Whisper Destiny

Chapter 23

~ Catherine ~

The early December chill crept into the city, a crisp bite in the air that hinted at the winter to come. Yet, despite the cold, I felt an inexplicable heat simmering within me. The world of fashion had turned its gaze upon my event, and the pressure was palpable. The luminaries of the industry, renowned artists, influential business partners, and potential investors—all eyes were on this moment.

Louisa and her team had outdone themselves with the promotion, crafting a buzz that echoed through every stylish corridor and chic cafe. Invitations had been meticulously sent out, each one a golden ticket to the season's most anticipated showcase. The blend of excitement and anxiety thrummed through me, as I prepared to step into the spotlight that could make or break everything we had worked for. Nevertheless, I miss this adrenaline rush.

The theme of this event is "Whisper Destiny: The Essence of Time." This collection is inspired by the elusive and intangible nature of time, capturing the fleeting moments, the passage of seasons, and the beauty found in transience. Each piece reflects a different aspect of time, from the tender blush of dawn to the serene embrace of dusk, and from past eras steeped in nostalgia to visionary glimpses of the future.

My schedule has been relentless, consumed by countless hours in the office and studio, ensuring that every shoe and garment meets my exacting standards. Perfection is non-negotiable.

Today is the final rehearsal, and the venue is abuzz with activity. My team, each member dedicated and precise, is already there, diligently executing their tasks with meticulous care. The transformation of the space is breathtaking, a tangible manifestation of my vision. The runway features a grand, ornate clock with moving hands, set against a backdrop of draping fabrics that subtly shift colors to symbolize different times of the day. Ambient lighting transitions gracefully, mimicking the passage of time from the soft, hopeful light of dawn to the deep, mysterious shadows of night.

Standing here, I can see it—almost perfect in my eyes. All that's left is to fine-tune the sound effects and witness the models bring the designs to life as they glide down the runway. The anticipation is electric, and I can feel the culmination of months of hard work poised to make its grand debut.

Despite my packed schedule, I couldn't shake off the nervousness that gnawed at me, the constant reminder of my impending engagement announcement. Grayson and I had countless discussions on this matter, especially with our PR team, to ensure we managed the aftermath delicately. The team had meticulously prepared for every possible scenario, from the best to the worst. I could only hope everything would go smoothly.

But there was something else, a secret I had kept from everyone, including Noel, Emmette, and Louisa. I had prepared an engagement ring for Natasha with the help of my friend Nayla Hayek from Harry Winston, someone I'd grown close to over the years in the fashion industry. She had personally designed a ring, a piece uniquely for Natasha. Knowing this arrangement would bury her dream wedding, it was the very least I could do for her.

Hence, my nerves were frayed even further today, knowing that the ring sat hidden in my pocket. I planned to give it to her during the rehearsal with Grayson, and the moment was rapidly approaching.

"Hey, Cate. The Grayson is here for the rehearsal. I've released the models and called it a day. The other crews are on their breaks, so it'll just be us for a few hours to ensure this part of the rehearsal remains private," Louisa informed me, her eyes filled with concern. "Are you okay?"

"I think so," I replied, my uncertainty evident and uncharacteristic.

"Hey, everything will be great. We've gone through the checklist and rehearsed several times. As for the announcement, we're ready to handle it. Don't worry too much, okay?" Louisa reassured me. I took a deep breath and managed a smile.

"Thanks, Lou. I couldn't do any of this without you. Okay, this is the final part. Let's do it!" I said, trying to summon my usual confidence.

"Oh, by the way, Archer wanted to stay here with you earlier. I think he sensed how on edge you are today, but I made him leave, saying you needed some time to yourself," Louisa added. I thanked her silently, grateful for her understanding.

As I glancing at my watch revealed the time approaching 10 p.m., figures emerged into view, silhouetted against the soft illumination of the venue. Among them were the Graysons accompanied by Chase and their PR team.

A surge of warmth enveloped me as I exchanged greetings and light embraces with Emmette and Noel, their pride palpable in their words. Natasha, stoic face, acknowledged my nod with a subtle gesture of her own, while Chase, his enthusiasm radiating like a beacon, held court with animated gestures and contagious energy.

Without further ado, we dove into the rehearsal, knowing even the simplest flow needed practice to avoid any mishaps during the event. In the dimly lit space, we focused on getting every step right, every word perfectly timed.

We kept it simple, but each run-through was crucial. We wanted to make sure there were no hiccups when it mattered most. We managed to complete the rehearsal within one hour. I can see everyone satisfied except for Natasha, didn't show any emotion.

"Okay, we are done here, thank you everyone!"

As Louisa's voice resonated in the runway, the remnants of the PR team from Grayson excused themselves first, leaving only Noel and Emmette lingering behind. With the only closest person remain, the space felt more intimate, perfect for what I had in mind—to give Natasha the engagement ring.

As Noel and Emmette bid their farewells, Natasha made a move to follow suit, her graceful steps echoing against the empty runway. With determination coursing through me, I reached out, my fingers delicately enclosing around her wrist to halt her departure. In the stillness of the empty runway, it was just her and me.

She turned to face me, her expression a mixture of curiosity and mild annoyance, silently questioning my sudden interruption. Sensing her discomfort, I quickly released her wrist, the warmth of her skin lingering on my fingertips, and spoke up, hoping to ease the tension between us.

"Wait a moment, there's something I'd like to give you," I murmured softly, my voice barely audible amidst the stillness of the empty runway.

"What is it? Make it quick; it's late," Natasha replied, her tone lacking enthusiasm, a subtle hint of impatience coloring her words.

Suddenly, doubt crept in, causing me to hesitate. What if she rejected it? What if it wasn't to her liking? Before my thoughts could spiral further into a whirlwind of uncertainty, Natasha's voice broke through the silence once more, pulling me back to the present moment.

"I'm going..." Her words trailed off. Due to that, I swiftly retrieved the velvety dark blue box from my pocket, opening it to reveal the ring. Gasps echoed faintly from the floor, but my focus was solely on Natasha, her surprise evident.

Maintaining my calm demeanor, I explained, "We need a ring to make our engagement believable to the world." Natasha's gaze lingered on the ring, an unreadable expression in her eyes, sending a ripple of unease through me. Assuming she was still processing the moment, I prepared to prompt her further, but she interject.

"If you want to propose to me, at least do it right," her gaze pierced mine, the challenge implicit in her words demanding a proper proposal from me.

Before I could react, Emmette's voice broke the moment. "Natasha, don't be difficult. Please, just accept the ring."

Natasha remained motionless, her stance a silent challenge lingering in the air. Though it was well-known that I didn't easily yield, my determination outweighed any reservations. With a smile that masked the nervous flutter in my chest, I slowly go down to one knee before her.

"Natasha Helena Grayson, would you do me the honor of being my wife?" I asked, watching as shock registered on her face, her mouth agape in disbelief, the weight of the moment hanging between us like a delicate thread waiting to be acknowledged.

Moments passed before she took the ring from my hand, slipping it onto her finger. A sense of victory washed over me as I witnessed her action, a small triumph in our shared journey.

Glancing around the room, I noted the stunned expressions, yet Noel's tears of pride stood out.