Chapter 2: Still My Girl

Leila glanced at Rui who was warmly holding her hand. She was about to grace the runway with Rui and her other models to formally close her show. 

She’s feeling a little nervous because even though she’s hearing positive reactions from earlier, she’s still unsure about the other guests.

Rui massaged her hand and gently whispered, “Don’t worry, they loved your designs…”

“How did you know?”

“Well, because I saw it in their eyes.”

Leila smiled. “It’s because you’re beautiful…”

Rui giggled. “I am.”

“But they paid more attention to your meticulous craftsmanship than all of the beautiful women who wore them.”

“It’s all on you, dear. It’s your talent.”

Leila bit her lips. She’s feeling a little more emotional now that she has to wrap up her show. 

Rui saw the break of emotion on Leila’s face. “Ah! Don’t you dare cry! Phyllis is going to lose it if you ruin your makeup!” 

Leila fanned her face with her hand and looked away, feeling a little embarrassed. “I’m not! I won’t cry!”

“Guys! Stop dawdling around, you’re next!” 

Phyllis pointed to the arrow in front, indicating that they were the next model. 

“Come on girls!” she shouted to encourage them. 

Leila shook her head with a silly smile. “She just can’t keep her mouth shut…”

Rui squeezed her hand. “That’s because she’s nervous as well!” she said to defend Phyllis. 

“I know, I know!”

Leila chuckled and looked ahead to see the guests watching the models who went out first. 

“Okay, let’s do this.”

The girls both walked down the stairs and sauntered on the brick pathway. 

The cold night breeze gave her goosebumps. She felt a little conscious now that all eyes were on her. 

Curious stares and whispers on the side made her extremely anxious. 

Fashion shows like this are not new for Leila. She’s been attending fashion shows since she was a kid. Growing up, she followed her mother who owns and manages a massive manufacturing company for famous fast fashion brands. Even when she went to France to study fashion, she always attended fashion shows. The only difference now is that she’s the one hosting this event. She grew up looking at pretty clothes and was inspired to create a brand of her own. Perhaps that is the reason why she’s feeling a little anxious and pressured. 

Leila’s talent was widely recognized by fashion designers and researchers alike. She made a name for herself when her work when she was a student was worn by a famous supermodel. And one time, her dress was featured on a blog by a fashion blogger. 

From then on, her work started gaining momentum overseas. A lot of people liked her dreamy feminine style. Many people saw her works on her Ninstagram account. She often posts her clients wearing her dresses on her social media accounts. 

With only a few years of experience in the industry, she managed to cement her name and make it known worldwide. 

So now, she wanted to show everyone the work she had done at her lowest point in life. She dedicated the dresses to her best friends who did not leave her side. Rui and Phyllis lifted her up from an awful art block. The friends who kept on supporting her. 

And to them, she would forever be grateful. 

…

The show wrapped up in a blink and she immediately invited her guests to the afterparty in a bar across from her atelier. 

Famous personalities all flock to Leila to congratulate her for a successful show. Leila’s circle of connections is huge. From the country’s top socialites down to the honorable wives of government officials. She knows them. Sometimes, Phyllis likes to call her ‘Miss Congeniality’ because of her friendly personality. 

Of course, she’s not just connected with the top women in the country…

“Congratulations, Miss Leila. Your talent is unmatched.” 

A gentleman toasted his wine glass to Leila’s glass. A small smile was painted on his handsome face. 

Leila smiled at him. The anxiousness that she was feeling earlier at the show all dissipated after drinking a glass of Chardonnay. 

‘Tall… Handsome…’

She looked at his thin lips and back at his olive-green eyes. 

‘But… Not cute…’

Her red lips gently curled. “Thank you, Sir…”

The gentleman rushedly pulled out a business card from his wallet before handing it to Leila. 

‘CEO of a wine company, huh? Too bad I’m not an alcoholic…’

“You can directly call me if you want to know more about wines. Or… If you’re up for dinner…”

Leila’s hand that was holding the card shyly covered her mouth. Her soft chuckle could be heard even with loud music in the bar. 

“Thank you so much… I’m actually friends with Beatrice Anderson so she has already told me much about wines.”

He looked at her fluttering lashes as if the time stopped. His gaze was still stuck on her like a spell even after hearing an obvious rejection.

“But I’ll give you a call if there’s anything more that I want to know.”

Just like that, she turned around and left the man hanging. 

She trailed around the bar, greeting her guests with a sweet smile. Her full lips were painted with a beautiful red matte lipstick that made her teeth even whiter. And every time she smiles, the sharp eyeliner makes her almond eyes look even more alluring and sexy. 

She carried herself confidently and elegantly. Every step always makes every head turn to her. 

This is Leila’s charm. 

“Leila.”

She turned around to see a bespectacled handsome man holding a bouquet of red roses. 

‘Red like blood, just how I like it…’

Leila loves flowers. So much so that she has a garden filled with roses outside her office. 

But…

Not if they were from this man…

Leila looked at the flowers and forced a smile. 

“Ah…”

“Thank you…” she awkwardly said. 

Julius Yu, Vice President of Finance of the massive Crest Fashion group. An accomplished man who was trained to take over the family business. 

He’s one of the eligible bachelors of Centriona. His smart and serious aura always attracted women left and right. However, even with the women within his arm's reach, he remained single. Still a single man after his break up from his previous relationship.

Leila pursed her lips as she awkwardly stood in front of Julius. She scanned the room to look for her best friends. 

‘Fuck! Where are they?!’

‘Forget about Phyllis. She probably had her social battery drained already. But where the hell is Rui?!’

“Oh!” she smiled upon seeing Rui. She waved her hand at her while ignoring Julius. 

As she was about to go to Rui who just entered the bar, she remembered that Julius was still with her. “Uh… You can give the flowers to the staff. I have to see my bestie.”

Julius held the flowers tightly. “Alright. I will.”

He discreetly passed the flowers over to a staff member before going to greet his friend, Shane Smith.

Shane patted Julius’ shoulders and greeted, “Bro, you’re here.”

Julius nodded at him before sipping on his glass of Chardonnay. 

“Leila’s show is great. I’d expect nothing less from your girl.”

Julius paused. 

“Oops—I mean your ex-girlfriend!”

Shane laughed. “I’m just kidding bro.”

Julius ignored Shane as he watched Leila chatting with Rui. 

“Leila’s still my girl,” he seriously said.