Sub Rosa Ties ( A High School Dark Romance)

Epilogue

4 years later

It is a warm evening, and I could feel it; everyone could feel it. My eyes roamed around the brightly lit and spacious room from where I sat, and my stomach churned with a rush of nervousness.

I looked down at my clasped hands resting on my thigh, my black-painted fixed nails softly digging into my skin, before looking back up. My eyes landed on a figure seated on a chair at the far end of the class, dressed in a black crop top paired with a black jacket and matching trousers, with little tattoos peeking out from his toned waist.

His bright blonde hair was almost silvery white. Jerry. He gave me a quick wink followed by a smile, and I returned it. He knows I’m nervous; in fact, it seems the whole class knows I’m nervous.

It is my third year in college pursuing a degree in fashion design, and I can boldly tell anyone who asks that it is no easy task. In fact, it’s not easy being a 23-year-old woman. Yes, you heard that right. But all of that can wait because right now, I have a presentation due to the whole class in… I glanced at my wristwatch. Five minutes.

“Miss Palmer?” Professor Jenkins’ voice boomed from the wireless microphone, snapping my attention upward. All eyes in the room turned towards me. I swallowed, feeling the weight of their collective gaze.

“Yes?”

“It’s your turn to present,” she continued, adjusting her glasses with a supportive smile. She had been my mentor and teacher since my first year in college, and the confidence in her eyes reassured me. She believed in my abilities.

I stood up swiftly, clutching my project—a meticulously crafted piece of clothing I had been diligently working on for the past three months. Making my way gracefully to the front of the room, I felt the weight of everyone’s eyes tracing my every step.

While presenting to the entire class was not new to me, this project held special significance. It represented months of dedication, and in this moment, it felt as though my future career hinged on its success.

A few months after graduating from high school, I developed a sudden interest for fashion, particularly after accompanying my mother-in-law to multiple clothing shopping trips and fashion events. Inspired by these experiences, I decided to pursue a degree in fashion. Establishing my own fashion house has become a dream that I am deeply committed to achieving.

“Good morning, everyone,” I began, my voice clear and steady. “Today, I’m unveiling my project: a hand-dyed, embroidered cloth inspired by traditional Japanese techniques.” After days of deliberation and uncertainty, I had settled on employing a traditional Japanese approach for my creation.

As I unveiled the cloth, the reactions from everyone assured me that my decision had been the right one.

I carefully unfurl the clothing and lay it gently across the display table. The fabric, a breathtaking fusion of deep indigo and delicate white motifs, catches the light exquisitely, accentuating the meticulous craftsmanship.

A chorus of gasps and murmurs of admiration ripples through the room.

“Allow me to introduce this piece, ‘Fate’, as it potrays the love between…” I began my presentation, my gaze sweeping over the eager faces in the room, all eyes fixated on the clothing displayed before them, hungry for the story and process behind its creation.

“I love that, Zera. You did an outstanding job, and I couldn’t be prouder,” Prof Jenkins exclaimed with a wide grin, gently tapping my right arm. Although class had officially ended some time ago, a few of us lingered for various reasons.

“Thank you. It’s all thanks to your guidance,” I replied earnestly.

She was about to respond when a girl emerged from behind her. “Prof, can I have a word, please?” A slight pout formed on her lips before she flashed me a quick greeting. Jane—Prof Jenkins’ adopted daughter and her only child.