ire''s frown deepened. "What is it? What''s wrong?"


    Talia leaned in closer, lowering her voice even more. "One of our models just called in sick, and we''re desperate. We need someone to fill in."


    ire raised an eyebrow, still not understanding what Talia was getting at. "Okay, so you need a model. How can I help?"


    Talia took another deep breath, looking ire straight in the eyes. "I want you to rece her."


    For a moment, there was silence. Then ire''s eyes widened in shock, and she stared at Talia as if she had grown another head. "Are you crazy?" ire eximed, her voice rising. "I''m not a model, Talia. I''m a CEO. I run apany, remember?"


    Adrian, who had been quietly sipping his drink beside ire, chuckled softly, earning a sharp look from ire. He shrugged, trying to keep a straight face. "Talia has a point, ire. The show is starting in a few minutes, and she doesn''t have a lot of options. You''re already here, and you look fantastic. I''m sure you''ll do amazing."


    ire turned her re from Talia to Adrian, crossing her arms over her chest. "I can''t believe you''re siding with her," she said, exasperated. "You know I don''t do this kind of thing."


    Adrian just smiled, giving her a reassuring nod. "Come on, ire. It''ll be fun. Besides, you always say you''re up for a challenge. Consider this your challenge for the night."


    ire sighed, feeling the weight of both their stares on her. She could see the pleading look in Talia''s eyes, and despite her own reservations, she knew she couldn''t let her friend down. "Fine," she said atst, rolling her eyes. "I''ll do it. But you both owe me for this." Talia''s face broke into a wide grin, and she pped her hands in excitement. "Yes! Thank you, ire! You''re a lifesaver!" She wasted no time, grabbing ire''s arm and practically dragging her out of her seat. "Come on, we don''t have much time! We need to get you backstage."


    ire stumbled after Talia, shooting a helpless look over her shoulder at Adrian, who waved cheerfully as she disappeared into the chaos of backstage. Once there, ire was met with a flurry of activity. Hairdressers and makeup artists swooped in, their hands moving quickly as they stripped away ire''s everyday look and reced it with something more morous, more fitting for the runway.


    "Hold still," one of the makeup artists murmured, expertly applying a bold shade of lipstick to ire''s lips. ire did her best to remain calm, though her heart was pounding. This wasn''t her world-she was used to boardrooms and business deals, not catwalks and couture.


    Talia hovered nearby, checking the time on her watch every few seconds. "Ten minutes," she called out, ncing at ire. "How''s it going?"


    "We''re almost done," the hairdresser replied, pinning thest few strands of ire''s hair into ce. "Just a few more touches."


    ire caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and barely recognized the woman staring back at her. Her hair was styled in soft waves, her makeup wless, and her outfit-well, she hadn''t seen the outfit yet, but she could only imagine what Talia had in mind. "There," the makeup artist said, stepping back to admire her work. "You look perfect."


    Talia nodded approvingly, then hurried over to a nearby rack of clothes. She pulled out a stunning emerald green dress, the fabric shimmering under the bright lights. "Here, put this on," she said, handing the dress to ire.


    ire took the dress, running her fingers over the silky material. "Are you sure about this, Talia?" she asked, still feeling a bit unsure. "I mean, what if I trip or fall?"


    Talia waved away her concerns. "You won''t. Just walk straight, look confident, and you''ll be fine. Now hurry up, we''re running out of time."


    ire slipped into the dress, the


    fabric hugging her figure perfectly. It


    was beautiful, elegant, and


    "Perfect," Talia said, adjusting a few final details. "You''re going to be the showstopper, ire. Since you''re stepping in, you''ll be our special appearance. You''ll walkst and close the show." ire''s eyes widened. "Special appearance? Are you trying to give me a heart attack, Talia?"


    Talia grinned. "Trust me, it''s going to be amazing. Just think of it as another business presentation. Only, you know, with more lights and cameras."


    ire gave her a look but couldn''t help the small smile tugging at her lips. "You better be right about this," she muttered.


    The grand hall of Adrian''s mansion


    buzzed with excitement as the fashion show began. Guests were seated, cameras were ready, and a soft murmur of anticipation filled the air. The runway, lined with elegant lights, stretched out like a gleaming path, waiting for the models to make their entrance.


    One by one, the models began strutting down the runway, each showcasing Talia Armetta''stest fashion creations. They moved with the grace and confidence of true professionals, their expressions cool and aloof as they glided past the audience. ire watched from backstage, her nerves tightening with each model that stepped out. She was far from being a professional model-she was just doing this as a favor for her best friend, Talia. Still, she couldn''t help but feel a little out of her depth. "This is nuts," ire muttered to herself, adjusting the strap of her dress for the hundredth time. "What was I thinking, agreeing to this?"


    "You were thinking that you''re an amazing friend," Talia said, popping up beside her with a reassuring smile. She looked radiant, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she peeked out to watch her designse to life on the runway. "And you are. Just breathe, okay? You look fantastic."


    ire gave Talia a skeptical look. "I look like a terrified deer about to bolt."


    "Nonsense," Taliaughed. "You''re going to be amazing. Just remember to keep your head high and walk like you own the ce."Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    ire took a deep breath, trying to calm the butterflies in her stomach. Talia''s confidence was infectious, but ire still felt the nerves fluttering inside her. She peered out at the runway, watching as the models moved with effortless grace, their faces nk and serene. She''d watched enough fashion shows to know the drill-act cool, act confident. Easier said than done.


    Finally, it was ire''s turn. Her heart pounded in her chest as she stepped up to the edge of the runway. She took onest deep breath, straightened her shoulders, and stepped out into the light.


    The moment she did, she heard


    gasps from the audience, followed by the rapid clicking of cameras. The shes seemed even brighter than before, dazzling her for a moment as she made her way down the runway. ire forced herself to keep a straight face, her expression stoic, just like she''d practiced in the mirror a dozen times.


    "Look at that!" someone in the audience whispered, their voice barely audible over the sound of the cameras. "Isn''t that ire, from Metacortex?"