Vermilion's Kiss

Chapter 1 - The First Show

The 35th year of King Rupert Gerard Pendragon

The whole backstage was already tensing up as the minute lapsed. The models, the floor directors, the make-up artists, the personal assistants; everyone was all over the place!

Valerie watched them with pride in her eyes. She was used to this kind scene. In her line of job, it was normal to see this beautiful chaos.

She was "the" Valerie Imperio, the definition of haute couture. Fashion became synonymous with her brand.

Her eyes roamed around the room. She had already come so far. Ten years ago, she was just a budding designer. No one even a single soul bothered to take notice of her. She was pitted against existing brands that went long way back.

She then decided to shift her career and found solace in designing suits for men. Mas naging madali at praktikal ito para sa kanya. It was easier to please men than women. She needed easy money time. Little did she know that shift in her career will make give her the push she needed. She became popular to most noblemen. In no time at all, nagsimula nang mag-ingay ang pangalan niya sa fashion world.

From a small boutique in Catalina Avenue, IMPERIO had gone a long way. In the last five years, she delved deeper in the glitz and glam of the fashion world. She expanded her brand. She released a women's line that bedazzled the world. Her name became the hottest designer to hit fashionville. Noblemen and commoners, all of them were clamouring for her designs.

"The show is about to start in ten minutes!" sigaw ng isang floor director.

Tiningnan niyang maigi ang kanyang mga gawa. Today was the launch of her new bridal fashion line. The world will once again see the beauty of her bridal gowns.

Lumipad ang alaala niya sa unang pagkakataong nahantad sa madla ang kanyang dinisenyong bridal gown. It was the wedding of the then Crown Prince Arthur Pendragon and Sofia York. She was very proud during that time. Never had she imagined that the Royal Family will take notice of her work. She was humbled and proud at the same time.

Ngunit isang pait ang dala-dala ng alaalang iyon sa kanya. Naging mabuting kaibigan niya kasi si Sofia. She constantly chatted with her during the preparation proper of her wedding. Nagkasundo naman silang agad dahil halos pareho sila ng ugali. Isa pa, naging kaibigan din niya ang bestfriend nitong si Steff. Hanggang ngayon ay naaawa siya sa kinahinatnan ng mga kaibigan. Sofia was stripped off her title upon the deposal of Prince Arthur. Samantalang isang masaklap na pangyayari ang naganap sa buhay ni Steff. But everything was under the bridge now. Steffanie was currently busy touring the whole kingdom as one of Pendragon's most bankable supermodels. Si Sofia naman ay tahimik na namumuhay sa Ithaca.

They still contact each other from time to time at kadalasan ay may mga get together din sila. Katunayan, Steff had modelled for her brand countless of times already.

Nagsimula nang magsilabasan ang mga modelo.

It's starting, bulong niya sa sarili.

Agad naman siyang lumabas patungo sa kanyang upuan. She was seated on the front row alongside her friends.

Tuwang-tuwa siya sa nakikita. All of the camera flashes, the sound of the claps, the remarks that complimented her. She was indeed living the dream but she had only one regret. How she wished for her parents to here right now. She wanted them to see everything that she had worked for.

"Your collection is great, Val! Grabe! I'm so excited for my wedding day para maisuot ko na mga iyan," papuri sa kanya ng isang babaeng sumalubong sa kanya.

"Thank you," she genuinely said to her. Kilala niya ito sa mukha but she couldn't quite remember her name. In the world that she lived in, trust was definitely a big issue.