Celeste and Marcus waited in the lounge for over half an hour before Cassian finally returned.
By then, the show had already begun. After Celeste finished her makeup, Marcus headed to the front to watch the show unfold.
As the music started, models took to the runway one by one, showcasing the latest unreleased designs. Marcus scrolled through his tablet, monitoring the live sales data of the new collection.
Once all the models had walked, only the final showstopper remained. The page for the finale outfit was still blank, but as soon as Celeste stepped onto the stage, it would sync to his tablet.
The host, holding a microphone, turned to the audience and announced, “And now, let’s welcome tonight’s showstopper!”
Backstage, Celeste held a single blue rose in her hand. As the crowd erupted in applause, she stepped onto the runway.
Tiny blue crystals shimmered on Celeste’s face, her eyes dusted with glimmering blue shadow. Her long, loosely curled hair cascaded over her shoulders.
Gasps of admiration rippled through the audience as she moved with effortless confidence, owning the runway. Watching the crowd’s feaction. Marcus knew the finale was a success.
Meanwhile, a man seated among the spectators felt his expression darken instantly.
The man had bribed the makeup artist for the showstopper, sabotaged the outfit, and ensured the original design was ruined. He had been certain Marcus’s show would fail, that he’d become the laughingstock of Ravenshire’s fashion scene.
And yet, against all odds. Marcus had pulled it off. How? In such a short time, where had he found a replacement model, a makeup artist, a stylist–and someone to fix the dress?
The man’s gaze burned with resentment as he glared at Marcus. I may have missed this chance, but next time, I’ll make sure you don’t walk away unscathed. Marcus, this isn’t over!
Sensing an intense stare, Marcus turned toward the man’s seat instinctively. But by then, it was empty.
Marcus lowered his gaze, suppressing the unease creeping into his chest. Ever since his accident, he’d had the feeling someone was working against him from the shadows.
Yet no matter how h
hard he searched, Marcus couldn’t trace them. Whoever they were, they hid well
Snapping out of his thoughts, Marcus glanced back at the runway, where the stage lights illuminated Celeste. Their eyes met across the
distance
Among the dozens of models, Celeste stood out the most. She was stunning.
After
r the press finished taking photos of Celeste and the other models, she headed backstage to change.
Before she could leave, a young man blocked her path. “Miss, you might not believe this, but I think I just fell in love with you at first
Celeste eyed the well–dressed yet boyish–looking stranger. She asked, “Are you even old enough to be out this late!”
Conrad chuckled awkwardly. “Don’t let my face fool you–I’m nineteen! Almost twenty
What does he mean by not to judge him by his young appearance? He is inherently young, alright? Nineteen? That puts him around the same age as my younger brother, Celeste murmured.
Unimpressed, Celeste said. “And what does that have to do with me?”
“Everything” I wanted to make sure you knew I was an adult, so I could ask for a chance replied
e to take y
you out. Can I get your number?” Conrad
“Not happening Celeste turned to leave.
Undeterred, Conrad hurried after her. “Miss, don’t be so heartless! I really like you”
Yeah, right. Like a kid, his age even knows what that means. And let’s be honest–if I looked any different, would he still be so smitten?”
10:34 AM ď ď ·
Chapter 29
Celeste thought.
Celeste’s patience was wearing thin. She said seriously, “I need to change. Stop following me,”
Conrad answered, “Then I’ll wait for you outside! How about dinner? My treat.”
Good grief, is he always this persistent? I’ve refused! Why is he so persistent? Celeste muttered. Ignoring him completely, she walked straight into the dressing room
From a short distance away, Marcus and Cassian had witnessed the entire exchange. He turned to Cassian and said. “Bring the car around to the back entrance
“On it.” Cassian replied before walking off.
Marcus made his way to the lounge, waiting until Celeste emerged from the restroom in her clothes. “That guy’s still hovering near the front. I had Cassian move the car to the back–we’ll leave that way.
Celeste had been contemplating how to shake off Conrad, but Marcus had already handled it for her.
“Thanks, Celeste said, before wheeling him toward the back exit
Cassian was already there, waiting by the car. After helping Marcus inside, Celeste climbed in as well, ready to head back to the hospital.
As they passed a street lined with food stalls, Celeste’s stomach soddenly let out a loud growl. Embarrassed, she placed a hand over her stomach.
Marcus took note and said, “Cassian, pull over. Then he turned to Celeste. “You helped me a lot tonight. Let me buy you dinner as a thank–you?
Celeste wasn’t about to turn down food. She replied, “Sounds good. Let’s eat around here.
With that, Celeste opened the door and hopped out. Marcus followed.
As Cassian started to get out too, Marcus cut in, Head back without us. Celeste and I will grab a cab after we eat.”
Cassian looked at him, murmuring, ‘So, this ‘thank–you‘ dinner doesn’t include me?
With a sigh, Cassian muttered, “Noted,” before driving off
Marcus, not wanting pain to ruin the meal, made a quick stop to buy a bottle of water and took a painkiller. Only after that did he catch up with Celeste, who was already at a stall, ordering skewers.
Marcus hesitated. “You sure you want to cat barbecue?”
“Absolutely” Celeste finished picking out the food, and then turned to him “You’re paying, by the way.”
After he paid, Celeste moved to another stall and ordered fried chicken and a salad. She ordered two portions and said to the boss. “One with all the toppings, one with just salt”
on food, she made a final stop
op at a
Celeste finished ordering, and then asked Marcus to continue paying for her. After stocking up on bakery, buying two slices of cake and two cups of coffee.
Once she had everything, Celeste led Marcus back to the skewer stall, where they grabbed a table. Celeste handed him his share. “The barbecue is mine. These are yours–the fried chicken, the salad, and the cake. Oh, and the coffer,
With that, Celeste picked up a grilled meat and took a big, sa
Chapter 29
Celeste and Marcus waited in the lounge for over half an hour before Cassian finally returned.
By then, the show had already begun. After Celeste finished her makeup, Marcus headed to the front to watch the show unfold.
As the music started, models took to the runway one by one, showcasing the latest unreleased designs. Marcus scrolled through his tablet, monitoring the live sales data of the new collection.
Once all the models had walked, only the final showstopper remained. The page for the finale outfit was still blank, but as soon as Celeste stepped onto the stage, it would sync to his tablet.
The host, holding a microphone, turned to the audience and announced, “And now, let’s welcome tonight’s showstopper!”
Backstage, Celeste held a single blue rose in her hand. As the crowd erupted in applause, she stepped onto the runway.
Tiny blue crystals shimmered on Celeste’s face, her eyes dusted with glimmering blue shadow. Her long, loosely curled hair cascaded over her shoulders.
Gasps of admiration rippled through the audience as she moved with effortless confidence, owning the runway. Watching the crowd’s feaction. Marcus knew the finale was a success.
Meanwhile, a man seated among the spectators felt his expression darken instantly.
The man had bribed the makeup artist for the showstopper, sabotaged the outfit, and ensured the original design was ruined. He had been certain Marcus’s show would fail, that he’d become the laughingstock of Ravenshire’s fashion scene.
And yet, against all odds. Marcus had pulled it off. How? In such a short time, where had he found a replacement model, a makeup artist, a stylist–and someone to fix the dress?
The man’s gaze burned with resentment as he glared at Marcus. I may have missed this chance, but next time, I’ll make sure you don’t walk away unscathed. Marcus, this isn’t over!
Sensing an intense stare, Marcus turned toward the man’s seat instinctively. But by then, it was empty.
Marcus lowered his gaze, suppressing the unease creeping into his chest. Ever since his accident, he’d had the feeling someone was working against him from the shadows.
Yet no matter how h
hard he searched, Marcus couldn’t trace them. Whoever they were, they hid well
Snapping out of his thoughts, Marcus glanced back at the runway, where the stage lights illuminated Celeste. Their eyes met across the
distance
Among the dozens of models, Celeste stood out the most. She was stunning.
After
r the press finished taking photos of Celeste and the other models, she headed backstage to change.
Before she could leave, a young man blocked her path. “Miss, you might not believe this, but I think I just fell in love with you at first
Celeste eyed the well–dressed yet boyish–looking stranger. She asked, “Are you even old enough to be out this late!”
Conrad chuckled awkwardly. “Don’t let my face fool you–I’m nineteen! Almost twenty
What does he mean by not to judge him by his young appearance? He is inherently young, alright? Nineteen? That puts him around the same age as my younger brother, Celeste murmured.
Unimpressed, Celeste said. “And what does that have to do with me?”
“Everything” I wanted to make sure you knew I was an adult, so I could ask for a chance replied
e to take y
you out. Can I get your number?” Conrad
“Not happening Celeste turned to leave.
Undeterred, Conrad hurried after her. “Miss, don’t be so heartless! I really like you”
Yeah, right. Like a kid, his age even knows what that means. And let’s be honest–if I looked any different, would he still be so smitten?”
10:34 AM ď ď ·
Chapter 29
Celeste thought.
Celeste’s patience was wearing thin. She said seriously, “I need to change. Stop following me,”
Conrad answered, “Then I’ll wait for you outside! How about dinner? My treat.”
Good grief, is he always this persistent? I’ve refused! Why is he so persistent? Celeste muttered. Ignoring him completely, she walked straight into the dressing room
From a short distance away, Marcus and Cassian had witnessed the entire exchange. He turned to Cassian and said. “Bring the car around to the back entrance
“On it.” Cassian replied before walking off.
Marcus made his way to the lounge, waiting until Celeste emerged from the restroom in her clothes. “That guy’s still hovering near the front. I had Cassian move the car to the back–we’ll leave that way.
Celeste had been contemplating how to shake off Conrad, but Marcus had already handled it for her.
“Thanks, Celeste said, before wheeling him toward the back exit
Cassian was already there, waiting by the car. After helping Marcus inside, Celeste climbed in as well, ready to head back to the hospital.
As they passed a street lined with food stalls, Celeste’s stomach soddenly let out a loud growl. Embarrassed, she placed a hand over her stomach.
Marcus took note and said, “Cassian, pull over. Then he turned to Celeste. “You helped me a lot tonight. Let me buy you dinner as a thank–you?
Celeste wasn’t about to turn down food. She replied, “Sounds good. Let’s eat around here.
With that, Celeste opened the door and hopped out. Marcus followed.
As Cassian started to get out too, Marcus cut in, Head back without us. Celeste and I will grab a cab after we eat.”
Cassian looked at him, murmuring, ‘So, this ‘thank–you‘ dinner doesn’t include me?
With a sigh, Cassian muttered, “Noted,” before driving off
Marcus, not wanting pain to ruin the meal, made a quick stop to buy a bottle of water and took a painkiller. Only after that did he catch up with Celeste, who was already at a stall, ordering skewers.
Marcus hesitated. “You sure you want to cat barbecue?”
“Absolutely” Celeste finished picking out the food, and then turned to him “You’re paying, by the way.”
After he paid, Celeste moved to another stall and ordered fried chicken and a salad. She ordered two portions and said to the boss. “One with all the toppings, one with just salt”
on food, she made a final stop
op at a
Celeste finished ordering, and then asked Marcus to continue paying for her. After stocking up on bakery, buying two slices of cake and two cups of coffee.
Once she had everything, Celeste led Marcus back to the skewer stall, where they grabbed a table. Celeste handed him his share. “The barbecue is mine. These are yours–the fried chicken, the salad, and the cake. Oh, and the coffer,
With that, Celeste picked up a grilled meat and took a big, satisfied bite, oblivious to Marcus watching h
her.
Spicy all dripped from the meat as Celeste chewed, nodding in approval. “I missed eating street food. This is amazing.”
Marcus watched Celeste in front of him, completely disregarding her image, and be couldn’t help but find it amusing. He said, “You’re so special”
Gelnic raned a brow, thinking. “Huh?”
2/3
tisfied bite, oblivious to Marcus watching h
her.
Spicy all dripped from the meat as Celeste chewed, nodding in approval. “I missed eating street food. This is amazing.”
Marcus watched Celeste in front of him, completely disregarding her image, and be couldn’t help but find it amusing. He said, “You’re so special”
Gelnic raned a brow, thinking. “Huh?”
2/3
