Chapter 412 She Designed His World

Chapter 412 She Designed His World
Hope Elara's Point of View

I fed the parking meter while Valduz stood behind me.

He was trying very hard not to laugh.

When I finished, he held out his hand.

The twins had left two quarters in the coin holder I kept in the glove compartment.

It was for the arcade near the house.

They had only gone twice.

And somehow...

The coins were already gone.

I was definitely going to need more.

"Since I have you here," I said, "can you help me with something?"

"Sure."

He nodded.

"What do you need?"

"I need the band's favorite colors."

"I know black is the main one."

"But I want to add something personal for each of you."

He looked at me curiously.

"What exactly are we talking about?"

"Just colors."

"I want to know how to highlight everyone's outfits."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Can I ask what you're designing?"

"You haven't talked to Felicity?"

I pointed toward a bakery.

He opened the glass door for me.

"My manager, Felicity?"

"Yeah."

I laughed.

"I haven't talked to her in a while."

"Have you?"

"I have."

"Rip introduced us back at the ranch."

"That was when you were still struggling with your wolf."

"We've become friends."

"I sent her a few designs."

"She approved one."

"Then she sent me everyone's measurements."

"She gave me complete creative freedom."

"Really?"

He looked surprised.

"That's huge."

"She never lets anyone touch our performance outfits."

I smiled.

"It's not for a concert."

"It's for the Flames of Desire music video."

His eyes widened.

"She gave you full creative control over my music video?"

"Can I see it?"

I shook my head.

"I promised her I'd show her first."

"Before I let you see the finished designs."

We walked to the counter.

The woman behind it smiled as soon as she saw me.

"Would you like the strawberry and banana toppings today?"

"Yes, please."

I nodded.

She looked at Valduz.

He wasn't paying attention anymore.

He had disappeared into his own thoughts.

"Valduz?"

"Do you want anything?"

"I'll have whatever you're having."

He wandered over to one of the small tables by the window.

"Two, please," I told the woman.

I sighed.

"I think I accidentally ruined his day."

She smiled.

"A sweet snack usually fixes that."

"I'll bring everything over."

She gave a small bow.

"And if you can get me an autograph..."

"It's on the house."

"You've got a deal."

I laughed.

Valduz never noticed when I slipped back outside.

I went to the car and grabbed the small photos Felicity had sent me.

I wanted him to sign them.

That way he could hand them out the way I handed out business cards.

Or...

I could do it for him whenever we were rushing away from the paparazzi.

My phone started ringing as I walked back toward the bakery.

"Hey..."

I looked at the screen.

Uh-oh.

I was probably in trouble.

"Felicity."

"Elara!"

She sounded completely horrified.

"You weren't supposed to tell him!"

"Now he's going to panic!"

"Valduz is the biggest diva alive."

"It was supposed to be a surprise."

"Oh..."

I groaned.

"You should've warned me."

"I only asked what everyone's favorite colors were."

"I didn't mean to tell him."

"You'll have to show him everything now."

"The big binder."

"The fabric samples."

Felicity sighed.

"And prepare yourself."

"He can be a real pain when it comes to this."

"If he likes it..."

"He'll probably still want to change something."

"Okay."

I smiled.

"Don't worry."

"I have to worry."

She groaned.

"It's literally my job to keep him happy."

"Call me as soon as you're done."

"I will."

I ended the call and walked back inside.

Valduz was still staring at his phone.

"Hey."

"Hey."

He didn't look up.

I covered his screen with my hand.

He closed his eyes and let out a slow breath.

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault."

He shook his head.

"It's hers."

"She should've told me first."

"Valduz."

I squeezed his hand.

"I can show you the designs."

"It's really not a big deal."

"It is to me."

His voice turned serious.

"This is the only thing that's truly mine."

"It wasn't handed to me."

"I worked for it."

"I built it."

"So it has to be..."

He stopped.

"Perfect."

"I know."

I held his hand a little tighter.

"I never wanted to upset you."

"I honestly think you're going to love it."

"And if you don't..."

"I'll scrap the design."

"Problem solved."

He looked at me.

"It's not that."

"You're the one who designed it."

"The last thing I want is to tear apart your work."

"It has to fit the vision."

I smiled.

"It wouldn't be the first time someone told me to start over."

"But I'm pretty confident you'll like it."

"I'll show you when we get home."

"I drew everything by hand in my sketchbook."

"You've liked everything I've made for you so far."

He frowned.

"Wait."

"What exactly have you made for me?"

"All your suits."

"The jeans."

"And those two leather jackets you've been wearing lately."

"I love the way you style them."

"They look amazing on you."

He stared at me.

Then laughed.

"Hold on."

"You've been making my clothes this whole time?"

"Yeah."

"I hardly ever shop."

"Los Angeles has amazing fabric stores."

"I like sewing while I study."

"It helps me remember things."

"Then I send the designs to the Royal Threads towers."

"Your sisters are the best creative directors we've ever had."

Mrs. Everette walked over with our food.

She set the plates down and hurried away.

The smell of fresh pancake balls, warm vanilla custard, fruit, and chocolate filled the table.

My mouth watered instantly.

"I really had no idea."

Valduz smiled.

"I just liked everything you gave me."

"I never questioned where it came from."

"Look."

I picked up one pancake ball and broke it open.

Warm Nutella poured out.

I drizzled it over the fruit.

I sighed happily.

"These are my favorite things right now."

"My cravings have barely started..."

"And they're already winning."

He laughed, his mood finally lifting as he picked up his fork.

"I wanted to ask you something."

I hesitated.

"But now I'm wondering if I'm crossing a line."

"I guess I really am related to Perry."

"What?"

He laughed.

I pulled one of the photos from the envelope and slid it across the table.

He took one bite of his pancake.

Then looked down.

"Oh..."

He blinked.

"My God."

"What's this?"

"It's a mini autograph photo."

"It was my idea."

"I pitched it to Felicity."

"She loved it."

"She's printing a thousand of each picture."

"Then she'll switch to a new photo."

"They'll be collectible."

"You sign them..."

"And fans can get an autograph in seconds."

"Kind of like how I hand out my business cards."

I pulled one of my business cards from the clip on my sleeve and showed him.

He looked from the card...

Back to the photo.

Then reached for the marker.

A slow grin spread across his face.

"Okay."

He laughed.

"This..."

"I love."

He signed the photo without another word.

Relief rushed through me.

"Good."

I laughed nervously.

"Because she already sent me a whole box."

I paused.

"I wasn't going to tell you if you hated the idea."

Valduz looked down at the signed photo.

Then back at me.

His smile grew wider.

"You already planned all this..."

His voice softened.

"And you never even told me."