Chasing Dreams And Billionaire Desires

Chapter Five

The 15th of September came; the day all the fashion students had waited for to be called alumni of the greatest fashion academy in the world.

The hall was decorated with luxurious gold bars, pure white lining and a spotless floor. The interior decor gladly exhibited the uniqueness of the academy.

It has always been a custom that dignitaries and prestigious brands from different countries, who desire to become business partners with the White Firm, honorably come to honor and select a world-class graduating fashion student.

The students know the implications of this and everyone, especially Bella, is already in great anticipation of what lies ahead of her, seeing that she is graduating as the most creative and fashionable student of the year.

For a moment, for the first time in seven years, after being abandoned by her family, she wished they were there with her. She saw how other students were merry and had fun with their loved ones. She desired it so much.

But more important to her was for her to see Antonio, since they'd not met or spoken since the last incident.

I welcome you all to the 30th graduation ceremony of Bill White's Fashion Academy. As the principal of this great institution, on behalf of our CEO of inestimable value, who, as we all know, would not be present today, management and staff of this iconic academy, I welcome you. Sit tight because our students are to blow your mind with their creativity. The principal continued to address the dignitaries while Bella quietly stood up to meet Caleb as he was about to leave the auditorium.

“Where is Antonio? Isn't he going to be here for my graduation ceremony? I have a lot planned out already.”

Caleb smiled with regret and stirred deeply into Bella's eyes, which were almost teary, with a nod, signifying that he was not going to be there.

Caleb was tempted to reveal Antonio's true identity to her, but he immediately remembered the oat he took to always keep it a secret.

“He had an emergency, so he had to travel," he said abruptly, and immediately looked away to avoid further questions from her.

Bella was heartbroken. All she wanted was to be noticed by at least someone who cared about her. She'll be the star of the show, yet, she's as lonely as lonely can be.

She assumed it was because of the incident that happened last night, but she couldn't place why he was angry.

She concluded that the only thing that she has in the world is her twin babies. No one truly cared, she nodded as she tried to fight tears from her eyes.

“So, you think you can get away from me after playing on my intelligence? "I'm going to teach you a lifetime lesson!” Phoebe determined in her heart to create a scene to humiliate Bella.

It was time for the students to exhibit their creative project on the runway and the moment it was Bella's turn, the audience welcomed her with a standing ovation for the excellence of work she had put together; everyone was awed. They couldn't stop clapping.

“This is perfect. "How could she have come up with this outstanding world-class idea?” said an Italian nicely dressed in white and gold beaded materials, with the limited edition of the Lincoln bracelet, worth three hundred million dollars.

But this moment didn't last for long because, as she was enjoying the moment, Phoebe stretched her heels to hold the train of Bella's clothes. Immediately, as Bella tried to turn, to show the back design of her dress, the cloth got torn. The zipper was torn and she slipped and fell.

“Our best student is not fashionable enough to use the runway, oops!” Phoebe shouted from the crowd, laughing; causing the whole audience to start laughing and whispering negative comments.

Bella immediately stood up and ran to the restroom, crying.

“Bella,” Jacob called, trying to catch up with her.

“Stay away from me, I want to be left alone,” she screamed while she shut the door.

Phoebe immediately followed her and drew her long hair backwards. It should be the start of the show. “You're just a nobody and no one dares stand in my way”. She walked away and said, while she approached the door to leave, she echoed, "You still owe me, loser!

At that moment, Bella felt like giving up. So much for a child. What's my offense to this asshole? She didn't know whether to retaliate or to find an escape route. She wiped her tears and tried to mend her dress as she watched Phoebe walk out.

Immediately, her phone rang, it was her father.

“You've never failed to be a disappointment, as you were seven years ago. We just saw how much of a humiliation you can be in the world news. You have to travel back to New York. I have news for you.”

“What's it about dad?”

“It's urgent!” He hung up the call hastily.

“What could this be? What could be so important that Father had to call me? After seven whole years? Has he acknowledged that he wronged me?”

She quickly said a prayer and sneaked out of the school auditorium to avoid further embarrassment from the crowd.

Very early the next day, Bella sneaked out of Bill White's mansion without the consent of Antonio's Mum, his P.A., Caleb, or any of the workers in the house, dashed to the airport and traveled to New York, with her babies, to attend to her dad’s urgent call.

The only person who was able to track her dismissal was the secret spy Antonio employed the night before he traveled. He hasn't been able to reach Antonio either to update him on the current happenings.

Bella didn't know what to expect when she finally arrived, and neither was she prepared for the shock she was about to experience.

On getting to the house, everyone seemed busy. She was thrust into a frenzy of events that kept her wondering what was going on. No one gave her attention nor welcomed her, not even her father. She found the house crowded with people who were in a festive mood. She couldn’t see her sister or her stepmother.

“What is going on, which ceremony is going on in the house?” She asked one of the guys dressed in the tag ‘Ask Me’.

The guy responded, “Your sister, Lia, is getting married.” Surprised, she asked without confusion, “Who is the lucky guy?”

She was shocked to find out that her sister was getting married to her lover. What?! With great fury in her eyes, Bella ran hurriedly to the wedding hall. On sighting her sister, she screamed, “Lia!!!” Everyone turned to look at her.