The Sinister Screen Queen

Allegra sat slumped on a chair in the corner, her head buried in her hands.

The usually poised designer was the picture of despair. Tanya crossed her arms, leaning against the table beside her.

"Allegra, get up," Tanya ordered firmly.

"Mio Dio." Allegra groaned.

"This is a disaster. Un disastro totale! I have no models, no team, no hope just me. Solo io!" The fifteen year old teenager despaired.

"Walk it off." Tanya said, gesturing toward the door.

Allegra blinked up at her, confused but willing. She started to rise and move toward the exit.

Tanya grabbed her wrist. "Figuratively. It means stop sulking."

"Drama queen. Sit down."

Allegra sat back, looking more confused than ever. "What am I supposed to do? This isn't something I can just—poof—fix."

"Most of the professionals are gone, non ci sono modelli! There's nothing to dress!"

Tanya's patience had reached its limit. Without warning, she slapped Allegra across the cheek.

Allegra's hand flew to her face. "Tanya! What was that for?"

Tanya leaned in, her eyes blazing. "By professionals, you mean a grumpy old man and the pricks who followed him out, right?"

Allegra nodded in agreement.

"Newsflash, you don't need them!"

Allegra stared at her, stunned. "Non capisco?"

"I'm talking about you, my amazing resourceful best friend!" Tanya proudly announced.

"You've worked under some of the best. Don't tell me you didn't learn anything."

Allegra hesitated, then admitted, "I did, but not at their level—"

Another slap.

This one was softer, but Allegra recoiled anyway.

"Di nuovo?" Allegra exclaimed.

"Why?!"

"Because I don't want to hear your negativity when I'm trying to be positive." Tanya said, waggling her palm teasingly.

"You're fearless and the polizia stradale couldn't stop you. If you can't turn this show around, then who can?"

Allegra rubbed her cheek, giving Tanya a weary glare. "Va bene. I'll handle costumes and makeup with the people we have left."

"But modelli? Models? We need them."

Tanya grinned. "Don't worry. I'll find the models."

Casey's voice echoed in Tanya's mind. And where exactly are you going to find them?

"Good question." Tanya muttered.

No idea. But I'll wing it.

Keira Knightley stood in a small circle of women, chatting animatedly about her upcoming film.

She was mid-sentence when Tanya appeared out of nowhere and grabbed her arm.

"Keira! I need you." Tanya said, pulling her away.

"What?" Keira blinked, surprised. "What's going on?"

"Sorry, ladies." Tanya called over her shoulder. "Borrowing her for a bit."

Keira stumbled after her. "Tanya, what is happening? Why are you dragging me?"

"Allegra needs help." Tanya explained as they ducked behind a curtain.

"The show's falling apart, and we need models. You're going to be one."

Keira froze. "What?"

"Tanya, I've never modelled in my life! I'm an actress, not a runway doll."

Tanya waved off her protests. "Details. You'll learn on the job. It's for Allegra. You'll help, right?"

Keira bit her lip, hesitant. Tanya gave her a hopeful look, and finally, Keira sighed. "Fine. For Allegra. But if I trip or do something ridiculous, it's your fault."

"Thanks, Keira!" Tanya kissed her cheek and pushed her toward the dressing area. "Now go meet Allegra. She'll get you sorted."

"What about you?" Keira called over her shoulder.

"Why aren't you coming?" Keira asked.

"Because I'm hunting down someone better than you." Tanya said bluntly.

"Now go."

Keira gave Tanya a quick kiss on the cheek. "Thanks for the confidence boost."

Tanya is under no illusions that Keira can possibly do well, she just sent her there to buy her time to find more qualified reinforcements because the show starts soon.

Tanya wandered the backstage area, scanning the crowd for anyone who might work as a last-minute model.

Most of the models were already booked for other brands, and time was running out. Frustration bubbled up as she turned corner after corner without success.

"Casey, help me out here." Tanya muttered.

The system's voice chimed in cheerfully. System Casey can provide help for 1000 EP

"That's robbery," Tanya hissed aloud.

Do you have a better idea? Casey countered smugly.

Tanya groaned. She didn't have a better idea. Time was ticking, and Allegra was counting on her.

After a moment's hesitation, she sighed. "Fine. Take the points and don't make me regret this."

Backstage, Allegra was a whirlwind of motion, frantically directing the remaining crew and double-checking every detail.

Her usually composed demeanor was gone as she let herself go completely into Italian mode. "Dio, non c'è tempo!"

Keira suddenly appeared, dressed casually but with a nervous determination in her eyes. "Hey, Allegra. I'm here to help."

Allegra froze mid-gesture and turned to her, disbelief evident on her face. "Cosa fai qui? You are not a model!"

Keira raised her hands in defense. "My sister said you needed help, and I agreed."

"I'm a model… for the duration of this experience." Keira tries to sound more confident but her enter body tingles.

Allegra let out an exasperated groan, pressing her fingers to her temples.

"Siamo spacciati." She muttered. 

But then, with a resigned sigh, she grabbed Keira's arm and led her to the dressing area.

"Fine. First, we need to make you look the part." Allegra said, already pulling out a winter outfit from the rack.

The dress was sleek and dramatic, with icy blue tones and fur accents that screamed haute couture winter season.

Keira stood stiffly as Allegra worked quickly, adjusting the outfit and starting on her makeup. "Hold still! I need to make you… meno disastroso."

She expertly applied a frosty palette of makeup, giving Keira a striking winter look.

When she and the remaining crew finished putting Keira together.

Allegra stepped back and studied her work critically. "Not bad. At least you look like cold."

"You have nice cheekbones." One of the helping makeup stylers comments.

The icy blue dress Allegra had hastily thrown together clung perfectly, the fur accents brushing against her skin. Her hair was pinned up in a sophisticated twist, and frosty makeup accentuated her face.

She looked every inch the "Queen of Winter" Allegra had envisioned except for one glaring problem.

She was terrified.

Keira smiled awkwardly. "Okay, so… what do I do…on stage?"

"Wait, you don't know how to walk?" Allegra's face fell.

"I can walk." Keira said defensively.

"Just not… fashion walk."

Allegra slumped against the table. "Dio mio. There's no time! Just—just listen to me!"

She grabbed Keira's shoulders. "When you walk, show off the clothes. Look powerful, confident. Like you are la regina dell'inverno!"

"You have two rules. Uno: Do not smile like an idiot! It's inverno, not primavera!"

"And due: Confidence! You are la regina dell'inverno! You own this place!"

Keira gulped, nodding nervously. "Got it. No smiles. Lots of… cold queen vibes."

Allegra pinched the bridge of her nose. "Mio Dio, help me. Walk slowly, dramatic, like ice doesn't melt when you touch it. Capisce?"

Keira nodded, though her eyes betrayed her nerves.

Allegra continued explaining, but the announcement for their segment blared before she could finish.

Before Keira could respond, the announcer's voice boomed. "Ladies and gentlemen, presenting the Winter Reverie collection by Allegra Versace."

"Go! Vai, vai, vai!" Allegra pushed Keira toward the runway.

The crowd's applause hit her like a wave. Keira froze, her heart pounding like a drum.

Keira stumbled forward, catching herself just as she stepped into the light.

The audience was massive, their expectant faces turned toward her. Her legs felt like jelly, but she forced herself to remember Allegra's instructions.

"Confidence. Queen of Winter. Ice doesn't melt." She whispered to herself.

She began walking, her heels clicking against the runway. The sleek fabric of the dress shimmered under the lights.

She tried to keep her face neutral, regal. "I am the cold."

But halfway down the runway, her resolve cracked.

The crowd murmured, and as she passed Victoria and her friends, she caught their surprised expressions.

Victoria's eyes widened in shock, her lips curling into a delighted smirk. Keira felt a nervous giggle bubbling up inside her.

No. Don't smile. Don't—

Her lips twitched, and before she knew it, she flashed a nervous grin.

The crowd reacted with a few murmurs. Someone in the back clapped awkwardly, as if unsure whether it was part of the act.

Keira tried to recover, straightening her posture and narrowing her eyes, but the damage was done.

As she turned to leave the runway, her heel snagged on the hem of the dress.

She stumbled but caught herself, throwing a dramatic wave to the audience in an attempt to mask it.

The crowd chuckled softly, and a few cameras flashed.

Keira finished her walk and returned backstage.

Backstage, Allegra was waiting, her hands covering her face.

Keira approached cautiously, wincing. "So… how did I do?"

Allegra dropped her hands. "Tu stavi sorridendo come una turista in vacanza!"

Keira blinked. "I was what now?"

"Smiling! Like it was estate! Summer! And the wave? Dio mio, you were not on the runway; you were on a beach!"

Keira bit her lip, looking sheepish. "I panicked, okay? There were a lot of people out there!"

Allegra dramatically slumps onto the chair. "This show will be the end of me."

Keira knelt beside her, placing a hand on her. "Hey, it wasn't that bad. At least I didn't fall—"

"You almost fell!" Allegra shot back, her voice rising.

"Right, but I didn't." Keira tried to be positive, but Allegra groaned.

Both girls slumped, clearly overwhelmed by the daunting task ahead.

Meanwhile, Tanya stalked through the venue, Casey's voice echoing in her mind.

Turn left Casey instructed.

There should be a secluded area ahead

Tanya sighed, glancing at the time.

Allegra's segment had already started, she hoped they were doing okay.

"This better be worth it." Tanya muttered, rounding a corner.

She spotted the girl who had been chased away earlier, sitting on the floor and sobbing quietly.

Her shoulder-length blonde hair was slightly messy, and her tear-streaked face was hidden in her hands.

"Her?" Tanya whispered, incredulous.

Casey's voice chimed in her head. Yes. She's your savior.

Tanya folded her arms. "This feels like a scam."

And yet, here we are