CURSE

"One, Two, Three ..." Lane looked at the people walking on the catwalk one by one. "Fix it ladies! It's like you don't eat! Didn't you have breakfast?"

Tall, slim and beautiful women walk one by one wearing the clothes of previous fashion events organized by the Brightest Queens Modeling Agency. The newly discovered models are training in preparation for PMC's Grand Winter Collection to be released in Europe and North America. It is owned by top designer Betty Madrid, the most popular in the country and well known in the international scene. Patty Madrid Creations is known by high class and celebrities here and abroad. Her designs cater to those from middle class to upper class levels.

"I said, go on a diet but I didn't tell you not to eat. That's what you're going to do!" the gay top trainer of BQMA models is still screaming. Everyone who went through her intense training became famous, not only in runway modeling but also in print and TV ads. There are still some who have penetrated showbiz and married business tycoons, so many women dream of being included in the rosters of top fashion models of BQMA.

One of the models lost her balance while wearing her 5-inch heels. "Aaaaahh! Ouc...." the model sat down then rubbed her sprained leg.

"There! Because you're being stupid again, Dina. It's only 5-inches and you can't walk properly? Should I make you wear a Lady Gaga's shoes so that you'll be completely paralyzed and replace you?" Sighed Lane.

"Don't do it, Mama. I'll be fine, too. I just need ice pack and a bandage." Dina stood up. She was supported by other models who also stopped ramping because the formation was ruined. She can't give up now because this has been her dream ever since, and now that she has the opportunity to be recognized in the fashion world, she will not back down from the fight. She will improve so that she can achieve what she desires.

"Go ahead, go to the clinic. Hurry up! If that doesn't heal until tomorrow, I'll replace you! Many women dream of going through my training! Let's take a break first! Eat first! You all look hungry!" Lane was already shivering with stress. "You're all giving me stress!"

The models first left the runway and headed to the Pantry for lunch.

"Are you alright?" Sarah asked Dina as she held her to be escorted to the clinic.

"Yeah, tell us if you need anything or if you just want, we'll rush you to the hospital," Winona said.

Dina nodded. "Yes, I'm fine. I will just rest for a while." She took off her shoes and walked to the clinic. She walked towards it bare foot.

The nurse applied the remedy to her right foot and advised her to rest for at least a day. Only a minor sprain occurred.

"Miss, may I use the clinic's restroom?" Dina pointed to the restroom at the clinic.

"Oh my gosh, that's broken, it's clogged because someone doesn't know how to throw napkins properly. Is it okay to throw tissue in the toilet bowl?" The nurse shook her head. " Just use the one on the lower ground floor."

"Okay thank you." The clinic is on the 1st floor, she will only go down one floor. She thinks she can manage it. She left the clinic using the slippers provided for patients.

Dina just used the exit stairs down to the lower ground floor since it's just next to the clinic, better than walking to the elevator at the other end of the hallway. She reached the lower ground floor of the PMC building even though it was difficult to walk. She headed to the restroom just next to the exit door.

The hallway was a bit gloomy, no one is there on the lower ground floor. It's like a stock room and a warehouse of old designs, manequins and fabrics.

Dina opened the door of the restroom. It was so dark. She turned on the switch on the right side of the wall.

"Eeehh!" Dina fell on the ground out of fear.

She was shocked on what she saw. A woman on the floor of the restroom is covered with blood.

Dina screamed hysterically. She stumbled back to the exit door and rqn back to the first floor.

"There's a dead woman downstairs!" Dina shouted as she pointed to the exit door.

The guards and other people ran to the Exit. The girl fainted from fear.

"Dina!" Fellow trainees approached her to help her. They carried her and sent her to the clinic.

"Dina!" Dina's aunt screamed excitedly.

Dina struggled to take off her cousin's dress and put it in her cabinet. She wore it and ramped up like a model. She adjusted her blouse and shorts and pretended to be sweeping her cousin's room.

"What is it and you're not responding to me?" her aunt said with a shrill voice, the voice of Matutina in Dolphy's show back then. She is her late mother's eldest sister. Her belly is big and her face covered with Chin Chun Su and her hair rolled up. But even though her aunt was like that and rude, she loves her. She was like a mother to her. Her aunt was kind as long as she follows her orders.

"Auntie? I'm cleaning Venus's room," she said as an excuse.

"Oh, let go of that first. There's a beauty contest on Sunday, Miss Intercon 2021, the Mayor's wife will bd there, I registered you. You have to win, even if it's just consolation. The prize is big. Go and practice now. Come down, Delai is in the living room. " She grabbed the broom from her and set it aside in the corner of Venus's room. "Let her clean her room to learn. I'm of no use to that woman, and you're still tolerating her."

"Yes, Auntie." Dina followed her. She also wants to take part in the beauty contest because she can wear beautiful clothes and shoes. Her dream is to be a fashion model like her idols Charmagne De Luna and Maylin Kirtz. They are Filipina ramp supermodels who became famous even abroad. Charmagne had a break in showbiz and became a prized talent of her network, while Maylin became a Beauty Queen and won Miss Ramp Model International. This is an international beaucon for beauties who can only join professional ramp models. And because she became famous and international beauty queen, she was able to marry a Swiss business tycoon. Now, she's just flaunts all her expensive bags and clothes in social media and stopped working as a fashion model.

Imagine, you can wear expensive clothes made by famous fashion designers, and you still have to pay for their clothes. Where else can you find such a job? "I can still have a chance to stumble with a Prince Charming!" Dina imagined as she went down the stairs.

"Dina" greeted by Delai, the gay trainer of aspirants joining the amateur pageant in their area. He was a friend of Dina's mother when she was still alive. Her mother was only 15 when she became pregnant by her father whom she did not know, and she died in childbirth. "You are so Beautiful."

"Thank you!" Dina and Delai kissed cheeks.

"Come on and let's go to my studio. Let's practice proper ramping and answering." Delai's hand pulled her out of the house.

"Wait, I'm just saying goodbye to Aunt Nelia," Dina said.

"No need. She already knows I'm going to take you to the studio. She even pushed me to take you. Come on." Dina pulled her out of the house. They walked along the tight alley going to the main road. They took a cab going to Delai's place.

They went straight to Delai's studio, the Delai Personality Training Agency. He seems to be the only one with such a concept here, and his customers are aspiring beauty queens and models.

They entered a 100 square meter and two-story building also owned by Delai. These two apartments were bequeathed to him by his parents but he merged them and turned them into a business.

They practiced all day how to walk properly, stand up, wear different styles of clothing and answer questions. He also showed Dina the difference between the proper posture of the model and the beauty queen.

"Oh, do you remember everything what I taught you? The pageant is on Sunday. It's only 3 days."

"Sure, I remember everything," Dina said smiling.

Delai stood up and headed to her walk-in cabinet full of gowns. She came out wearing a shiny royal blue fitted gown that would fit Dina's body shape and had a slit on her right leg. It is filled with tiny Swarovski crystals and has royal blue lace on the chest. It is a classy and elegant gown. "Oh come on, I'll lend it to you. Try fitting it, quick!"

"It's nice! Really, will you lend me this? "Dina's eyes widened as she looked at the gown she was holding. She hurried into the walk-in closet and closed the door. She took off the cover and measured the gown. She immediately went out from the walk-in closet and showed Delai the gown she was wearing. "Is it okay?"

Delai's two hands covered his mouth in amazement. "OMG! You're so beautiful!" He turns Dina around then pulls her in front of the life-sized mirror. The girl saw her own reflection in the mirror.

She could not believe what she saw. The gown fits her body nicely, her smooth and long right leg is showing from the slit. She does not feel embarrassed, she did not cover that part. She can see the models running around in bikinis, she needs to get used to it.

Delai left for a while and came back with a box the size of a cellphone. He opened the box and showed her the set of jewelry inside it. "I'll lend it to you. You just have to win, right?"

"I might lose that. I don't have the money to pay for that, I just graduated and I don't have a job yet," Dina said worriedly.

"It's okay, those are just silver with the butt of the glass. Measure it." Delai removed the necklace from the box and handed it to Dina. She put it on her neck. "Nice, right? As long as you win, I'll help you all the way. Then your payment will be making me your manager." He laughed.

"Of course!" The two high-fived.

Miss Intercon Night 2021

"And the winner is..."

The emcee stopped and played the drumroll for suspense.

"Maria Dina Fajardo. Our Miss Intercon Malabon 2020!" Everyone applauded. Dina also can't believe that she won this beauty contest. Fifty thousand pesos is the prize. She will give the portion to his aunt and she will be able to use the extra to support her job search, or in case she can enroll in a training school for models.

The former winner handed the bouquet of flowers to her, put on her sash and crown. She tearfully waved and shook hands of people approaching her. The politicians of their town and some wealthy businessmen in their area were also congratulating her.

"Dina?" aroused by a woman's voice. Turned around, Dina saw a beautiful transgender. She seemed familiar with her appearance but she could not remember where she had seen her.

She held out her right hand and Dina reached for it. "Hi, I'm Lane Juez, I'm a trainer of BQMA for aspiring models. Are you interested in joining our training and be part of the rosters of our top models?"

Dina's eyes widened and rolled. This is it. This is my dream. The fulfillment of all my dreams since I was a child... "I am!"

"Drop by at my office tomorrow morning. Here's my calling card. I'm expecting you, okay?" Lane told her then she turned around to greet the acquaintance she saw.

Dina ran for Delai's place. "Del!" She cried out of excitement.

Delai was to talking to a handsome man when she called him. "What, you're a nuisance. There's a handsome guy here, look. We're about to leave."

"You're crazy, don't you want to congratulate me before you go?"

"Congrats! Oh come on, let me leave with him now." He wanted to chase the handsome guy who just left but Dina stopped him.

"Wait a minute, this is more important than that guy!" Dina held Delai's arm and pulled him.

"Is there anything more important than that handsome guy?" His eyes were still blinking as he looked at Dina, as he cluelessly wondered if there was anything more important than the handsome guy he was trying to chase and take home earlier.

"Yes. Have you heard BQMA?"

"Of course. Who in the field of beaucon and modeling doesn't know about BQMA? Those aren't really into it if they haven't heard of BWMA in their whole life." His fingers are still wiggling as he gestures in the air.

"Do you know Lane Juez?"

"Dear, everyone knows her. The ever beautiful transgender super idol of beaucons and model trainers here in the country." He sighed while dreaming. "I'll also have surgeries here and there once I become rich!"

Dina showed DLane's calling card to Delai. His eyes widened.

"She just offered me to be part of their trainees in BQMA!" Dina screamed.

"OMG!" Delai covered his mouth. "I'm a manager, I'm a manager!"

"No, that guy is more important, isn't it?" Dina jokingly shooed him.

"No! He's ugly! There are more handsome models at BQMA at their male models' agency, the BKMA! Gosh! I'll see someone really handsome in person, too!" He was clapping while thinking of handsome guys.

"Yeah, come on, I need a beauty rest so I will be fresh tomorrow." Dina pulled him to go home.

☆

"Aunt!" Dina screamed into the house.

"Oh, what..." she looked at Dina's crown. "You won?"

"Yes Aunt Nelia. Wait..." she pulled out the money from the envelop. "Here, 20,000 pesos. You can buy more Chin Chun Su."

Her aunt's eyes widened. "Wow, I won't just buy Chin Chun Su.I'm going to curl my hair permanently, then get a facial!"

"Cousin, what about me?" Venus said she hugged her waist.

"Don't give her too much, she will just waste money," her aunt said.

"Auntie. I'm going to report you to my mother's grave." She is also the daughter of the youngest sister of her mother and aunt Nelia. Her mother also died and Aunt Nelia took care both of them.

Dina laughed. She pulled five thousand and handed it to Venus." Oh, save it, don't waste it."

"Yes! Thank you, Cousin!" Simultaneously kissed her on her cheeks. She is already eighteen years old but she still acts like a kid.

"Auntie, a modeling agency invited me to train with them."

"This is your chance, Cousin!" Venus applauded.

"All right, go upstairs and rest so you look good tomorrow. Maybe the person who offered you to become a model will change his mind when your eye bags get bigger. Go upstairs!" her aunt said, then she looked at the money she was holding and counted again.

Her aunt supported her in her dream as long as there is a bribe. Dina just laughed as she went upstairs. She needs to become fresh and look like a model tomorrow.