Free Web NovelChapter 77: The runway show II
One by one, the models followed. Each dress was better than the last. There were bright silks, delicate lace, and sharp, modern designs. Original designs they had never seen before.
Xavier stood at the side of the stage, watching the girls keep their perfect, proud walk.
As the show was nearing it’s end, Sarah ran over to Lyvana, her face pale. She leaned in close and whispered so the others wouldn’t hear.
"Ms. Lyvana, we have a problem," Sarah said, her voice shaking. "The final gown — the one for the grand finale — it’s missing from its rack."
Lyvana felt a cold chill run down her spine.
Just then Marco and another security man arrived at the backstage entrance. They were holding a young model by her arms, and she was looking down at the floor, her face pale.
In her large satchel bag, the security guards found the missing gown.
Lyvana stepped forward, her eyes flashing with anger. She reached into the bag and pulled out the delicate fabric. Her heart nearly stopped. The beautiful gown was crumpled into a ball, but luckily, it wasn’t torn.
She looked at the model for a second before turning to Marco.
"Marco, keep her locked up," Lyvana said coldly. "We will deal with her after the show."
Then, her expression softened for just a moment as she looked at him. "It’s good to see you again, Marco."
Marco nodded firmly, his grip tightening on the girl’s arm. "I never left ma’am."
As they led the crying girl out, Emily grabbed Lyvana’s arm. "The grand finale is in five minutes, Lyvana. The dress is a mess. Do we have time to steam it!"
"We can try." She grabbed the gown and rushed it to the heavy worktable in the center of the room. "Jacky, get the portable steamer! Sarah, I need the silk spray and the fine-tooth brush — now!"
The team moved like a whirlwind. Lyvana spread the dress out flat, her fingers flying over the delicate fabric. It wasn’t torn, but the deep creases made the expensive silk look cheap.
"We only have three minutes!" Emily said as Jacky turned on the steamer.
"Then we work for three minutes," Lyvana said firmly. She took the steamer and began to blow hot, wet air over the skirt. She watched as the wrinkles slowly melted away under her touch.
Sarah sprayed the silk to bring back its natural shine. Lyvana didn’t stop, even when a drop of hot water burned her finger. She kept her eyes on the clock.
With sixty seconds left, the dress was smooth and glowing again. Lyvana turned to their top model who was standing nearby.
"Get into this dress," Lyvana said. "You’re closing the show."
The model nodded and stepped into the gown. Lyvana zipped it up with a sharp click. She adjusted the shoulders and fluffed out the train. The dress looked perfect — as if it had never been stuffed into a bag.
"Go," Lyvana whispered, giving the girl a gentle push toward the bright lights of the stage.
One by one, all the other models came back out. They formed a long, beautiful line that sparkled under the bright lights.
The crowd grew quiet and held its breath.
Then, Lyvana stepped out from the right side of the sstag, followed by Lucille.The room was suddenly filled with loud cheering and applause. People stood up from their seats to honor the beautiful original designs.
Lyvana looked directly at the front row. She saw the fashion president smiling and nodding. Relief flodded her. He was a hard man to please.
The after-party was loud and full of life.
The waiters moved through the crowd with trays of drinks and appetizers. The room was filled with the sound of laughter and clicking cameras. Everyone wanted to talk to the star of the night.
Lyvana stood with her grandmother and Mark. The fashion president had already told her the show was a masterpiece. Wealthy guests were already asking how to buy her dresses.
The editor of Vogue Italia had set up their interview for the following day and reserved ten pages for her designs in the next edition.
Nearby, she saw Clarisse looking miserable. Things were not going her way for once. For the first time, Lyvana felt like she had truly won.
As the night went on, the noise and the heat began to tire her out. She felt a bit dizzy from her pregnancy and the long day. She stepped away from the crowd to find a quiet corner and a glass of water.
Suddenly, she felt a firm hand on her arm. Someone was stopping her.
Lyvana froze. She turned her head slowly.
She expected to see a reporter or maybe Mark. Instead, she looked into a pair of dark, intense eyes.
It was Julian.
The color drained from Lyvana’s face instantly and her heart began to hammer against her ribs.
"Lyvana," he said quietly. "Can we talk alone for a minute?"
Lyvana led him into the dressing room at the back.
"I only agreed to see you to tank you," she said. "Marco told me you found out about the model and ordered them to keep watch over her."
Julian nodded. "You look beautiful."
"What do you want Julian. Shouldn’t you be home with your wife right now?"
"If you just let me explain? I had an accident, and itlost my memories. I couldn’t remember who you were. But just yesterday bits and pieces started coming back to me."
Lyvana clapped her hands. "Is that the best you could come up with?"
"It’s the truth my love."
"Don’t call me that," she said just as a wave of dizziness hit her. She felt the room begin to spin.
She leaned slightly against a clothing rack to steady herself.
"Are you alright?" Julian asked looking concerned.
"I am fine," Lyvana snapped, though her voice was weak.
Before he could answer, the heavy curtain at the entrance of the dressing area swung open. Emily rushed in, her eyes glued to a clipboard.
She didn’t see Julian standing in the shadows behind the tall rack of navy gowns. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
"Lyvana! You need to sit down right now," Emily said urgently, not seeing Julian. "I just talked to the caterer. I told them to bring more of that ginger broth. You haven’t eaten enough, and with the baby needing so much energy, you’re going to faint if you aren’t careful."
Emily finally looked up and froze when she saw the tall, dark figure standing inches away from Lyvana.
Julian’s hand dropped from Lyvana’s arm. He stood perfectly still, his eyes widening as Emily’s words echoed in his mind.
With the baby needing so much energy.
He looked down at Lyvana’s stomach, then back up at her pale face.
"The baby?" Julian whispered, his voice trembling. "Are you pregnant? Is it mine?"
Lyvana felt a wave of coldness wash over her. How could he ask her if the baby was his? She stood up straight, ignoring the dizziness in her head.
"The baby is Mark’s," Lyvana said. her voice was sharp and clear. "It has nothing to do with you, Julian. Now, leave me the hell alone. Forever."
Julian stepped back as if she had punched him. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.
Just then, Mark stepped through the curtain. He walked right over to Lyvana and wrapped an arm around her waist.
"Is this man bothering you, darling?" Mark asked, looking at Julian.
Lyvana didn’t flinch. She leaned into Mark, even though it made her skin crawl. She needed Julian to believe the lie. She needed him to stay away from her and her child.
"No," Lyvana said coldly. "He was just leaving."
Without looking back at Julian’s broken expression, Lyvana turned and walked out of the room with Mark and Emily. Although her heart felt like it was shattering into a thousand pieces.
