Chapter 76 Known Stranger
Becca’s POV
“Please tell me this is good enough,” I whispered to no one, even though the boutique felt like it was holding its breath with me.
Lady Han circled the mannequins like a judge examining evidence at a murder trial.
No emotion. No sound. Just the sharp tap of her heels and the slow sweep of her eyes across every stitch I’d poured my soul into.
My palms were sweating. My throat kept tightening..
I believe it's a thing of the Koreans to keep people in suspense.
Did the hem look crooked?
Was the embroidery too much?
Did I ruin the biggest chance of my career?
She stopped in front of the main gown, the white silk sculpted with silver-threaded leaves so delicate they almost glowed.
Her silence was deadly.
I pressed my hands together to keep them from shaking. “If you hate it, just tell me. I can fix it…”
Lady Han lifted one finger.
My voice died.
She stepped in, touched the embroidery with the gentleness of someone afraid it might disappear under her fingers.
For a full ten seconds, she didn’t speak. I couldn’t breathe. My heart was practically punching my ribs.
Then she inhaled!
Then exhaled!
Then her expression cracked like ice breaking.
And something warm shone through.
“Becca…” she breathed.
“This is quite an exquisite work.”
My legs nearly buckled.
She pressed her palm to the gown as if claiming it.
Her voice dropped into something that almost sounded like awe.
“No designer in Korea can do this. No one here… has your vision.”
I swallowed. Hard. “T-Thank you, ma’am…”
“You are coming with me to the gala.”
Just like that.
A verdict delivered straight to my chest.
My mouth fell open. “I—I’m what?”
She turned to me, face fully softened now.
“Your designs deserve your presence. Pack something simple, elegant. We leave in an hour.”
An hour.
My dream was suddenly real, and unbelievably fast.
By the time Lady Han swept out of the boutique, my hands were shaking too badly to even zip my bag. I grabbed my phone and tried to send a call to Mark but he wasn't picking.
“Pick up Mark,” I muttered, dialing his number for the fourth time.
It still wasn't going through, I resulted into the last option of sending him a message.
“Hey Love, I’m flying to Korea tonight. Lady Han is taking me to the gala. Wish me luck.”
Sent.
I waited for his response but then..the three dots didn’t appear.
I didn't get his response.
Network error!
I sighed. Of course he was probably drowning in work again… or still upset with me… or
I stopped myself.
No time to overthink, this was my moment.
“Miss, we must leave now.” The driver was waiting at the boutique door.
And just like that, I was in a car… then in Lady Han’s private jet… staring at Seoul’s skyline through the windows as the city unfolded like a glowing ocean of lights.
My heart was pounding the whole flight.
This was really happening. I was finally becoming a spotlight.
Lady Han sat across from me, scrolling through her tablet.
Without looking up, she said, “Be calm, Rebecca. Tonight is the beginning of your career.”
I pressed my hands to my skirt, whispering, “I hope so.”
She glanced at me, “Greatness rarely hopes,” she said. “Greatness shows up.”
✦
KOREA’S GALA NIGHT
The ballroom shimmered like a living constellation. There were crystal light dresses that looked like pieces of art.
Whoa! designers were really talented!
Regardless, Lady Han was art herself. She was the center of it all
And me.
Standing beside her like some… discovery.
Everywhere she moved, she introduced me with a proud arm gesture.
“This is my designer.”
“The dress you admire? She made it.”
“Her work will define elegance this year.”
Women turned, eyes wide.
Compliments fell over me like warm rain.
“Your stitching is unreal.”
“You must give me your card.”
“You’re so young, how are you this talented?”
Yeah…I had gotten the spotlight I envisioned to have when I was a child. My childhood fantasy was coming to life.
Is this what success tastes like?
Lady Han stayed close, lifting her chin when people praised the gown she wore.
The white silk hugged her curves like it had been born on her body. She glowed. And I glowed because of it.
Tonight was mine.
I smiled, bowed lightly, exchanged contacts, and thanked them.
And then it all froze.
Like someone erased the warmth from the air.
“Becca.”
It was a familiar voice, a one I couldn't forget in a hurry even if I wanted to.
He stood there in a black suit, the dim lights carving shadows across his jaw, his eyes gleaming with something between amusement and danger.
His smile was slight… controlled… but his eyes roamed my dress like he’d been waiting to see me in it.
My breath caught.
My fingers tingled.
My whole body wanted to run and freeze at the same time.
I’m dreaming. I have to be dreaming.
But then he stepped closer.
Close enough for me to smell the faint cologne I remembered too well. Close enough that every rational part of me shivered.
He leaned in not touching but near enough that a stranger would think we were lovers.
His voice brushed my ear.
“Don’t scream.”
My knees almost buckled.
He kept calm with that smile on his face
“You’ll ruin the dress.”
Asher Nathaniel, the one man I wanted to forget yet he still had a way in finding his way into every phase of my life.