Chapter 40: You Don't Own Me
1618 Words
Chapter 40: You Don't Own Me.
STELLA
It ws the D-Day.
I held the lower part of my purple hand-stoned and beaded dress as I climbed the stairs, leading into the hall—Cassian had given me three luxurious dresses, made by one of the most respected and legendary fashion designers from Africa, Veekee James.
He'd asked me to wear any for my graduation ceremony.
I was graduating. The wait was over.
The efforts was finally paying off.
Two years of learning had ended—it was time to step out of the world of being a fashion ‘student’, chase my dream and get that one thing that had been my drive till this moment—power.
The past one month—even two had been the same.
But the last month had been even tougher—and rougher.
I hadn't seen him in a month… it'd been two since the incident happened.
I hadn't tendered a statement online. Nothing. My name was still trending but I didn't care anymore.
Two months was enough to move on, right?
It'd been two months since I set my eyes on him—two months of him not bothering to hear me out. Two months of pretending I didn't exist or maybe I no longer existed to him.
I hated that I couldn't take my mind off. I hated that I was still his biggest stalker—such a shameless girl who a created new accounts to stalk him and had never liked any of his posts on social media.
I hated that I couldn't stop. My routine had been just normal—with a major difference from his absence.
In one month, I made a new friend. Made a perfect dress for my graduation speech. I ran in a field—and bawled my eyes out, the day I learnt he was out of the country.
Maybe that was the end of everything…maybe. I'd thought it over and the only thing that I hadn't done, was moving out of his guesthouse.
I walked into the venue gallantly. I mean, I was the best student so why was I not going to live in the moment?
“Stella!"
I turned around. It was Damon—my new friend, walking towards me. He was also a graduate of Cassian's fashion academy. I pulled a smile to my lips, waiting for him to join me.
“You look stunning in that dress" He smile spread to his ear, as he walked up to me.
He stretched his hand forward to take mine. "What?”I chuckled lightly. It was his habit—always claiming he liked to treat women like ‘princesses’
"Allow me the honour, St—”
I slid my palm in his before he finished his statement.
“Is that…?” His eyes shot out as his lips flew apart, the moment he spotted the tiny logo on my dress.
“Yes, Veekee James. It's her" I answered with a small laugh. It was clearly pride with a mix of humility.
I allowed him walk me to my special seat. It was the seat that was reserved for the graduands.
I settled and the party continued until I was called out for my dedication.
I was collecting my award and certificate.
I got up and walked proudly to the stage. I'd never felt so proud in my entire life. I was achieving something I never imagined would be possible. It was my freaking childhood dream—but my parents had forced me to go study event planning if at all I wanted fashion.
According to them, it wasn't a profession to be proud of but it was what I really wanted. It was something I desired deep inside of me.
My fashion piece was brought to the stage and for the first time ever, I received a standing ovation. The clapped, and gushed at my piece.
It was a Nigerian fashion-inspired dress called ASO EBI.
Tears welled in my eyes as I received the award and Cassian praised me.
I held back every urge to burst in tears but the moment the microphone was passed to me, I knew I would definitely shed a tear.
“When I first started attending this academy, I was going through a whole phase of my life" I held back, a drop off tear trickled down my cheek. “I was battling badly with anxiety. I—"
Words failed me at that very moment but everyone clapped loudly as the tears kept rolling down my eyes.
“I am grateful to my colleagues who supported me to this very moment. I'm so thankful for…”
Then I spotted him. My head went blank as my belly sank. More tears poured down.
His eyes were on mine. He was on his feet too, clapping loudly. He had a wide smile like he was my biggest supporter when he was….
Why was he here?
Why did he come here?
What was he here for???
She was beside him, her arm curling back into his—as soon as he settled back in the chair.
I wiped my tears and continued my speech of gratitude without letting a single tear drop.
“We love you, Stella!"
That was Damon, the moment I was stepping off the stage.
Everyone rose on their feet, clapping passionately as I walked back to my seat.
The award session ended and it was time for everyone to the dinner hall with their guardians,,, invited friends and families.
Left to me, I wanted to leave that ceremony, the exact moment I spotted him but Cassian had made it compulsory for all graduands, their guardians and some alumni.
That prick! Why did he have to??
“Hey," Damon walked up to me. Instead of heading in, I remained outside, getting fresh air when he joined me.
“Hey,” My voice cracked. I wasn't crying—my heart was.
"You're okay?” He asked, following my eyes till we were both looking at Rhys.
I nodded, letting out an inaudible scoff. "Is it him?” He asked like he knew too much than he was saying.
I didn't say a word. Rhys was already approaching us and before I turned to find Damon,he was already gone.
Rhys had gotten close enough to block mee ifff i tried to walk away. He seriously stood before me.
I looked away, ignoring like I hadn't seen him at all. “Stella…” He began roughly but he stopped halfway.
Thank goodness he did!
“You look good in that dress." He said softly but I didn't turn. Nothing would make me.
“Thanks for wearing it," He added. My head spun that moment.
Shit! It'd better not be!
He walked away and minutes later, I headed to the dining hall.
He had f*****g stayed behind.
Why on earth? Whyyy????!!
He was my guardian—Right. I got into Cassian's academy through him so apparently, he had every right to stay behind for the dinner.
I walked into the dining room, and grabbed the seat beside Damon. I hoped Rhys wouldn't notice me—and that was the main reason I walked in quietly.
It was less of a proper dinner, considering the status of most of our guardians and even the graduands. It was more of a ‘chat over dinner’.
“You look good, Stella!" Tom, one of my favorite classmates complimented and my cheeks blushed. I smiled so hard my eyes almost tore up.
My smile disappeared when I turned to my side and it was no longer Damon but Rhys. He f*****g took the chair beside me.
“You look freaking hot in tuxedo, Tom" I smiled and everyone teased us.
It was simple—ignore Rhys and act like he didn't exist in my world. Everyone laughed but, the fun didn't spoil yet.
My phone buzzed in a way it hadn't, since a while ago.
“What about me?" It was a text from Rhys. I ignored it, taking a sip of water even though I wasn't thirsty.
The chit-chats over dinner continued in the room and I successfully ignored him.
Another buzz. I prayed earnestly within me before I finally checked my phone.
Rhys.
“I came for you, you know”
This time, I decided to be nicer. “Yeah, thanks."
That was the most I could do.
I caught a glimpse of Rhys's fists folding on his laps as he age quietly.
Another text. Same person.
“I know I'm at fault…”
Three dots were floating from his end. I was about to ignore then drop my phone, but his next text bounced.
“But, I swear, if you exchange compliments with another man tonight… it won't end well for them. They'll never speak to you after tonight”
A smirk formed on my lips as a fuel of anger poured through me.
" I dare you, Rhys.”
I hadn't finished typing when Damon complimented me for the umpteenth time tonight.
Perfect timing!
“She looks so damn hot in that dress that I wish I could take Stella as my bride and walk down the aisle with her this moment" Damon chuckled hard.
"I'd love to do that, Damon. You're like one of the guys in my book, baby” I returned his compliment but mine was a bit extra.
I didn't mean to go that far but, why not?
The room filled with laughter and chuckles but before I realized, Rhys was no longer beside me.
And Damon was no longer in the room…
I wouldn't let him mess with me, or my friends.
- Writer
