Forever

Chapter 17 _ El Vestido

Thanksgiving came and went. The girls spent the holiday with Valentina's family and Juliana was able to learn more about the family she had so easily been adopted and welcomed into.

It was now the 1st of December. Valentina's gallery debut was set for this evening. She had invited the photo department heads and professors as well as her close friends and family. She had been nervous for tonight but Juliana made sure to reassure her every day leading up to show. It was a major event that Valentina was grateful for and very excited about.

Juliana helped Valentina brainstorm the way she would present her images. She didn't want to only display them on a matted frame. She decided on a much more alternative route. Valentina decided to print her images onto mirrors and have them reflect onto the ground with lights creating a new image, different from the one on the mirror. She played with the shadows and it was true work of art.

As 5 pm came around people began to trickle into the gallery. Valentina had arrived early that day to prep with the owner and make sure everything looked and felt the way she had intended. Juliana had to work but Renata decided to close the Sacramento locations early in order for the both of them to attend the gallery show on time and be there for Valentina's speech.

Juliana had designed a special dress for this special occasion. She wanted everything to be perfect for Valentina on such an important day in her career. This was the beginning of a new chapter for the girl of her dreams and she couldn't be more proud.

Valentina felt her palms sweat as she paced in the back room before her speech. Juliana had yet to arrive and that made Valentina a bit nervous, she needed her there.

About 5 minutes later Juliana showed up in a beautiful black dress that looked very classy. She hugged Valentina from behind and kissed her cheek.

"How are you feeling, beautiful?" Juliana asked quietly leaning her head on Valentina's shoulder.

Valentina let herself melt into Juliana's touch as she closed her eyes. She hadn't noticed how tense she was until she let her body relax at the mere scent of Juliana.

"I'm doing much better now. How are you?" Valentina said taking a deep breath as she leaned back into Juliana.

"You look very lovely and everything out there looks amazing. You did a really great job. I'm so proud of you Val." Juliana said playing with the ends of Valentina's long hair.

Valentina opened her eyes as she began to turn around. She smiled before leaning into Juliana for a soft kiss. When she pulled away she took in Juliana's entire appearance and her mouth slightly opened in admiration of the beauty in front of her.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Juliana giggled turning a bit red under Valentina's gaze.

Valentina let out a slight giggle while covering her face with both hands as she shook her head from side to side.

When she finally made eye contact with Juliana she smiled as she spoke, "How do you want me to look at you? Have you seen yourself? You are so beautiful. Is this what you've been hiding from me?"

Juliana had been caught so she simply nodded before responding. "Yeah, I wanted everything to be perfect for you today and I thought a new dress for the occasion would be a good idea."

"Yeah a great idea... to distract me. God, woman, you are breathtaking. I am the luckiest girl on the planet... wow." Valentina stated in awe.

Juliana only blushed. She never knew how to react or respond when Valentina complimented her, it wasn't something she was used it.

"Five minutes Vale!" Guille yelled into the room and smirked when he noticed how red Juliana was and the way his sister was looking at her. "Am I interrupting something?"