Read Online Model Menace 2 by Carolyn Keene - Free Book Online

like the producers are spending an awful lot to get this special.”
    Syd shrugged. “It seems that way to you and me, but in television, this is just a drop in the bucket,” she explained. “It’s still much cheaper for them to produce than scripted television. And they’re expecting great ratings, since Vic is so popular.”
    Hmmm. I leaned back on the sofa, thinking this over. So Ellie really had no motive to stop the wedding—not like it had seemed particularly likely in the first place. That left Dragon, Akinyi, and Pandora.
    One down, three to go.
     
     
    “But what do you really think?” Syd asked us all three hours later, casting an annoyed glance at the cameraman. We were at our last bridal store, and Syd was on her last dress, a champagne-colored, mermaid-shaped gown that had a bodice dripping with heavy, sparkling beads. Hans had just verified with the shop owner that this gown could be ready by Saturday—and in Syd’s size.
    “I think…I think…it’s nice,” Ellie said nervously, glancing over at the camera. Everyone seemed uncomfortable speaking up. This dress seemed to be the total opposite of what Syd was looking for—but it was here, and it was the only passable dress we’d seen that could be ready for the wedding in two days.
    Syd sighed, looking in the mirror again. “You don’t think it makes me look too old?” she asked.
    Nobody answered.
    “Mom?” Syd prodded.
    Ellie sighed, shaking her head. “Oh, Sydney,” she said wearily, “don’t you like it? It’s your opinion that matters.”
    We were all tired at the end of the day, and it seemed to me that almost everyone was a little on edge. Personally, I thought the dress did look old on Syd, but I didn’t want to say anything in case she liked it, or her mother liked it. I figured their opinions were more important.
    Syd turned back around and looked right at Akinyi, who was examining her fingernails, looking bored.
    “Akinyi,” Syd said in a pointed tone. “Wasn’t there something you wanted to do here? Something…wacky?”
    Akinyi looked up and met Syd’s eyes. Immediately, I saw something pass between them—some kind of understanding. “Oh, um, yes!” Akinyi replied. “I, um, I…” She trailed off, looking around the room. Then suddenly she looked back at Syd. “I challenge you to a dress-off!”
    Syd broke into a grin. “A dress-off?” she asked. “And what’s that?”
    Akinyi stood, seeming to be working something out in her own head. “It means I’ll try on some dresses,” she replied, “and we’ll see who looks better!” She began walking toward the main showroom. “I just need to find some dresses that suit me!”
    On her way out, she glanced at Donald and Hans and cleared her throat loudly. Donald gave Hans a pointed look, gesturing to the cameraman. “Hans?” he asked.
    Hans thought for a minute, then sighed and nodded. “Yes, let’s get this,” he agreed. The three then followed Akinyi out into the showroom, followed by the sound man.
    Syd turned back to all of us. “Okay,” she said. “What do you really think?”
    We all looked at each other, surprised.
    “It does look kind of old, Syd,” Bess admitted.
    “Yeah,” agreed Pandora.
    Deb nodded, lips pursed. “I hate to criticize your taste, Syd,” she said, giggling nervously, “but…um…”
    Syd sighed, abruptly unzipping the dress and stepping out of it. “No, you’re absolutely right,” she agreed. “This isn’t the dress I want to get married in.” She grabbed the simple wrap dress she’d worn that day and slipped it on.
    “But Syd,” Ellie said, her eyes full of sympathy, “what will you do? What dress will you get married in? I can’t believe we didn’t find something today.”
    Syd shrugged. “I don’t know, Mom. I just have to believe something will work out. If I don’t find another bridal gown, well—” She grinned. “—I guess I’ll just marry Vic in my old bathrobe. It’s not the dress that’s