Chapter 12

Chapter 12
When stella returned to her office, she didn’t hesitate. She tossed the velvet box into the trash bin without a second thought.

The door to Ethan’s office opened and John stepped out.

“What’s that?” he asked, his eyes flickering to the waste basket.

“A gift.” Stella said simply, sitting down. “I don’t want it.”

John nodded as if he understood why she said that.

“I see. Liam said to call you.”

“Got it.”

John walked out of the office. 

Stella wondered what he usually did, sometimes he spend the whole day here other times he didn’t show up for days. He didn’t even have an office, but he was Liam’s most important right hand man

Stella took a slow breath, stood up, adjusted her blouse, and smoothed her skirt.Then she walked over and knocked softly.

“Come in,” came Liam’s voice from inside.

She entered the office and stood in front of the table. Her expression neutral and professional. 

He didn’t waste time. Liam slid an envelope across the table.

She picked it up and opened it. Inside was a delicate white and gold invitation card. The lettering bold and flowery: 

Be our guest tonight.

It didn’t disclose the location or the type of event it was. This wasn’t an average event, it was most likely an high society gathering.

“Do you have any plans tonight?” he asked.

“No, sir.”

“Good.You’re coming with me.” He leaned back in his chair. “There’s a charity ball this evening and I need a date.” He paused. “I hope there’s nobody who would mind.”

“There isn’t,” she replied quietly. “What’s the dress code?”

“Don’t worry about that. I know a designer. We’ll go after work.”

“Okay, sir.”

Without another word, she turned and exited the office. Back at her desk, Stella immersed herself in work.

The rest of the dar passed with the soft clicking of the keyboard and humming of the printer. As the sun began to dip below the horizon, they sjut down their system, grabbed their coats and left the building together.

It was the first time she entered Liam’s car. The gleaming black vehicle was a luxury Bentley with tinted windows and soft brown leather seats, that smelled faintly like Liam— subtle and woody. The silence during the drive was comfortable, but also made her hyperaware of his nearness. Their knees were mere inches from each other. They stopped in front of a Brownstone with its entire lower front wall made of see-through glass. Mannequins could be seen posing in different outfits. 

When Stella stepped out of the car and read the signboard, she paused mid-step.

This name…

Vivian had mentioned the brand more than once, lamenting about being unable to get an appointment, not to mention a dress. 

“Come on.”Liam said, standing beside her. “Don’t worry, she doesn’t bite.”

He stepped up and rang the bell.

A woman’s voice echoed through the intercom. “We’re closed.”

“It’s Liam.”

“I don’t remember ever making clothes for men. Bye-bye”

“I brought a woman.” 

A shriek sounded through the speaker. “Come in.”

There was a click as the glass door slid open.

Inside, the boutique was stunning, a mix of elegance and beauty. The orange glow of the setting sun bathed the room in a warm glow. Gowns in many beautiful shades and styles were displayed on mannequins. Fairly light ran across the room, giving it an ethereal feeling.

It was worthy of being the fashion house that all of Paris was talking about.

Moments later, there was a flurry of footsteps down the curved staircase. A pink-haired woman who had different kinds of fabric around her neck and a measuring tape tied to her wrist came running down.

When she spotted them, she turned towards them, shoved Liam out of the way, and held Stella by the shoulders.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Lela,” she said with a grin.

“Stella Moore.”

Lela finally turned to Liam, who was rubbing his shoulder after crashing into a mannequin

“Where’d you find her?” she demanded. “She’s so pretty.”

“She’s my secretary.”

“Wow,” she turned back to Stella. “How about you come work for me? As I model. I pay well and I make you famo—”

“She’s not interested.” Liam cut in.

“How can you tell? She didn’t say anything.”

Both of them turned to Stella.

“Emm… I don’t think I’m cut out to be a model,” Stella said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

Her mood dropped a little. If the tragedy hadn’t happened, maybe just maybe, she would have considered the offer.  When she was younger, her parents used to dress her in pretty gowns and tiaras. But she wasn’t a princess anymore.

“All right then, I hope you would consider coming around when you’re free to try on my clothes.”

“That’s what we’re here for,” Liam said as he moved to sit on one of the couches. “There’s a dinner tonight and she’s my date. Please work your magic.”

Lela beamed widely. “With pleasure.” 

She was already leading Stella to a row of mannequins. “I have the perfect dress.”

Lela came out of the dressing room with a knowing smirk on her lips. “So it’s her,” she said.

Liam didn’t speak. His ears reddened.

“You’re getting shy,” she teased.

He coughed and looked away.  “We’re just getting to know each other.”

At that moment, the sound of a phone ringing came from upstairs. “That should be my button supplier. I’ll be right back.”

She skipped up the stairs, leaving Liam waiting near the dressing area.

In the dressing room, Stella was struggling with the zipper of her dress. The dress was the perfect size, but her hands couldn’t reach it. 

“I need a little help,” she called. 

Footsteps approached behind her. A hand, warm and steady, reached out and zipped her up.

“Thank you,” she said softly.

“You’re welcome.”

The voice.

Her breath caught

She turned around, startled, and tripped over the hem of the dress.

His arms wrapped around her, steadying her. Her hands pressed against his chest, and their eyes locked.

For a brief moment, everything stopped.

Their breaths mingled, his gaze seemed to be holding hers in a magnetic pull, and she couldn’t look away. 

“Are you okay?” Liam asked gently, jolting her out of her daze.

She nodded and pushed against his chest, stepping back.

“Thank you. I’m fine.”

He let her go and also stepped back. “You look amazing.”

“Thank you. They say clothes make a man.”

“Even without clothes, I—” He paused, cleared his throat. “I mean, you always look amazing.”

Before Stella could respond. Lela called from outside. 

“Liam, where did you run off to?”

A knock sounded, followed by the door creaking open.

Lela peeked in, her eyes darting between the two of them.

“You guys are…”

“She needed help with the zipper,” Liam said quickly.

“I see.” Lela drawled, nodding. “Well, you can get out now. She needs help with her makeup.”