OWNED BY MR. MANRIQUIZ [THAT RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE]

CHAPTER 5

The soft chime of the boutique’s front door made me glance up from my sketches. Gwen, who had been reorganizing fabric rolls for the third time that morning and tripping over them just as many times, froze mid-step, her eyes widening.

“Miss Torres,” she whispered dramatically, clutching her clipboard to her chest. “She’s here.”

I didn’t need to ask who.

When Lexi Bellington entered the room, she didn’t just walk in—she glided, like she owned not just the boutique but the entire street outside. Which, honestly, wouldn’t surprise me; the Bellingtons did own half of Linus City.

Lexi was dressed casually today, at least by her standards—cream silk blouse, perfectly tailored pants, diamond-studded earrings that caught the sunlight every time she moved. And even though I’d seen her before, the presence she carried still made my breath hitch a little.

“Good morning, Miss Torres,” she said, her tone softer than last time but still commanding. “I hope this isn’t a bad time.”

“Of course not,” I said, quickly standing and smoothing my jacket. “You’re always welcome here, Miss Bellington.”

“Lexi,” she corrected gently, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. “We’re working together now. No need to be so formal all the time.”

That… was new. Last time, her words had been sharp, her smile almost nonexistent. Now, there was a subtle warmth there, like she was testing me but also letting me in—just a little.

“Lexi, then,” I said, smiling back.

Gwen, who had been standing stiffly by the counter, suddenly snapped into action. “Would you like something to drink, Miss—uh, Lexi? Water? Tea? Coffee imported from Italy? We can get some!”

Lexi raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Water is fine.”

“Right away!” Gwen scurried off, nearly slipping on the polished floor as she went. I pinched the bridge of my nose but didn’t comment.

Lexi turned her attention back to me. “I came for a measurement update. I trust you’ve been working nonstop since our last meeting.”

“Yes,” I said, gesturing toward the mannequin where I’d pinned some sample fabric. “I’ve refined the silhouette based on your feedback. Would you like to see it before we start with the measurements?”

“Of course.”

I led her to the mannequin, my heart thumping. Lexi examined the pinned fabric, running her fingers lightly along the seam.

“Impressive,” she said after a moment, turning to look at me. “You’ve already adjusted the neckline. It’s more flattering now. And the back… you refined the pearl placement?”

“Yes,” I said, trying not to sound too excited that she noticed. “I wanted the pearls to move more naturally when you walk. It’s subtle, but it creates a softer illusion, especially under the lights.”

Lexi’s smile widened, just slightly, but enough to make Gwen—who had just returned with a glass of water—nearly gasp.

“Miss Torres,” Lexi said, “you’re not just good. You’re meticulous. I can see why Darious recommended you.”

I felt my heart skip at the mention of Darious Manriquiz. “Darious… said that?”

Lexi nodded, taking the glass of water from Gwen with a polite “thank you.” “He said you were the only designer in Linus City who could handle something of this standard. I trust his judgment. The Manriquiz name may not be as old as the Bellingtons, but he has an eye for excellence.”

I tried to keep my expression professional, but something about hearing Darious’s name—his approval—made my chest feel unexpectedly tight.

Lexi sipped her water, studying me with those sharp, calculating eyes. “Tell me, Miss Torres… how does it feel? Designing for someone like me?”

I blinked, caught off guard by the direct question. “Honestly? It’s an honor. The Bellington name is—”

“—one of the most powerful in Linus City?” she finished, a small smirk playing at her lips. “Don’t worry, I’m not fishing for flattery. I know what my family name means.”

Gwen, who had been pretending not to listen, nodded enthusiastically anyway. “Hotel de Bellington is literally the best hotel in Linus City! Five stars, world-class service, chandeliers bigger than my apartment—”

“Gwen,” I warned, but Lexi actually laughed softly.

“She’s not wrong,” Lexi said, turning back to me. “And that’s exactly why I need this gown to be perfect. The Bellingtons don’t settle for anything less than perfection. People will talk, Callie. Every photo of this wedding will be scrutinized. And my gown will be at the center of it.”

I met her gaze, feeling the weight of her words but refusing to be intimidated. “Then I’ll make sure they talk for the right reasons.”

Lexi’s smirk softened into something almost approving. “Good answer. You’re not intimidated by me, are you?”

I smiled, shaking my head. “I respect you, Lexi. But if I let myself be intimidated, I wouldn’t be able to do my best work.”

For a second, Lexi just stared at me, then nodded slowly. “I like that. Confidence is rare these days.”

Gwen beamed at me from behind Lexi, giving me two enthusiastic thumbs-up before nearly dropping her clipboard in the process.

Lexi placed her water on the table and straightened. “Shall we proceed with the measurements then?”

“Of course,” I said, already gathering the measuring tape.

Gwen rushed to help, nearly tangling herself in the rolls of fabric again. “I’ll hold the notes, Miss Torres! Don’t worry, I won’t mess it up this time—oops!”

The clipboard slipped from her hands, scattering sheets of paper all over the floor.

Lexi watched with an amused expression as Gwen scrambled to pick them up, apologizing repeatedly.

“Your staff is… lively,” Lexi remarked.

I laughed, trying to hide my embarrassment. “Lively is one word for it.”

Lexi’s smirk returned. “Don’t worry. I like her. She’s genuine.”

I shot Gwen a look, and she mouthed She likes me! excitedly before going back to picking up papers.

As I wrapped the measuring tape around Lexi’s waist, I couldn’t help but feel a strange mix of emotions—excitement for this project, pride that Lexi trusted me… and a nagging thought of Troy that refused to fully leave my mind.

But for now, I pushed it away. This was my world, my dream, and I wasn’t going to let anything ruin it.

Not today.

“Hold still, Lexi,” I said as I carefully noted the last measurement. “I just need to double-check the sleeve length.”

Lexi raised an eyebrow but didn’t move, standing perfectly poised as if she were posing for a magazine cover. Gwen, meanwhile, was standing beside me, holding the clipboard as if her life depended on it.

“Twenty-three inches,” I murmured, writing it down.

“Twenty-three point five!” Gwen corrected, then blinked. “Wait, no, that’s the bust measurement—sorry, sorry!” She fumbled with the pen, nearly dropping the clipboard again.

Lexi chuckled softly, shaking her head. “You’re lucky she’s adorable, Callie. Otherwise, I’d think you hired her just to test my patience.”

“She grows on you,” I said with a grin, taking the clipboard back before Gwen could mess up the notes further.

“Like moss,” Gwen whispered dramatically, earning herself a playful glare from me.

After a few more adjustments, I finally stepped back. “All done. Thank you for being patient, Lexi.”

“Patience is easy when the designer actually knows what she’s doing,” Lexi replied smoothly, brushing off her blouse. Then she gave me a look—one of those sharp, assessing stares that felt like she could read your entire life story if she wanted to.

I was about to ask her what she thought of the changes when her phone buzzed on the table. Lexi glanced at the screen, and for the first time today, her expression shifted ever so slightly.

“It’s Darious,” she said casually, picking up the phone.

Darious Manriquiz.

I froze, my heart skipping.

Lexi pressed the phone to her ear. “Darious. Yes, I’m at the boutique right now.”

I tried to focus on straightening the measuring tape, but my ears practically grew antennas at the mention of his name.

“Yes, she’s here,” Lexi said, glancing at me briefly. “Callie’s doing an excellent job so far. Very detail-oriented, as you said.”

I stopped breathing for half a second. He said that?

Lexi’s lips curved into a faint smile as she listened. “Don’t worry. You’ll be pleased. I trust her with this.”

There was a pause, and Lexi raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by whatever he said next. “Yes, yes, I’ll tell her.” She glanced at me again, this time with a hint of curiosity, before ending the call.

I stood there awkwardly, pretending to organize fabric swatches, my heart thudding against my ribs. Gwen, of course, was staring at me like she was watching the most dramatic telenovela of her life.

Lexi set her phone down and took a sip of water. “Darious asked me to tell you something, Callie.”

My throat went dry. “O-oh? What did he say?”

She tilted her head slightly, studying me. “He said, ‘I hope she knows I’m expecting only the best.’”

I swallowed, trying to keep my cool. “Of course. I… I won’t disappoint him. I won't disappoint both of you. Only the best for your wedding.”

Lexi smirked. “Good. Because Darious doesn’t hand out compliments easily. The fact that he even mentioned you means he’s paying attention.”

Gwen’s jaw practically hit the floor. She leaned close to whisper—loudly, of course—“Did you hear that, Miss Torres? Darious Manriquiz is paying attention to you! Like… personally paying attention!”

“Gwen,” I hissed under my breath, my face heating up.

Lexi raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by Gwen’s reaction. “Your staff is very… expressive.”

“She’s just… supportive,” I said quickly, giving Gwen a please-shut-up look.

Lexi smirked again, clearly entertained. “You should take it as a compliment. Not many people get Darious’s attention. He’s ruthless when it comes to business—and he doesn’t tolerate mediocrity.”

I nodded, trying to look professional, but inside? My heart was doing cartwheels.

Darious Manriquiz. Ruthless CEO. A man whose approval could make or break careers in this city.

And he was… watching.

Part of me felt nervous—what if I failed? What if this gown didn’t meet his impossible standards? But another part of me, the part that had dreamed of being recognized by people who mattered in the fashion world, felt… proud.

I was on his radar.

“Anyway,” Lexi said, standing gracefully. “I think we’ve made good progress today. I’ll leave the rest to you until the next fitting.”

Gwen immediately straightened, nearly knocking over the chair in her rush to open the door. “Of course, Lexi! We’ll be ready! Miss Torres will make the most beautiful gown you’ve ever seen!”

“Thank you, Gwen,” Lexi said with a polite nod, clearly amused by her enthusiasm.

I gave Lexi a confident smile, trying to steady my racing heart. “I’ll make sure of it.”

Lexi held my gaze for a second longer, then nodded approvingly.

And for a brief moment, I allowed myself to feel it—the quiet pride of knowing that even someone like Darious Manriquiz believed I could do this.

Now, I just had to prove him right.