On and Off the Track

S E V E N T Y N I N E.

The day of the Valentino show dawned bright and clear, and I could feel the electric energy in the air as I prepared for one of the biggest moments of my career. I woke early, excitement bubbling over as I slipped into a casual outfit. As I arrived at the venue, the grandeur of the event enveloped me. The iconic Valentino logo adorned the entrance, and a crowd of photographers and fans lined the walkway, eager to capture the models and celebrities arriving. I took a deep breath, reminding myself to savour every moment. This was a dream come true, and I was determined to embrace it fully. Backstage, the atmosphere was a whirlwind of activity—stylists fluffing hair, makeup artists applying final touches, and models chatting nervously as they prepared for their walks. My heart raced as I caught glimpses of the stunning pieces that would soon grace the runway. The air was filled with anticipation, and I could feel the pressure mounting. But I thrived on it; this was where I belonged, I reminded myself.

Finally, the time came for me to step out onto the runway. As I lined up with the other models, I could hear the music start to play, a pulsating rhythm that synced with my heartbeat. With a deep breath, I stepped onto the runway, the bright lights illuminating my path. The crowd roared with applause, and my nerves transformed into adrenaline. As I walked, I spotted familiar faces in the front row—fashion icons, designers, and industry legends. And then, out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Charles, leaning casually against the front row with Mila beside him, both looking incredibly proud. Charles wore a sharp suit, his gaze locked onto me, radiating warmth and encouragement. In that moment, everything else faded away. The noise of the crowd, the flashing cameras, and the weight of expectations disappeared. It was just me and Charles. A smile broke across my face, and I felt an extra surge of confidence. I made my way down the runway, embracing the moment, every step fueled by the love and support emanating from him. As I turned to complete my walk, I could see Charles's face light up with admiration, and Mila was beaming beside him, cheering me on. The love from the audience was overwhelming, but the sight of Charles made my heart soar. I felt as if I were floating, each stride bringing me closer to the end of the runway and to the people who mattered most. After my final pose, I exited the runway, my heart racing with exhilaration.

Backstage, the atmosphere was electric, and models hugged one another in celebration. But the first person I sought out was Charles. As I stepped through the crowds of stylists and crew, Charles's arms enveloped me in a warm embrace, lifting me off the ground momentarily.
"You were incredible!" he exclaimed, his eyes shining with pride.
"Thank you! I couldn't see you at first!" I replied, feeling a rush of joy.
"I was front row, how could you miss me?" he chuckled, pulling back to look into my eyes, a soft smile spreading across his face. Mila chimed in,
"You were absolutely stunning, Bronte! I could see the energy in the room; everyone was mesmerised!"
"Honestly, the moment you walked out, I felt like the whole show lit up," Charles added, a hint of awe in his voice. We spent a few moments basking in the post-show glow, relishing the accomplishment together. The excitement of the day mingled with our laughter, and I felt grateful to have Charles by my side.
"Can we go celebrate? I need a drink after that adrenaline rush," I suggested, glancing between them.
"Absolutely! I know a great place nearby," Mila replied, her enthusiasm infectious. As we headed out together, I felt lighter than air. It was moments like this, surrounded by friends, love, and laughter, that made all the hard work worth it.