On the 19th of December, all of France was in an uproar. The legendary international magazine ‘Models’ had finally announced the winners of the Model of the Year Award. Most had been already predicted by insiders, with the Grand Prize being, unsurprisingly, held by a legendary Londoner who already had a long career in the industry. What shook the masses, though, was the Breakout Star category, the one rewarding the newcomers who made an impact. It had been years since a model from France had left any significant mark in the industry, but here it was, in the ‘Readers’ choice’, the one to receive the coveted award : Mademoiselle Cyrielle. And the runner up ? Coline Fntier.

  Without leaving a second for people to react, a video was posted on Mademoiselle Cyrielle’s MyTube channel. Inside, people could see the elegant woman sitting on a makeup chair, inside what seemed like a dressing room, scribbling in a notebook in a bck frilly dress that dragged to the ground. She suddenly turned to the camera and fshed a smile that felt calm and rexing.

  “Good morning everyone. I am shooting this video just in case I win an award for Model of the Year, but if you are seeing this, I guess my wish came true.”

  Everytime she spoke white English text appeared, transting her words. She put the notebook on the table, checked herself in the mirror, and came closer.

  “Pardon me for the set up, I am currently working. But I didn’t want to miss this opportunity to talk to you. You see, this wish of mine is also yours. I never even dared to dream that I could win anything during my first year, but you, my fans, my horseboys, are the ones who never gave up.”

  She elegantly put a strand of hair behind her ear, the flutter of fabric was mesmerizing.

  “I saw everything you did for me. The nice messages, the art on social media, the way you bought my album, and even when you voted for me this time. I know. And I couldn’t be more grateful. Each and every one of you is a treasure that helps to make my wishes come true.”

  She smiled again. She was beautiful.

  “I also want to take the time to thank my agency. They always let me do what I please, and help me realize the projects I thought unfeasible. The CEO of Angel-Minet, who is also my manager and a precious friend, was the one who pushed me to achieve my dreams, and to put myself out in the world. She is the biggest contributor to this award, without even talking about the others, the army of people ready to stand by me. Thank you sincerely.”

  Cyrielle came even closer, now only her face visible in the camera.

  “Thank you all. I will make sure to not disappoint you. Be ready to see even more from me, I have a mountain of things I want to try out, and projects that have yet to start. So keep an eye out, have a great day, and thanks again for the award.”

  With that, the video came to an end. Needless to say, Netizens were on fire.

  -omgomgomgomg

  -She’s right, it’s thanks to us ! We worked really hard !

  -What do you think her dress was ? Was she shooting something ?

  -She filmed this just in case ? She thought she would win, she surely maniputed the votes xptdr

  ?just shut up if you can’t be happy

  -Came after seeing the announcement, but she is really pretty !

  ?Of course, she is our angel ?

  -mommy ?

  ?Mademoiselle, respect the title

  ??True, much too pure to be mommy

  ???You guys are Fing crazy

  -I’m from Marocco, I didn’t follow, what is a horseboy ?

  ?It’s the name of her fans, want to join ?

  -How many years has it been since a French model has won an award ? This victory is for all of France !

  ?True, our queen gained a second crown !

  The queen of entertainment had won on all fronts. However, Cyrielle wasn’t happy. She couldn’t. She slipped her phone back in her handbag, looking out the window. In the driving seat, Hugo was ecstatic.

  “The boss was so happy that everyone got a raise ! Even Coline’s team is fired up, her being the runner up was unexpected !”

  Cyrielle didn’t answer, her mind was elsewhere. She took her phone from her bag, checked it, and put it inside again. She had been doing it for the whole day. Hugo tried to lift her mood, but it was to no avail. Eventually, he sighed.

  “You are going to a photoshoot for Femme Frenchie, you can’t show your anxiousness so openly.”

  “I know.”

  Silence followed. The road manager scratched his head.

  “If you are really worried, we can send a bodyguard.”

  “It would be even worse, they would know Léo still had links with me. They could try to take advantage of him.”

  Today, December 19th, was the day her brother arrived at her father’s house for the Christmas season. He would stay there until the 27th, a whole week in enemy territory. He told her numerous times not to worry, but Cyrielle couldn’t help it. She had a bad feeling.

  ‘Remember what I asked you when we were on a horse ride ?’

  [To tell you if your loved ones were in danger ?]

  ‘Yes. I need you to tell me, is Léo in danger ?’

  [...]

  Cyrielle was clenching her teeth so hard that she might have hurt her gums, she tasted blood in her mouth.

  ‘Path, don’t py with me. Is Léo in danger ?’

  [I can’t tell.]

  ‘Then I’ll just go over there and make a mess. Certainly I will be in danger then, right ?’

  [Don’t do this !]

  ‘Then tell me right now !’

  Even with Nerves of steel, she was a hair width away from bursting, the system could feel it.

  [I don’t know, I can’t know. I already told you, I can’t see the future. We already had a discussion about this.]

  ‘You told me I didn’t have the authority to know. But I don’t care about that. If they touch Léo, I’ll destroy them.’

  She could feel Path of Destiny becoming increasingly nervous. In the end, it surrendered.

  [Give me some positive karma.]

  ‘Do I have any ?’

  [The question is pointless, you know you are accumuting it even if you are just breathing.]

  ‘Okay.’

  The system seemed to load for a while, then another chat bubble appeared in front of her.

  [Everything will be fine.]

  ‘What is that supposed to mean ?’

  [In the end, all will be well.]

  ‘That doesn’t answer my question. Does that mean they will hurt him but he will get better ter ?’

  [It is fine.]

  Cyrielle was frustrated, but the only thing she could do was trust the system. She knew it was unreasonable to meet with her father, and Path of Destiny seemed to have her best interest at heart, so it wouldn’t have lied.

  She sighed and id back in her seat. What could she do anyway ? So she focused back on today’s schedule : The first photoshoot after being announced as an award winner. It was a significant event.

  The car stopped in Femme Frenchie’s parking lot and she quickly made her way up with Hugo. The inside of the building seemed more luxurious than before, probably because the magazine had become quite influential after Cyrielle’s appearance. She was guided to a studio where Bernadette was waiting for her.

  “Welcome and congratutions for the award ! Your speech was quite good, I felt like I was seeing a goddess bestowing her grace upon me, it was perfect ! You were so nice too, being arrogant doesn’t look good when you are elected by public vote.”

  “Thank you for the compliment.”

  The strict looking woman shook her head.

  “I thought you would be asking me for help, but what can I even do when you are so perfect ? Well, anyway, your dressing room is the same as usual, over here. I brought you soft drinks, lemonade is your favorite, right ?”

  “Yes, thank you.”

  Cyrielle was used to working with Femme Frenchie’s team, so the photoshoot was over pretty quickly. Before it was noon, she was escorted down the stairs by Bernadette while chatting.

  “I see, I’m gd the editing for the music video is going well. When did you say it will be released ?”

  “December 28th, before the New Year. Manon has something pnned so..”

  She stopped when she saw a blue chat bubble appear in front of her eyes. Normally she would have ignored it, but this one was very strange compared to usual. It was short, and made no sense.

  [I’m sorry. Be careful.]

  ‘What does that…’

  Then she saw Bernadette’s eyes grow wider, as if she was seeing something terrifying. But they were in an underground parking lot, what would be so frightening to her ?

  As if time had slowed down, she saw Hugo run to her with despair on his face, shouting her name. What was happening ? Why was everyone acting like this ?

  Then she felt it. Something cold on her back. Or was it in her back ? It was hard to tell. She wanted to turn around but it was as if her rib cage was obstructed by something. It’s only when she saw blood at her feet that she understood.

  ‘Did I just get stabbed ?’

  She finally staggered, turning around but the world was unbearably slow. There was a man there, with the most terrifying grin, and his hands full of blood.