Never Meant To Be

Chapter Forty

Aria's POV

Howard and I walked over to where Lacey and Daniel were seated and joined them.

"Oh my God Aria, I love your dress." Lacey complimented.

"Thanks Lacey, I love your dress too." I said. She was wearing a black dress that reached her ankles and had a cut on one side that went all the way to her thigh.

Connor came over with a redhaired woman whose arms were locked with his.

"I believe you have all met my wife." He said as he referred to the woman in his arms. "Aria, this is Gwen, my wife, and honey, this is Aria." He introduced us and I shook her hand.

"Pleasure to meet you Gwen." I said.

"The pleasure is mine Aria. I have had a lot about you from Connor."

"Connor is a great friend, he's more like a brother to me."

"That's what he also says." She said as she looked at Connor lovingly, she was really beautiful.

"Let's sit honey." Connor said as he pushed the chair for his wife to sit and he sat down beside her.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen." A man standing on the runway said. "Please have your seats as the fashion show is about to begin."

Everyone sat down and the man announced for the models to come out.

As the models started walking out one by one, everyone was really quiet. Some people were taking video of the models walking down the runway and the media was taking several pictures.

I looked at Axel and saw him sitting near the runway talking to three men. He looked like he was in a serious conversation and I guess he must have sensed someone looking at him because he turned his head towards my direction and locked eyes with him. I looked at him for a while before quickly diverting my gaze.

"Oh my Aria, are those your designs?" Gwen asked in amusement and I nodded.

"Wow! Connor was right. They're really beautiful. You are very talented Aria."

"Thanks Gwen." I said and I looked back at the models.

I could still feel Axel's gaze on me but I did not look at him.

All the designs were already shown and I saw Axel talking to those three men again.

I leaned in to Howard so I could whisper in his ear. "Who are those three men that Mr.Campbell is talking to?"

"They are the investors."

My heart skipped a beat. What were they talking about? Did they like my designs or not? I was feeling very nervous.

"You are going to kill it Aria, I just know it." Howard said.

"I don't want to get my hopes high Howard, but whatever happens I just want to appreciate your, I couldn't have done any of this without you."

Just then Aiden came over to us.

"Excuse me Aria, but Mr.Campbell may like to speak to you." I looked at the others before standing up and going with Aiden.

He led me towards Axel, who was talking to the investors and another man whom I hadn't seen him talking to before.

"Here she is. This is Aria Watson, she is the one who designed every outfit that you saw here today, and Miss Watson, meet Mr Hong, Mr Clark and Mr Russell, they are the investors, and finally Mr.Wellington, CEO of the Wellington Company." He said as he pointed to each of the men.

I shook their hands as I tried to put on a smile so that I don't seem nervous.

"I must say Miss Watson that you are a very talented lady." Mr. Russell said.