The Arrangement

Jeannie del Rosario eyes the closed door warily despite how painful the stylist was twisting her hair up.

Geez. If this job weren't that important, I would quit based on how callous this stylist is handling my precious hair. Jeannie gritted her teeth and tried not to wince. This stupid stylist is practically yanking my hair off.

Turning her attention back to the guards, Jeannie frowns. Those two hadn’t moved at all. She thought, noting the two men standing guard before the door. The only time they did move was to turn away anyone who had tried to gain entrance.

Who was in there? She asked herself. And what was all the fuss about?

Unable to contain her curiosity any longer, Jeannie had turned to ask Leah, one of her fellow models, who was sitting right beside her.

“Who else do you think is in there?” Leah hissed the moment Jeannie had asked her question.

Jeannie was puzzled when she saw how nervous Leah was. She ensured no one was around before she whispered the news to her. “It’s supposed to be a secret, but I accidentally heard Miss Violet discussing it with two of her assistants. Allure will be doing a closed-door photoshoot in another set.”

“Allure?” Jeannie exclaimed excitedly.

“Shush!” Leah hissed when a few heads turned their way. “Keep it down.”

“But this is Allure we are talking about.” Jeannie whispers back, “I’ve always wanted to meet her.”

“Well, don’t get your hopes up.” Leah said, “One thing I do know about Miss Violet is she would never allow anyone to see Allure. No one knows about this photoshoot. She probably wants to keep the press away.”

“But why are they hiding her?”

Leah shrugs. “It’s probably because Allure is one of the most sought-after models. No one can get their hands on her unless the designers or endorsers get their approval from Miss Violet.” Said Leah, “The last time someone attempted to go behind Violet, Chu had lost everything.”

Intrigued, Jeannie leaned even closer, “What happened?”

Looking around her to ensure no one was listening in on them, Leah motioned for her to come closer.

“One time, a photographer had sneaked into the set and took a couple of shots of Allure. He had planned to sell it to the tabloids.”

“No!” Jeannie was shocked when she heard this piece of news. “Then what happened?”

“When Miss Violet found out about it, she was furious.” Leah continued. “The man was confident that she wouldn’t be able to touch him, but he was wrong. Miss Violet slapped him with so many lawsuits that he lost everything. If that wasn’t bad enough, Violet had also launched a personal vendetta against the publishing house that had bought those photographs. It went under in less than a year.”

“She’s that influential?”

Leah nods, “Miss Violet likes to keep her personal life under wraps, so not many people know just how influential her family can be.” She whispers, “Those who know about it would never dare cross her. So don’t do anything stupid. Miss Violet is one of the nicest people you can get but is ruthless when angry.”

Jeannie nods her head obediently but continues to stare at the closed doors longingly. To have Allure within her reach but still unable to see or speak to her was a downer. Maybe someday she would be able to meet the famous Allure.

Behind the closed door, a slender young woman stood awkwardly on a platform and waited patiently for the two women to finish adjusting her dress. She cursed silently. One of the women poked her with one or two pins they were trying to attach to the dress.

“Just a bit more, and we’ll be done.” Jessa Mendez said after hearing the girl’s soft sigh.

She’s probably bored to tears. Jessa had thought with a smile. Lily Chu was hardly a person who could stay idle for too long. She was just too used to burying herself with work. Jessa managed a glance at the tall young woman who was being fitted for her employer’s latest creation. She had to admit that Violet’s older sister was the perfect model for this dress.

Lily Chu was gorgeous, tall, and slender, with just the right proportions that could tempt a man. Jessa could never understand why the girl was so insecure about herself.

I’m so bored! Lily had wanted to shout as she waited patiently for Jessa and Elise to finish with the adjustments.

How did it ever come to this?

Even after four years, she could never really understand how her sister had managed to talk her into modelling.

Since Violet was too busy flipping through the photos her photographer had asked her to look over, Lily felt it was safe enough to glare at her sister just for the sheer pleasure of it.

She never wanted to be a model. How had her baby sister talked her into it? If anyone among the Chu sisters should have chosen a modelling career, it should have been Violet.

Studying the casual way her sister was standing, Lily had to swallow back a pang of envy at how sophisticated she looked. Violet was always dressed in the height of fashion. Her Lanvin outfit was probably custom-made since it looked so good on her.

Lily sighs again. Like most women on their mother’s side of the family, the Chu sisters were tall and slender in build. Although Violet did seem to have a bit more curves in some regions of her body, she thought sourly, fighting back the urge to stare down at her appropriately endowed figure. Standing next to a voluptuous sister, Lily felt scrawny and ugly.

Lily could never understand why Violet had chosen to become a fashion designer. The one thing she was so sure of was that Violet would have made a great model. She had the height, the walk, and the attitude. On the other hand, she was not cut out to become a professional model. It was an occupation she detested.

She is Lily Chu, the current COO of Legacy Hotel and Legacy Food Ventures. She didn’t know or care much for fashion, but she does have a knack for making profits and competing with other companies in various sectors.

Eyeing her sister again, Lily smiles a little. Violet would probably curse her if she knew. Trying on various clothes, accessories, and shoes before settling on just one was a complete waste of her time.

So why must she endure this situation repeatedly?

It was the same scenario over and over again. Every time she did a final fitting, it was uncomfortable and stressful. Not only did she have to stand on a pedestal, being dressed and re-dressed, poked, and prodded to perfection. She also suffered through her sister’s infernal bossiness and the painful hair and make-up process.

Lily had to ease up some of her hostility at the thought of her stylist, Abby. Unlike Violet, Abby had always been friendly to her. She never seemed to give her as much trouble as her sister did.

Abby Liang was a former model. She grew tired of the modelling business and decided to change her career by becoming a stylist. She became pretty good at it and had even established a name for herself before she came under Violet’s wing.

As a former model, Abby was one of the best but refused to return to the limelight. Violet had constantly ranted that Abby was wasting her talent away, but Abby, from what Lily could see, was very much content with her career as a stylist. She found it challenging to meet Violet’s requirements and intriguing to create Allure’s persona.

“Why do I have to keep doing this?”

Lily had finally asked her sister as she raised her left arm a little higher as Jessa had instructed. The final altercation over the gown she was supposed to model for her sister was beginning to bother her. She was doing a photo shoot for a magazine Violet was connected to. Compared to a catwalk, a photoshoot was worse since she had to stay in the dress much longer than usual and would have to undergo several changes in wardrobe and make-up. How do these people keep up with all of this?

“I thought we have already talked about this,” Violet answered, without bothering to look up from her work.

“We have talked about it. FOUR YEARS AGO.” Lily answered sweetly as she placed more emphasis on the last three words. “I just want you to explain why I am still doing this?”

“I still can’t find a model that would do my masterpieces justice,” Violet replies casually, pulling out several photos she does not like. “So far, you are the only one who would fit the gowns perfectly.”

Lily rolls her eyes in disbelief. That was probably one of Violet’s well-rehearsed lines, and it was such a lie. Everyone in the family knows that Violet never runs out of talented models. Even those wanting to start a career would be marching by the hundreds to see if they could pass Violet’s discriminating taste.

No. Lily thought. Her little sister likes to bully her into doing things her way.

“Did you prepare a mask for this dress?”

Vi stared up at her sister before she closed the portfolio. “Just this once. Can you forget about the mask?” She asked, tossing aside the photos that didn’t pass her standards.

Lily raised one perfect brow and glared at her sister. It was fine when Vi bullied her into modelling, but she would never agree to go down that runway without a mask to conceal her identity.

With a sigh, Violet picked up a circular hatbox and pulled out an extravagantly decorated mask that would go well with the dress. She turns around and studies Lily, who is still on the pedestal. Violet couldn’t help but admire her sister’s grace regardless of how awkward the latter may feel.

Although Lily is not precisely a raving beauty most men would find appealing, she is still beautiful. Soft-spoken, warm, and bubbly; that is how she could best describe her sister. Violet had to admit that she had no idea how Lily did it, but she always could draw people to her. She can even make them feel at ease regardless of how stressful the situation is. Taller by a few inches and slender in build, Lily has a certain grace that would make most women envy her.

To put it more bluntly, her sister could catch any man’s eye if she took the extra trouble to make herself more presentable. They have had numerous arguments over the years, but she never listens. She still preferred to wear loose and comfortable clothes to chic and fashionable ones.

“I still say doing it this way is a waste.”

“A deal is a deal.” Lily nearly shouted before shifting to the position Jessa and Elise instructed her to do. “No one can know that I’m Allure.”

Vi smiles at that. In the last four years since she entered the fashion industry, Lily has been her top model. It started as an emergency plan she devised when one of her models contracted the flu. Lily was conveniently available and happened to fit the dress like a glove. After a long argument, she finally agreed to help out with the condition that she wear a mask to hide her identity. Even then, Violet had wanted to argue about it, but she knew it was pointless to push Lily even further. She had agreed to step in, and that was what mattered most.

Lily has had endless complaints regarding the gown she had worn that night. The dress was too long. The shoes were too high for her to walk in, and she could barely breathe because she was so nervous.

They had a hell of a time trying to calm her down. Lily would have walked right out the door if Abby had not interfered. It was thanks to Abby that Lily calmed down a bit. She became an instant sensation when it was her turn to walk down the runway. The entire fashion world became enthralled with the talented model whose face no one has ever seen. Many had tried and failed in their attempts to locate the mysterious model. No one seems to know who she is since she only appears near the end of each show and disappears before any of the girls can even stop to breathe.

Allure, as they began to call her, only answers to one designer. It was because of this very reason that every show under the brand of Violet Chu would be packed. Photographers, designers, and endorsers would all come to her show. Everyone wants to have a small glimpse of Allure. They were even willing to pay her a costly fee.

Besides Jessa, Elise, and the make-up artist Abby, no one knows that Lily is the elusive model, Allure.

“What time will Abby be here?”

Violet had snapped back to reality when Lily had asked her that question. “She was supposed to be here twenty minutes ago.” She answered, returning to the vast array of jewels she was supposed to choose from. “Why?”

Lily motioned for Elise to adjust the snugness of the gown around the waist. She couldn’t have this beautiful gown look bad during the photoshoot. “I just want to get this done as soon as possible.”

“Why?” Vi asked in an utterly bored tone of voice that Lily found annoying. She held up two necklaces that would go well with the gown. After deciding that the ruby would go nicely with the dress, Violet replaced the diamond with all the others.

“Today is Dad’s memorial; I’m in a rush.”

Violet nearly dropped the expensive necklace she was holding. Her astonished and guilty look was so comical that it made Lily laugh.

“You forgot, didn’t you?”

Vi blushed and nodded. “Sorry, it completely slipped. I just had so many things in my mind right now that I forgot.”

“It’s fine.” Lily interrupted her litany. “I’ll be going to the cemetery after the shoot. Everyone had also agreed to gather tonight for a family dinner so you can relax.”

Violet sighs in relief. It has been six years now. Being busy is a poor excuse to forget their father’s anniversary.

“I’ll pay my respects tomorrow,” Violet said as she placed the necklace around Lily’s slender throat. “Do you think he would mind?”

Lily smiles at her sister. Even though Violet is considered one of the most sophisticated women, she is still very much a child when it involves their father.

“He’ll probably pout about it, but you know Dad will be very proud of what you have achieved.”

Vi hugged her sister. “It’s all because of Allure, though, that I have become so famous.”

“You are a very talented designer, Vi. Even someone like me, who doesn’t follow fashion, could see that.” Lily told her sister, gently patting her sister’s hand in a comforting manner. “I’m just an accessory to your talent.”

Vi studied her sister thoughtfully, “Since you’re the accessory, you should just do as I say and go without the mask.”

Brushing her arms aside, Lily took hold of her skirt and slowly stepped down the pedestal with Jessa and Elise’s aide. “That is never going to happen.” She muttered, walking as fast as her gown would allow.

The dressing room door suddenly burst open, and Abby Liang walked in. Lily had to admit that even after seven years of retirement, Abby still has the confident walk of a successful model. Seeing that everyone was already present, Abby quickly shut the door before anyone else could come through.

“Sorry, I’m late.” She said, removing her sunglasses. “Traffic was a little bit more hectic than I thought.”

Crossing her arms over her chest, “It’s fine, Abby,” Vi said, shifting back to her normal behavior in front of her coworkers. “She’s ready.”

“Hello, Abby,” Lily greeted, smiling at the stunning woman who had just walked in.

Abby turns and smiles at Lily, wearing a beautiful wine-satin-colored gown. Abby’s full lips made a perfect O expression. She watches Lily approach her in one of the most gorgeous gowns Violet had created.

The gown fitted Lily as if it was made for her. Its rich burgundy color made her skin glow to perfection. The strapless, caught-up gown with pleated neckline and corset closure highlighted Lily’s creamy shoulders and the exquisite diamond and ruby necklace she had been honored to model. It was truly innovative. Violet’s latest design features a sculpted neckline transitioning into a body-hugging bodice adorned with a grand embroidered motif at the side waist. Sweeping bustles flow throughout the gathered skirt and finish with a bubble hem, giving the gown its dramatic yet elegant finish.

What was it with these Chu women that made them so stunning in anything they wore? Violet may not have her sister’s beautiful height and figure, but she wore her outfit gracefully and confidently.

“I’m sorry to keep you waiting, Lily.”

Lily waved her apology away and carefully sat down, waiting patiently for Abby to start working her magic on her.

Abby quickly set out to work. She places her makeup case on the vanity table and opens it. She pulls out a variety of items and arranges them as she goes.

Lily watched in amusement as bottles of cleanser, toner, sunscreen, and moisturizer that suited her skin type were arranged meticulously. Face and eye makeup, removers, six shades of bases, light to dark concealers, light, and dark colored loose powder, about twelve shades of blush in cool and warm colors, dry and cream eye shadow primers, eye shadows in neutrals to cool and warm colors. Powder Contour, powder highlight which she often uses for touch-ups; assorted colors of eye pencils, lip liners, lipsticks, lip gloss, and mascaras; lash lengthener, an assortment of false eyelashes, lash glue, brushes for a variety of uses; tweezers, pencil sharpener, eyelash curlers, small sharp scissors, a variety of sponge, wet wipes, cotton pads and tissues, hair clips, she even brought stage makeup just in case they were needed.

It never ceases to amaze Lily at the numerous items Abby had to use on her to transform her into Allure, and knowing Abby as well as she did, the woman was nothing if prepared.

“Now, where is the wig I have to work with today?” Abby asks, gently patting Lily’s face clean.

“Here it is, Miss Abby,” Jessa said, walking over to them, carrying a mannequin’s head wearing a long, wavy chestnut-colored wig.

Elsie added, “I have the contact lens here as well.”

Lily smiles at Abby indulgingly—the pains she had to endure to present herself as Allure.

“Alright, now let’s work some magic,” Abby said excitedly.