As Luna stepped in, her eyes swept over the room. On one side sat aged men and women, some accompanied by their now-grown children each bearing a striking resemblance to their parents. She instantly knew who they were: the rogues. The company had always been run by them. They were all involved.Beside her, Zayn was visibly tense but she held herself steady.
The meeting began the moment everyone was seated.
Leon spoke first, keeping his tone very gentle.
"To what do we owe this meeting?" he asked, smiling.
An advanced man on the edge of the table answered, "We want to withdraw from the contract because there is a breach."
"Breach?" Leon repeated, with a confused expression.
"Yes," another confirmed.
"How?" Zayn asked, his voice annoyingly calm.
"The raw materials worth $20 million you supplied to us are the same as the Charles Villers'," the man said.
"That can't be true," Leon said argumentatively.
"It's true. Now our finished products look so alike, and of course, we can sue each other for plagiarism and that would cost a lot of money," the first man continued.
Luna saw that they were going to keep arguing if someone didn't think outside the box.
"Okay," she said, calmly. "We are sorry for the inconvenience, but we'll have to check our records."
Everyone, including Zayn Turned to look at her.
"And if we discover that your claims are true, we will ensure that new raw materials are ordered. Of course, you will be compensated for the delay, because we know you are supposed to be on sale."
The rogues nodded in agreement, shockingly to Zayn who stood stunned. She had just saved him from losing his clients while he was busy arguing.
Leon asked, "If you support this, say hi."
Most of them did say "Hi," though a few hesitated. But the first man dismissed their opinion.
Okay, we will do investigations and get back to you in forty-eight hours," Zayn said in an even tone.
And with that, the meeting ended.
Standing up, Zayn added, "Meet me in my office now, Luna. Alone." He threw a glare at Leon before leaving.
Luna took the opportunity to confide in Leon.
"I was only trying to help out."
"I know."
"Hope he's not upset."
"I don't think so," Leon said, looking at Zayn as he left.
"I can't come with you. He made that clear."
"Yes… I'll just go to him," she said worriedly.
When she got to his office, she knocked.
"Come in."
He was sitting on a sofa, his long legs stretched out.
"What was the meaning of that stunt you pulled?" Not looking at her
She replied with silence, tapping her fingers on her hips.
"I was helping you," she finally responded.
Really?"
"Yes. Why are you so insatiable?" she asked furiously.
"I am not," he replied, his voice steady. "I was just trying to point out the fact that you should have consulted me first. But you already made a promise, and now we have to keep your promise."
"But I thought you had money," she said mockingly.
"It's not about the money," he said composedly.
"Even if I told you, you would not understand."
"Okay. Next time, I won't intrude in your business."
"No one said that."
"Okay," she said dismissively, going to sit far from him.
"Tomorrow, we are going to the Mediterranean Hall for the conference where I will announce you as my fiancée."
Luna felt cold chills not from the air conditioner, but from the life-changing decision she had made. She reminded herself that no matter what she did, he would still not appreciate her.
"Of course I do," she said, nodding.
"We'll be going to my penthouse tonight. The media already reported you were present at the meeting, so there are speculations."
"But we can…"
"I don't like drama. Let's just go to my penthouse. After the conference, we can go back to my house."
The way he emphasized his house...
"You'll need to do some shopping. Of course, I know how proud you can be, so I won't be giving you any cards."
A middle-aged man walked into the office without knocking. Luna frowned, wondering why.
"This is Wilfar. He'll be taking you around town today. Just say the words, and he'll do it."
"Did you hit your…?"
He knew what she was trying to say, but chose to ignore her.
"You leave now."
"But I would love to help with the Rogues project."
"Of course, that won't be necessary. You've done enough. It's in safe hands."
"Yeah," she said, leaving with Wildar
Wifar brought another car different from Celes. It was black, sleek, and tinted. Luna entered elegantly, and he started driving toward the main city, not the residential area.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"Zayn told me to take you to a clothing boutique."
The one he uses for his other girls, she thought bitterly. Other girls it's none of my business anyway.
"I don't have money," she said softly. "And he knows."
"He already sorted the bills, so you don't need to worry," Wifar replied.
I have enough luxurious clothes and he knows that.
"Sure," Wifar said, as if reading her thoughts. "But he wants you to look like a Lancaster, not a Rivera."
Wilfar's audacity... she thought. Do you know me?
He just smiled at her.
"What's your relationship with him?" she asked, referring to Zayn.
"I don't think I'm in a position to answer your questions. He wouldn't appreciate it," he replied, still smiling at her.
"It's fine though," she sighed, looking out the window.
When they got there, she recognized the place she had been there before, so she knew her way around.
"Would you not follow me inside?" she asked, pausing at the car door.
"No, that won't be necessary," Wilfar replied casually.
She was about to walk in when he added, his tone firmer now, "You're going to Saint Panache Couture."
"Saint what? One dress there costs what I pay senior staff!" she exclaimed, eyes widening slightly.
Was he trying to prove to me that he was wealthy? she wondered quietly.
"Yes. But that's where he said you should go," he said, leaving no room for argument.
"Okay..." she muttered, holding her bag firmly as she headed inside.
Stepping into the lift, she noticed a few familiar faces,people who had been at the event earlier. Some looked at her with pity, others with subtle encouragement, and a few with outright contempt.
Not everyone is going to love you, she whispered to herself, lifting her chin and facing forward as the doors closed
When the lift got to the floor, she walked gracefully toward her right, seeing Saint Panache Couture written boldly. She entered.
A young metrosexual came running toward Luna, well-dressed everything on him was on point, from his hair to his shirt, pants, shoes, and the colors.
"Hello Ma'am, I have been expecting you."
"Oh really? That's so sweet of you. Hope I was not late."
"You are worth the wait, Ma'am."
"I love your look," she complimented. "It's so effortless but beautiful."
"Thank you. So, what can I get you?"
"Nothing really, I'm good. But I'll let you know if I need anything."
"Of course. So, what do you want to do first?"
"Let's just start. Being outside can be overwhelming at times, you know."
She looked around the store, trying to focus, but something felt off. Like something was watching her. Not a mood swing. It came from nowhere.
She glanced at the corners quickly, then looked away. Nothing was there, but the feeling didn't go away.
She rubbed her arm slightly. The boutique was quiet, but her body was reacting like the way it reacted when she attended her first conference with her father.
"Just take me to the showroom," she said, hoping he wouldn't notice her discomfort and even if he did, he shouldn't ask.
"Alright, Ma'am," he replied, leading her in the right direction.
"There will be a new release of designs in six months. Saint Panache Couture would love for you to be our first dresser," he added, smiling at her.
"Oh..." she responded, a bit caught off guard.
"Yes. Or… would you like to wear the others?"
She wanted to see the new collection because, of course, she loved fashion.
"Yes, thank you."
"For what?" she asked, blushing slightly.
"For accepting. You're humble."
She looked at him, reciprocating his smile. "What's your name?"
"Dorje."
"Unbreakable."
"You're not just beautiful,you're smart."
"Thank you," she smiled.
He stopped in front of a door and swiped the fob.
It opened. He gestured for her to enter first.
It smelled divine.Almost her making her forget her situation.She stood still, took a deep breath, eyes closed. When she opened them again, the room seemed brighter, the lights revealing rows of new designs. Dresses made with silk charmeuse, taffeta, mikado, satin, and an extremely luxurious silk velvet. Bold-patterned Guipure lace gleamed in the light.
"Woah..."
"What would your choice be?"
"I want them all," she joked.
"You sure do," he played along.
"I love this collection. It would be difficult for me to make a choice,they're all beautiful in their own way," she said thoughtfully. But a violet-blue silk charmeuse dress caught her attention.
"Please, let me get that dress."
"Okay. Good taste. Would you like to try it on?"
"Yes." She could already see it was a straight gown, below knee-length. This gown will define me tomorrow, she thought.
When he brought the gown and showed her the dressing room, she went in, changed, and stepped out to face the full mirror.
The gown hugged her curves though she didn't have wide hips, it was perfect for clothes fitting.
"You know it's beautiful," Dorje said.
She turned to him and simply replied, "Thank you. I think I'm done here. I should get going."
"I don't think so,your bag and shoes."
"Zayn," she growled softly.
"Let's go to the inner room. It'll be quick, I promise," he said, showing that understanding look on his face.
She nodded and followed him. When he opened the door, she entered lazily. She was too tired to compliment the room.
"Just bring the creamy white bag and shoes," she said, slipping off her shoes to try them out. They fit her well.
"We're done now, right?" she asked slowly.
"Of course we are," he replied.
After boxing everything she'd ordered, he handed her the shopping bag.
"Thank you," she said.
"We look forward to more shopping with you."
She just smiled shyly and nodded.
Finally, she was leaving the couture and heading to Zayn's penthouse,ready to get a nap.
"Luna."
That voice. It sounded real familiar.
She halted… and turned leisurely.