Chapter 854 A Missing Model


    "You came all the way here. What more can I say?" Zuri sighed as she took J in. She looked


    young. She must be a new designer.


    Draco was in an ident. It would be difficult for a fledgling designer like J to fill his shoes. Zuri


    felt herself softening for the younger woman. The situation was a lot to handle, and she didn''t want


    to make things even more difficult for J. "I haven''t made any announcement about W Marks not


    taking part in the show yet. You already missed the opening, and the second show is on right now,


    but if you want, you can still do the finale as we agreed onst night."


    "Really? Thank you so much, Miss Szar!"


    It was going to be rough, but now J had a chance to make amends. She covered her mouth


    with her hands as both relief and excitement flooded her. Giving Zuri a polite bow, she said, "I''ll start


    working right away!"


    Posh music floated across the runway.


    Tall, slender models strutted in high heels as famous stars and fashion icons sat and watched, eyes


    gleaming with admiration for the disy of haute couture.


    The seeming perfection of the show in front of the audience was a stark contrast to the chaos


    backstage. J rushed back and forth, sometimes bumping into other staff as she held the clothes


    that had been sent from Barnes.


    A thin sheen of sweat had appeared on her forehead. "Excuse me! Coming through! W Marks


    Studio! Pleasee over at once if your name is called."


    J announced, holding a thick pile of documents in her hands. While the other design houses


    had a staff of at least 10 people, J was single-handedly doing everything by herself. She didn''t


    care if she looked pitiful or crazy. She wanted to prove that W Marks was just as good as any


    fashionpany in the industry. She couldn''t falter now.


    After all the models had put on their clothes, J began checking them one by one.


    She adjusted and secured the fabric with pins, trying to make them fit better.


    Absorbed in her task, she didn''t feel Derek''s gaze on her. He was watching with a smile.


    He had not expected that this beautiful woman was really a designer from W Marks. He had initially


    thought it was just her excuse to sneak into the show.


    "Zuri, do you know her?" Leaning against the coat hanger beside Zuri, Derek kept following J


    with his eyes.


    Zuri was busy instructing the models who had juste down from the runway, and she had no


    time for his questions. "Don''t wander around. Haven''t you heard her introduce herself? She is the


    designer of W Marks," she said, her voice edged with impatience.


    The smile on Derek''s face widened into a grin.


    "She''s pretty good. She''s all alone but she managed to have everything under control."


    Spotting Derek backstage, his agent came to him and said, "Don''t just stay here. There are many


    fashion editors from Paris and London out there. It''s the perfect time to socialize andwork. You


    might evennd a gig next month."


    Derek found a seat and leanedzily against it. "I don''t want to. I''ve already booked two


    commercials in my schedule. Ever heard of the saying, ''All work and no y makes Jack a dull


    boy?'' I''ve got more money than I can spend, so cut me some ck and let me rx, okay?"


    The agent clicked his tongue as he looked at the disinterested talent. Money would never be an


    issue for Derek. If he got tired of being a model, he had billions worth of family properties waiting for


    him.


    The agent knew he had no way of winning the argument, so he stepped back. "Fine. If you want to


    ease up a little, I won''t force you."


    At this time, J was busy checking the models '' clothes.


    "I''m very familiar with this show. Do you need a hand?" Derek came to her side and offered his


    assistance with a friendly smile.


    "Well... yes, actually." It was true that J had her hands full. She could use some help. "Thanks!


    I''ll buy you dinner after the show."


    "Sure." A meaningful smile yed on Derek''s lips.


    J finished with the adjustments and was about to tell Zuri that they were all set. She looked


    around, and her eyes widened when theynded on the clothes rack. There was still one male set


    left on the hanger.


    "We still need one more male model. Where is he?" J sensed that something was wrong. Her


    stomach start to twist ufortably as she asked the other people around.


    One of them answered perfunctorily, "We don''t know. Your show was canceled earlier. It''s expected


    that the models are not enough."


    J took a deep breath as she fought against the sinking feeling in her gut. This was not the time


    to panic.


    N?velDrama.Org content.


    But even if she tried solving the problem, no one here was willing to help her out.


    A model who was touching up her make-up came up to her and said, "Don''t bother. This morning a


    male model had diarrhea and was sent to the hospital. We knew that W Marks wouldn''t be here, so


    we didn''t inform the staff."


    "I see..." Thest thing J needed was another problem. It was as if this day was out to get her.


    She rubbed her head, forcing herself to focus. "This is our most important piece of the whole


    collection. Where can I find another male model to rece him now?"


    "If you can''t find anyone, I can do it." Derek volunteered. He put down the clothes in his hands and


    said, "I''ve made it to the list of the world''s most popr male models for three years in a row. I''m


    sure it would create a sensation if I wear your design."


    J looked at him. He was one narcissistic man.


    But right now, J didn''t have a lot of options.


    "Don''t move. I need to take your measurements first." She took off the tape measure hanging


    around her neck and began measuring Derek''s shoulders. He looked to be around 6.2 feet—tall


    enough to wear that garment.


    Her fingers fell lightly on him, and he could feel her warmth through the fabric of his shirt. For some


    reason, Derek seemed to be particrly sensitive today. J moved to measure his hip, and he


    couldn''t stop himself from drawing a sharp breath.


    This woman was so passionate that she didn''t even show a shred of hesitation at touching him in


    front of so many people.


    Derek lowered his eyes to look at her as she squatted down.


    To his surprise, her face showed no reaction at all. She kept on taking his measurements with


    brows furrowed deeply in concentration, as if unaware of how intimate their position was.


    Something soft and warm squeezed his chest as he watched her, drinking in her features. A sharp


    tingle suddenly crawled through his veins.


    He had to have her.