Abigail's glamour squad were all smiles as they made their way across the marbled flooring, heads high and shoulders back to ensure that any snap, whether intentional or accidental, would get their best angle. But Kayleigh Moore kept her head down and her eyes lowered. Even when she posed with Abigail on the red carpet, she couldn't bring herself to look directly at the cameras.

Memories of a horrific night from a few weekends ago came back to her mind and once again she found herself wondering how these people could present such a mask of perfection when they were secretly harbouring so many negative emotions. Anger, disappointment, shame. Kayleigh knew the girls wouldn't be happy with her great idea, but it hadn't crossed her mind that they would accuse her of wanting to steal the show.

"Forget about it, Kayleigh. They'll come round," Abi whispered as she took Kay by the arm and rushed her through the grand entrance hall and to the auditorium. "It was a great idea and there are plenty of gifts left, right?"

Despite her low mood, the splendour of the room did not go over Kay's head. She wished she had an extra pair of eyes to take it all in. The glass ceiling revealed a black, starry sky, the grand stage, the modern backdrop. The décor gave the classic room an industrial feel and Kayleigh wondered with a smile whether the runway would be used for presenting the latest Haute Couture or landing actual planes.

"I don't care what they think about me, Abi," she lied as they took their seats, the memory of Maxine Azera's look of disgust bringing her dangerously close to tears again. "But I hate that I'm ruining your trip."

"You're ruining my trip? Darling, you've already saved my derrière more times than I can count on one hand. Now look around you! We are less than two meters away from the runway and thanks to you, I look better than any other girl here. Oscar is going to have a fit when he sees what you did to his dress. The only thing I'm worried about is that he will try to snatch you."

Kay's heart stopped momentarily. She took in the blond beauty standing in front of her. Honestly, Kayleigh could have cut three holes in a potato sack and pulled it over Abi's head, and she would still have pulled it off. But the Victoria's Secret corset that was intended as a gift for Abi's Marie Antoinette Party hugged the girl's body beautifully over the de la Renta masterpiece, keeping it in place despite the zip being left open down to her hip. The look shifted from classic to bold, which was not really Abi's style, but complemented with her white boots and red lips, she could have ended the night's haute couture show.

"I highly doubt it," Kay replied shaking her head. "Do you really think Mr de la Renta will be upset? Gosh, I didn't even think about that!"

"Well, it doesn't matter now. You did what you had to do, and might I say, you did it fabulously," Abi dismissed, sitting up straighter and adjusting the corset so that it pushed her bosom together. Kayleigh wasn't sure if it was the corset or the pregnancy, but it looked like the heiress had miraculously grown two cup-sizes. "Now smile. We're on the frow and your face is going to be everywhere by the time you wake up tomorrow."

Kayleigh frowned harder. Why did her face have to be anywhere at all? She was just an intern for heaven's sake!

A young girl in metallic vest and trousers came over with a tray of champagne-filled flutes. Kayleigh politely declined. The thought of more champagne made her queasy.

"Good call, Kay! Here, take mine!" Abi said pushing a glass into Kayleigh's hand.

"Abi! Why did you take one?"

"Because non-pregnant Abigail Kilton would never refuse a glass of Bollinger!"

Kayleigh groaned and set the glass to the side as Abi waved to Maxine, Chelsea and Chloe, who had just appeared in the Auditorium. They made their way towards them and sat in the three empty seats beside Abi.

"Here you go, Ms Bride-to-be!" Chelsea announced to Kayleigh's horror as her eyes zoomed in at the second flute in her hand. "I got this for you. And I did not ruin any gifts to get it!" she added acidly.

Abi laughed nervously as Kayleigh's face turned red as a beetroot.

"Drop it, Chels. Kayleigh meant well, and she was right. The dress needed a lift for the occasion."

"Oh? Is that what we're telling Oscar after he burns us on the socials?"

It was Ms Weston, closely followed by a sardonic-looking Greta Borg, who was appreciating what looked like a fancy Gin and Tonic. Kayleigh yearned for the zesty drink, thinking it would help her upset stomach. They sat next to Kayleigh, leaving an empty seat for Jean Luc.

"He won't burn us," Abi dismissed using a low tone. "And if he does, we have Marley on speed dial."

"I already sent her a heads up," Ms Weston assured her, but Greta looked far from happy with the news.

"Of course, you did. That you have time for. Drinks with your friends... not so much."

"She's our PR, Greta!"

"Quit squabbling! What is up with you two anyway?" Abi hissed. "And where is Jean Luc? The show's about to start!"

Right on cue, Jean Luc came rushing down the aisle and sat in the empty seat beside Kayleigh. Feeling relieved, Kay discreetly took the champagne from Abi's delicate hand and pushed it into Jean Luc's.

"Here take this!" she ordered and reached for the other glass she had set aside.

To Kay's surprise, Jean Luc took the glass and downed in one gulp.

"Are you okay?" she asked him concerned.

"Oui. Of course."

"Are you sure? You look nervous."

One of Jean Luc's characteristic traits was his French air of je ne sais quoi. But it was nowhere to be found tonight. His eyes were roaming the room, and his foot tapped the floor furiously.

"What do I have to be nervous about?" he shrugged when he saw Kayleigh eyeing him suspiciously. "I've been to a hundred of these."

At that moment, Victoria Weston leaned over Jean Luc and Kayleigh and tapped Abi's forearm.

"Marley confirmed Oscar won't be here tonight," she whispered. "Apparently, he's still in the studio preparing for his show tomorrow. She says there was a bit of a mishap."

"Vicky, it's still his dress! We are not taking anything away from him," the heiress hissed back. But her words did little to put Ms Weston at ease.

"You're covering half of it with lingerie!"

"Not the better half!" Greta snorted, causing Victoria to turn on her.

She snatched her GnT and passed it to Jean Luc. "Haven't you had enough to drink today?" she asked her.

Jean Luc smiled wickedly, eyes still flitting towards his watch, then the stage, then over his shoulders. "We only had one bottle of wine and an aperitif."

If Victoria Weston's eyes could kill, Jean Luc would have dropped dead instantly. She took the drink back from him and gave it to Kayleigh instead ignoring his protests.

Then the auditorium lights dimmed, and the stage lit up with tiny red and white LEDs like an actual runway. Strobe lights flashed on and off in rhythm to the music. The show started and pretty models wearing red and green, uniform-like clothing started prancing down the catwalk. Kayleigh's eyes widened at the creative garments. The girls looked like stewardesses who worked for a fantasy airline. They had extravagant bows or knife pleats coming out of their vests, resting on their shoulders or on their hips. Their hair was all tied back either in French plaits or braided buns.

Less than three minutes into the show, Abigail passed her another glass of champagne.

"Abi, no! I'm still on Greta's gin!" Kay protested, but the heiress looked at her with pleading eyes.

"What else can I do? I can't drink it and I can't refuse it!"

Kayleigh groaned and took the drink. And then another. Kayleigh soon found it hard to focus on the show. The models were marching too fast, the music was too loud, the strobe lights too powerful.

"I think I'm going to be sick," she murmured.

Abigail turned and whispered in her ear, "Me too. Get us out of here!"

Without hesitation, Kayleigh grabbed the girl's hand and dragged her down the aisle, try to walk in a straight line as much as possible. They rushed to the ladies' room and spilled their guts into the toilets of the first two stalls. Thank the heavens nobody else was there.

The girls washed their faces and rinsed their teeth then tried to fix themselves up as best they could. Abi's makeup was somehow still intact but Kay's liner was slightly smudged and her nude lipstick had completely faded away.

"Here, use mine," Abi offered.

Kayleigh looked at her hesitantly. Abi's lipstick was very bold and very red. "Are you sure?"

"Of course!" And she pushed the stick and a fresh cotton bud into her hands.

When they were both fairly satisfied with their appearance, they made their way back out and find the entrance hall was full of people. The girls spotted their group and walked towards them.

"Did we miss the curtain call?" Kay asked Jean Luc.

"Cherie, you ran out of the room just as the designer walked out," he answered with great disdain. "It was très rude. Everybody is going to be giving us the stink eye at the after party."

But it wasn't the guaranteed stink eye that had Kayleigh's spirits sinking faster than the Titanic.

"After party? There's an after party? Oh crap!" 

👠🗼🥂

Oh crap indeed! Poor Kayleigh just wants the night to be over but Paris seems to be intent on giving her one bubbly welcome!

Have any of you ever been to one of these things? Do you have any tips for our girl?