‿︵‿︵୨˚̣̣̣͙୧ - - ୨˚̣̣̣͙୧‿︵‿︵

CARROUSEL DU LOUVRE
paris, france
sunday
june 23, 2024
9:45

the last day of paris fashion week. alexa and i had gotten there a bit early. alexa and i sat on a bench, watching people gather around the carousel. people were dressed up and ready to have fun, the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement.

"the last day of fashion week is always the best day." alexa said, taking a bite out of her croissant.

i nodded in agreement, taking a sip of my coffee. "i can't believe this week is almost over. it went by so fast." i said, my eyes scanning the area. a part of me was looking for a familiar blonde haired man.

alexa gave a knowing smirk, noticing the glances i was sneakily throwing all over the place. "you're looking for drew, aren't you?" she teased, poking my side lightly.

i huffed and shoved her hand away playfully, feeling my heart skip a beat. "shut up, i am not." i protested, even though i totally was.

"uh huh, sure you aren't," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "well there he is." she said as she looked at drew. my eyes followed her gaze just to see drew talking to a designer. he was wearing black v line prada sweater, a white shirt underneath and black trousers.

"i wonder what they're talking about." i said to alexa.

alexa shrugged, her eyes still on drew, but then she turned her head and smirked at me. "why don't you go over there and find out?" she suggested, raising an eyebrow mischievously.

"absolutely not," i said firmly, shaking my head. "just because i'm curious about it doesn't mean i'm going over to eavesdrop on the conversation."

alexa shook her head. "then don't eavesdrop, put yourself in the conversation." she said as she finished off her croissant.

i swallowed hard as i weighed alexa's words. the thought of inserting myself into their conversation felt both nerve-racking and thrilling at the same time. i took a deep breath, attempting to calm my racing heart. "like... just walk over and act like i belong there?"

alexa groaned and stood up, "c'mon."

i stood up too, following alexa's lead. as we approached drew and the designer, the anxiety within me grew more intense.

alexa walked confidently over to drew and the designer, i followed behind her with a small smile.

drew and the designer were deep in conversation when we approached. drew immediately looked up as we made our way over, a flicker of surprise yet delight in his eyes. "hey, you two. having a good morning?" he asked.

"yeah, i just wanted us to introduce ourselves to mr. maxwell osborne here." she said, her gaze fixed on the designer.

drew chuckled and stepped back a bit to allow more room for us in the conversation. "of course," he said, gesturing towards the designer. "azaria, alexa, this is mr. max osborne, well-renowned fashion designer." he said, introducing us.

max, shook both of our hands firmly, his grip warm and friendly. "it's lovely to meet both of you." he said, his voice smooth as velvet.

"the pleasure is ours." alexa replied, her tone friendly yet slightly guarded.

i nodded in agreement, my heartbeat still racing from the adrenaline spike. "it's an honor to meet you." i managed to say, my voice surprisingly stable.

while i shook the designer's hand, my eyes darted to drew, catching his eyes on me. he looked at me intently, his gaze holding a mixture of intrigue and warmth. the exchange was brief but the effect it had on me was considerable.

after the introductions, the conversation naturally progressed. as alexa and maxwell began to discuss specific fashion choices for the next show, i found myself standing next to drew. he leaned closer to me, his shoulder nearly touching mine.

"how are you?" he said to me in a low voice, not wanting to draw too much attention. his close proximity was making my heart thump even harder.

i tried to keep my composure, meeting his gaze and offering a small smile. "i'm good," i responded, my voice coming out slightly shaky. "and you?"

he returned my smile with his own, the corner of his eyes crinkling slightly. "i'm good too." he replied, his eyes flickering over my face.

"i have to ask. how is it that a simple man found himself talking to one hell of a designer." i said referring to drew talking to maxwell osborne.

he let out a soft chuckle, the sound sending a shiver down my spine. "well, i'm not really sure. i was searching for my seat when we just started talking."he replied, his voice containing a hint of amusement.

alexa smirked at this response, her eyes flitting between the two of us with a knowing expression before turning her attention back to maxwell.

watching alexa's expression, i knew exactly what it meant. she was silently pushing for something. encouraging this moment. i swallowed hard trying to do as alexa advised me yesterday and 'give drew a cue.'

i cleared my throat and looked at him directly as i spoke, "so will i see you at the big party tonight?"

his eyes widened in momentary surprise before he recovered, a smile playing on his lips. "you will," he confirmed, his tone casual but his gaze unwavering from mine. "i'll be there."

my heart fluttered at his confirmation, a mix of anticipation and anxiety rushing through me. "looking forward to it, then," i replied, managing to keep my voice steady. i looked around noticing the lights dimming.

alexa put her hand on maxwell's shoulder apologetically before turning to me. "we should get to our seats."

i nodded in agreement, giving a small wave to max and drew before following alexa to our seats. the butterflies in my stomach fluttering like crazy as i could feel drew's eyes on my back.

as we settled into our seats i tried to maintain a cool and calm facade, but i couldn't help but sneak glances in drew's direction. each time our eyes met, his gaze would soften slightly, his lips curving into a barely perceptible smile.

the lights went fully dark and the show began. as the models strutted down the runway, i found myself only half focusing on the clothes on display. my mind was occupied by drew and the small flirty conversation we had just had.

~~

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azariaraine this weeks pfw was one for the books. so grateful to have been in attendance 🤍!!

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user1 i love you

ayoedebiri does this mean you're coming home
⤷ azariaraine yessss!! very very soon

user2 whyd amo get kicked off pfw?

alexademie divine 🖤

milahaynes beautiful!

~~

‿︵‿︵୨˚̣̣̣͙୧ - - ୨˚̣̣̣͙୧‿︵‿︵

LE BON MARCHÉ
paris, france
8:45pm

alexa and i made our way out of the drivers car and walked towards the building where the afterparty would be held.

the moment we stepped out, flashes of cameras and shouts from paparazzi swarmed us. the paparazzi shouted questions and captured every step we took. alexa and i tried to keep our composure as we moved towards the entrance of the building.

the bouncers checked our invites at the door and let us in. as we walked in, the atmosphere changed instantly. the building was decorated extravagantly for the party, with lavish decorations and dim lighting setting the tone for the night.

the crowd was a mix of fashion designers, models, industry insiders and celebrities. there was a buzz of energy in the air as the guests mingled and socialized. alexa and i navigated through the crowds, searching for familiar faces.

"i see odessa." alexa said in my ear.

i followed her gaze and, sure enough, odessa was standing nearby with a few other models. "do you think she's with drew?" i asked alexa hopefully. my eyes began to scan the crowd for his blonde head.

"i doubt it, remember drew said him and her got in some argument and she left the dinner abruptly." alexa replied with a smirk, clearly enjoying my hopeful attitude.

i let out a sigh of relief, feeling a small weight lift off my shoulders. "then why are you smirking?" i retorted, giving her a slight nudge.

she chuckled and shrugged innocently. "oh, no reason. just enjoying your enthusiasm." her tone was filled with sarcasm, but there was a hint of affection beneath.

i gave her my signature smile before grabbing a hold of her hand and walking towards the bar.

as we approached the bar, i felt a wave of anticipation wash over me. the energy of the party was intoxicating, the music pulsing through the speakers.

we found two available seats at the bar and settled in, ordering a couple of champagne flutes. i couldn't help but keep looking over my shoulder, my eyes scanning the crowd for a glimpse of drew.

as i continued looking, a familiar face appeared. "hey! you two made it!" timothée said as he leaned on the bar counter.

my heart skipped a beat at timothée's appearance. his charismatic presence and charming smile were hard to overlook. i chuckled, taking in his presence. "yeah, we wouldn't miss this party for the world." i replied, giving him a warm smile.

alexa nodded in agreement, her eyes sparkling on him. "definitely not. it's the party of the week." she responded, raising her glass in a mock toast.

timothée chuckled at her comment and turned to order a drink. i took a sip of my champagne, the bubbles tickling my throat as i continued to covertly scan the surroundings for drew.

before i could spot drew, odessa popped up next to me, her voice full of faux cheer. "heyy, zari!" her shrill tone made me turn my attention to her, instantly putting me on guard.

i tried my best to put on a polite smile, ignoring the uneasy feeling in my gut. "hey, odessa." i responded, my voice guarded. alexa raised an eyebrow, clearly sensing the tension in the air.

odessa's face twitched for a brief moment, but she quickly masked it with a forced smile. "you're looking good." she said, her eyes flickering over my outfit. her compliment felt hollow and insincere, like she was sizing me up rather than genuinely complimenting me.

i shrugged off her compliment and took a long sip of my drink. i could feel alexa's gaze on me, silently communicating her support and understanding.

odessa started to speak but alexa cut her off. "i have to use the restroom. azaria, can you come with?" she said as she stood up from the barstool.

i felt a wave of relief wash over me. alexa's cue was a signal to get some distance from odessa and give me some breathing room. i nodded and stood up from my seat, not bothering to respond to odessa though i gave timothée a warm smile.

~~

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celebsightings some familiar faces making their way to prada fashion week's after party!

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user1 alexa and azaria aw

user2 madelyn looks mad af

user3 drew 😍😍

~~

in the bathroom alexa checked to make sure no one was in any of the stalls before speaking. "you good?" she asked, her voice low and understanding.

i let out a sigh as i leaned against the sink. "yeah. just a bit annoyed by odessa. she just has this way of getting under my skin." i explained, the frustration evident in my voice.

"it seems to me like she's just a jealous bitch, zari. she doesn't deserve your energy." alexa said bluntly, her irritation towards odessa on full display.

i couldn't help but let out a weary chuckle at alexa's comment. her straightforwardness was one of the things that drew me to her. "you're right. she isn't worth getting worked up over." i said, taking a deep breath in.

"exactly." she agreed with a firm nod. "besides, there's someone else you should giving your energy to." she said with a sly grin.

my heart skipped a beat at her words, knowing exactly who she was referring to. "drew." i said his name quietly, a mixture of nerves and anticipation coursing through me.

alexa nodded, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "mm hmm." she said, leaning against the sink beside me. "so, are you gonna give him that cue tonight like i told you to?"

i shrugged, "i feel like we were lowkey flirting earlier." i said with a small smile.

alexa chuckled lightly, rolling her eyes at my choice of words. "you mean when i was talking to the designer? that time?"

i nodded. "yeah, then."

she crossed her arms, giving me a knowing look. "that's hardly flirting, z. that was just a casual conversation." her tone held a tinge of amused disbelief.

i huffed lightly, "well, it felt like flirting to me." i retorted defensively, not wanting to concede.

"look," she sighed. "let's think about your exes. timothée for one, how'd that come along?"

i thought about the relationship before speaking, "timothée and i were love interests in bones and all, so it kind of happened naturally." i shrugged.

"okay...what about amo? how'd that come about?" she said before fixing her lipstick in the bathroom mirror.

i shifted on my feet at the mention of amo. "he was bold and came onto me." i said quietly, the memory of him still leaving a bitter taste in my mouth.

"exactly. he was bold." she said pointedly. there was a silent meaning behind her words. she was nudging me to be bold with drew.

i groaned, "fine but i'll need more than whatever champagne we just had."

"that's more like it." alexa said with a smirk, a glimmer of encouragement in her eyes. she knew how to push me just the right amount.

we left the bathroom and made our way back to the bar, ordering a few more glasses of champagne. i needed the liquid courage to get through the next few hours. the party was in full swing now and the atmosphere felt intoxicating.

i scanned the crowd to find drew once again. this time i found him deep in conversation with madelyn cline. their body language seemed casual, just a friendly conversation between two co-stars.

something in me fluttered slightly at the sight of him. his broad shoulders and tall frame exuded a sense of confidence, even in such a casual setting. he laughed at something madelyn said, his head tilting back slightly, the sound echoed through the air, sending tingles down my spine.

alexa tapped my shoulder, bringing me out of my revere. "i'm gonna go talk to zendaya. you gonna be okay?" she asked.

i drew in a shaky breath, trying to compose myself. "yeah, i'll be fine." i replied, my voice coming out steadier than i thought it would. alexa chuckled softly before grabbing her champagne glass and dancing through the crowd, leaving me alone at the bar.

i glanced back over at where drew was standing, his conversation with madelyn still ongoing. i felt a pang of nervousness mixed with anticipation. this was my chance to take alexa's advice and be bold.

i took a few more sips of my champagne, the liquid courage finally flooding through me. i squared my shoulders, setting my empty glass down and took a few purposeful steps in his direction. i could feel my heart thudding against my ribcage as i got closer.

drew's eyes widened slightly when he noticed my approach, a hint of surprise evident on his face. madelyn, too, turned to face me, a polite smile on her lips. "hey, azaria." madelyn greeted with warmth.

"hey madelyn, hey drew." i replied, my voice managing to remain steady. i tried to keep my eyes on them, ignoring the rapid beating of my heart.

"having a good night?" madelyn asked, her casual tone making the conversation seem effortless. drew, however, remained quiet, his gaze locked onto mine.

i responded, "have a great night." i said while doing a small spin, it was definitely the alcohol making me more loose.

"you look like you're having fun." drew finally spoke, his voice as smooth as silk. a ghost of a smile played on his lips as he took in my appearance.

my cheeks heated under the intensity of his watchful gaze. i tried to keep my cool, shrugging lightly. "yeah, it's been... entertaining." i replied, a hint of sass in my voice.

madelyn chuckled, her eyes moving between the two of us, clearly sensing the underlying tension. "bet it has." she said, a knowing smirk on her face before excusing herself to greet a friend.

i turned to drew, our eyes meeting again. his gaze held a hint of challenge, almost like he was daring me to make a move. the air between us felt heavier now that we were alone.

the silence was both comfortable and charged. i took a step closer, bridging the gap between us. "enjoying yourself?" i asked nonchalantly, my eyes never leaving his.

"i am." he replied simply, his eyes flickering with a hint of something deeper. he took a small step even closer, closing our distance to where i could feel his heat radiating off of him. it sent a shiver down my spine.

this was it. that cue. i took a steadying breath, the alcohol fueling my resolve. "you know..." i began, my voice low and sultry. "it's kind of hot in here. i need to get some air."

i didn't miss the subtle change in his expression at my words. a flash of something- desire, maybe? what it was. it passed through his eyes. his voice took on a huskier tone as he responded, "yeah, it is a bit warm. let's head outside."

his agreement sent a wave of relief through me. i nodded and he gestured for me to lead the way. we navigated through the crowd, occasionally brushing up against each other in the tight space. the proximity of his body so close to mine left me craving more.

we finally made it outside, the cool night air greeting us. there was a small balcony area, shielded from the rest of the party by a wall. it was a secluded spot, giving us some much needed privacy.

as we walked onto the balcony, drew shut the door behind us, sealing us in our own little bubble. the distant sounds of the party music and laughter faded into the background. it was just us, under the canopy of the night sky.

"paris is gorgeous." i said as i looked at the view infront of us.

"it really is." drew agreed, his eyes staying on me rather than the cityscape. "it's beautiful, especially at night." his voice held a certain intensity, a magnetic pull that drew me closer to him.

"it's my favorite city in the world..." i said thoughtfully. the lights from the city were lit in the distance, creating a beautiful contrast against the darkness of the night. but suddenly, that city seemed like it was miles away. all my attention was focused on the man standing next to me.

drew leaned against the railing, his eyes still fixed on me. i could feel a magnetic pull between us, a connection that was too strong to ignore. the silence that settled around us was both comforting and charged with anticipation.

i leaned against the railing beside him, turning slightly to face him. his tall frame was even more striking up close. his gaze was unwavering, studying my face with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine.

the tension was palpable in the air. as we stood there, mere inches apart, the electricity between us became almost unbearable. suddenly, without a word, drew moved closer, his eyes still on mine. slowly, he brought his hand to my cheek, his touch gentle yet firm.

without a second thought, i leaned into his touch. the skin to skin contact sent a wave of warmth through my entire being. drew's thumb brushed lightly against my cheekbone, sending tingles down my spine.

his gaze lowered to my lips before he did as well. his breath was warm against my skin as he spoke in a whisper, "can i?" he asked, his voice low and rough with desire.

all i could manage was a nod. i was too lost in that moment, in the heat of his presence, to use my voice.

drew leaned closer, his mouth hovering just above mine. the anticipation of his touch made my heart race, my breath catching in my chest.

finally, his lips met mine. it was a gentle, tentative kiss at first. but that soon changed as a spark ignited within us. with each passing second, the kiss deepened, turning more passionate, more intense.

i wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him impossibly closer to me. i sank into the kiss, losing myself in the moment.

drew's hands moved to my waist, pulling my body flush against his. the feel of his hard muscles against my curves sent sparks racing through me.

his lips moved from my mouth, trailing hot kisses down my jawline and to my neck.

i gasped, tilting my head back, giving him better access. my fingers threaded through his hair, keeping him close.

his mouth against the sensitive skin of my neck was blissful. each kiss sent a bolt of pleasure coursing through me, making me weak in the knees.

he suddenly pulled back, his breathing ragged. my lips were slightly swollen, my cheeks flushed. i looked up at him, my eyes dilated with lust.

he looked at the view of paris and then back at me. his eyes held a mix of desire and something else, something deeper.

his voice was hoarse as he spoke, "i'd be lying if i said i hadn't been wanting to do that since i met you."

his confession was more of a growl, sending a shiver down my spine. i leaned against the railing for support, my legs feeling weak. "really?" i managed to reply, my voice sounding just as breathless as his.

he laughed softly and nodded once, "mm-hm." he hummed.

i smiled and bit my bottom lip, "i'm honored." i said jokingly.

"you should be." he teased, his eyes roaming over my face, taking in every detail.

i rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly and spoke, "so we should get back in there, hm?"

he nodded, his expression somewhat reluctant. neither of us really wanted to go back, but we knew we couldn't stay out here all night.

as we started back inside, he grabbed my hand, intertwining our fingers together. it was such a small gesture, yet it spoke louder than words.

~~

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azariaraine 🖤🖤

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user1 i want a friendship like theirs

user2 love them

milahaynes cuties

user3 🤢

~~

a/n

the moment we've ALL been waiting for