Some days later, Amelia entered her room and Lina rushed in after, looking worried.
“What's wrong, Amelia? You've been avoiding me for days now? Why?”
“It's nothing like that, Lina. I just want to be alone.”
“Okay. Honestly, Sebastian is cruel. How can he send you an invitation to his engagement? He's a jerk,” Lina scoffed. Amelia said nothing but walked to her bed.
Staring at her for a while, Lina inhaled. “What's your plans…?”
“I'm leaving the country. I need to restart my life somewhere far away.”
“What about your family and your pregnancy? Talking about that, you left my house some days ago and you looked worried. Is everything okay?”
Amelia shook her head and hung it as her eyes became teary.
“What's wrong, Amelia?”
“I can't stay around. I've got nothing now. I lost my pregnancy, Lina.”
Lina gasped. Amelia nodded and broke down the moment Lina embraced her.
Later in the week, Amelia informed her family that she wanted to go to the United Kingdom to further her education and do her master's. She got the permission and left the country immediately.
FIVE YEARS LATER
Amelia sat regally behind her sleek mahogany desk, the epitome of elegance in her exquisite office. Across from her, a man awaited her attention, his demeanor deferential yet expectant. As she listened intently to his words, her phone rang, interrupting the conversation.
“Hello? What…? Alright. I will be there soon.” With a decisive click, she ended the call and immediately summoned her assistant with a press of a button.
In a whirlwind of urgency, she commanded, “I need to return to New York as soon as possible. Get my private jet ready.”
“On it right away.” The man saluted and hastened out of the room. Amelia stood, her luscious brown hair cascading down her shoulders as she smoothed her elegant gown, a vision of poised determination.
Ten hours later, a procession of cars pulled up in front of Great City Hospital, New York. As the chauffeur rushed to open her door, Amelia emerged with a unique grace, her presence commanding attention despite the urgency of her mission.
Ignoring the surprised stares that followed her, she hurried into the hospital, her steps purposeful and unwavering. Pushing open the door of the ward, she entered with a sense of urgency, sweeping past her astonished family who had gathered around the bed of her ailing grandfather, Sir Tower.
As she approached his bedside, her transformed appearance left them in shock. Taking hold of his frail hand, she caressed it tenderly, her demeanor a stark contrast to her usual poised elegance.
“Mom, is that Amelia or her clone?” Gianna whispered, her disbelief evident.
Louisa nodded in acknowledgment, silently signaling for her to remain quiet as they watched Amelia's determined presence amid their family's crisis.
“Grandfather, what happened to you? I told you to take good care of yourself,” Amelia scolded gently, her concern evident in her tone.
“Sorry. How could I be okay when you've been away from me for years, my dear,” he replied weakly.
“I'm sorry. I'm glad you still held on for me.” She surveyed his frail form before glancing at Louisa, who forced a smile of reassurance.
“Where the hell have you been for five long years? Now you appear after knowing grandfather is sick. Are you insane?” Gianna's accusation pierced the tense atmosphere.
“Watch your mouth when you talk to me,” Amelia's response was calm yet commanding, silencing Gianna instantly.
“Don't mind her, dear,” Sir Tower interjected, chuckling softly. “So, the snake we've killed, how many pieces have you cut it into?” he asked in a whisper.
Amelia's proud smile flickered briefly. “Three pieces, grandfather,” she replied discreetly.
Louisa's confusion was evident, but she masked it with a practiced smile, maintaining the facade of happiness for the family's sake.
Sir Tower's laughter echoed in the room, a melodic sound of hope and joy. "Ah, I understand," he chuckled heartily. "Now, I'm sure I'm going to get better soon."
Dutch, ever the pragmatic one, couldn't help but voice his skepticism. "Are you sure, father?"
With unwavering faith, Sir Tower declared, "Son, my granddaughter is here. She's my cure." His words were met with a nod of agreement from Dutch, who placed a reassuring hand on Amelia's back.
A brief interruption occurred as an envelope was delivered to Louisa. With curious eyes fixed on the envelope, Dutch inquired about its contents.
“Let me check, honey.” Louisa swiftly opened it, revealing invitation cards to the esteemed Pukka Enchanted Gala hosted by a fashion company.
“We've got an invitation from a fashion company to a Pukka Enchanted Gala.”
Gianna's excitement bubbled over at the prospect of attending such a glamorous event. “Wow. It sounds promising. I love such parties.”
However, a subtle tension arose when Louisa hinted at Amelia's exclusion from the guest list.
“Well, it's strictly by invitation and I don't think an invitation was sent to one of us here.” Louisa glanced at Amelia who arose.
“I'm sure you are the one who got no invite, Amelia. You probably weren't considered,” Gianna jabbed.
To everyone's surprise, Amelia's reaction was one of graceful acceptance.
“I see. It's okay.” Shrugging off the slight, she displayed an unexpected level of composure that left Gianna and Louisa exchanging puzzled glances.
The following evening, in a room adorned with opulent decor, Amelia stood before a golden mirror, radiating elegance and confidence. Adorning herself with luxurious jewelry and enveloped in the intoxicating scent of perfumes, she exuded an aura of sophistication.
With a final glance at her reflection, a smile of self-assurance graced her lips as she left the room, silver purse in hand, ready to dazzle at the gala with her undeniable grace and charm.
The grand ballroom shimmered with opulence as guests streamed in, their anticipation palpable in the air. Celebrities, fashionistas, and industry insiders mingled beneath the glittering chandeliers, each one a beacon of style and sophistication.
In a corner, Louisa and Gianna engaged in hushed conversation. "This party is outstanding. I heard people saying the host is a well-known Fashionpreneur. They say she's famous in Britain," Louisa remarked.
"I heard too. Quite unfortunate we've not mingled with her," Gianna replied, a hint of bitterness in her tone.
"We can do that tonight, Mother. I'm glad Amelia isn't going to be here. She's useless and I want her to just disappear like she did five years ago," Gianna continued, her resentment palpable.
"Stop showing so much hate towards her or you will incur your grandfather's wrath," Louisa warned in a whisper.
"Screw that old man. I can't keep doing this, Mom. I'm not a good actor like you who keeps smiling and showing love to Amelia," Gianna retorted, frustration evident in her voice.
"It's a process. Align with it so we can achieve victory at last. You know what I mean, right?" Louisa urged, trying to maintain composure.
Gianna nodded, and they made a toast, their giggles masking the underlying tension. Their elation dimmed as they spotted Sir Tower being pushed into the room in a wheelchair, with Dutch following behind.
"Be on your best behavior," Louisa whispered, adopting a warm smile as Dutch and Sir Tower approached.
The MC stepped forward, giving an introductory speech about the party's focus on revealing the new piece of their brand and introducing the face behind the esteemed fashion company. Excitement rippled through the crowd as all eyes turned towards the stage, eager for the big reveal.
At the heart of the room stood a raised platform, adorned with cascading flowers and shimmering fabrics, the stage set for the night's main event.
“Can we now be on our feet as we welcome the face and powerhouse behind the prestigious Elegance Couture Vogue Company, the beautiful CEO, A.K!” the MC announced with great enthusiasm.
All eyes turned towards the entrance as the magnificent Fashionpreneur who turned out to be Amelia, swept into the room, her presence commanding attention with every graceful step.
“M…Mom, that's Amelia,” Gianna said, shocked.
Louisa's lips parted in astonishment. She glanced at Dutch standing next to her who had an equally surprised expression before dropping her gaze at Sir Tower who applauded with a lack of surprise.
‘How can this be happening?’ she thought, returning her gaze to Amelia who appeared on the stage.
With a flourish of her hand, Amelia signaled the start of the evening's festivities. Spotlights danced across the room as models emerged, each one a vision of haute couture elegance, showcasing the latest collection from the fashion house.
But it was the final model who stole the show. With a dramatic flourish, she revealed the pièce de résistance: the attire that had been months in the making, the culmination of Amelia's vision and creativity.
Gasps of awe echoed through the ballroom as guests beheld the garment in all its glory. The fabric shimmered like liquid gold, catching the light in a dazzling display of craftsmanship. The silhouette was daring yet timeless, a testament to the Fashionpreneur's mastery of design.
As the model strutted down the runway, her every movement exuding confidence and grace, the Fashionpreneur watched with a satisfied smile. This was more than just a fashion show; it was a moment of triumph, a celebration of creativity and innovation.
Applause erupted as the model reached the end of the runway, the sound reverberating through the room like thunder. The Fashionpreneur stepped forward, her voice ringing out above the din.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Amelia began, her tone imbued with pride and passion, "tonight, we have witnessed the birth of something truly extraordinary. This attire represents not just a garment, but a dream brought to life, a vision of beauty and elegance that transcends time and trends."
The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, their admiration for her genius evident in every heartfelt clap.
Meanwhile, Sebastian walked in, his arm linked with Marie's. They handed their invitation cards to the usher at the entrance, but upon catching sight of Amelia up on the stage, Sebastian froze in his tracks, his eyes widening in disbelief.
Sensing his sudden stillness, Marie followed his gaze and gasped as she beheld Amelia, radiant and poised at the center of attention.
“It can't be Amelia, right?” Sebastian muttered, his voice barely audible over the hum of the crowd.
A furrow formed on Marie's brow as she struggled to process the sight before her. Before she could respond, a man approached them, clapping Sebastian on the shoulder.
“Hey, man, you know the woman up there? She's the CEO of the fashion company that's been making waves in the industry,” he said, excitement lacing his words.
“What?” Sebastian shook his head, his mind reeling with disbelief.
“She looks like your ex-wife. She's A.K. The incredible CEO of Elegance Couture Vogue,” the man continued, his words hitting Sebastian like a ton of bricks.
The revelation sent electric waves coursing through Sebastian's body, leaving him awestruck and speechless.
Memories of his past with Amelia flooded his mind, intertwining with the surreal sight of her commanding the stage with such poise and authority.