The mask idea had been mine. I needed a way for the friends helping me to stay unrecognizable and avoid trouble. And once I'd noticed Mrs. Serpil's obsession with showy things during the fittings, convincing her had been easy.
When I scanned the room and saw the guest count increasing in exactly the way I wanted, I smiled in satisfaction and pulled out my phone.
The call that came in at the same time made me grin. I showed it to Aylin, then moved somewhere no one could overhear and answered.
"Hello?.. Perfect. Where are you?"
I lifted my head, found what I was looking for, and smiled.
"I see you…"
Then I noticed Aylin frantically gesturing at me—and the man standing beside her. I waited for the caller to finish.
"Okay. I'll let you know… See you."
I hung up and hurried back to Aylin, fixing my gaze on the man and leaning in to whisper anxiously.
"What happened? Is he bothering you?"
"No, not like that. He's foreign. He keeps explaining something, but I can't understand him. You talk to him."
I laughed under my breath and turned to him, extending my hand. I told him I could help since Aylin's English wasn't great.
He thanked me enthusiastically and finally explained what he'd been trying to say.
My mouth fell open.
Aylin nudged my arm, demanding an explanation. I snapped out of my shock and chirped happily.
"Teresa, I bring good news! You're about to be famous. He's one of the partners of a well-known clothing brand, and he wants you to model for their spring/summer collection. Isn't that amazing?"
Aylin stared at both of us like we'd lost our minds.
"Ask him how high he is."
"Why? He's offering you a normal job."
"Do you think I look like a size thirty two?"
I laughed and shook my head.
"You're not supposed to. According to him, it's their first plus-size collection, and you fit exactly what they're looking for."
"Was that supposed to make me feel better?"
I rolled my eyes, about to answer, when the man cleared his throat and held out his card. He said we could think about it for a few days, but he really hoped she'd accept.
I smiled knowingly and told him to leave it to me.
After thanking us and shaking our hands, he walked away. Aylin was still staring at me with the same irritated look.
"Don't look at me like that. You already accepted."
"I did not!"
"Why are you getting worked up? He said there are test shoots soon. We'll go take a look—if you still don't like it, we'll say no. It's not like we're handing over your soul."
She exhaled and set her flute down.
"Ugh. You're not going to shut up until I say yes, are you?"
I grinned.
"Of course not. How else would I be a good friend?"
"Fine. But I'm telling you now—if they want me to wear anything too revealing, I'll beat all of them up."
Just then, I spotted Feyza in the distance, struggling to discreetly point out the boy standing beside her. I laughed and gave her a thumbs-up.
Message received.
I grabbed my phone, sent an update, and looped my arm through Aylin's.
We needed a better angle.
My phone buzzed. I read the message and immediately started muttering.
"I never thought I'd need his name. How am I supposed to get that close to them?"
"What are you muttering about?" Aylin asked.
"Nothing. Just follow me and go along with whatever I do, okay?"
She nodded, suspicious but willing. I glanced back toward Feyza's side, spotted two men talking a little away from them, and headed straight over.
"Good evening. How are you? Isn't this a lovely event?"
I signaled Aylin with my eyes, and she joined in with a fake smile. While she kept them busy, I angled my attention to the conversation behind us, nodding and smiling whenever it looked like I should.
"Eva, did you know Efe studies in the same department as you?"
"Oh? How nice."
Feyza's lack of interest was so obvious I could already picture Mrs. Serpil's disapproving glare.
"But he's in his second year, right, dear?"
"Yes, Mrs. Serpil. I started university late because I spent a year abroad after high school."
His voice sounded polite, but not entirely enthusiastic—almost like he was reluctant, maybe even a little sad. Still, he seemed decent.
For a split second, I almost regretted what I was doing and wanted to cancel the plan.
Then I remembered: I was doing this for Feyza. I couldn't abandon my best friend when she was being pushed into something that could ruin her life.
After sending the final message, I waited, excited for what would happen next.