Chapter 31: You lied to me

NOVA'S POV

"You look perfect, Nova. Please don't ruin this for your father," mom says fixing my make up in the car. A white mini dress paired with low cut heels was her idea of the big night. I mean dad had her ride with me.

"Thank you," I say simply. All eyes are on me tonight and one wrong move might ruin Sofia's life. One I should have stayed away from. For a moment i thought I could also have it all but maybe not in this lifetime.

The car door opens with camera flashes everywhere before mom gets out first, then the driver helps me down next.

"Nova! Nova over here!!!!" My name fills the air with paparazzi asking for pictures and my mom just holds on to me.

Her grip tightens as I make my way to the red carpet ignoring the calls for an interview with the journalists. My dad joins for a family picture plastering his controlled smile like the family man with a successful marriage image he sells so often.

"Remember what tonight means Nova," he says through his teeth before we walk into the building with everyone dispersed talking.

When the facade is over he leads the way into the building with the Carusos already in sight. I'm already dreading this. I spot Mila and Paolo with their outfits standing off. The cream silk blouse on Paolo has to be custom made because I've never seen anything like it. Mila's baby pink satin mini dress screams perfection too.....which leaves me scanning the room for another familiar face, Sofia.

I'm about to head over to them before my mother pulls me over to a chatty Mrs Caruso. Her son Fabio licking his lips likes his life depends on it. He's as shallow as his dimples. A waste of such perfection on a dense man.

"Fabio, show your Fiancé around would you?" His mother hints. I never thought the F word would make me gag that fast.

"Nova,"

Fabio offers his arm but I hold on to my dress instead. I need to talk to Sofia.

"Actually...I need a drink...Champagne," I say expectantly as he blinks in expectation.

"You're...supposed to get for me," I say a little slower and his face lights up in understanding before he disappears into the crowd.

I walk over to the duo with beaming faces. "Hey is Sofia here?" They both look at me like a fly that just landed on their food.

"Why? So you can forget she existed after using her?"

"That's....that's not what happened. I....like her. I wouldn't use her," I say genuinely.

"Well we'll all find out about that tonight, won't we?" Mila hisses and I already know what she means by that. I didn't say no to the proposal and I sure as hell didn't fight it.

"Looks like your date is looking for you," Paolo says eyeing Fabio down across the room. I walk back to him before he notices them.

"Has anyone seen Miss Sofia Vescovi? The show is about to start," I hear a woman ask over her headset walking past us.

Vescovi.

The name catches somewhere in my chest.

No.

There are thousands of Vescovis in Italy.

Probably.

The people are led to their assigned seats and I'm not even surprised that Mila and Paolo are seated across from us. My placement next to Fabio screams out of place but maybe that's just me stepping out of my body to see it.

"Tonight's show is more different because for the first time in fashion history, Sofia Vescovi the designer behind most of Vescovi line will stand next to her collection. But before that, I introduce you to Velvet Ruin,Vescovi's newest collection!" The hostess finishes before the room goes dark then the models start walking down the runway on the beat of the music.

It's weird but I feel like I've seen these designs before...but I could be wrong because they've never been showcased before now.

With each piece I feel like I'm seeing a version of myself in it. A story that's deeper beyond my understanding. "I'll get you this sexy dress," Fabio's hot breath fans my ear making me lean back. Doesn't he know that a mosquito has a better chance at getting close to me than him?

Across from me Mila and Paolo seem to be having a conversation with their eyes despite their focus on the models. Why am I even curious about what they are saying?

I hand snakes on my upper thigh and I snatch it away as soon as it lands. "I like rough too," Fabio whispers but he's a move away from a broken nose if he keeps this up. His father might be his best chance at ever having a woman this close to me but it won't be me. It's already against my will and that says alot about this disgusting man.

The lights dim this time. The music beats softer in the background. Then last model's shadow comes into view. A mystery piece. They're always exciting. Whoever is behind the designs really knows how to sell their brand.

The spotlight shines on her as she walks down the runway, her steps slow yet firm.

It's intended.

The room bursts into murmurs with flashlight going off. Others film the moment silently letting the iconic moment sit. This dress is nothing like one you'd describe to a tailor and they get it right. No. This looks like a dozen of ideas designed into one flowy backless dress that tells a story no novelist could. Even I can picture myself in a dress like that.

She disappears behind the curtains. Then a pause. A brief one that doesn't take a way the moment.

"Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the face behind the masterpieces, Sofia Vescovi!"

The room is still.

This time no one is recording, no phones are out just calm yet eager faces focused on where the spotlight hits. And it does, but not to the designer to Matteo Vescovi.

A name I respected without even knowing it.

He's who i thought my dad would be.

"I'm sorry everyone,  my daughter can be fashionably late sometimes," he says and the whole room laughs. Maybe it's part of it? Then the spotlight falls back on stage. The familiar face walks to the front of the runway in a cream satin dress that falls past her feet. It has a backless feel to it and her curly hair now straightened and held in a messy but classy bun.

My chest tightens. The thumps are a lot louder now. My Tinkerbell is Sofia Vescovi. I look over to her two friends, Mila with a knowing smirk and Paolo with a proud look on his face.

"Thank you all for making it to this show and supporting my work. I know this piece felt different because it was different in intention. My lother and my sisters never got a proper chance to be so proud of my dad for everything he's accomplished and the life he helped me find purpose in. Velvet Ruin is inspired by my family and the loss I...ummm sorry. A year still feels like yesterday when it happened. I've wqnted to remain unseen for years but i think my mom and sisters saw more in me and so hey, my name is sofia Powell-Vescovi and I'm happy to be here," she finishes with her father now Standing next to her.

The crowd applauds and for a brief second, her eyes locked with mine. She trusted me with her softness, her body....but not her name.

She hid that part of herself from me.

She never did trust me.

The hostess calls out the sponsors of the fashion show and I sit there and wait for the next blow. "...and Victorio Castiello the reason behind the models glowing tonight with the jewellery pieces and our biggest sponsor. Thank you for your support and Congratulations on your daughter's engagement," the hostess finishes with the room jumpy.

The flushed looks on both Mila and Paolo's faces is enough to make me stand up and walk away.

Why are they surprised?

Their friend hid her identity her whole life.