Runway Girl - Romantic Short Story

She's a top fashion model in Paris, he's a top photographer assigned to her for a week. He's wanting to get this assignment done and over with so he can take his long awaited sail boat trip, she's looking for someone that will love her for the person she

Runway Girl

 

Its spring in Italy and the Italian fashion shows have been keeping me busy for the past month. I am a free lance runway photographer for some of the top modeling houses in Europe. I was ready to spend a few days of R&R after wrapping up a fashion show gig that I had been on all week. My blackberry hummed as I was putting away my camera equipment for the day.

 

“Michael Hayden speaking” I said pressing the button on my blue tooth and continuing to put my equipment away. “Michael? It’s Jennifer. You got a minute? The familiar voice asked. It was Jennifer LeSalle my booking agent in Paris and long time friend. “Yeah, go ahead” I said. “I’ve got a hot project here in Paris and the client asked specifically for you. Can I book you?” she asked. “You’re gonna owe me Jennifer. I was going to take a break and take my sail boat out for a week.” I said looking at the picture of it on my blackberry. “I know. I’ll make it up to you I promise. The client has a new model and he wants you assigned to her for her runway portfolio shots. Thank you Michael.” She said. “No problem. Send me an email with the details and I’ll see you Paris. Talk to you later.” I hung up and took the last sip of my Merlot before finishing my packing.

 

I booked a morning flight to Paris. Paris is the city of fashion, fine dining, and drop dead gorgeous women from around the world. The fashion show Jennifer scheduled me for is the Mode A’ Paris Haute Couture fashion week. It’s a fashion photographer’s dream project. All the top couture designers from around the world will be attending to display their latest designs using the top models from around the world. The super wealthy, celebrities, and international buyers will be in attendance as well.

The hottest new model to hit the runway this year is Mishka Strova from Hungary. She’s tall, slender, with shoulder length jet black hair, deep brown eyes and single. She was discovered in Milan two years ago and has been moving up the hot model list. This year she is in the top twenty most sought after in the world. She has penthouse apartments in Milan, Paris, and New York. She’s very private when not modeling, independent, wealthy, and doesn’t date rich boys. According to the blogs, she’s looking for a “well balanced regular guy that will appreciate and love her for who she is as a person, not as a high fashion model.”

 

I arrived in Paris in mid afternoon. After I checked in and went up to my room, I made dinner reservations for Jennifer and me at Au Trou Gascon for eight o’clock to go over the details. It’s one of my favorite restaurants and well off the beaten tourist track. It’s overseen by celebrated chef Alain Dutournier and his wife who runs the dining room. He does a refined take on the cuisine of Gascony -- a region renowned for its ham, foie gras, lamb, and duck. Most popular with the regulars are the surprisingly light cassoulet (all the meats are grilled before going into the pot) and a superb duck confit. They also serve fine gourmet desserts and over 875 wines in stock and 100 Armagnac’s to choose from.

 

I went down to the lobby and out to the street to wait for Jennifer to pick me up for dinner. The night was calm and the city was bustling with fashion industry people. I heard my name being called as I was watching for Jennifer’s car. “Michael, Michael, over here”. It was Paul LaGassi a top couture designer from New York and a very good friend of mine waving at me from across the street. “Hey Paul, you here for the show?” I shouted back. He crossed the street and came over to me. “Yeah, I have some pieces I’ll be showing. I am fitting the new hot model Mishka Strova” he said pointing at a picture of her in a magazine featuring one of his pieces. “Get out! I am doing her runway photo shoot all this week.” I said with a big smile and play punching his arm. “Man, she is gorgeous and has a body like a dream goddess. My dresses are fitting her like a glove. I can’t wait to see her in them on the runaway.” He said looking at the magazine again. I could see Jennifer’s Mercedes coming down the block towards us. “Here’s my ride. Call me tomorrow. You got my number” I said waiving at Jennifer and stepping off the curb. “Okay, talk to you later” he said waving and walking back across the street.

 

 

Chapter 2 – Day 1 at the Fashion Show

 

After having a café latte and breakfast pastry, Jennifer picked me up at 9 am and we headed to the fashion show. We arrived at the Couture Fashion Show Palace where the fashion show is being held. Models, designers, stylist and prop people were moving about with a precision flare. “Let’s move faster people, we only have four hours until show!” shouted one of the coordinators clapping his hands behind the models and stage hands. “Jennifer, over here darling” came a voice over the moving crowd. A tall gentleman in a dark Armani suit with a bright pink polka dot silk tie was motioning for us to come over to where he was. 

 

“Hello Jeffrey. How are you?” said Jennifer as they both cheek kissed each other. “Fine darling, just fine. You know this show is nearly driving me crazy!” he said fanning himself with his matching pink and black custom made hand fan. “It looks like it. Jeffery, this is Michael Hayden my photographer. He’s photographing the new model Mishka Strova for Victor Sheldon” said Jennifer picking up a glass of Mimosa champagne from the passing waiter.

 

“Walk with me honey” said Jeffrey. “Mishka Strova?” Jeffery said with an arched brow “She is so hot now and the girl looks good in anything she puts on! Michael, you will be the envy of the photo gang on the runway ramp” Jeffrey said sipping his champagne and pointing at me with hand fan. “Follow me and I’ll get you two all setup with your seat and full access passes” he continued as we followed him to his office. 

 

Everyone greeted and complemented Jeffery as we strolled down the hall to his office. He clearly is the shaker and mover of the fashion show industry. He seemed like the type of person that if he likes you, you’re in good company. If he doesn’t, then you might as well pack up and go home. “Here you go. One for you and one for you, now call me if you have any trouble Jen, you have my number. I’ll be around, so don’t be shy. Michael, it was a pleasure and let me know when you have an opening in your schedule for a photo session for me. I need to update my portfolio” said Jeffery handing me my passes. “Thank you, just call Jennifer and she’ll setup an appointment for you. It will be my pleasure” I said slipping the lanyard over my head with the passes dangling.  

 

We headed out of his office and went to the main floor near the runway to check where our seats were. Jennifer looked at me with a big smile “You don’t know how lucky you are to be selected to do his photos. He is one of the most powerful people in the industry and when he talks, everybody listens. You are on his good list!” she said. I looped my arm under hers “Well I guess we’re even on that favor you owe me.” I said.

 

Our seats couldn’t have been more perfect. One third of the length down the runway and on the front row! I took out my camera and panned it a couple of times to get a feel for my shots. “This is perfect Jennifer, absolutely perfect” I said clicking off a few blank shots. “Well, nothing but the best for the best” said Jennifer sitting down and scrolling through her email on her blackberry. “I got to make a call Michael, I’ll be a minute” she said standing up walking a few feet away. “Okay, I’ll just hang out here” I said adjusting my lens.

 

I saw Jeffery giving some instructions to one of his many legions of help. I decided to take some candid moment shots figuring it would flatter him to see himself in action. He looked up, saw me and came over. “Michael, you are creative, candid shots, I love it. Please take more throughout the week.” He said fanning himself with his hand fan. “I will. I think it would be good to show the working side of you so your clients can connect to you and your work” I said putting in a new flash memory stick. “Excellent, simply excellent darling. Well it seems you’re just in time, here come the girls for a test walk” said Jeffery pointing at the curtain with his fan.

 
Chapter 3 – At last - - Mishka Strova

 

Just then a string of beautiful models came out onto the runway strutting like Egyptian Queens. As I watched them one by one come out to the end of the runway stop and turn on a dime, Mishka Strova stepped out from the curtains. I was spellbound. My mouth was open as I watch her slowly strut across the stage in long fluid strides. Her legs were long and perfectly formed. Her hips swayed in perfect modeling form with her slender arms. Her eyes were like emeralds and her smile soft and innocent. I poised my camera up at her and focused her perfect body in my lens. I snapped shots in unison with her steps. She stopped in front of me, looked down, smiled, waved with her left hand, and then pivoted away.

 

“You can close your mouth now honey” said Jeffery tapping my forearm with his fan. “I told you, she is as beautiful as a dozen pink tulips. I’ll see you two later darling” he smirked and began to walk away to meet with some arriving designers. “So you got to meet your girl” said Jennifer watching the spellbound look on my face fade away. “Yeah, she is one beautiful woman and I mean beautiful” I said still staring at her perfect apple bottom swishing away from my sight and dissolving into the curtains. “Well we have a meet and greet with Victor Sheldon in half and hour, so stay close by. I have some more calls to make and some clients to chat up” said Jennifer checking her blackberry. “Okay, I’m going to stay here and check lighting and shot angles. Call me if things change” I said looking through my lens at the stage clicking off some shots. “Okay”

 

I was looking in my camera case for my wide angle lens when I heard a soft female voice from over my shoulder, “You are Michael, yes?” said the soft voice. I murmured “yes” back as I found the lens and began connecting it to my camera and standing up. “Hi, I am Mishka Strova. Are you photographing me today?” she said looking intently into my eyes. I was stunned. There she was standing right before me like a gorgeous genie that popped out of a bottle in a pink plum of smoke with a soft gaze that melted me. “Ah, yes, I am, I will be here all day, yes I’ll be photographing you” I struggled and stammered to answer her. She broke into small smile. “Good. I am pleased to be meeting you Michael. Victor my designer told me about you and your work. I am sure you will be making beautiful photographs of me” she said in the cutest broken English laced with a soft Hungarian accent. “I’ll do my best Mishka” I said with a bashful smile. “Okay, I will be seeing you around then” she said walking backwards then turning away.

 

My heart was pounding. I am surrounded by beautiful women all the time in my line of work, but Mishka just rocked my world. Everything about her shook me to my core. It’s going to be a long week and I am getting paid to look at her and take her picture. It doesn’t get any better than this I thought to myself. I took some more pictures and did some light testing before putting away my camera. I checked my watch. It was getting close to meeting time with Victor and Jennifer. Now that I met Mishka up close, I can now somewhat talk intelligently to Victor about his star model.

 

Chapter 4 – “Take good pictures of Mishka”

 

Jennifer and I headed out to meet with Mishka’s agent Victor Sheldon to discuss the photos he wants for her portfolio and website. We arrived at his private modeling suite promptly at 11:30am. “Come in, come in my friends” said Victor in a slightly heavy Swedish accent putting out a cigarette while blowing out his last puff. “Good to see you Victor. This is Michael Hayden the man with the magic lens” said Jennifer extending her hand to Victor. “Ahhh, Mr. Hayden. So good for to be seeing you, please sit down you two” he said with a bright smile pouring himself a shot glass of Vodka. “Please be my guest, this is the best Vodka from my homeland” he said setting out two more shot glasses.

I followed Jennifer’s lead on this one. “Thank you Victor, to the Mishka” she said raising her glass. I followed suit, “to Mishka”, I said raising my glass. We all toasted our glasses. I must say it was very smooth and mellow. “So, Mr. Hayden, have you been to the runway area for to see where you will be sitting yet?” asked Victor. “Yes we have. Jeffrey set us up with our passes and seating assignments. I must say, I have a great position for taking pictures of Mishka. I met her shortly after her test walk” I said still feeling the smooth silky Vodka caress my throat. “Ahh, she is very beautiful yes!” he asked arching is brow and leaning back in his chair. “Yes Victor, no doubt she is a knock out” I said. “Yes, yes, she is beautiful knock out. I told Jeffery I wanted you to have the best seat and position for taking photographs” he said lighting another cigarette. “Do you mind if I smoke?” he asked realizing that we were not smokers. “No, go ahead Victor” said Jennifer. “Thank you for your understanding. I know this is bad habit. Mishka hates it when I smoke. She is always getting on to me about it. Perhaps one day I will stop” he said taking another drag. 

“I am having private cocktail and dinner party at my suite after the show tonight, you will come yes?” said Victor taking his last drag of his cigarette before putting it out. “But of course Victor, I will be there” said Jennifer standing and shaking his hand. “Very good and you to Mr. Hayden?” he asked while shaking my hand. “Yes I will. I will be looking forward to it Victor” I said releasing his hand. “Good, I will see you later at the runway and thank you again for coming by” he said opening the door for us. “Thank you Victor. See you later” said Jennifer as we walked out.

Chapter 5 ~ The Fashion Show – Day 1

Cocktails were traveling around on palm supported platters drifting from guest to guest like honey bees pollinating flowers in spring. Everyone was dressed to the nines. It was twenty minutes until show time when we got to our seats. I got out my camera gear and setup for my first round of photos. Victor was two seats down from us smoking a cigarette and sipping his vodka. “I’ll be right back” said Jennifer looking intently at her Black Berry. “Okay” I said setting up my tripod.

A waiter approached me with a silver platter lowering it towards me as he got closer. “Michael Hayden?” he asked in a professional butler voice. “Yes, I am Michael” I said looking up. “For you sir” he said extending the silver platter. On it were three tulips tied together with lace and a note. “Thank you” I said handing him a five dollar tip. It was addressed from Mishka. I opened the partially sealed envelope. “I am wishing good luck for you today Michael. I look forward for to seeing you tonight at Victors party. Always, Mishka Strova.” I was speechless. I broke into a big smile. I couldn’t believe my eyes. 

Her words lay delicately in my hands as I read them again. I looked up at the stage and scanned it starting from the far left. There she was peeking out looking right at me. I raised the tulips and note card up to her and mouthed “Me too” with a smile. She smiled and faded into the curtains.

“Well, well, where did those come from?” asked Jennifer with a “I bet I know” smile. “A secret admirer” I said putting the note into my camera case. “Well, it seems as though you’re getting off to a good start. Can you stay focused enough to pull off your first day?” she asked knowing the answer. “As sharp as cupid’s arrow” I said turning on my flash and focusing my camera at mid stage.

The lights went low as a plum of white smoke creped across the stage. Purple and pink lights danced through the plum of smoke. A big flash of magician powder burst at the tip of the stage then out come Prince playing “Let’s go crazy” (the theme of the first day of the fashion show). The place roared with cheering guest clapping their hands and dancing as Prince performed live like it was his first time on stage. It was a fantastic opening. I took pictures of him in his usual awesome presences.

The lights went low again after he finished his song. The stage was softly lit with the plums of smoke hovering like a morning mist. “Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Mr. Jeffery Ashton” said a low slow deep voice. A spot light slowly pierced through the cloud filled stage and made its way to the center of the stage. There in all his glory stood Jeffery in a solid purple suit with a pink satin shirt and matching signature poke a dot tie and hand fan. He was stunning. The crowd burst into a loud applause as he stood taking it all in. I started taking pictures of him as he stood in his Bill Blass suite. “Thank you, thank you. You are all too kind” he started.  “Welcome to the first day of our annual spring fashion show. I guarantee you will be as stunned as I am over the next few days at the fashions that these wonderful top designers have in store for you. And now without further a due, the fashion show is officially opened” he said fanning him self and cheek kissing Prince who started playing Let’s go crazy again.

The first models began to come out and strut across the stage. They looked like a string of the world’s most expensive pearls as they come out one by one. Thirty minutes had passed by until the lights went dim again. Andre Bocelli music began to play (Canto Della Terra). The crowd was quite. The stage lights slowly began to light the stage. The heavy velvet curtains opened slowly, then out strolled Mishka Strova. Her beauty was speechless. The crowd watched in awe as she strutted out in synchronized steps of Andre Bocelli wearing “Red Diamonds”, an exclusive couture design of Paul LaGassi that he gave to his wife. A timeless piece that will stand the test of time in the world of fashion.

She walked with elegance wrapped in grace. I took what seemed like endless frames of pictures. She turned on a dime at the end of the stage then stopped. Turned again and posed for the hundreds of photographers and the attended guest. The crowd burst into the loudest applause I have ever heard. She stood in all of her elegance posing like a Greek Goddess frozen in time. The flashes from the photographers kissed her image like a dozen tinker bell ferries. Jeffery was clapping his hands so hard I thought he would break his wrist. Victor was smiling from check to cheek for he knew he had the number one model that had captured the world.

She broke her posed and walked a third of the way down the stage and stopped again right at my waiting camera shot. She smiled and winked at me then assumed her Greek Goddess pose. I took picture after, after picture as I smiled looking up at her. There was no denying it, I was hooked. Even after she had left the stage I couldn’t get her out of my mind. The rest of the fashion show went without a hitch. Victor was happy, Jennifer was smiling and I was looking forward to the dinner party and seeing Mishka.

Chapter 6 ~ The After Party Day 1

The first day was coming to a end and what a day it was. The show went off without a hitch. The designers were writing orders and sketching new designs in a frenzy. The crowd slowly strolled out gabbing about the pieces they liked sipping the last of their cocktails while valets were rounding up their Limos, Mercedes, Ferraris, and Rolls Royce’s. “Well, was it as good for you as it was for me?” asked Jennifer sipping a Cosmo walking towards the valet with her ticket. “All that and then some, I got so many great shots of Mishka and Jeffery” I said toasting her glass. “Well, I’ll drop you off so you can get ready for the after party and pick you up say around 8:30pm?” she said tipping the valet. “Works for me” I said slipping into the passenger seat.

My tux was waiting for me in my room when I arrived. I hooked up my laptop and logged on to my email to check on messages and download the day’s photos from my hand full of memory chips. I poured myself a drink (Jack & Coke) and casually watched the pictures download as I unwound. Mishka’s pictures begin to pop on the screen one by one. I took slow sips of my cocktail as I watched her pictures appear and slide into another. She was as beautiful as the moments I spent taking them. 

After making sure all my pictures downloaded, I finished off my second Jack & Coke and got dressed. Jennifer had just pulled up to the hotel when I got to the front door. The night was perfect and calm. 

“Hubba, Hubba” said Jennifer smiling as I got into the car. 

“What? It’s just a tux” I said putting the coat in the backseat smiling back. 

“Just a tux, ha, looks like a Jack Victor “Estrato” to me. Am I right?” she asked waiting for the stop light to change. 

“Yeah, you’re right. You been in the business too long Jen” I said adjust my tie in the visor mirror. 

“That and I know when a man is dressing to impress a lady and not just any lady” she quickly answered back. 

“Well, I kinda have my eye on someone.” 

“Let me guess, your secret admirer with the tulips?” 

“Yeah, you could say that.” 

“And is her name Mishka by chance?” 

“Good guess. How you figured that?” 

“Victor told me she wanted to make sure that you would be at the party.” 

“Well, you’re being ever the accommodation host” I laughed turning up the music. 

We drove through downtown to the Castille Paris hotel which is located in the rue Cambon that is nestled in the exclusive 1st arrondissement amidst the haute couture houses and boutiques of the Paris fashion district noted for having housed the couturier Channel since 1910. The Castille was nothing short of fabulous. The valet greeted us as we pulled up to the grand entrance. “We are here for the Victor Sheldon party” said Jennifer tipping the valet. “Yes Miss LaSalle, through the double doors and to your right, he’s expecting you.” The valet responded.

We went in as instructed. Guest was lined up being greeted by Victor and Jeffery personally. “Ahhh, my friends, I am so pleased to be seeing you” said Victor with a glass of Vodka and a cigarette in one hand while extended his other one to shake. “Victor, Jeffery” said Jennifer greeting them both with cheek kisses. “Look at you girl, turn around and let me see that Donna Karan. I am liking it!” said Jeffery fanning himself. He was decked out in another Yves Saint Laurent. “And you look at you Michael in your Jack Victor “Estrato” tux. I am impressed” he continued with his review of us. “Thank you Jeffery. Your first day was nothing short of spectacular.” I said as we followed them both into the party.

People were everywhere with cocktails in hand gabbing about the show. “Let’s have a toast” said Victor signaling over his personal waiter. “For you Miss Jennifer and for you Michael” said Victor handing each of us shots of Vodka. “To this wonderful day and my friends” he said clinking our drinks and throwing back his first. “Here, here” we chanted back. “Please, please, go mingle, I will be around” said Victor lighting up a cigarette nudging us towards the crowd.

“Well he’s happy” said Jennifer as we headed for the bar. “Yeah and you’ve got one big client to add to your growing list”. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without my friend and best photographer on my team”. “Well, like they say, it takes two and I got you babe”. We laughed and talked about the show as we sipped cocktails and snacked on passing platters of delightful finger food. Jennifer floated away to chat up her clients as I held up the bar for another round of Jack and Coke.

I had just finished off my drink when I heard a sweet soft voice say, “Michael? I am so pleased to see you are here”. I turned to the delight of seeing Mishka standing with a slender fluted glass of sparkling Champagne in her hand smiling with bright beautiful eyes. “Mishka, you were stunning today on the runway” I said adjusting my bow tie. “You got many photographs of me today? Did I look good?” She said looking down at your glass then back up at me.   “Miska, you were a goddess on the stage. I looked at your pictures before I came to the party and they all were excellent. Your poses were spot on and everything you wore fitted like a glove.” I said looking at her begin to smile. “You really think so?” “I know it without doubt.” “Please order another drink and celebrate with me”. We toasted our glasses and walked out to the patio over looking the city.

The night air is perfect, the stars shinning and the moons glow lit Mishka’s face and smile. “So being surrounded by so many women you must be popular guy and have many girl friends, yes?” she asked leaning back pushing her hair away from her face. I took a sip of my drink and looked up at the sky then back at her. “Surrounded yes, popular, I don’t know about that, but there is no one special. It’s hard to find someone stable in the fashion business. They either have drug problems, an eating disorder, or too full of themselves.” Her smile faded. “Do you think I am these terrible things?” 

“No Mishka. I don’t think you are any of those things. Today on that stage I saw a beautiful confident woman. I smiled as I watched your pictures float across my computer screen. I couldn’t take my eyes off you. I was wondering what type of guy could win your heart and how lucky he would be if he ever did.” I said looking intently into her eyes. Her smile came back. She sat down her drink and moved so close to me I could smell her perfume. Our hands moved towards each other. “Ahhh, there you are!” said Victor taking a puff on his cigarette. “I have been looking for the two of you. Dinner is being served in five minutes. Come, come now and join me. I have much to discuss with you for my little Mishka’s photographs.”  We broke our gaze as Victor hugged us both and walked us back to the party and to the dinning room.

Coming Next

 

Chapter 7 – “I can’t get her out of my mind” 

Author's Note

What do you think of the over all story? Do the chapters flow and have good dialogue.

Reviews

[Susan S.]

I enjoyed this piece. You kept my attention through all 6 chapters. I do have a few issues I'd like to mention.

There's actually an important reason to make each person's dialogue a separate paragraph. I found myself having difficulty knowing who was speaking. It became evident each time, but it took a while. That caused a hiccough in my concentration and made things move a bit slowly.

Your description of Mishka in the beginning is unnecessary and sounds a bit like a commercial. Put the actual visual description in when he sees her for the first time. It will make more of an impact on how strongly he is drawn to her and less like he has had this stupendous build-up of her that she'll never be able to live up to his ideal of her.

All of the people that you describe don't seem to have a flaw except Jeffrey. Giving people flaws, however tiny, humanizes them. It makes them more acceptable to the reader, more likable.

Hope this helps
Susan S

[Jamie Fantasy]

Great start! I love how you give a detailed introduction so we can get to know the characters. That way, when the romance starts, we can really feel the passion.

I'm really impressed that your punctuation has improved so much since the last piece of yours I read. The only thing is that there were places where you switched between past and present tense. I would just go back through and fix that as well as a few typos.

Another thing I love about this is that you really seem to know what you're talking about when it comes to fashion and other references. That makes your story much more believable.

Looking forward to the next chapters. :)