Chapter 58

ARI

I felt a surge of excitement as I stepped out of the sleek black car with Gabe following closely behind. The velvet-roped pathway illuminated by soft, ambient lighting led to the entrance of the exclusive, private fashion show, adorned with subtle, elegant signage. We made our way through as the slew of paparazzi bunched up behind the guarded velvet ropes threw questions at us. Notably, did we know who the designer was? Why were we picked to get an invitation?

I didn’t know the answers to either of these but it made the evening even more special. We moved inside where the security checked the special invitations with precision, their demeanor professional yet courteous. Gabe handed over two intricately designed invitations, embossed with gold leaf detailing, and received a warm nod of approval.

The pathway leading to the reception area was lined with luminescent strips that changed colors as we walked by, creating a vibrant, ever-shifting mosaic of light. The reception area was a s