As we entered Ren's atelier, the room fell silent. The atmosphere was charged with awe and anticipation. All eyes were drawn to the center of the room, where the masterpiece of Ren's latest collection stood on display. The dress, with its sky-blue hue and intricate lacework, seemed to emanate an otherworldly aura.
There was a collective gasp as we took in the sight. Even Richard and Cain, who were not typically prone to speechlessness, were momentarily at a loss for words. The beauty of Ren's creation had captured everyone's attention, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still.
Ren, with a gleam of pride in his eyes, motioned towards the changing room. He handed suits to Richard and Cain, directing them to prepare for the gala. Then, with an excited glimmer, he beckoned me closer to his working station.
I approached, feeling a sense of anticipation building within me. Ren was meticulous in his craft, and I knew that his attention to detail would make the experience of wearing his creation truly extraordinary. As I stood before him, he began his artistry, carefully applying makeup and styling my hair with delicate precision.
Each stroke of his brush and every twist of a curl was done with an unwavering focus. It was as if Ren was weaving his magic, transforming me into a living canvas. I couldn't help but marvel at his dedication and skill, knowing that he poured his heart into every aspect of his work.
Finally, as Ren stepped back to admire his masterpiece, a satisfied smile graced his lips. He looked at me with a mixture of pride and excitement, knowing that his creation had evoked the desired effect. I met his gaze in the mirror, feeling a surge of gratitude and privilege.
In that reflection, I saw the culmination of Ren's artistry and my role as his muse. The dress, like a celestial symphony, enveloped me in its beauty, accentuating my every curve and movement. I knew that together, we would captivate the gala attendees, leaving an indelible impression of grace and elegance.
As I stood there, adorned in Ren's creation, I couldn't help but feel a profound sense of purpose. I was more than just a wearer of the dress; I was an extension of Ren's vision, breathing life into his art. It was an honor I cherished, and I knew that the night ahead would be a symphony of beauty and enchantment.
As I turned to Ren and inquired about the name of the dress, his eyes shimmered with delight. "Celestial Serenade," he replied, his voice filled with a sense of reverence. The name resonated within me as if the very essence of the gown came alive with its melody. I felt privileged to be part of this ethereal creation, where fabric and fantasy intertwined.
I braced myself to unveil the captivating beauty of the Celestial Serenade. But to my surprise, Ren had added a unique twist to this already stunning creation. He had ingeniously paired the dress with a custom-made pair of beautiful sneakers, also his own creation. The combination of elegance and comfort was a stroke of genius.
As I slipped my feet into those custom sneakers, I couldn't help but appreciate Ren's thoughtfulness. Perhaps he anticipated the long hours ahead, with the Gala followed by a stand-up after-party. He wanted to ensure that my feet would remain comfortable throughout the night. Or maybe, in his artistic vision, he simply didn't want me to compromise the grandeur of his creation by sitting down and resting my feet. Whatever the reason, I was grateful for the elegant sneakers that would save me from the agony of high heels.
With each step I took, I felt a sense of lightness and ease. The sneakers, adorned with intricate details that echoed the celestial theme of the dress, seamlessly merged comfort and style. It was a testament to Ren's talent and his ability to create beauty in unexpected ways.
Ren signaled to the others that we were ready to depart for the gala. As I stepped out, I noticed the surprise on Richard and Cain's faces. Their eyes widened their expressions a mix of admiration and astonishment. The Celestial Serenade commanded attention, capturing the essence of a starlit symphony.
Before I could take my first step, Cain extended his hand toward me with a genuine smile. "May I have the honor of escorting you?" he asked, his words carrying a touch of whimsy. It might have sounded cheesy to some, but at that moment, I appreciated the gesture. The dress flowed gracefully around me, its length requiring a moment of adjustment. I didn't want to risk tripping and injuring this flawless piece of art.
As we entered the grand hall of the Gala, Ren stood proudly by my side, a beaming smile on his face. The flash of cameras illuminated the room as we posed for photographs, capturing the magic of the moment. The Celestial Serenade seemed to come alive under the shimmering lights, its intricate details and ethereal hues captivating the lens and the hearts of those who beheld it.
With Ren by my side, his presence as powerful as his creations, I felt a surge of confidence and grace. We navigated through the crowd, effortlessly weaving through the sea of elegantly dressed guests. All eyes were on us as we glided across the room, the Celestial Serenade commanding attention and admiration at every turn.
As the music filled the air and laughter echoed through the hall, I allowed myself to immerse into the joyous atmosphere. With each dance and every shared laughter, I connected with the guests, forging new friendships and creating cherished memories. The weight of the past seemed to dissipate, replaced by the vibrant energy of the present.
I swayed to the rhythm of the music, the Celestial Serenade embracing my movements like a celestial symphony. The dress whispered tales of stardust and dreams, while the elegant sneakers carried me effortlessly across the dance floor. I laughed and twirled, feeling a sense of liberation and pure bliss.
At that moment, surrounded by the enchantment of the Gala, I realized the power of Ren's creations. They weren't just beautiful garments; they were conduits of emotions and stories. Through his artistry, Ren had given me wings to fly, to dance, and to revel in the beauty of life.
Not directly related to the chapter, but I'm curious to know: If you were to describe yourself as a musical instrument, which one would you choose, and why? I'm looking forward to your answer. Please feel free to share your thoughts.
The music filled the air as the Gala shifted into full swing. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement and the energy of the guests. After the successful photo shoot with Ren, I found myself drawn towards the crowd, eager to experience the vibrant ambiance. Katy was approaching me with a mischievous grin. "Haze, I need to interview you and Ren about his latest collection, the 'Celestial Symphony.' It's absolutely breathtaking, and everyone is dying to know more about the inspiration behind it." Ren and I knew Katy for a while, we bumps at each other almost every event Ren brought me. So it was hard to not know her and her character is usually comfortable to be with so you can say that we are friends. I chuckled, appreciating Katy's enthusiasm. "Of course, I'd be happy to talk about Ren's incredible work. Lead the way." We made our way to a quieter corner of the venue, where Ren was surrounded by a small group of admirers. Katy cleared her throat, signaling for attention. "Ladies and ge
Haze's dress for the gala was a breathtaking creation in a mesmerizing sky-blue hue. The gown gracefully cascaded down to the floor, exuding an air of elegance and sophistication. Its flowing silhouette accentuated Haze's slender figure, hugging her curves in all the right places. Adorned with delicate diamond embellishments, the dress shimmered and sparkled as if reflecting the starry night sky. The diamonds formed intricate patterns along the bodice, adding a touch of glamour and capturing the light with every movement. One of the most captivating features of the dress was its unique cape-like design. The ethereal fabric cascaded down from the shoulders, creating a sense of grace and mystery. The sheer material gently billowed behind Haze as she moved, adding a touch of enchantment to her every step. The dress was carefully crafted to accentuate Haze's slim waistline, drawing attention to her toned belly. It showcased her figure with grace and confidence, highlighting her natural
As the night grew late and the exhaustion from dancing started to set in, Katy and I sought solace on the couch. It was a surprising connection we had formed as if we had been friends for ages. Laughter filled the air, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort in Katy's presence. As I glanced around the room, my eyes searching for any sign of Haze, Katy's voice broke through the moment. "If you're looking for Haze, I think she's already made her way home. You know how she is, always slipping out of parties without anyone noticing," she said, with a hint of admiration in her voice. I nodded, realizing that Katy seemed to understand Haze in a way I hadn't expected. "Seems like you know Haze quite well," I remarked, feeling a touch of envy creeping in. Katy giggled, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "Oh, is that a hint of jealousy I detect?" she playfully teased, clearly enjoying the effect she was having on me. Flustered, I tried to brush off the notion. "Jealous? Why would I b
After the gala, I found myself buried in work, trying to catch up on all the tasks that had piled up during the event. With Ren taking a break from attending events, it meant a break for me as well. The success of Celestial Symphony had brought a wave of attention, with Katy's article capturing the essence of the gala and the presence of renowned fashion icons. Amidst the whirlwind, I stumbled upon a picture of myself from that night. It was as if I were looking at a completely different person, adorned with elegance and confidence. It reminded me of the transformative power of fashion and how it can bring out various aspects of one's personality. Interestingly, one noticeable change since the gala was Richard's attitude. He seemed to have become less persistent about me eating vegetables, perhaps understanding that everyone has their own preferences of likes and dislikes. However, his enthusiasm for tomatoes remained unchanged, still insist on them being the best fruit or vegetable,
After the Gala, I couldn't help but notice that Haze seemed busier than ever before. As if she was trying to get buried under her work to hide from something. There was a sense of urgency in her actions. She looks pale and tired, and concerned for her well-being, I often insisted that she should eat tomatoes. The fresh tomatoes from my family's farm were delivered from my home. Meanwhile, an unexpected event occurred between me and Katy. We began to grow closer, forging a friendship that surpassed my initial expectations. We found ourselves chatting regularly, engaging in lively conversations, and even talking on the phone almost every day. Katy's energy and enthusiasm were infectious, and I found comfort in her presence. Her articles, filled with captivating stories and accompanied by impressive photography, never failed to catch my interest. In fact, she even shared a few pictures from the Gala, including one where I was sitting near the bar, as well as stunning captures of Ren's ex
As I stepped into our apartment after the delightful date with Katy, a sense of calmness enveloped me. The evening had gone well, and I couldn't help but feel a growing connection with her. But a chilling scream pierced through the air, sending shivers down my spine. The sound was unmistakably Haze's voice, filled with terror and anguish. Without a second thought, I dropped everything and rushed toward her room, my heart pounding with concern. Reaching their room, my worries intensified as I found the door slightly ajar. I pushed it open gently, my worry growing with each passing second. It was unusual for Haze to leave their room unlocked, especially considering the importance they placed on personal space. There, in the dimly lit room, I saw Haze on her bed, her body trembling and tears streaming down her face. It was evident that she was having a terrible nightmare. She was crying out in her dreams, her voice filled with desperation, 'Don't die, Ricky. Please don't leave me alone.
"Hey, Ricky," I greeted my brother in our usual manner as he sat on the sofa, engrossed in watching the news. "Hey, my sunshine, what's your plan for today?" he asked, his voice filled with the warmth and familiarity that I had grown to love. "I think I'll stay at home and work," I replied, feeling a sense of contentment wash over me. I didn't want anything to disrupt this happiness. "In that case, I'll go grocery shopping. Let's have dinner together and invite Ren over," Ricky suggested, a wide smile stretching across his face. There was a part of me that sensed something wasn't right, urging me to stop him. But I couldn't say a single word to express my concerns, and my body felt frozen in place. Ricky looked at me, his eyes filled with love, and said, "I'll be back." As the door closed behind him, I heard the screeching sound of a car followed by a deafening crash and someone's scream. In that moment, I cried out, "Don't die, Ricky. Please don't leave me alone," my voice echoing t
“Who would have imagined that I would see the last of my most precious and important person on that fateful day? It was a day of rain that later turned into storm. My brother, Ricky, was ecstatic to introduce me to his partner, Ren. Little did I know that by "partner," Ricky meant a life partner rather than a business associate. Ricky had always been a bit different from others, but in my eyes, that made us inseparable siblings, close friends, partners in crime, and the only family we had left.”“According to rumors at the orphanage where we grew up, our parents divorced and left us there to start new lives. I was only three years old at the time, so I have no recollection of our parents' faces. However, Ricky was always there for me. Our lives at the orphanage were far from ideal, but Ricky constantly reminded me that it could have been worse.”“When Ricky turned 18 and left the orphanage, he made a promise to come back for me when I reached the same age. Two years later, true to his
The sky was beginning to burn gold as I returned to Carter farm, painting the fields with a warm haze that clung to the treetops. The walk back was quiet, except for the crunch of gravel beneath my boots and the occasional rustle of wind in the wheat.I spotted Henry near the barn, struggling with an old wooden wagon. One of the wheels had come loose, and the frame leaned to one side, looking as tired as the man working on it.“You need a hand?” I called out, already rolling up my sleeves.Henry looked up, surprised—but not displeased. “You don’t mind gettin’ your hands dirty, missy?”I smiled. “Not if the wagon minds getting fixed by a city girl.”Henry chuckled under his breath. “Well, I’ll be the judge of that.”I knelt down beside him, reaching for the tools. As we fixing the wagon “Seems like you could use an extra pair of hands more often,” I said.Henry: “What makes you think that?”I shrugged, because it was obvious. “You don’t look like the kind of guy who likes asking for he
I stepped away from the barn, pressing my phone to my ear. The wind was cooler out here, brushing past my skin like a warning.“Katy?” I answered, already sensing the edge in her voice.“Hey,” she said, her tone clipped. “You didn’t text back last night.”“I was with my family,” I said calmly. “And… Haze. I was showing her around Fairbook.”There was a pause. “Right. Her again.”I sighed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”“Nothing,” she replied too quickly. “It’s just… I thought this was your family trip. But it feels like you're spending more time with her than with me.”I rubbed the bridge of my nose. “Katy, she is planning a company event. And she don’t know anyone around here. I can’t exactly ignore her.”“I’m not asking you to ignore her, Richard. But she’s always there. Even when we’re together in the city, somehow she’s around—at home, in your drafts, in your head.”That last one landed sharper than I expected.I exhaled. “She’s my roommate. And a model under Tyto. I can’t preten
The silence that followed her confirmation wasn't awkward—it was… reverent.I had always imagined the person behind those precise, no-nonsense instructions to be older. Harsher. Someone who wore a mask of strategy without warmth. Someone whose power came from detachment.But it was her.Haze.The woman I watched command attention at board meetings and disappear behind curated smiles. The one who walked through chaos like it was choreography. The one I had grown to admire—slowly, quietly—and eventually, without control.And now I knew.She wasn’t just the face of the company. She was its pulse.I looked at her again—not the same way I did before, not as the model, not even as the woman who had once entered the boardroom to tip the scales—but as the leader who had trusted me enough to carry her instructions, knowing I never knew who she was.“You’re not angry?” she asked, reading my silence as uncertainty.“No,” I answered immediately, surprising both of us.Because I wasn’t.There was
The boardroom was sterile, cold, and too quiet—exactly the kind of silence that preceded war. I sat at the long, polished table, eyes calmly scanning the room as the first few shareholders trickled in. Same faces. Same pattern. Routine.At least, until he walked in.The door creaked open and in strolled Maximillian Duval like he owned the floor beneath him. Confidence clung to him like a tailored suit—sharp, calculated, and impossible to ignore. His presence bent the atmosphere, drawing attention like a magnet. I didn’t react. I didn’t need to. But I braced myself.He wasn’t here for observation. He was here to dominate.The meeting began in its usual rhythm—Howard leading, a few figures nodding, reports flying back and forth. I listened, contributed when necessary, all while maintaining the composure expected of me. For months, I had represented Tyto Corp in public, acting as the face of leadership while answering quietly to someone behind the scenes—someone I only knew through sharp
I woke up early the next morning, feeling surprisingly rested. The sounds of birds chirping and the gentle rustle of wind outside the window had a calming effect on me. It was so peaceful here, so different from the constant hum of the city.As I made my way downstairs, the smell of freshly baked bread and sizzling bacon greeted me. The farmhouse kitchen was warm, with a rustic charm that made me feel oddly at ease.Martha was already busy at the stove, her hands moving expertly as she prepared breakfast. She seemed so at home here, as if this kitchen were an extension of herself.“Good morning,” I said softly, stepping into the room.Martha turned to smile at me. “Morning, Haze. You’re up early.” She continued stirring the pot on the stove without breaking a sweat.I smiled and moved toward the counter. “I’ve always been an early riser. Looks like a great breakfast.”“You must have been raised right, then,” she teased, glancing over her shoulder at me. “Not many people these days kno
The drive from the airport to the Carter farm was a long one, but I didn’t mind. It had been years since I last came home, and the closer we got, the more memories started resurfacing. The familiar stretch of land, the scent of freshly plowed soil, the sight of the wide-open fields that seemed to go on forever—this was home.And now, Haze was about to see it too.When the car pulled into the long dirt driveway, I stole a glance at her. She didn’t say anything at first, just stared out the window, taking it all in.The Carter house stood tall at the end of the road, a grand old farmhouse with wide porches wrapping around both floors. Its white wooden siding had weathered decades of wind and sun, but it still stood strong, just like my family. A massive barn stood a little farther off, next to the pastures where cattle and horses grazed. Endless fields stretched behind the house, golden from the late afternoon sun, swaying gently in the breeze.Haze finally spoke.“This is… bigger than
The morning had been a whirlwind of finalizing reports, answering emails, and ensuring that everything at Tyto was running smoothly in my absence. As much as I trusted Howard to handle things, a part of me always felt uneasy stepping away—even if just for a month.By the time I was ready to leave for the airport, my mind was buzzing with numbers, schedules, and business strategies. But the moment I stepped out of the building and saw Richard leaning against the car, something shifted.He looked… different. A little tense. A little lost in thought.“You good?” I asked, tossing my bag into the backseat as I slid into the car.Richard blinked, then scoffed. “What? Yeah, of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”I narrowed my eyes. That was not his usual, easygoing response. But before I could dig into it, he turned up the music and started driving, shutting down further questioning.Fine. I had other things to think about.~ At the Airport ~After checking in our luggage, Richard excused himself to
The morning had been a blur. I woke up to a flood of emails, some from publishers, some from writers I had been beta-reading for, and a couple from my agent reminding me about my next deadline. But my mind wasn’t on work—it was still trying to process the fact that I was going home.I hadn’t planned to go back to Fairbook. Not yet. But when Haze mentioned the location of Tyto’s upcoming event, the decision had already been made before I could think twice. The moment I saw her hesitation about staying alone in an unfamiliar place, the words left my mouth:“You could stay at my home.”I leaned against the car, checking my emails as a distraction, until the sound of the door opening pulled me out of my head.“You good?” Haze asked, tossing her bag into the backseat as she slid in.I blinked, momentarily thrown off. “What? Yeah, of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”She narrowed her eyes like she wasn’t buying it. But before she could dig deeper, I turned up the music and pulled onto the road. N
I tossed my keys onto the counter and sank onto the couch, my mind still turning over what had just happened. Fairbook. Of all places, Haze was heading to my hometown—and she hadn’t even known I was from there.I should’ve expected that. She was sharp when it came to her job, but details about people? Sometimes, those slipped right past her. Still, the thought of her in Fairbook, in my home, was… strange. And, if I was being honest, a little amusing.I pulled out my phone and dialed home. It barely rang once before an excited voice picked up.“RICHARD!”I winced, pulling the phone away from my ear. “Jesus, Emily, volume.”“**You finally decided to call, huh? What’s the occasion? You miss me? Of course, you do—”“Emily.” I cut her off before she could launch into one of her usual monologues. “I’m coming home tomorrow.”Silence. Then—“WHAT?”I sighed, already regretting making this call. “I have a work thing. Tyto Group is hosting an agricultural event, and we’ll be there for a month.