Chapter 5: L'ultima bellezza

~ALYONA~

Standing in front of that gigantic mirror, it lost me in my thought surrounded by these beautiful creations.

Indeed, Mario did his best at work. When passion becomes your profession, nothing can stop you.

“He is the best,” 

We heard the screeching sound as another rack came into the room.

Mario husked in his manly voice. “Girls, here is my collection. My Assistant will help you try these dresses.” He signaled towards his assistant and sat on the couch next to us.

“So, who wants to go first?” Ivy said.

We thought it would be good if Olivia started the show.

The dress looks fantastic. I would say the red was not bold; it’s the red taken from fresh tomatoes; Olivia seemed so beautiful in that dress. It revealed her flawless skin in this dress. She wore a black mask and made a messy bun as we stared at her without saying a word. She shrugged at us, waiting for some compliment.

“It’s gorgeous,” we said together.

She gazed at Mario as Mario winked at her, taking pride in making such a masterpiece. We took the red dress for Olivia; now it was Ivy’s turn.

Ivy stood up and went inside in her rowdy style.

“I want long gowns; I wanted something decent that will hide my body.” She warned the Assistant.

The Assistant gave her a simple black dress with full sleeves that matched her criteria of not revealing her body.

She said directly, “I feel comfortable in this dress, and I don’t need your opinions.”

It was not new for us; Olivia looked at me and sighed at the thought of giving up on Ivy.

I patted her hand to let go of the feeling to make her feel; that she was a girl. How can we give up on our best friend? This was the first time she looked beautiful in this black gown.

We smiled at each other as we agreed with her for the first time.

“Cool, as you wish,” Olivia answered.

“Come on, Alyona, it’s your turn.” Olivia patted my back.

I knew nothing about the dress and what I wanted, exactly. I looked for suggestions. The Assistant waited for me to choose a dress and try it, but I stood there blank.

Suddenly Mario got up from his place and said,

“I will take care of her.” She signaled her assistant to sit.

He took out my jacket, looked at my body, and gave me a twirl.

He went inside and bought a dress covered in a big black bag.

“Boss, this is our showstopper dress.” His Assistant replied.

He glared at her and said.

“I created this, and it’s my wish; who will wear this dress? Now get up and make her ready.” He snorted at her.

She took me inside and helped me to wear the dress.

When she opened the cover, my jaw dropped to the floor.

The dress was out of this world; it was a ball gown in a sky blue color. A gown with a touch of regal elegance, intricate embroidery, voluminous dresses, and timeless silhouettes are some characteristics found in these fairytale-like designs. 

The small delicate flowers covered my breast perfectly; an off-shoulder dress intrinsically complimented my body.

She opened my messy bun and made a beautiful bun with hair clips.

It was an undemanding job for her, as she seemed to be a fashion expert. She applied a little makeup and told me to wear Silver Dress Sandals. Metallic silver vegan leather forms a toe-strap and matching asymmetrical strap that crosses the vamp and wraps around the ankle.

“How much time, Al?” I heard Ivy screaming my name.

When I stood up, I checked myself in front of the mirror.

My eyes popped up. I couldn’t appreciate myself; out of words.

The Assistant pulled the curtain, and I walked outside.

Mario coughed; spilled his tea on his clothes.

“l’ultima dea,” he stood up. (The ultimate goddess)

Ivy’s mouth was open when she saw me. Olivia smiled from ear to ear. I looked and waited for them to answer.

“ l’ultima Bellezza, fata,” Mario whispered again.

  (The ultimate beauty, fairy)

“Please say something,” their reaction made me nervous, and I couldn’t understand Mario’s language.

“Fuck, you look like a diva, Al,” Ivy screamed.

“Stupendous,” Olivia.

I turned towards Mario, but he was not there.

I looked back; he was standing right next to me.

“You are the perfect match for this dress. We say the dress will find its body, and I think my creation found its body.”

He was looking at the dress and me without blinking his eyes.

“This is beautiful. You are a skilled designer.” I complimented him.

His eyes spoke more than his words. I understand when we make something, and it comes up beautifully, this would be the expression we carry. He gave me a twirl to see the backside of the dress. The delicate sky-blue and white flowers perfectly covered my back.

“Good job,” He complimented her assistant.

“You were right, boss. This dress looks great on her rather than our showstopper.” Assistant answered.

“So, these are the dress we want to take,” Olivia answered Mario.

“It will be fifty thousand, all total, excluding tax.” 

His answer shook us. It was not ten or a hundred dollars; it was FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS.

We looked at Olivia, as it shocked her when she heard the prize.

“Oh! Come on, Mario, you know we don’t have this much money.”

Olivia said.

Mario’s expression didn’t change; he gave us an offer.

“I know you girls don’t have money, and you needed these dresses.”

“I have a deal for you guys.” He furrowed his brows.

“What?” Ivy asked.

“If Alyona can help me wear this dress and walk with me on the ramp as a showstopper.” He spilled his condition.

“What?” I said.

“Yeah, this dress looks wonderful on you, and if you are going to show it in front of the media, it will be a success for my brand.” He said.

“I will give these dresses for free.” He smiled and looked at me.

Olivia and Ivy turned toward me with all the decisions that belonged to me. “No,” I whispered.

“Please,” Olivia said.

“I know nothing about the ramp walk,” I answered, looking at Mario.

“Oh, don’t worry, I need ten minutes to walk on the ramp. My models will help you with that.” 

“So deal?” He added.

I looked at them as I could read their expression and excitement for the masquerade ball.

“Just ten minutes? Not more than that?” I whispered.

“Yes, I promise. I need your beautiful face with this perfect dress in front of the media just for ten minutes.” 

He extended his hand to close the deal.

Ivy grabbed my hand and gave it to Mario’s hand.

“Ok, deal,” we said together.

“We want these dresses by evening,” Olivia answered.

We settled our deal as we came out of his shop.

“What the hell was that?” I asked them.

“He is your admirer, like your senior, Shawn.” Olivia yanked on my back.

My senior Shawn, it reminds me of my today’s dream. 

“I saw him in my dreams today; he tried to kiss me,” I told them.

They laughed at my condition.

“You wanted a man in your life.” Olivia grabbed my hand and kissed my cheeks. “No, she doesn’t,” Ivy interrupted.

“How long are you going to stop? Can’t you see she is getting weird dreams of her unwanted admirer?” Olivia and Ivy fought.

A staunch admirer? When am I going to meet my admirer? 

Let’s see what happens in the evening.