로그인The ride home was quiet for some minutes. Damien drove with one hand on the wheel, the other resting on Ava's thigh like it belonged there, reason for the silence because Ava was about to melt.She felt hot for some reason too, but she only drank a few glasses of wine at the launch."You were incredible tonight," Damien said, still focused on the road, his voice was low.Ava turned her head toward the window, smiling to herself. "You made most of the arrangements.""Nope…I just made sure you didn't have to deal with any distractions. You made all the dresses that appeared on the runway, you did it all." he replied.She looked at him then."The Zendaya’s bow was a nice touch," he added"That was Zendaya's idea actually.""It still reflects you," he said simply as he pulled into the compound and cut the engine, neither of them moved immediately. Ava couldn't because Damien’s hand were on her thighs and he was tracing in invisible lines…the car suddenly felt too hot for both of them and
The evening had softened into its quieter hours. The runway was done, the looks had been seen and the applause had settled. The music was lower now and the crowd had thinned pleasantly, leaving behind few people who wanted to spend more time at the cool bar.The Cole's had left, Ava's parents too and April went with them. Ava was busy connecting with the top celebrities that walked on her runway and a lot of them were already begging her to be their personal designer…Zendaya was beside her though and she helped her voice out that her brand will only be taking legal contracts not based on favours, Ava smiled while agreeing with what she said, but she was also on the lookout for Damien who was making sure the hall was taken care and putting some final orders for Ava not to be disturbed throughout the following week. Ava didn't know that's what he was doing, she was just waiting for him to take her home as she was already tired. Lauren did talk with Ava during the event but Victor made
Finally…after weeks of sleepless nights and hardwork, the day was finally here. It was like a dream come true for Ava, who would believe that within the timeframe of months she'd be launching her international fashion line with top notch celebrities as her models.The venue had been transformed to something that can only be found in a fairytale. Ivory and gold started from the entrance to the far wall, the kind of arrangement that looked effortless only because the person behind it had spent months making sure it would and she had a supportive husband who outdid himself. The runway cut through the centre of the space like a spine, lit from above with a warmth that made every colour richer and every silhouette cleaner. Round tables dressed in white linen sat either side and the chairs were already filling with the kind of guests that would make the news of her launching reach different countries all round the world.Backstage, Ava stood in front of the mirror and took a long breath."
[KnightTech Empire]The building made a statement of itself…with walls made of glass and steel arranged aesthetically. The lobby was wide and high-ceilinged, the reception desk curved while the staffs moved with the brisk certainty of people who knew exactly what they were there for.April walked in like it wasn't her first time. She was dressed simply, dark trousers and a fitted top with her hair pulled back. She had spent the morning not overthinking it and to just be herself, missing a day of school for this particular confrontation."I'm here to see Lucas Knight," she told the receptionist.The girl behind the desk looked up with a polished smile that played pleasantly on her cheeks, "Do you have an appointment?""No.""Ooh…Mr. Knight is currently unavailable. If you'd like to leave your…""Tell him April Sterling is here," April said without raising her voice. "He'll know who I am."After a minute of staying silent, the receptionist decided to help her so she left while April ste
The best place Lauren could think of taking April was to her apartment. April refused to go back home, she also didn't want to go to Ava's mansion. April sat in the middle of the long couch with both hands wrapped around the mug Lauren had pressed into them without asking what she wanted. The mug was warm and that small specific comfort was doing more for her than she wanted to admit.She had stopped crying somewhere between the car ride and when they got to the front door. Not because she felt better…just because the body had its limits and hers had been reached.Lauren sat across from her. She had changed out of her jacket and was nursing her own mug, watching April with the patient attention of someone who was choosing their words very carefully."Do you want to tell me what happened in there?" Lauren asked but April looked into the coffee instead."April.""I'm fine.""You were crying in the middle of the street," Lauren said quietly."I said I'm fine, Lauren."Lauren exhaled sof
April stood in her room, her face gloomy as she check her calendar for the umpteenth time.“Six days…”she muttered as her mind went to Lucas. She had tried to reach him for six days…Six days of unanswered texts, calls that rang out and messages that turned blue without reply. Six days of watching the typing indicator appear and disappear and appear again without a single word arriving like he was contemplating if he should reply her or not. Six days of convincing herself she wasn't going to do what she was about to do.Then she found out his resignation from Silver Crest Academy had been finalized and no explanation was given to the school administration. He was simply no longer a substitute teacher. His name had been removed from the system quietly.“Mr Lucas is quite a strange man” April remembered Gavin made that statement. That was the last straw…she's going to find out what his problem is and why it looked like he was crawling into a shell. “Yeah…” she muttered and made her
The hall erupted into chaos…there were whispers, shouts and cameras flashing endlessly but April heard none of it as she ran straight off the stage into Ava’s arms.“You’re alive…” she sobbed and said softly.Ava held her tightly, “I’m here… I’m okay…”April cried like a child…she sniffed and hiccu
Ava paced the room still restless and angry. Her chest rose and fell as she stared at Damien like she was seeing him for the first time.“You planned this…” she whispered but Damien didn’t flinch.“I prevented something worse.” He muttered softly.“That’s not an answer!” her voice rose, echoing agai
A few hours into the night…The after party became louder and wilder. Only the younger crowd remained and music was pulsing through the air, while laughter spilled like champagne.Lauren dragged Ava onto the dance floor. “You’re married now, have fun!!!”“I just got married…besides it's not real”. A
Days passed and the engagement night arrived like a dream wrapped in gold. Everything was perfect, the hall shimmered under the glow of chandeliers, reflecting soft hues of champagne gold and ivory. Crystal decorations lined the tables, soft music floated through the air…every detail screamed elega







