7. Fashion Show
1754 Words
Aaliyah's POV
After Carson's birthday, the air between us became extremely awkward. Well, it is like this before but it got worse.
After that night I started avoiding him because this is my way of helping him unloving me.
"Aaliyah," when I heard my mother's voice I get up from my bed and then walked towards the door to open it for her.
"Good morning," she greeted and she look all excited.
"Good morning Mom," I greeted her back then kissed her cheeks.
"Aren't you thrilled?" she asked and upon hearing that question a smile appeared on my lips. I am thrilled to walk on the runway since today is extra different. I am part of the biggest fashion show in the modeling industry but aside from that, I will be doing the final walk.
" Can I invite Dad, Mom?" I asked and my mother nod her head.
"He is at the his office," she uttered so I excused myself from her and then walked towards my father's office.
I knock three times before carefully opening the door. When I entered the room I saw him with Carson and they are discussing business matters.
"Dad," I called his attention but Carson also looked at me.
"What is it Aaliyah?" he asked then looked at me intently.
"I am just wondering if you have free time this evening, do you want to attend the fashion show that I am part of?" I asked and the tone sounded too careful.
"I can't Aaliyah," he responded without even thinking twice. I nod my head and forced a smile.
"Okay," I shyly uttered then turned around but before I could fully walk out I heard him talking to Carson
"You're free tonight right Carson?" my father asked.
"Yes, dad why?" Carson responded.
"Let's grab a drink at Loungepad," I smiled bitterly hearing those. Why did he invite Carson for a drink and he rejected my request to watch me walk on the runway for the first time?
With shaking hands, I grabbed the doorknob and walked out of my father's office with tears cascading down my face.
I just want to see him be proud of my achievements but it looks like he will never recognize all the things that I have done.
I walked towards my room and hurriedly entered then sat on the floor. I buried my face in the gap of my knees then hugged my knees tightly as I try to stifle my sobs.
When I was a kid he used to be proud of me but when Carson appeared he no longer sees my achievements. Carson is the only one he looks at.
When I heard knocks on my door I immediately wiped my tears and then fixed myself before opening it.
"What is-," my words were cut off when my eyes landed on Carson's face.
"What are you doing here?" I asked in a snobbish tone.
"Dad will watch your fashion show," he blurted out but I let out a sarcastic chuckle.
"Why? Because his favorite son asked him to?" I sarcastically asked I know Carson is just trying to help me but jealousy has eaten me up and I can no longer control myself.
"You should stop seeking his validation Aaliyah," he advised but I just gave him a sarcastic smile.
"It's like you are telling me that I should stop hoping for a father's love," I responded.
"I think you should Aaliyah," he responded which made my forehead crease.
"You don't have to force him to love you, Aaliyah. You don't deserve that," he uttered but I shook my head disagreeing with his idea.
"Easier to be said than done," I replied which made him shut up.
He just nods his head accepting the fact that he can't stop me from seeking our father's validation.
"I am proud of you Aaliyah. Good luck, make their heads turn," he uttered then gave me a genuine smile before walking away.
I watch his back then took a deep breath before going back to my room to have an hour rest before preparing all the things that I needed and myself as well.
When it is already afternoon my mother and I left the house and drove toward the location of the event.
I still have time so I practiced my walk to avoid humiliation later.
"Relax your shoulder Aaliyah," my mother instructed so I did what she told me and repeated my walk.
She clapped and then looked at me proudly.
"You are just like me back when I used to do modeling," she commented then stood up and hugged me tightly.
"I'm proud of you Aaliyah," she uttered then hugged me even tighter which triggered my tears.
"Thank you, Mom," I responded in between my sobs. When she heard me crying she broke off the hug then held my face and wipe my tears away.
"Stop crying," she uttered but she can't even stop her tears from falling.
We laugh while tears are falling from our eyes. After a while, I was called for the final rehearsal so I left my mother for a while.
Everything went by smoothly and I hope the same goes for the final event.
"Just put light makeup on her face," my mother instructed my make-up artist. She always wants me to look effortless like I just woke up and decided to do modeling.
Francis' POV
We arrived at the event an hour before it starts.
My father and I are sitting in front so we can have a better view. I looked at my father's side and I saw boredom on his face like he was forced to be here.
"Aaliyah is like her mother, always loves attention," he blurted out while his eyes is fixated on the stage.
"Dad why does it looks like you hate Aaliyah?" I asked. He looked at me then later on he let out a laugh.
"It's not that I hate your sister Carson, it's just that I don't like what she is doing with her life. I can't understand why she chose to become a people pleaser just like her mother rather than landing on a well-respected field," he uttered and his words offended me. I don't want to argue with my father but I can't let this one slide.
"Dad this is her passion," I uttered maybe it will make him understand that Aaliyah is not doing this to please people or to get everyone's attention but to do things that she loves.
"I don't want to argue with you Carson," he firmly uttered then brought his eyes in front. After that, we didn't utter any words and just let the time passes by.
When the event started I focused my eyes in front and look attentively because any minute from now Aaliyah would appear.
Different models wearing different styles of clothing walked on the runway confidently and after a few minutes of walking, I saw Aaliyah walking on the runway with her head held high. As she takes every step I can see her passion like she is cut out for this.
I saw how she made people's heads turn and seeing that made me proud because she had come this far despite the uncertainties and despite people bringing her down.
When all the clothes were showcased they called the name of the designer and after that, the event ended successfully.
I picked up the bouquet that I am holding and then handed it to Aaliyah.
"Congratulations," I uttered. She smiled at me and then took the bouquet. She looked too happy to the point that she forgot that she hates me.
After that she looked at my mother who is on my side then they hugged each other tightly.
"Mom I made it," Aaliyah happily uttered as she hugged her mother tightly.
"I'm proud of you Aaliyah," I heard Olivia utter which made me smile as well.
Olivia might be a strict mother to Aaliyah but I know she loves her daughter more than anything in this world.
Aaliyah broke off the hug and then throw herself at Mia, her best friend. They hugged each other as well then at last she recognized our father's presence.
"Dad," she called. Our father looked at her and then simply nod his head.
"Thank you for coming," Aaliyah uttered then hugged our father tightly. Our father froze for a while then later on he hugged Aaliyah back. He didn't utter any words he just hugged Aaliyah then in just a few seconds he broke off the hug.
I thought we could leave the event peacefully but after a while, the reporters started to flock in.
"You made this crowd's head turn once again Ms. Aaliyah Augustus, congratulations," a reporter greeted Aaliyah which made her smile.
"Thank you," Aaliyah politely uttered then smiled at the camera.
"This is the first time that your father watched you in a fashion show right?" the reporter asked and Aaliyah nod her head again.
"He is busy handling different matters but I am glad that he made time for me," Aaliyah responded then turned her head to our father and smiled.
"Thanks, Dad," Aaliyah uttered and our father just nods his head at her.
"Look who we have here, Carson Augustus the supportive brother who never missed her sister's modeling event," all their attention diverted to me and when I looked at Aaliyah I saw how her expression changed.
"I heard that you are engaged to a doctor Mr. Augustus, is that true," I took a deep breath and then politely pushed the microphone out of my face.
"Today is a very special day for Aaliyah and I think it is disrespectful to ask about matters that are irrelevant to the event," I uttered then excused myself from the crowd and let Aaliyah enjoy the taste of her success.
I just waited for them inside my car and when I saw them walking in the parking lot I get off from my car to approach them.
"Aaliyah I will be riding with your father since I am a bit tired. Just asked Carson to take you to the Loungepad," Aaliyah was about to complain but Olivia left.
"Let's go?" I asked and she nod her head but it seems forced.
"You will be having an after-party?" I asked while I am starting the engine.
"Yes and I don't want you to meddle with my business," she uttered and I nod my head.
- Writer
