Arranged To Be|18+✔️

43'

Sunday night was a blur. I had spent the entire day in the workshop finishing my last design and adding the final touches to the others. I ate out again and returned home to find Czar asleep on the couch, again. Guilt gnawed at me. I knew he sensed I was avoiding him, but how could I not? The thought of leaving was already hard enough.

"Are you excited?" Czar asked.

I was backstage at the venue, finishing my hair for the fashion show, which was set to start in just fifteen minutes. Darcey was somewhere in the back, shouting instructions at the models. My designs were opening the show, followed by Darcey's spring collection. I was nervous she might outshine me, but the excitement buzzed in my veins.

"Very," I replied, twisting the final strand into my bun before turning to face him.

He stood there in a royal blue suit that made his eyes glow, holding a bouquet of pink roses.

"I... I got these for you," he said, a light blush rising to his cheeks as he handed them over.

"Aww, thank you so much." I wrapped my arms around him tightly. "And thank you again for setting me up with Darcey. None of this would've happened without you."

He smiled, looking down at me. "You were going to be successful either way. I just gave you a little boost."

I smiled back and kissed him on the cheek before he excused himself to find his seat in the audience.

"What a sweetheart," Darcey said as she entered. "Those are lovely flowers."

"They are," I agreed, admiring them.

"So," she added, walking closer, "when are you going to tell him?"

"Tell him what?" I asked, playing dumb.

She raised a brow. Dressed in a strapless pink dress that hugged her slim frame, she looked like she belonged on the runway herself.

"That you're planning to leave him."

I groaned, placing the bouquet down. "You know?"

"I wasn't sure until I saw your internet history. Affordable apartments, Zariah? Your reaction just now sealed it."

I sighed, shoulders slumping. "I feel terrible, Darcey. I don't know what to do."

She stepped forward and placed a hand on my shoulder. "Let me tell you something my mother told me, never let a man hold you back. You're incredible, Zariah. Don't feel bad for wanting something different."

I hugged her, grateful for the support, but her words, true as they might've been, didn't make the decision any easier. I wanted Czar and me to work, but deep down, I knew we were never meant to be.

After we separated, she left for the runway and I made my way to the audience. I sat beside Czar, with Lada on my other side. Her excitement was contagious.

"Czar told me how good you are," she said. "I can't wait to see for myself."

I turned to find Czar already watching me.

"You look green," he said.

"I do?" I blinked.

"Yeah. You okay?"

I nodded. "I'm fine."

A lie. My stomach was a mess, and sweat dampened my palms. I chalked it up to nerves.

The lights dimmed. Darcey stepped onto the stage to applause.

"Thank you all for coming," she said. "Tonight, I'll be showcasing my new spring collection. But first, I want to introduce you to a wonderful, talented young woman. The first four designs you'll see tonight are by Zariah Kuzmich."

She gestured to me. I stood and offered a shy wave as the audience clapped and cheered. But dizziness struck me fast and hard. I sat back down quickly.

The first model stepped out wearing the piece I designed with Czar in mind. The crowd loved it.

But all I could feel was the nausea creeping up.

I bolted from my seat and made my way to the lobby, with Czar trailing behind.

I barely made it to the restroom before I was hurling into a toilet.

Cool hands rubbed my back. "Did you eat something bad?" Czar asked gently.

I leaned back against the stall wall, weak. "I'm not sure."

Nerves, it was nerves.

Czar left briefly and returned with a cup of water and a breath mint.

"Here," he said.

I rinsed my mouth and popped the mint before he helped me to my feet.

"Let's get back to the show," he said, offering his arm.

"Actually... can we talk?" I asked.

He paused. "What is it?"

"I've been thinking. About what you said. About letting me leave if I wanted to..."

He nodded slowly. "And?"

I looked into his eyes, my heart breaking. "I'm sorry, Czar. But I can't stay..."

~*~

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