Chapter Sixteen

As the hours passed, Ms. Isabella's worry turned into frustration. Victor Vane was taking an unusually long time in the bathroom. She glanced at the door repeatedly, hoping to see him walk in. But still he didn't.

Just as she was about to lose hope, the door finally opened. Victor walked in, his eyes darting around the room in surprise. He wasn't expecting to see the two people he was seeing here, dressed in their high-end fashion wears. The one with gray hair, was wearing a tailored three-piece suit, the fabric shimmering subtly under the room's light. His tie was a rich burgundy, matching the pocket square peeking out of his suit jacket.

The other was a lady, who was on the other side of the gray haired man, was adorned in a luxurious silk dress that cascaded down to her ankles, the color a deep emerald that complemented her jewelry. Their outfits spoke volumes about their status and wealth.

As Victor sidestepped to the couch, he could feel their stern gazes on him. He turned his gaze to Ms. Isabella, trying to understand what was happening. The sight of the Johnsons, in their extravagant attire, made him wonder about the kind of people they were and what they were doing here.

Mrs. Johnson broke the silence. "You are Victor Vane, am I right?" she asked. Victor nodded, confirming his identity. "I'm aware that you are the CEO of Vane Couture. Is that correct?" Again, Victor nodded.

"We are the ones financing the Gala night that is set to happen tonight. We are the Johnson family. Look at us. We are here to know what you have in store for us," she continued.

Victor glanced at Ms. Isabella, seeking reassurance. He then turned his attention back to Mrs. Johnson. "A few moments ago, Ms. Isabella told me about you guys. She also mentioned that you guys are asking about the plans for the event tonight," he said, his voice steady despite his nervousness.

He continued, "I will be modeling a few of my own works as a fashion designer." He then stood up and walked over to the dining table to pick up his phone. He returned to the couch and showed Mrs. Johnson a few of his designs.

Mrs. Johnson looked at the designs, her eyes widening in surprise. She looked at Victor from head to toe, her gaze scrutinizing. For a moment, Victor thought she was going to disapprove the event. But then, she spoke, "I like your potential. I will start making the calls. Get ready. The show will begin by 9pm. The location will be communicated shortly."

She stood up, shook hands with Victor, and left the room with a sly smile on her face. Victor was left in the room with Ms. Isabella, both of them relieved and excited for the upcoming event.

After Mrs. Johnson left the room, Victor and Ms. Isabella looked at each other in disbelief. Ms Isabella had a grin on her face while victor frowned.

Victor walked over to the couch and sat down, feeling exhausted. He looked around the room, admiring the luxurious furniture and decorations. He noticed a painting on the wall, depicting a beautiful landscape. He wondered who the artist was and how much it cost.

Ms. Isabella, on the other hand, was still standing by the window, watching the Johnsons' car drive away. She felt a pang of bitterness as she remembers their conversation earlier before Victor's arrival.

She turned around and saw Victor staring at the painting by the right close to the wall clock. She walked over to him and sat next to him. She smiled and said, "That's a nice painting, isn't it? It's one of my favorites. It was a gift from my grandfather. He was a painter himself. He taught me how to appreciate art and beauty."

Victor smiled back and said, "It's amazing. Your grandfather must have been very talented. Do you have any of his paintings?"

Ms. Isabella shook her head and said, "No, unfortunately. He passed away when I was young. He left all his paintings to a museum. I only have this one, because he gave it to me on my birthday. He said it reminded him of me. He said I had a bright and colorful personality, just like the painting."

Victor nodded and said, "That's very sweet of him. He was right, you know. You do have a bright and colorful personality. You're always cheerful and optimistic. You're a great partner and a great friend. I don't know if I would ever have this opportunity to showcase my designs to the world in this grand manner if not without you."

Ms. Isabella blushed and said, "Thank you, Victor. That means a lot to me. You're a great boss and a great friend too. I loved your works the very day I saw them online and I was interested in getting to know you, because I saw your picture of your designs on the internet. I'm lucky to work with you."

They looked into each other's eyes, feeling a connection. They felt a spark of attraction, but they didn't act on it. Victor was too afraid to ruin his friendship and his partnership. He was too focused on his career and his goals. So he decided to keep his feelings to himself, for now.

Victor broke the silence and said, "So, are you ready for tonight? It's going to be a big night.

Ms. Isabella nodded and said, "Yes, I'm ready and excited."

Victor looked at her and said, "You know, I've been meaning to ask you something. Why aren't you the one sponsoring the event? I thought you were wealthy enough to handle the Gala night. You have such a nice place here, and you always wear such expensive clothes and accessories. Where do you get all this money from?"

Ms. Isabella hesitated and said, "Well, you see, it's the Johnson family who are my beneficiaries and have more money than I do. I'm just living this way because my granddaddy was wealthy and I'm leaving off his wealth."

"Okay, wow that great" Victor responded, "So can we start packing, you heard Mrs Johnson she said was going to send us the address, and we shouldn't be late" he added.

"Yeah let's do that right away" Ms Isabella said

Victor and Ms. Isabella quickly packed their belongings and headed to the car. They were eager to get to the location of the Gala night and showcase Victor's designs. They had worked hard for this opportunity and they didn't want to miss it.

As they drove, Victor checked his phone for any updates from Mrs. Johnson. He saw a text message with an address and a map. He showed it to Ms. Isabella, who was driving. She glanced at it and said, "Wow, look at this. The location is the Grand Royale Hotel. That's one of the most luxurious and expensive hotels in the city. It has a five-star rating and a rooftop pool. I've always wanted to stay there, but I could never afford it."

Victor said, "Me too. It looks amazing. I wonder why Mrs. Johnson chose such a place for the event. Maybe she wants to impress us or intimidate us. Or maybe she just likes to show off her wealth and power.

Ms. Isabella said, "I don't know. But I'm sure it's going to be a spectacular night. I can't wait to see the ballroom and the stage. I bet it's going to be beautiful and elegant. Just like your designs."

Victor smiled and said, "Thank you. You're too kind. I hope you're right and I expect that the guests will like my designs and appreciate my work. I hope to make a good impression on them."

Ms. Isabella said, "You will. I have faith in you just look how amazed Mrs Johnson was when she saw your designs, I believe tonight is gonna be perfect."

They smiled at each other and continued driving, feeling excited and hopeful for the upcoming event.

They arrived at the hotel and were greeted by a valet, who took their car. They walked into the lobby and saw a sign that said "Gala Night - Vane Couture". They followed the sign and entered a large ballroom, where they saw hundreds of people mingling and chatting. The room was decorated with elegant curtains, chandeliers, and flowers. A stage was set up at the front, where a DJ was playing some music.

Victor and Ms. Isabella made their way backstage, where they saw a dressing room with their names on it. They entered and saw a rack of clothes, shoes, and accessories. They recognized Victor's designs and smiled. They also saw a makeup artist and a hairstylist waiting for them. They greeted them and got ready for the show.

****

Meanwhile, Mrs. Johnson was in the VIP section, where she had invited some of her influential friends and business partners. She was wearing one of Victor's designs, a stunning red gown that hugged her curves and sparkled under the lights. She was confident that Victor's designs would impress everyone and make her a lot of money. She had a secret plan to buy out Victor's company and make him work for her. She knew that he was talented and naive, and she wanted to exploit him for her own benefit.

She looked at her watch and saw that it was almost 9 pm. She signaled to the DJ to stop the music and grabbed a microphone. She walked to the stage and addressed the crowd.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for joining me tonight for this special occasion. I am Mrs. Johnson, and I am the proud sponsor of this Gala night. Tonight, you will witness the debut of a new and exciting fashion brand, Vane Couture. The designer behind this brand is a young and talented man, who has a unique vision and style. His name is Victor Vane, and he is here with us tonight. Please give him a round of applause as he comes to the stage."

The crowd clapped and cheered as Victor walked to the stage, followed by Ms. Isabella. He was wearing a black suit with a silver tie, and she was wearing a blue dress with a floral pattern. They looked stunning and confident. Victor smiled and waved to the crowd, then took the microphone from Mrs. Johnson.

"Thank you, Mrs. Johnson, for your kind words and your generous support. And thank you, everyone, for being here tonight. I am honored and humbled to present to you my designs, which I hope you will enjoy and appreciate. I have always loved fashion and I have always dreamed of creating my own brand. Tonight, that dream comes true. I want to thank my assistant, Ms. Isabella, who has been with me every step of the way. She is not only my colleague, but also my friend. And I want to thank you, the audience, for giving me this opportunity to share my passion with you. Without further ado, let the show begin!"

The crowd cheered again as Victor and Ms. Isabella left the stage and the lights dimmed. The music started and the models walked on the runway, wearing Victor's designs. The designs were colorful, creative, and elegant. They ranged from casual to formal, from simple to extravagant. They showcased Victor's versatility and originality. The crowd was amazed and impressed by the designs. They clapped and whistled as the models posed and strutted.

Victor and Ms. Isabella watched from backstage, smiling and hugging each other. Victor, feeling the adrenaline rush, picked up the first of his shirtless designs. Ms. Isabella, unable to contain her excitement, let out a scream. Victor turned, startled, and saw her blushing. She quickly composed herself, realizing that her reaction might have been a bit too enthusiastic.

The MC's voice echoed through the ballroom, "Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome Victor Vane back to the stage!" The crowd erupted into applause, their anticipation palpable.

Mrs. Johnson, seated in the front row, watched intently. She swallowed, trying to contain her admiration. She was eager to see Victor's next move, her eyes gleaming with a mix of admiration and cunning. As Victor stepped onto the runway, the crowd fell silent, all eyes on him. The spotlight followed him as he walked, the glint of the stage lights reflecting off his designs. The room was filled with an electric energy, everyone waiting to see what Victor had in store for them next. His chest and smiles were just too attractive, captivating Mrs. Johnson.

In the same way, Ms. Isabella was also captivated by him. Looking at him from backstage, she zoomed her TV screen on his chest a few times, unable to take her eyes off him.