Chapter 231: Motherhood in Bloom

LEITANA

“Ahhhhh gosh I’m so glad you came!”

Marco’s bright voice filled the studio the moment I stepped inside. He rushed forward with that big, warm smile of his and leaned in to kiss my cheek gently.

“Lei, you look glowing! Pregnancy is really agreeing with you,” he said, pulling back to look at me properly.

I blushed, smiling shyly as I clutched my small bag. “Tank you, Marco. Mi a little nervous though…”

Before I could say more, Lafu appeared from behind a large white backdrop, elegant as always in a black turtleneck and tailored pants, her hair pulled up in a sleek bun. Stacy followed right behind her, already holding a makeup brush like a weapon.

“Leitana, my beautiful girl!” Lafu pulled me into a light hug, careful not to squeeze too hard. “Come, come. Let’s get you settled.”

They led me to a cozy corner with a big mirror and bright lights. I sat down carefully, my hand instinctively resting on my small baby bump. It had grown a little more in the past few days, and I felt both proud and self-conscious about it.

While Stacy started gently dabbing moisturizer on my face, Lafu stood in front of me, arms crossed, smiling softly.

“I was keeping updates on that rabid dog situation… well, wolf, since we saw it that night,” Lafu said, her tone casual but watchful. “For days now, the attacks have completely stopped. No more sightings or more victims. It’s like it just… vanished.”

I smiled a little, nodding. “Mi happy to hear that.”

Lafu’s eyes softened. “And how is your friend Ethan?”

“He’s doing better,” I replied. “Still has his arm in a cast, but the doctors say he will recover fully. He’s strong.”

“That’s good,” Lafu said, relieved. She clapped her hands once. “Alright, let’s talk about today’s shoot. I want this to be very soft, very innocent, and elegant. We’re doing a ‘Motherhood in Bloom’ concept, celebrating gentle beauty, quiet strength, and the grace of expecting mothers.”

She gestured to a clothing rack nearby.

“You’ll be wearing soft, flowing dresses, nothing tight, or revealing. We’ll highlight your belly beautifully but tastefully. Think dreamy, ethereal lighting. Lots of natural poses, sitting by the window, touching your bump, looking peaceful. Nothing uncomfortable. Mr Ashbourne was very clear about that.”

I let out a small breath of relief. “Thank you. Mi was a little worried about that.”

Stacy smiled as she started on my makeup. “Girl, we’ve got you. You’re going to look like an angel. Marco already picked the perfect colors, creams, soft blush pinks, and ivory. Very romantic.”

Marco winked at me from where he was adjusting the lights. “We’re going to make magic today. You just relax and be your beautiful self.”

I smiled shyly, feeling my nerves settle a little. Even though Avery had left and my heart still ached, being here with people who were kind and respectful made me feel a bit lighter.

Lafu squeezed my shoulder gently. “Whenever you’re ready, we start. And if at any point you feel tired or uncomfortable, we stop immediately. Okay?”

“Okay,” I whispered, nodding.

As Stacy worked on my face and Marco adjusted the set, I glanced toward the entrance again. I knew Ravial was somewhere close, probably in the monitor room like he promised. The thought of him watching over me made my heart feel a little steadier.

I touched my belly gently and whispered under my breath, “Let’s do this nicely, baby. For Papa.”

Stacy smiled as she brushed a soft highlighter across my cheekbones. “You’re glowing already, girl. Pregnancy skin is unreal on you.”

Marco walked over holding a long, flowing ivory dress on a hanger. It was beautiful, soft, ethereal fabric with delicate lace details on the sleeves and a gentle empire waist that would highlight my bump without making it look too tight.

“This one first,” he said excitedly. “It’s going to look insane on you. Romantic, dreamy, a little sensual but still elegant. Ravial approved it himself.”

I blushed hard. Of course he did.

They helped me into the dress behind a privacy screen. The fabric was buttery soft and flowed beautifully over my body, draping over my bump in the most flattering way. When I stepped out, both Stacy and Marco made dramatic gasping sounds.

“Oh my God,” Stacy breathed, hand on her chest. “Those legs! Leitana, you have legs for days! That slit on the side is criminal.”

Marco fanned himself. “I’m sweating. Ravial is going to lose his mind when he sees these photos. Long curly hair, glowing skin, that bump… you’re a walking fertility goddess.”

I laughed shyly, looking down at the dress. It had a high slit on one side that showed a lot of my leg when I moved. My long, dark curly hair had been styled into loose, voluminous waves that fell down my back and over one shoulder. Stacy had pinned one side back with a delicate pearl clip so my face was visible.

“Mi feel… naked,” I admitted with a nervous giggle, tugging at the slit.

Marco grinned. “You look expensive. That’s the point.”

Lafu clapped her hands. “Alright, let’s start with the window set. Natural light, soft poses. Leitana, just be yourself, touch your belly, look out the window, maybe sit on the ledge. We want dreamy, intimate, powerful motherhood vibes.”

The first few shots felt awkward. I kept blushing and laughing nervously every time Marco or Lafu complimented me.

“Those legs are unreal!” Marco called out from behind the camera. “The way the light hits them, lethal. Mr Ashbourne is going to lock you in the house after these come out.”

Stacy fanned me with a reflector. “And that hair! Every curl is perfect. You’re glowing like you swallowed the sun.”

I giggled, cheeks burning. “Yu guys are too much…”

But as the shoot went on, I started to relax. I sat on the wide windowsill with one leg bent, the slit opening to show my smooth thigh. One hand rested on my bump, the other in my hair. I looked out at the city view, thinking about my baby, about Ravial, about how far I had come from the orphanage.

Lafu’s voice was soft and encouraging. “Yes, Leitana… just like that. That expression is gold. You look like a queen who knows she’s carrying the future.”

Marco whistled. “These are going to break the internet. Soft but sexy. Innocent but dangerous. The duality is insane.”

Halfway through, I caught a glimpse of Ravial standing in the shadows near the entrance, arms crossed, watching me with that intense, blindfolded stare. Even from across the room, I felt the heat of his gaze on my exposed leg and the curve of my belly.

My cheeks burned hotter.

During a short break, Lafu came over with a bottle of water. “You’re doing amazing. Our boss hasn't taken his eyes off you once. That man is obsessed.”

I smiled shyly. “He always is…”

Stacy leaned in, whispering dramatically, “Girl, if my husband looked at me like that, I’d never leave the bedroom.”

We all laughed, the mood light and fun. Even with the slight nervousness, I was enjoying myself. The compliments kept coming, about my long legs, my glowing skin, the natural elegance I carried.

But in the back of my mind, I kept thinking about Avery, about the empty space she left behind. Still, being here, creating something beautiful… it felt like a small step forward.

Ravial finally walked over during the next break. He didn’t say a word to anyone else. He just cupped my face with both hands and kissed my lips, right in front of everyone.

“You’re breathtaking,” he murmured against my skin, voice low enough for only me to hear. “My perfect wife.”

I melted, smiling up at him. “Thank you for letting mi do this.”

He brushed his thumb across my cheek. “Anything that makes you smile like this… I will give you the world.”

Marco pretended to fan himself again. “The chemistry is too strong! I need a cold shower.”

The whole room laughed, and even I couldn’t help giggling.