Jonathan stands in the middle of the crowd but the way he watches me has the world dissolving around us. He looks just like a bondman, dressed in a form-fitting black tuxedo with his chestnut beard closely cropped but his warm brown eyes are locked on me, smouldering.

My heart flutters erratically seeing him here. Jonathan raises two fingers and points at his eyes, silently telling me 'eyes on me.' Instantly a sort of calm falls over me as my body responds to its master.

I take a deep breath and lick my lips, waiting for Becca to pass me. Jonathan smiles, his gaze raking over me as I wait. I can feel the weight of it, heating my skin as it roams.

My turn comes and I take my first step then another. The silver strappy sandals click ever so lightly on the hard runway as the silk and lace of my dress swish around my legs. Murmured comments and applause are muffled as I focus solely on Jonathan.

As I approach the end he twirls his fingers and I obey, spinning slowly to give him the full view. The dress flares out around me like petals on a flower. I take one last look over my shoulder at him, bite my lip and walk back, feeling my hips sway even more.

His grinning face is burned into my mind and helps me loosen up. Becca's bouncing by the time I get back and Natasha beams at me. She takes our hands and leads us down the runway once more for our exit.

My attention is split between Jonathan and my friends but I'm also aware more of the crowd's reaction this time. Gone are the civilized golf claps as more enthusiastic cheers sound.

They love her work!

Natasha basks in the applause, first spinning Becca for a finale. A whistle and loud clapping draw my attention past Jonathan to where Tony stands, grinning and cheering like a fool. With my final spin, Natasha is cheered off stage.

People swarm us immediately, bombarding us from every direction with questions before we even make it off the stage. The attention is disorienting as we get swept away. Thankfully all they ask me is how the dress feels and what Natasha is like to work with.

I do my best to talk Nat's skill up, though it's not hard and the dresses speak for themselves. They may be beautiful from afar but up close all of her attention to detail is clear.

Jonathan appears from nowhere and slips up against my side, wrapping his arm around my waist and settling his hand on my hip. I smile up at him, thankful for his support and relax at his contact.

After what feels like forever we finally break away, much to her admirer's disappointment. The way she effortlessly handles everything leaves me awestruck.

Natasha bumps my shoulder, grinning ear to ear. "Always leave 'em wanting more," she whispers with a triumphant giggle. Viktor is wrapped around her other side just like Jonathan is mine, while Becca and Tony lead the way to our table.

"You were mesmerizing," Jonathan whispers. He stops us just short of the table and turns me to face him. The pride shining in his eyes leaves me blushing.

"Thank you, but why didn't you tell me you were coming?" I playfully smack his chest, earning a throaty chuckle.

"And ruin the surprise? Never!" He trails his finger along my clavicle and down my breast bone. "I see you got my gift, it looks good on you."

"W-what?!" I look down at the necklace Natasha put on me for the first time tonight. It's a silver swirl that snakes around my neck with the tail curled on my sternum. In the very center is a charm with his initials scrolled across it. "This is yours?!"

He leans in closer and lifts my chin, pinning me in place with his gaze. "You didn't think I would send you out alone, knowing how much attention you would draw without a reminder of whose you are, did you?"

Jonathan hooks his finger in the necklace, tugging lightly to prove his point. My core tightens in response as my breath comes in shallow pants.

"Are you guys going to make googly eyes all night or join us?" Viktor teases. His grin just widens at Jonathan's glare as mischief sparkles in his dark eyes.

"You can't blame me for being distracted," Jonathan chuckles. "You did a hell of a job!" Natasha blushes at his praise and smiles.

He pulls out a chair for me and tucks me in before taking the seat next to me. No sooner than we are all seated a server shows up with a bucket of champagne and a note he hands directly to Natasha.

Her eyes widen as she reads it while her free hand latches onto Viktor's. She squeezes it so hard that her knuckles turn white.

"Didn't I tell you, baby girl?" Viktor coos. His grin has reached face splitting proportions as his full attention remains on her, pride shining in his eyes.

"Well? What does it say!?" Becca blurts out.

"It's an invitation from Renee L'Amour, she's like the fairy godmother of fashion!" The sheer joy radiating off of her leaves me grinning.

"You totally deserve it, these are a cut above," I say gesturing to our clothes.

"Speaking of quality, what was with Hagatha?" Becca chimes in. She leans on the table, eager for an answer.

Natasha's smile falters and she sighs. "She was my mentor..."

"She used you," Viktor growls. His broad grin is replaced by a full-on scowl now, clearly not her fan.

"So she needs to wear my drink?" Becca presses on, earning a glare from Tony.

"No, I owe her-" Natasha dismisses.

"Not a fucking thing!" Viktor snaps. He moves away from the table and drags her chair to face her. "Tash, you look at those girls, that was you, baby girl, all you! You've always had the talent, she saw that and used you. Not a damn thing she did got you here, you did!"

She watches him, her regularly confident mask out of place as she tries to believe him. I can see the desperation in her gaze, she wants to but something holds her back.

"I think I need to freshen up," she mumbles, pushing away from the table. Not waiting for anything she takes off for the washroom, her brisk pace making her mindset clear. I flash Jonathan and Viktor a quick sympathetic look before taking off after her.

Natasha manages to make it to the bathroom before I'm able to catch up to her. Thankfully it is empty but she stands there, hands braced on the counter, hanging her head.

"Nat?" I whisper, shutting the door behind me.

"Sorry, Iz." Natasha straightens and carefully swipes below her eyes in a way to not mess up her makeup. She turns her glistening gaze to me and scoffs bitterly. "Pathetic eh?"

"Not at all, don't say that!" I chide. Embarrassment flashes in her eyes as her shoulders sag. "You blew everyone away, we should be celebrating."

Nat fails to return my smile as she settles into a nearby chair. "Right? Yet I still feel like a fraud," she whispers.

My jaw drops and I flap my lips but my brain short circuits, unable to form words. Aside from looking at a dress and deciding if I thought it was pretty or not, Natasha has taught me everything I know about fashion. She lives and breathes the details that matter and can weave magic with them.

"How the fuck are you a fraud?!" I finally blurt out. She stares at me, wide-eyed as my words reverberate.

"Did you just swear?!" A devilish smirk tugs at her lips as my cheeks heat. "You did! Miss goodie two shoes cursed like the rest of us! I'm so proud!"

"Really? That's what you got out of it?" I dismiss, crossing my arms over my chest.

Her smile falters as her reality sets in once more. "This-" she gestures around us "-is supposed to be my big moment. I mean it is my big moment, and yet I don't feel like I deserve it..."

"Is it because of that woman?" I drag a nearby chair over and take a seat.

Natasha looks up and offers me a teary smile. "No, I mean yes? Maybe?" She pauses for a moment and shakes her head. "No. This is something I've struggled with my entire life... I just keep working harder and think that if I can just achieve, say a gala invite, that I will finally feel like I'm here and deserve this."

"You do though!" I run my fingers through the silky folds of my dress, admiring it once more. "This is incredible, and you made it! And not just some dress, it's my dress, it's perfect for me just like Becca's is hers."

"Well, I had good models." She smiles softly before her face falls once more. "I just wish this feeling would go away... I want to be happy about this-"

"Then let's be happy! I came to support and celebrate. So far I haven't fallen on my face during the evaluation, so I guess that means we're onto celebrating."

I get up and drag her from her seat with a giggle. Natasha straightens and sighs at her reflection as she gets to work fussing around with her makeup. Seeing her pick herself up and dust herself off makes me realize it's okay to fall down from time to time.

Movement behind us catches my attention as I lock eyes with a familiar gaze that makes my heart drop.

No... not here, it can't be!