Page 7 of The Bratva's Secret Twins

My God! She is gorgeous!

Helena was Solenoir’s most popular model, and I’d always admired her. I was tempted to go say hello, but I knew better.

I didn’t realize I was staring until she glanced in my direction.

Shit. I hope she didn’t catch me.

Quickly, I returned my gaze to the bright vanity lights surrounding the large mirrors in the room. These lights cast a warm, flattering glow on the stunning models, who were busy transforming into their runway personas.

Make-up artists and hairstylists moved around with practiced precision, applying finishing touches to the models’ looks: flawless complexions and intricate hairstyles.

I let out a soft sigh, listening to the soft hum of conversations that hovered in the air, blending with occasional outbursts of laughter. I needed to stay focused, but my head wouldn’t quiet, and my nostrils wouldn’t stop appreciating the faint aroma of perfume and hairspray.

“Calm down, Vivian. Take a deep breath,” I whispered to myself as I watched my reflection in the illuminated mirrors, my body buzzing with that familiar nervous yet excited energy.

I smiled, admiring the woman in the mirror.

My hair was elegantly piled on the top of my head—a testament to the hairstylist’s magic. The hair was done, but my face was still bare as I waited for my make-up artist.

It was like a dream from which I would wake soon, and I still hadn’t fully come to terms with what was happening.

Two days ago, this was impossible; I would never have imagined being in the same room with the top models of Solenoir.

My heart was beating really fast, just asking to burst from my ribcage, and I’d never been so nervous in my whole life.

I’d been nervous, waiting for the day to come, and training with Asher to improve my walk. My best friend, Tyler, was the only person I had to tell the news. He’d been overjoyed when I told him.

“You’re kidding, right?” He goggled, flashing his eyes at me in surprise.

“Nope! Fortunately, I’m not,” I replied with a laugh.

The moment he realized how serious I was, he yanked me up by the waist and spun around with me in his arms. I laughed.

He set me back down, a proud look evident in his gaze.

“This is good news, Viv,” he declared with a broad smile. “See? I told you, didn't I? You’d been wasting your talent behind that desk.”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Ty. It’s just a one-time thing,” I corrected him, my laugh dying out.

“Still,” he pushed, “in my book, that's a win.” Tyler noticed my sudden shift in mood, and he walked closer. “Hey, what is it?” He raised my chin. “Why the long face?”

I exhaled sharply. “I’m just…I’m just nervous, you know.”

The slight pause came when I tossed myself on the couch, my face buried in my palms.

“You’re nervous?” He chuckled in disbelief. “You, Vivian Kennedy, the toughest girl that I know…are nervous. I never thought I’d live to see this day,” he teased, sitting beside me.

I laughed lightly.

“I’m serious, Ty.” I looked at him. “This is huge—I mean, like, really huge, and I have barely forty-eight hours to get ready.” I sighed. “What am I supposed to do when I get there on that day?” I gazed at him with furrowed brows, genuinely confused.

He pursed his lips and shrugged. “Well, you do what you do best…you slay. Pretend that you’re alone in your room. Pretend those faces in the crowd are nothing but fragments of your imagination.”

A smile crinkled at the corners of my lips as I thought of the memory, and just then, I heard Asher’s voice calling out to me.

“Kennedy!”

I glanced back in his direction, and there he was, searching for me.

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