King of Queens (a Nas Story)

THIRTY TWO

Gia | March 1995

I looked straight ahead as I walked the runway after brushing shoulders with Naomi Campbell. Mugler scouted me particularly to walk the runway for Paris Fashion Week.

This was the first flight I had ever been on. The first flight overseas and the first time I would be away from Destined. I'm sure he was fine with his dad and grandmothers while I was working.

I strutted the marble walkway with a serious expression as I wore Mugler's latest design. A black bustier with mesh nude netting that pushed my breast up to my collar bone. The bottoms were sheer that matched the tone of my brown skin with black stripped material that matched the bustier design and pattern.

The cameras flashed as I posed at the end of the runway and placed my hand on my hip to turn back around to walk the way in which I had entered the runway.

Celebrities sat front row as they watched me walk. I brushed shoulders with another model unintentionally as the runway was small in width. The woman smiled at me as I nodded back at her. I stopped at the entrance and posed once more before walking behind the pillar where the other models waiting in order of turn.

I looked for Farrah in the sea of models that were preparing to strut the runway. I found her at an empty vanity, waiting for me with flowers in her hand.

"Giaaaa!" She squealed. She extended her arms for me to take the bouquet as she brought me in for a hug, crushing the flowers between our chests.

"Congratulations, girl!" Farrah said loudly into my ear as he continued to hug one another. I pulled away with a smile. "Thank you."

I sat in the chair in front of the mirror, looking at the blunt bob that I was sporting. I placed the flowers on the vanity and moved my hair away from the gloss that was sticking to my lips. Farrah reached into her Christian Dior purse and pulled out a Polaroid camera, snapping candid photos of me as I admired myself in the reflection of the mirror.

"You should keep this cut when you get back home." Farrah suggested as the flash flickered from the disposable camera. "Nas will like it." She added, making me smile even harder as she snapped photos.

"You think so?" I said nervously as I combed my middle parted bob with my French manicured fingernails. Studying the structure of my face. I still looked every bit of my father.

"Do you even have to ask?" She snapped more photos of me as the model who brushed shoulders with me walked behind me. "Amazing job, Gia!" She said with a smile as she placed her hands on my shoulder. I was stunned by her beauty and couldn't put a finger on where I had seen her face before.

Her accent was beautiful and unique. Her hair was blonde and pinned in an updo with her bangs fringed over her forehead. Her lips were a covered in a matte burgundy color and her nails matched the shade of her lips. Her pieces were similar to mine, but she wore it in the style of a catsuit.

I placed my hand over hers that rested on my shoulder and smiled at her reflection in the mirror.

"Thank you, beautiful! Your walk is everything!" I complimented the woman. I could tell she wasn't new to the modeling industry. Everything about her screamed that she had paved the way for me to walk tonight.

"Iman, honey! Incredible!" Farrah said behind us as she snapped more candid photos of our interaction. The scent of Iman's perfume lingering over my shoulder. It was a strong yet feminine fragrance that was enticing.

"Thank you, Farrah! Long time no see." She said beautifully in her native accent. Iman leaned over my shoulder for a light embrace.

"I'll be in New York for a shoot next month. I would love to see you." She said sweetly into my ear. I was shocked that she would invite me to spend time with her after putting a face to a name.