Minnie POV
I hear Luna's voice and open my eyes. "Morning, sister! Wake up, time to get ready!"
I stretch my arms, rub my eyes, and look at the clock- it's 6:00 in the morning. Then I remember I forgot to tell Sara that I am staying at Will's place. I tried calling her, but she didn't answer. I call again, and this time she picks up.
"Hey Sara, sorry to..." I start, but a deep voice cuts me off.
"Hey Minnie, wait. Sara was still sleeping."
My eyebrows shoot up. "Akil? Why do you have Sara's phone? Don't tell me you guys..." I stop myself and quickly slap my own forehead.
"Ohhhhh, so she must be tired! Then don't wake her up," I say, starting to tease them.
"Ah, Minnie, please don't tease me in the morning," Akil says, sounding embarrassed.
I laugh, pulling my legs up to my chest and hugging them. "Okay, okay, I'll stop! Just tell her to call me whenever she wakes up."
"Okay, I'll tell her," he says.
"Akil, thank you for everything."
He sounds confused. "For what?"
"Because of you, I am with Will, and Sara is happy with you too."
He says, "Don't thank me, Minnie, it's all destiny."
"Maybe. Okay, I have to go, I'll call you later." I hang up and see Luna sitting at the dressing table. She looks at me and asks, "Who was that, sister?"
I smile and tell her, "Just my childhood friend."
I get up, freshen up, and grab one of Luna's dresses-turns out, it fits me really well! We go out to the hall where Aunty and Uncle are talking. Will comes down the stairs, walks right over, and gives me a kiss on the forehead. I start to blush.
"Good morning," he says, greeting his mom and dad too.
After finishing our breakfast, we drop Luna off to the office and drive to the event hall in the center of Paris. Tomorrow is the fashion show, and today is the final practice. My stomach gets a little nervous because Lucy will be there. She is the top model of the company and the main lead for the show. As I start to worry, Will takes my hand. I look up and smile.
When we reach the hall, I step out of the car and look around-it's a huge "wow" moment because the hall is so big.
"Let's go inside, love," Will says. I nod.
When we enter, the big hall is full of decorations and busy workers. I am so excited to see the final look. Will says, "Love, go help Nova. I need to talk to the event management."
I nod and walk over to Nova. "Hey, do you need any help?"
"Hey," he says, looking around the room for someone. I smile because I know exactly who he is looking for. "Nova! Luna went to the office, you know."
He stammers, "I'm not looking for her!"
I smile and start helping Nova coordinate the models and backstage work. After a while, I look over and see Will. He looks so handsome while working. I watch Lucy walk up and talk to him, but he just nods, ends the conversation quickly, and goes right back to work.
A little later, I get tired and sit down on a chair. The models are ready to practice walking in their outfits. Lucy starts first, leading the line and looking completely professional. The costumes designed by Zoe are simply amazing-now I completely agree that Zoe is the top designer in Paris.
I let out a long breath, feeling proud of myself. Even though I didn't finish my own modeling dream, I am now a part of this amazing modeling event. Minnie, you have come a long way Minnie, I think to myself.
Suddenly, someone taps my shoulder. A crew member hands me a coffee and says, "Mr. Will asked me to give you this, ma'am."
I nod and take the coffee. I look around to find Will, and when I spot him, he is already staring right at me. He raises his coffee cup in a little toast from across the room. I smile and do the same.
Then I walk to the other side of the hall, step outside to get some fresh air, and take a sip of my coffee while looking at the beautiful Eiffel Tower.
"So, you are Will's girlfriend."
I turn around and see Zoe standing there with a smile on her face. She steps closer and says, "Yes, I am," as I take another sip of my coffee and said "The costumes are really amazing."
She looks at me and said "Thanks. And your eclipse idea is great too". I look at her surprisingly She countinue "You know, this was one of the hardest parts I ever designed in my lifetime. Thanks to you."
I laugh and shake my head. "My pleasure."
She looks shocked by my friendly answer. "You like Will, right?" I asked her but her expression changed and she nods. "Yes, I liked him since our college days. But back then, he was with Lucy, and I was just a friend. After Lucy cheated on him, he became a totally different person i know. It's been so many years, but he changed back to the old Will that i know and it's all because of you minnie. So, I liked him, but now he loves you so I can't force him to be with me, and I'm not that kind of person."
I feel a little guilty-she really is a nice woman.
She smiles and says, "Shall we be friends?" She holds out her hand for a handshake. I smile and shake her hand. "Then let's make this event a success!"
I nod. Suddenly, someone from inside calls her name. Before leaving, she stops and says, "Hey... why don't you give Pranav a chance to talk to you?"
I am surprised. She continues, "Don't get the wrong idea, he didn't ask me to say this. Actually, after what happened yesterday, we both got drunk, and he told me everything he did to you. He regrets his past mistakes. It's your choice to forgive him or not, but maybe just give him a chance to talk because he can't move on."
I was stunned and said . "I'll think about it..."
She smiles and starts to leave. I call out, "Zoe..."
She turns back and looks at me. "One day, you'll find a guy who is perfect for you."
She laughs and walks away.
I take a deep breath, and right then, my stomach makes a loud rumbling sound. I check the time-it is already 9:00 PM, and I haven't had dinner yet. I go look for Will and find him talking to someone.
"Mr. Will," I say.
He turns and looks at me. As soon as the other guy leaves, Will wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me hard against his chest. I am shocked. "Will, what are you doing? Let me go, everyone is around us!"
He says, "Do you think I care about that?"
I smile, playfully hit his chest, and say, "I am hungry. Let's go home if you are done with work."
He says, "I booked a hotel room nearby. Let's go there, it's easier if I need to come back here."
I nod. He takes me to a restaurant, and after dinner, we go straight to the hotel room. I drop my bags, kick off my shoes, and jump face-first onto the bed. It feels so comfortable! Will joins me and lies down right next to me. I love this quiet silence between us.
I look at him. He is staring up at the ceiling, thinking. I ask, "What are you thinking about?"
He turns, moves a stray strand of hair behind my ear, and says, "I'm thinking about tomorrow, love. It's really a big day for us."
I slide my head onto his chest and i said "Tomorrow's event is going to be huge news, Will. Don't worry, we worked hard for this. Trust me, everything is going to be okay."
He smiles, pulls me into a tight hug, and gently runs his fingers through my hair. After a little while, I fall fast asleep in his warm embrace.
The sunlight fell directly across my face, forcing me to open my eyes. I reached around the bed, searching for my phone, and when I finally found it, I checked the time. My eyes widened.
11:30 a.m.
"Oh my God!"
I immediately sat up and called Will.
He answered almost instantly.
"Good morning, Love."
"Morning, Will. Why didn't you wake me up?"
"I didn't want to disturb your sleep, Love. You looked exhausted. I already asked them to arrange breakfast. Just call reception and they'll bring it to the room. Your dress is also on the table."
I smiled despite myself.
"Okay. I'll get ready and come there."
We ended the call, and I quickly freshened up. After getting dressed, I ate my breakfast and headed toward the event hall. But the moment I arrived, I stopped outside for a second.
The hall looked completely different from yesterday. I like the decorations because they match our theme so well. I spot Will and walk up to him. "The hall is really amazing"
He looks at me and smiles. "You look beautiful, love." Before I could answer, Nova suddenly came running toward us.
His face looked unusually serious.
"What happened, Nova?" Will asked.
"Can you come backstage? Quickly."
We followed him, and the moment we reached backstage, I noticed everyone looked tense. Zoe was pacing near the garment racks, and several members of the production team were whispering to each other.
"What happened?" Will asked coldly.
Nova took a breath.
"Lucy had a car accident while coming here."
My eyes widened.
"What? Is she okay?"
"She is. It was a minor accident. Her ankle is badly twisted, though. The doctor said she needs complete rest and probably won't be able to walk properly for at least two weeks." I felt relieved that she wasn't seriously injured, but another thought immediately hit me.
The main model was gone.
Zoe says, "Oh my god, what are we going to do now?"
I say, "Let's look for another model."
Nova says, "We don't have time for that."
I look at Will, who is thinking deeply.
He says, "Zoe, is Minnie suitable for the main lead costumes?"
I Wider my eyes and said "What are you talking about, Will?"
I look at Zoe's face. She looks surprised too, but then she says, "Yes, she is perfect for the costumes!"
In a shaking voice, I say, "No... no... no! I am not suitable for this, Will. Don't take a risk."
He puts his hand on my shoulder and says in a soft tone, "Love, I know I am pushing you, but you wanted to complete your dream. This is the right opportunity, you have to use it."
I swallowed.
"Yes, it is my dream... but I don't even know how to walk properly in heels. What if I fall? This is a huge event, Will. There are celebrities, VIPs, reporters, other modeling companies"
He laughs.
"Why are you laughing?" I ask. Everyone looks confused.
Will says, "You are scared of falling from the stage? Don't worry, if you fall, I will carry you! I take full responsibility for this, just give it a try."
I bite my lower lip, close my eyes for a second, because everyone work hard for this Day so said ok.
Zoe says, "Perfect, Minnie! Come, I will help you with everything."
Nova suddenly raised another problem.
"Wait. The main-model problem is solved, but what about her makeup artist?" Right away, I say, "I can ask Sara, she just completed a makeup artist course."
Nova smiles and says, "Then I will ask Luna to help her."
My eyes go wide, and I nod. I give Will one last look. He gives me a confident smile.
The next few hours disappeared.
Zoe taught me everything-how to position my shoulders, how to control my steps, how to turn at the end of the runway, how to hold my expression, and how to maintain the formation without looking at the other models. We practiced the entrance, the walking sequence, the final pose, and the exit.
Time passes, and Sara arrives. She hugs me tightly and says, "Oh, Minnie, I am so happy your dream is coming true!"
I say, "Sara, I really don't know what to say, but I am going to use this opportunity." She smiles and hugs me again.
I check the time-it is already 6:00 PM. The event is going to start at 7:00. I stepped outside to look at the final hall decorations The entire venue had been transformed into an elegant Eclipse-inspired runway. Deep navy and black drapes covered the walls like the night sky, while warm golden lights hung above the runway like tiny stars. Crescent moons, golden sunbursts, and glowing eclipse rings decorated the stage. The glossy runway reflected every light, making it look as though the models would be walking across the surface of the night sky. At the center of the stage stood the enormous golden eclipse circle with Moon Lovers Fashion & Modeling - Eclipse Runway Show written inside it. Through the tall arched windows, the Paris night waited beyond the glass, with the Eiffel Tower visible in the distance.
I go backstage to get ready. In the middle of getting my makeup done, I hear Will's voice. I think the show is starting, and I get nervous. Sara starts doing my makeup, and Luna helps her. I swallow hard.
Luna says, "Sister, don't get nervous, you are a brave person." She tries to cheer me up, but I still feel scared.
Sara taps my head. I look at her. "Hey, what are you thinking? You are not the Minnie I know! I am trying my best to do your makeup, so don't spoil it. And if you don't do well, I am packing your bags and we are going back to India!"
I look at her sadly. From behind us, Akil says, "Sara, don't say that. Minnie is best at everything. The runway is just a piece of cake for her."
I say, "Hey, don't say that, you guys are making me scared!"
"Who is making you scared?"
I lift my head and see Will wearing a black-and-white suit. He comes and sits right in front of me. "Why are you scared? You are the strongest woman I know. You are the girl who handled everything in your family by yourself. You didn't ask for help, you handled it well. So why are you scared now? It's just a walk, love. You can do it, I trust you."
I hold his hand tightly, and he does the same. For a few moments, we just stare at each other.
Then we hear a voice break our concentration. "Mr. Will, don't kiss her now, my hard work will get ruined! You can do whatever you want after the show," Sara says.
I turn and look at her, my face turning bright red, and I lower my head.
From the other side, Zoe calls out, "Minnie, come change your dress! You guys are up next."
I look at Will. He kisses the back of my hand. "You can do it, love."
I nod and go to change my dress. When I see the outfit, my jaw drops. It is an amazing full-length, sleeveless ivory-white and black princess gown with golden eclipse embroidery, crescent-moon details, and a long, flowing celestial cape.
"Wow," I say.
"I know," Zoe smiles.
I put on the dress and look at myself in the mirror. Is this really me? I love the makeup, the dress, and the hair that Sara and Luna did-it makes me look like a princess.
The host starts announcing our main costumes, giving some details to the crowd. I take a deep breath because I am the one leading the line. If I mess this up, the whole formation gets ruined.
A guy wearing a matching suit stands on my right side. I say in a cheerful voice, "Okay, everyone, let's do this for our future!"
I step out of the backstage area and onto the stage. The spotlight hits us. I started to walk with confidence, remembering how Lucy walked yesterday. I walk like nobody is watching, with a small smile on my face. When I reach the front, I strike a pose. I see celebrities, VIPs, people from other modeling companies, and reporters. I turn around and head back to the backstage area with the same confidence.
I can hear my heart beating very clearly. Finally, I make it back, put my hand on my chest, and try to catch my breath.
Sara runs over and hugs me, jumping up and down. "You did it, Minnie!"
I laugh because of her excitement. Then I go over to Will and hug him tightly. He hugs me back. This is the exact hug I need right now.
He whispers in my ear, "You looked so beautiful, love. I told you that you could do it." I nod.
Before we can have a moment longer, Zoe claps her hands sharply. "Okay, lovebirds! If you're quite done cuddling, we need to prep for the grand finale secret costume right now!"
I pull back with a radiant smile, nodding eagerly. Ready for round two.
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Author POV
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