"Say what?" Max asked, stunned about the sudden news Mr. Richfield just gave them over dinner time. 

"There will be no elimination night this week." Mr. Richfield repeated under a sigh. The news made all the ladies had grins all over their places and clapped. "But-there is always a but..."

"Of course there is." Casey murmured.

"You three are attending an evening party. Not just any party, it'll be a very important event for Ian and of course, for you."

"A party? A very important event? Who will be there anyway?" Max voiced out.

"You will see this Saturday. More information will be given to you about the outfits and other matters. Good evening, ladies." He then left leaving the girls looking at each other wondering.

"Maybe the president's going to be there." Casey said, pulling the sheets towards her chest before putting on her eye mask.

Max raised both her shoulders. "Is Ian really that important to have the president come over to that "important event." She said with a gesture of her fingers. 

"Maybe some important people in the business perhaps?" Casey guessed again.

"Maybe." She said as she sat beside Casey and spaced out for a while. "Hey Casey."

"What is it?"

"I'm just wondering if-if one of us got chosen would each of us be fine with it?"

There was a pause before Casey gave her answer. "You know, while you were away with Ian, Emilia and I had a talk about that."

Max looked at Casey who laid still on the bed. "Really? Well, what did you two say?"

"I said, I'll be fine with it since it's you two. You know what Emilia said?"

"What?"

Casey said in a slow and sleepy manner. "She said she agreed with me. She said she'll be fine if it's not her who gets chosen by Ian. She said she completely understand who's Ian's going to decide."

"Why? Why is that?" Max shook Casey's shoulder. But Casey was already fast asleep and Max didn't bother to wake her up anymore. She lied on the bed and pulled the sheets, covering her shoulders and stared at the ceiling and wondered what could Emilia have said that day.

"Say what now?" Max was once again stunned at the outfit that should be worn at the ball.

"The theme is gold and black, dear Max." Mr. Richfield repeated. "We have outfits readied for you by tomorrow. Hair and make up as well, ladies. Wit that, I'll leave you now."

"Wait, Mr. Richfield." Max called him out.

"What is it?"

"Who are the people that would possibly come at the formal event?"

Mr. Richfield smiled at her. "You'll see." 

As Saturday night comes, the three ladies were called out from their rooms to prepare themselves for the formal event. They were lead to a room where large mirrors were placed, large boxes that are filled with make up tools. There were also gowns of different designs hanged at the corner of the room. But what Max was surprised about wasn't those things but the people inside it that are running in errands and sometimes calling someone to aid them. Everyone was so busy that it made Max wondered how important this party really is.

"Max Bronx? Max Bronx! Come here we need to get you dressed." One female crew approached her and lead her to her spot, hurriedly. "Imelda, she's short haired so no need to do so much with this one. Maybe spray it-"

"Yes. Yes. " Imelda said, looking at Max through the mirror, focusing her eyes on her through her glasses.

"That would be great. For the face-she has a youthful face."

"Yes. Her eyes are beautiful so let's high light on that. What do you think, Patricia?"

Patricia nodded her head, not taking her eyes away from Max. "Yes. Yes. You're in safe hands with Imelda, Max Bronx, so no need to worry." She said, patting Max shoulders before she left them to call out another crew.

"Busy huh?" Max said, under her breath.

"We are. We are." She said, as she started to open her kit full of make up tools. Max has never seen such a set so many. "Now, I'll have to pluck your brows. They look so said-untrimmed and abandoned."

Max let out a nervous chuckle. "I have't done anything to my face for quite a long time. I haven't really pampered myself-"

"Too busy?" She asked as she raised Max's chin and angled it side by side.

"That's right."

Imelda reached for the tweezers. "Don't have a man to do it for you, eh?"

"All the man I've been with hasn't done a half of what I do everyday. It's way better to not depend myself to them."

"Tell me about it." She said as she pulled one of the brows. 

Max flinched. "Y-yeah?"

She ignored Max and continued to pull another brow. "Uhuh. That's the reason why I broke up with my ex husband. Useless pig. Always up on the couch on the day and drunk at night." She clicked her tongue and shook her head.

"What made you finally end your marriage anyway?" Max flinched again and tightly shut her eyes.

"Ha. He came one night drunk and haven't found food at our table. He was so mad at me for not making dinner with him. Said it's what women do. He was so mad that he struck me at my cheek."

"No."

"Yeah. That pig did. That was it. I got my two kids with me, left the house and went to my mother."

"That's really brave of you."

"I sure am. My life changed ever since. That dark part of me before I left it. Everything and started with a new pace of my life. It's never too late. And look where I am now. A make up artist." She said, with a smile on her face and looked at Max through the mirror. 

"That's-that's great."

"All right ladies! Please head towards the limo." Mr. Richfield called out the three ladies. Casey was the one who went out first with a cap sleeve gold glittered long dress with a backless design. Her hair was waxed by the side with a diamond pin; earrings in dangling diamonds. 

Emilia went out next with a mermaid style black dress with gold applique which showed her curves beautifully. Her flaming red hair flowed at the right side with a diamond pin. Everyone in the room couldn't hardly take their eyes off of her.

And lastly Max went out with a metallic gold lace in a tulle evening gown.  She had a diamond headband on her hair; her earrings were in simple diamonds. She walked slowly, in fear that she might trip with her 6 inch heels (since she is a petite woman).

"Looking great, ladies." Mr. Richfield smiled at them as they went one by one to the limo.

"This is rather exciting, isn't it? I mean, the thrill of meeting those important people at the party." Casey clasped her hands together, excitedly.

"Not really a problem for you two since this is your life. The pressure's on me." Max sighed as she looked at the city streets. But Emiliia placed her hand on top of her, trying to ease Max's nervousness.

"If you're worried that you get judged by people just because you're from the Bronx, don't be. Just be yourself-that's what we love about you anyway. Just Max from the Bronx." She said it with a smile and Max felt calm and relaxed again. 

"Thanks, Em."

As they reached the location of the party, one by one, the ladies stepped out of the limo and found themselves looking at a large mansion. Max was awed at the beauty of its grandeur of a European designed villa. 

"I think I know who we are meeting tonight." Emilia said as her eyes began to widen.

"Me, too." Casey said under her breath. Max was clueless at what the two are talking about.

"What? Who owns this place anyway?"

Both Casey and Emilia looked at her-both eyes widen. "The Montgomerys."