Chapter 29

Chapter 29

It was already 11 pm when we finished everything last night. It was a very long day for all of us, indeed. I'm just glad that we were able to solve all the problems before this day comes.

I'm standing on the veranda with my eyes closed. I was letting the breeze embrace me and play with my hair. The sun was hitting me a bit as well and I took that moment to cleanse my mind. I could hear the waves of the ocean from here. The chirping of the birds exploring the sky became music to my ears, calming me. I could smell the ocean from the wind. It was indeed different from the air that we breathe in our country. It's peaceful here. It's serene and away from all the chaos from the community.

“Hey!” I exclaimed when I heard the camera shutters on me.

“What? It was beautiful,” Elijah said, wearing his broad smile again as he checked my picture from his camera.

“Delete that, come on. I'm not wearing any makeup,” I tried to reach the camera from his hand but he lifted it up with his hand and now, I'm hopeless. How can I even get it from him when he's so tall?

“It's beautiful, trust me. Look,” he showed me the picture he took, and I think he was right.

“Not bad,” I muttered.

“Are you ready for later?” I faced the ocean that could be seen from our hotel room.

“I'm nervous,” I replied. I really am.

“Come on, you've been doing this for a long time.”

He's right. I've been doing this ever since I started this business and entered the industry of designers. It wasn't easy all along. It was hard to be where I am right now.

“I know, but you know me. I'm not sociable enough to be in their eyes again. Besides, I invited some big designers, too.” I breathed deeply.

“What's the problem? You're gonna be fine. Just walk there with confidence like your models. Remember that it's not just your hard work that you invested here. Your entire team’s hard works are also engraved here,” I nodded.

Seeing them work late in Siargao instead of taking some of their time to enjoy the trip, it melts my heart. I know that they invested all their efforts for this runway, just like what they always do.

“I'm kinda proud and amused by you. Can you believe it? You were just obsessed with designing clothes before and now you're one of the biggest designers in the world. I don't know how you made it by yourself. I mean, my parents gave me a hand to be where I am right now. But you? It was only you who built everything,” I smiled softly because of that.

“It seems easy, but it was not. I sometimes feel like it happened in one snap. But then, looking back, I will not forget how many times I failed and doubt myself. I guess, you really need to be resilient first to survive in this industry,” because all along, I became resilient. I told myself that no matter how bumpy the road is, I must make it to the peak of my success.

“And you made it here,” he said.

“I'm very proud of you, Faith.” That soft smile from his lips captivates me.

“You made it, too. I'm proud of you,” his brows only arched when I gave back those words.

“That's why you shouldn't be nervous. Everything will be fine,” I don't know why, but I think those words from him became an assurance that today will be a success.

When the sunset was near, we all started to prepare and dress up for the runway. Some of my employees are already at the venue, welcoming the early guests.

“You look…stunning,” Elijah commented with his lips circled. I can see him right through the mirror while I was standing there and scanning myself from head to toe.

I'm wearing my own designed semi-gown. It's in the color of emerald green, inspired by the color of nature. It's sleeveless as well with the butterflies around its shoulder. The butterflies were also designed everywhere. It's a very nature type that I chose for myself to wear tonight.

“You look like a goddess,” he mentioned and chuckled.

“Am I?” I now scanned his attire, wearing a simple black tuxedo for tonight.

“You look like a handsome billionaire,” I joked a bit.

“Well, I am a handsome billionaire,” he arrogantly said.

“By the way, we should go there. There are a lot of people there already and I think you should be backstage now,” I quickly grabbed my phone to check the time. I even looked outside to also check the sunset.

“Yeah. It's a perfect time to start the runway now, let's go.”

I grabbed his hand as we quickly went to the venue. Elijah was right, there are already a lot of people there. He went with the audience while I stayed at the backstage.

“Is everything fine, guys?” I asked, confirming while they were all damn busy.

“Yes, Ms. Faith!” My secretary exclaimed.

I started to walk repeatedly there while they were all busy dressing up the models.

“Hey, you okay?” Brian asked, who was already dressed.

“Yeah. I'm kinda nervous,” I said and heaved a sigh. My damn heart is racing.

“You can do that. I'll be the one to bring the bouquet of flowers to you earlier and accompany you there,” he winked at me confidently. Well, that at least eases my mind.

“You must slay this runway, Brian.” I said firmly.

“I got this, Faith. We're gonna slay this runway,” it was like he's telling me to mark his words.

During the sunset, the runway began. I can hear the crowd screaming as Brian opened the program and was the first one to show up to the people. There was a huge screen from backstage where I could see them all.

I smirked when Brian simply walked there with his fierce face and yet he made the crowd scream for him. The following models satisfied me as well as they walked down there wearing their confidence with the new collection that I released.

“We're doing well, Ms. Faith.” My secretary said and giggled beside me. I was biting my nails the whole time because of nervousness from backstage.

“And now, let's welcome the designer of all these amazing summer collections, the CEO of the CHARM, Mrs. Faith Luciero!”

I blew out a light sigh before I raised my head confidently as I showed on the stage. Brian smiled at me as he offered his hand and we both walked together in front of everyone. They were all giving us applause, but my eyes focused on Elijah who was using his phone to take pictures from there.

“Congratulations,” Brian whispered as he gave me the bouquet of flowers and the mic to give a short message to everyone.

“Hell everyone. Thank you for coming here and for joining us to witness the summer collection of my designs that I worked hard for a long time. My entire team worked hard for this and I should say that I am very proud of all of you! This is not just my success, this is all our success! I proudly present to all of you, the new collection of CHARM!”

They all clapped proudly to us and I felt the greatest satisfaction after all the effort we've put into this.

“There's nothing to be proud of!”

The smile on my lips faded, a familiar voice shouted from the crowd. Everyone started to murmur around while my eyes landed on that person.

“Mom,” I mumbled. Beside him was Dad, who was not doing anything to make my mother stop. He was only looking at me, unhappy of my own success.

“Ms. Faith, what do you want us to do?” My secretary asked as she quickly went beside me.

“Mam, excuse me, but let's not ruin this nigh—”

“Ruin? That woman ruined our lives!”

My entire world began to crumble. I felt like I lost all my strength all of a sudden while my own parents were dragging me down.

“I'll take care of them,” I said to my secretary, trying to stay firm in front of everyone when I knew that anytime, I could just lose my balance.

Why do they have to show up now? Why now?

“Mom, let's talk after. Don't do this to your daughter,” my voice broke already while I was trying to please them to save my face even just for once.

“Daughter? You're not our daughter the day Freya died, Faith!” My father exclaimed. Their hatred towards me is penetrating.

“How dare you smile, Faith? How dare you smile after what you did?!” I closed my eyes when I saw her hand raised. I waited for her to slap me and I didn't do anything to defend myself. I knew that I would just accept it just like I always do.

“With all due my respect, Mom, Dad.”

I slowly opened my eyes when I heard that baritone voice. There was Elijah in front of them, holding my mother's hand and blocking me from them.

“I saw how my wife worked hard for this. You don't get the right to ruin if for her,” I began to tremble with my own weakness. My tears were lingering around my eyes.

“Now, if you want to drag her down, I think you would have to take me down first.” My mother pulled back her hand from Elijah, but he remained looking at them with no glimpse of fear from his cold eyes.

“She's my wife, she's a Luciero, and no one can ever touch a Luciero.”

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