In the spotlight

8

Sofia Christensen

Main rehearsals before the actual runway were always tiring, but Milan was just on another level. Endless walks, makeup and hair tests, staff running up and down while the press shoves their cameras up your face, while you are just trying to memorize your starting position.

It is probably not a surprise that I was thrilled when they dismissed me from the headquarters. After all, I have been a recurring employee at Gucci, so there was really no point in holding me there anymore.

Xavier said the exact same thing once he showed up, even though he has been waiting 3 hours for me just so he can be driven home instead of taking a bus or something. Lazy ass.

We met up in front of the huge building, where I instantly spotted my friend with two similar Starbucks cups in each of his hands.

"You are a literal god." My eyes lit up with excitement as I got my hands on the coffee. I was never a big fan of coffee, but buy me a double chocolate chip frappucino, and my gratitude will be yours forever.

"I don't hear this enough." I heard a dramatic sigh as we got into the car, which was now completely charged and will probably never be used by me again. I placed my drink carefully into the cupholder next to me and positioned myself comfortably in the driver's seat.

The sun was already setting behind the breathtaking Renaissance-style buildings of Italy, painting the sky in pretty pink colors. Chilly, but fresh air blew through the car before closing the doors next to us, and a calm vibe settled on us, knowing that we were finally free for the rest of the night before the big show tomorrow.

Our journey back to the hotel was relatively quiet. I was paying attention to the quite large traffic in front of me while Xavier was sipping his coffee. The 15-minute drive took 25 instead, but when the familiar turn became visible in the distance, a surge of relief rushed through my body.

I took a sharp right turn and descended into the underground garage where we left in the morning, but this time only the two of us exited the vehicle. Lucas had to remain there due to misinformation on the hairstylist's part.

"Ah, the elevator is on the 15th floor." Xavier exclaimed while I was still fishing my own drink out of the car and closing the vehicle with the keys.

"Go upstairs and take one of those." I shrugged my shoulders carelessly; the main lobby had at least five different elevators, and those few stairs shouldn't be a problem. Wearing heels all day was among my basic skills anyway.

My French friend opened the heavy door in front of me, and we both raced up the few stairs that separated us from the main lobby. The huge room was almost completely empty by the time we reached it; only the receptionist was visible behind her own mahogany desk.

After bidding a good evening to her loudly, we approached the large row of elevators, only to find out two things. First of all, four out of five were occupied and lingered somewhere around the 10th floor, and second of all, the fifth one wasn't empty either. In fact, one of the three footballers standing inside was already forcing the doors open before they could close on us.

Xavier was the first to react, and I just followed him with an emotionless expression on my face. Honestly, I just wanted to get this over with so I could take off my heels and my makeup and wait for Adriana to get home from her extra photoshoot.

"Good evening." I heard my companion greet the athletes accompanying us in the relatively large cabin.

"Hi." I made it short and simple as I entered behind him. Obviously, it just had to be my luck today that this is the second time I accidentally ran into the hot man in one day. I snapped my head away from him just in case.