Her Fake Lover

Chapter 19

The planned meeting was in progress. Located at the Avant-Garde Valestylez fashion house, Emmeline, accompanied by Chloe, along with Mrs. Valerie—the owner of Avant-Garde Valestylez—discussed several things that they thought were necessary, for the smooth running of the fashion exhibition that they would organize together.

"This I prefer," said Mrs. Valerie. "Meeting over coffee, and talking about work is no more like we talk about the pleasures in life. I feel we are one soul, Miss Karfis. It's just that I am older than you. But our love for our work, because it fits our souls, makes us willing leaving our eyes open at night, when others are asleep, to design the designs we love. Me with my dresses, you with your shiny things."

Emmeline, smiled at the words of her business partner.

"Ah, how is your mom?"

"She's fine, Mrs. Valerie."

"Give my regards to her. Ah, I'm almost the same age as her, but I'm sure, my soul is still much younger," Valerie said with a small laugh, and half-whispered at the last few words. "I've prepared some of the best outfits, I think, to match the jewelry set you're trying to show off."

"This is jewelry that we make for young people."

Mrs. Valerie nodded her head. "Yes, I've seen it. Mr. Piers or you, exactly who designed the models of this series? Or another designer?"

"Both of us," Emmeline smiled.

"And you should know that I like it. See that I'm also done with all the preparations I need. But I really want you to take a look at some of the results."

Emmeline said she was excited to see them, so a model came out to show her the first outfit they wanted to show off. Several subsequent models followed.

Emmeline, took a good look, and she smiled seeing that everything was fine. Not spectacular in her opinion, but good enough.

No. Emmeline was silent for a moment. Why settle for just being good enough? Why not get even better, if that's possible? Emmeline, took a sip of the drink that was served in front of her while still thinking, while watching.

Emmeline fell silent and tried to understand what she really wanted. Emmeline saw from her watchful eyes that there was nothing lacking in the clothes and jewelry that she and Mrs. Valerie had produced. She herself had always believed in the results made by the Avant-Garde Valestylez fashion house. What's with her?

Another model came out, bringing the next outfit. Emmeline recognized her face. Yes. Of course. The model is a model who also had time to bring her jewelry at a jewelry exhibition in Paris the other day. Emmeline straightened her back on reflex. Something crept into her mind.

"We will make this event my comeback too, Miss Karfis. You know I've been on hiatus for a while, because my health wasn't good. Ah, I'm grateful that my health is now getting better. It's as if I feel young again, even though it's only because I just recovered from illness. That's why I created a series of clothes that symbolize the youthful and fresh spirit this time, to represent the spirit that I'm feeling. Bright, cheerful—"

"Energetic, and lively," Emmeline continued, as if the words just came out of her mouth. Her own gaze seemed to be dreamy at that time, while watching the last model who was waddling in front of her.

Valerie smiled happily hearing that. "It fits the jewelry theme you're carrying, doesn't it, Miss Karfis?"

Emmeline turned her gaze to Valerie, and then chuckled. "Ah, yes, Mrs. Valerie."

The show wasn't over yet. Emmeline and Valerie still allowed themselves to enjoy the atmosphere.

Chloe, come closer to Emmeline. She bent down, then whispered, "What are you thinking about? Your mind seems to be drifting elsewhere."

"I don't know," said Emmeline. "I suddenly thought of Anna, after seeing the model she bumped into at the show yesterday," Emmeline pointed with a head motion to the model she was referring to, "And somehow, I found it interesting if Anna were one of the models wearing our jewelry."

Chloe gasped. She covered her slightly gaping mouth. "Are you serious?"

Emmeline laughed faintly. "Forget what I said. We're not in the middle of prolonging business with Anna, when we're done with her."

Chloe didn't immediately respond. She seemed to think for a moment. "I think it's fine if you offer this to her. I think she would be happy too. But maybe you need to reconsider. Her behavior can suddenly get out of control."

Emmeline, seemed to think about Chloe's words for a moment, but before she could say anything to answer, Chloe had already backed away. Mrs. Valerie seemed interested in talking to Emmeline again, and it was true. Emmeline was again lost in the conversation with Mrs. Valerie.

The meeting was over. There was one dress rehearsal for the models to do next, and Emmeline and Mrs. Valerie had both agreed.

Emmeline and Chloe, were on their way back to Karfis & Vin's office. Chloe and Emmeline engaged in conversation while the driver focused on driving the car, scanning the streets of Elderville-Bryxton.

The journey went on without surprise for a while until they passed a slight commotion on the side of the road. Emmeline glanced at the point of commotion, and found Anna, standing there, by the roadside, listening to an elderly woman's lecture.

"I'm sorry, once again," was what came out of Annaliese's mouth as Emmeline walked up to her. Chloe trailed behind her.

"Sorry, what's this?" Emmeline asked.

"She almost grazed me, Miss. No. Almost hit me even. And what scared me even more was that I took a child with me. Luckily when I heard someone yelling warning me, I realized it right away and was able to escape in time. God is still protecting me."

Annaliese looked down in fear. Her face looked pale. Emmeline felt sorry.

"I apologize on her behalf, madam," said Emmeline.

"You know her?"

"Yes."

"Ah, all right. It doesn't really matter to me. I was just warning this girl to be more careful."

Emmeline apologized again, and with Annaliese's confession of guilt, the commotion ended well. The unknown madam was willing to leave after saying she forgave.

Emmeline turned her gaze to Annaliese, who was speechless, while Chloe, watched the car Annaliese was using.

"S-so-sorry, Miss. I'm bothering you again," Annaliese stuttered. She squeezed the fingers of her left hand with the other hand restlessly. "I-I'm just tired of driving, because I've been busy on campus all day, and without rest I went straight to Elderville-Bryxton, even though I couldn't sleep last night thinking about what Corbin did to make amends for yesterday. Corbin wouldn't tell me, and he just returned to Italy today."

"Oh, so much information. Whose car is this?" said Chloe.

"Annaliese's own car. Corbin just bought it," Emmeline answered the question in Annaliese's place.

"Oh," Chloe looked completely surprised. "What does that mean? He has no money, right?"

"H-how do you know, Miss Karfis?" Annaliese looked surprised too.

Emmeline took a deep breath. She realized, there were some things she had not told Chloe. As for Annaliese, of course she knew nothing.

"Never mind, Chloe. You take Anna's car, and you, Anna, get in mine."

Anna looked immediately happy with the invitation, which then made her eagerly agree and follow behind Emmy, while Chloe, looked at them resignedly. She was disappointed that her question had not been answered, but she had no other choice. "Ah, well. Good thing our office isn't far."

***