.
When she got to the last part of the runway, she turned and smiled. Nothing too provocative or sensuous- it was just simple. Sweet and simple.
She walked back, miraculously elegant in those heels, and went backstage into the wings again.
"You're not done yet!" Madame Fortescue shrieked. "You have to do the ensemble walk!"
"What?" Marinette said in exasperation and disbelief.
"Everyone, go go GO!"
The models filed out in the same order again, this time staying on the runway and not returning back. Marinette smiled once again and walked.
Alas. The designer did not look down and see the thin slick of oil which was suspiciously laid in a narrow line in her path. Her heel slipped and Marinette felt her back arching towards the floor.
Just when she mentally braced herself for the fall, she felt something softer instead.
An arm was wrapped around her waist. Marinette looked at the person who caught her.
Was it even a surprise anymore, at this point?
He was right on time. He always was.
Adrien concernedly looked her over once. When he was fully sure there was no damage, he gave her a small wink and smile, and righted her again. This time however, he kept one hand placed on her waist.
They all smiled for the cameras. And Marinette couldn't have felt happier.
Deep, deep inside she had wanted to wear this dress. And she had wanted Adrien to wear that suit.
Because just like their necklaces they wore at this moment, the outfits resembled the yin and the yang.
Marinette's dress was white with a hint of black at the hemline. Whereas Adrien's suit was black, with the shirt inside being white. Yes, there were more details, like the small beads and jems, and intricate weaving and sewing, but that was the essence of Marinette's plan. And you couldn't get more chic or sleeker than that.
"Well," Alec Cataldi said, coming into the view of the cameras. "This took quite an interesting turn!"
That's to say the least, Marinette thought.
"The judges will announce their comments now," Alec said brightly and the view was on the judges.
The first judge glanced at her notes occasionally. "An interesting take on the theme, with a very nice touch with the accessories," she summarised at the end.
The second judge gave a warming smile. "I love the bold take on these outfits!" he exclaimed. "True, we don't see those daring choices all together, but I feel that it works exceptionally well!"
Marinette gave an anxious smile in return. Adrien tightened his grip around her in reassurance. He still hadn't let go of her yet.
Now, it was Gabriel turn. Marinette gulped and she felt Adrien's arm drift slightly away from her.
Gabriel took some time before he spoke. "The hemline is too high and the billowy arms make the dress impractical."
Ouch. He didn't take long to take a stab, did he? Marinette tried not to get too upset. After all, he was being fair- that was what she wanted anyway. And he would be harsher on her since she knew him too.
"That being said, I find it works," Gabriel said with a perfect poker face.
Marinette could hardly believe her ears.
"The yin-yang concept fits well with our theme, and I find the simple design is eloquent. Yet, I must acknowledge you have taken large risks here, Miss Dupain-Cheng, with those bold choices," Gabriel concluded.
Marinette nodded. She knew that she had taken those risks, and she had taken it willingly. Despite Gabriel's sour ending, that was pretty good feedback.
"Okay, thank you very much judges! Now it's time to see who the winner is!" Alec gave a dashing smile and posed for the camera. "But after this short break!"
Once again, everything was a flurry of action.
"Hey, you alright?" Adrien asked.
Oh. He was asking about her fall, not his father's comments, Marinette deciphered. Or perhaps it was both.
"I'm fine," she said.
"I don't think that fall was a coincidence, Mari," Adrien said with his brows furrowed. "I caught you just in time because my suspicions were correct-"
"Marinette! You have to change and go with the other designers now!" An assistant manager interrupted.
She looked apologetically to Adrien as she was whisked away. What was he trying to tell her?
There was no time for that. Within minutes, her dress was swapped for her previous gown, her make-up unaltered as there wasn't enough time.
Marinette's head swam but adrenaline flowed through her as she stood next to the other designers. This was it. The winner would be announced shortly.
"You've witnessed their trials, now you'll see the results! Who will win?" Alec asked, building the suspense.
Heart hammering in her chest, Marinette closed her eyes as she waited for the winner to be announced.
"And the winner is…"
Her heart rate slowly increased and she clasped her hands.
Aaaaaaand a cliffhanger! Yeah, I changed that at the last minute. I was going to announce the winner but decided not to. Sorry! Don't hate me!
I will try and post soon. Thanks for reading!