Chapter 82

82 Winter Collection Fashion Show

Days flew by as the winter collection runway show drew closer. The two rival neighboring fashion brands employed every means available to perfect their works.

On one hand, Ella perfected her exquisite brand designs, her usage of firearms, and her self-defense lessons. While on the other, Chloe perfected her plans to destroy Ella’s company at the coming show.

Every employee of the F&K fashion brand was placed on their toes, as they worked harder to produce masterpiece designs.

Chloe ensured that every design made, was locked up safely at the company’s heavily guarded warehouse due to Frost’s speculation of possible copycat by Ella’s company.

....

When it was just a day before the winter collection show, Chloe invited a journalist over to her company for an interview.

During the interview session which was aired live, Chloe talked about her plans to impress her clients and the judges during the show. She promised a display of originality and elegance. She proudly referred to the ARILPORTER BOSS brand as a baby brand that was still being spoon-fed by another notable fashion brand. She challenge them to bring on their A-game if they had any hopes of taking the second to the last position.

Throughout the interview section, Chloe did not acknowledge either Frost or Kyle; as the brains behind the company. Her choice of words ranges from me, myself, my dad, and I. She selfishly accepted all the glory when the F&K brand was praised for its outstanding refurbishing and restructuring. Due to her choice of words, one could mistake the F&K fashion company for one of her father’s numerous businesses.

From the sideline, Frost kept engineering Chloe to take all the credit for the winter collection show. Since she had proudly and selfishly claimed the glory for his hard work of thirty years, he ensured that she remained in the spotlight on purpose.

.....

When Frost thought about the nemesis that would befall Chloe after the show, he devilishly grinned. He knew that the Treshvires would unleash terror on anyone who battles with their own. He also planned on running Chloe out of the company when he had completely milked her of her resources. Chloe was a deadweight the company couldn’t afford to keep for a long time.

After the interview, an enraged Kyle invited Frost into his office. He complained angrily about Chloe taking all the glory for their hard work. He was even more puzzled by Frost’s calmness throughout the interview session.

“Frost, I don’t get you at times.” Kyle stared intently into Frost’s eyes. “Why are you acting like a weakling in Chloe’s presence? From my point of view, you have given her the sole authority to make decisions for our company.”

Frost massaged his temple in frustration as he responded to Kyle’s annoying questions. He was slightly irritated that Kyle couldn’t anticipate his plans.

“Kyle, we need to operate discreetly if we want to get back our company back from that maniac outside. This battle between our company and Ella’s company would take an ugly turn after the winter show. Chloe must take all the credit for the winter show. If anything backfires, she would take the fall instead of us.”

————-

For the past couple of days, Leon had been busy with work, traveling in and out of Amzone city. Due to Rex’s hidden illness, more companies and responsibilities were added onto his shoulders. There were days he would travel out of the city without returning. Although he had a busy schedule, he made sure Ella was never ignored. Whenever he was outside the city or country, he would keep Ella company with lengthy phone conversations.

Ella kept him updated on her martial art self-defense progress. Also, she proudly bragged about how her instructors were pleased with her skillful handling of weapons at the firearms institute.

As a reward, Leon promised to take her on a weapon training exercise after the winter fashion show was concluded. He also promised to take her on a sparring class with him.

Ever since their dinner outing with Jane, Leon had kept a watchful eye on her from a distance. Some of the pieces of information his spies dug out about Jane contradicted the information she gave them.

For instance, during her third year at Albina university, Jane’s lifestyle took a flamboyant turn. It was as though she was dating an extremely rich man whose identity was unknown. She frequented Amzone city and lodged in different expensive hotels. Every month, a huge amount of money was paid into her account from an offshore account.

Everything about Jane became suspicious from that moment. She was discreet at covering her tracks, as though she was intentionally hiding the identity of her lover. Also, the elegant condo she was currently occupying was beyond her status.

Leon was eager to know the mysterious man she was dating. Hence, he kept a tab on her. He requested a daily report about her activities. However, nothing suspicious came up aside from the fact that she was seen hanging out with one of the marketing managers of the ARILPORTER BOSS company.

*********

The day of the winter collection runway show finally arrived. Different fashion brands came in their numbers to the Tale Imperial Hall.

The Tale Imperial Hall was the chosen venue for the winter collection runway show. It was a magnificent world-class standard hall mostly used for notable events and high-class society weddings. It was beautifully decorated to match the theme for the day which is; Frosty Eternal Gaze. From the redolent backdrop to the beautiful lighting and mystical orchestra band, it was a place of beauty and tranquility.

Every fashion brand was given a different dressing room and each room was occupied by enthusiastic models, makeup artists, hair stylists, and brand workers. They all couldn’t wait for the ceremony to kick off.

The entrance to the hall was crowded with news journalists, bloggers, paparazzi, and fans of different brands. Different brands proudly took interviews as they bragged about their designs, claiming superiority. Amongst these brands was the F&K fashion brand.

Chloe couldn’t stop herself, as she continually accepted interview after interview stating proudly that her original and unique designs were about to storm the fashion and retail world.

.......

Earlier that same day, Jane White prepared for work like a snail. She had a funny feeling in her stomach and her heartbeat kept skipping. She had a strong premonition that something bad was about to happen. Hence, she was reluctant to go to work. She thought of running away from the city, but she knew better than running would only make her look guilty.

Jane wished there was a way she could reach out to Frost. However, he had warned her strictly not to contact him. He promised that he would contact her when the show had been successfully concluded.

A call from Abby jolted Jane back to reality.

“Where the hell are you?” Abby screamed into the phone from her end. She was panicked and tensed that Jane was yet to resume work even when she knew that today was a special day for the company.

“I’m so sorry, ma’am,” cold sweat beaded Jane’s forehead. “I have been having a runny stomach all morning,” she lied. “I will be coming to the office right away,” she said in a pleading tone.

“Don’t bother going to the office, come straight to the Tale Imperial Hall.” Abby sighed loudly and ended the call.

.....

The ARILPORTER BOSS brand ensured that they avoided any form of unnecessary publicity. They went about their business preparing their model in their private dressing room. Their brand was the fourth fashion brand to walk down the runway.

The F&K fashion home was the first brand to display its work. They were followed by the SP fashion brand. Then the Treshvire fashion brand was to display their work third, before the ARILPORTER BOSS brand.

As expected, Leon Treshvire and Tom sat among the audience. Leon was there to support his wife’s brand and also his brand.

Earlier Leon had suggested that he would not partake in the competition, knowing that the Treshvire fashion brand would steal the show. However, Ella totally disagreed with that suggestion. She pleaded that his company should partake in the contest. According to her statement, she said, ‘if one of us wins the competition, we both have already won.’

When everyone including the judges was comfortably seated, the show began.

Chloe was the first model to step out to represent her brand. She was apparelled in an elegant black off-shoulder wrap dress, which had a seductive neckline. The dress was paired with a chicky knee-length white fur coat which hung over her shoulders. Her hair was stylishly let down and her minimal makeup brought out her enchantress beauty.

Chloe proudly and professionally walked down the runway causing fans to cheer at her beauty and elegant attire. She was followed by other models who displayed breathtaking designs.

The audience came alive with cheers and praises as they admired the mesmerizing masterpiece the F& K brand displayed.

At a hidden location behind the stage backdrop, Denise’s face turned white as a sheet as she watched the F&K brand display its winter collection outfits. Her heartbeat thumped loudly and her trembling feet almost gave way to her body. She wanted to say something but she felt an invisible hand strangling her neck. She took in forced and rushed breaths to regain her stamina. Feeling a little energy come back to her body, she speedily ran back to her company’s dressing room.

“Denise barged into the dressing room and slammed the door shut. She quickly walked over to Ella, -who was busy giving directives,- requesting to see her urgently in private.

Ella was alarmed at Denise’s horrified look. It was as though she was being chased by a hundred demons. She briskly led Denise to an empty room and shut the door behind them.

“Ella, we are in big trouble!” Denise said in a trembling voice.