Chapter 6 The Meet Again

Chapter 6 The Meet Again

DS FASHION HOUSE, LOS ANGELES

"Wow, this place is amazing! Checkout these gorgeous dresses!" Chloe squealed in delight as she surveyed the store.

Desire laughed sweetly. "I knew you would love it. I tell you, Darby is a talented stylist. I just knew she would be a force to reckon with in the fashion world. The world isn't ready for her at all."

Chloe nodded in agreement. “Her works are truly breathtaking."

"I have been waiting for so long and feared you would never visit." Darby said behind them, wearing a bright smile on her face with a measure tape hanging around her neck. "I came as soon as the secretary called me."

"Darby, my darling." Desire spread out her arms for a hug. "I am sorry it took me this long to come. Here, meet my goddaughter, Chloe. She is getting married and here to pick a befitting wedding dress for royalty."

"Hi." Darby waved at her. "Congratulations on your engagement."

Chloe gasped lightly, she didn't think the designer would be so beautiful. "Thank you, you look so beautiful. Did you add some coloring to your hair?" She asked smiling.

Patting her hair unconsciously, Darby chuckled. "No, it just has a natural brownish red feeling. You are beautiful too. Thanks for coming."

"Your face looks familiar though." Chloe noted.

"She sure will look familiar. The latest release of FORBES magazine has her on the cover page as under thirty most influential fashion designer and business woman." Desire boasted like a proud parent.

Darby blushed profusely. “It's all due to your confidence in me."

"I should have known. You look more beautiful in person. I am definitely keeping you as my personal stylist." Chloe said excitedly.

"I would appreciate that. Please come and have your sit. I will send some clothes your way and you can check for whichever one you like. Champagne or wine?" Darby asked.

"Nonalcoholic wine will be perfect for the both of us. We are lightweights when it comes to drinking." Desire said.

Darby couldn't hide her excitement at Desire King finally visiting her store. Her busy schedule had prevented the older woman from attending her opening. It has been two weeks since she returned to Los Angeles with Sinclair and Isabella to start afresh. Things have been going well for her, she finally got a copy of FORBES magazine that had her face on it and different clients have been trooping in to wear her collection. She couldn't have asked for more.

Chloe was extremely pleased with the clothes she picked. "Godmother was right about you, Darby. You make really amazing dresses. I always envied how gorgeous she looks in her outfits that I didn't realize she had a secret to it. My wedding dress would be amazing, I am sure of it."

Desire chortled. "I am not called a socialite just for nothing. I dress to show off and Darby knows just what to do to help me achieve that."

"So, what would you like for your wedding dress design?" Darby asked turning to Chloe.

"Hmmm." Chloe hummed thinking for a while. "My godmother says you create explicit designs, I think you would pick the perfect design for me. As soon as you are on to one, just let me know."

"Are you sure?" Darby asked, surprised at her choice. Most brides would have had a particular style in mind.

"Of course, she is. Chloe here knows I only go for the best of stylist and you are the best." Desire assured. "I am confident she would love whatever you offer."

Smiling in appreciation, Darby called Chloe to take her measurement while Desire checked through the array of dresses.

"All done?" The older woman asked when Chloe came back to her.

"Yes, I will just pick a few dinner dresses too." Chloe replied, grinning from ear to ear.

"I am glad you both are satisfied with your dresses. Please come by again, I would really appreciate it. Will you take them along now or I have it all delivered to you?" Darby inquired, after they were done with their picks.

"Please don't bother yourself. We would take them with us as we leave." Chloe replied. "We would make payment at the reception. Thanks so much for your hospitality." She said reaching out to hug Darby.

"Thanks for coming too. I will love to have you over again. Please drop your details with the receptionist. I will send in your designs next week. Bye." She said waving at her. Darby held Desire hands. "Your goddaughter is such a sweet soul."

Smiling, Desire looked towards Chloe who appeared busy with her purse. "You can say that again. She has a way of melting even the coldest hearts. I will call you when I need more fittings. Take care, darling." She waved at her.

Seeing them off to their car despite their protest, Darby returned to the store grinning from ear to ear. It sure feels good to cash out thousands of dollars at a single call sale. She can't wait to see the look on Sinclair's face when they arrive at the restaurant she has in mind. It's a newly opened space not far from the fashion house. Her son has shown an early interest in sophisticated spaces and rooms with satisfying ambience. It surprises her on how expensive his taste is. However, it's a thing of joy for her, having a son who knows the worth of things at such early stage. He would definitely carve his own path without doubt. She was already proud of him and can feel just how amazing he would become. Humming a delightful tune, she kept on with her work. She didn’t forget to put on an alarm to remind her of the dinner date with her family.

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LEO’S HOME, LOS ANGELES.

Leaning his head against the bed frame, Leo tried to pay attention to Chloe's description of how her day went. She seem unusually excited which makes him more interested in whatever she has to say. Even if he lacks the ability to show her affectionate love, the least he can do is be a good listening partner.

"You should have seen the space! My wedding dress will definitely be the talk of the town!” She said walking out of the bathroom while ruffling her wet hair with a towel.

"But don't you meet different designers everyday? What is so special about this one?" Leo asked yawning lightly.

"That is a good question. Her creativity is what makes her different. And she got featured on FORBES under thirty influential women. She might not know this, but I am inspired to become great in my work as an interior designer. She has indirectly given me hope and to think I will be wearing the dress made by a FORBES lady? That's like the ultimate goal!” Chloe explained passionately.

"Wow." He sounded amused. “You look smitten."

She giggled, rubbing in some oil on her face. "No doubt about that. Give me a second let me finish up here and I will show you her FORBES feature."

"Okay." Leo replied, waiting patiently.

Picking up her phone, Chloe jumped into the bed and got herself covered by the duvet. Tapping on her phone quickly, she huffed in satisfaction when she saw what she was looking for. "Here, check this out. This is her picture and a brief writeup on her." She said showing him.

Leo blinked slowly at the picture covering the entire screen. "What's her name again?"

"Darby Miller. Isn't she beautiful?" She mused.

Nodding his head hurriedly, he smiled tightly. "I guess she is. Let's go to sleep now, Aaron messed me up a bit with too much shots of tequila. I need to sleep."

"Sure, goodnight." Chloe whispered, kissing him lightly on the cheek before switching off the bed lamp and turning her back to him.

Leo lay on his side with his back turned to her. Leo's eyes stayed awake like it would during the day, he couldn't believe his eyes. Even if it was ten years from now, he would always remember that face that unintentionally gave him butterflies. He had thought she was dead, after searching for her six months after they graduated high school. He has held the guilt of turning her away when she needed him the most for five years. About two months later after his mother's surgery and he returned to Los Angeles, Aaron had thrown a loud nineteenth birthday for himself, inviting everyone on their team and few other mutual friends. Dillon had gotten really drunk that night and began throwing shade at everyone he was familiar with. It didn't concern Leo much until he began to laugh in his face saying he was fooled by the false rumors spread as regards Darby. Turned out it was Darby's sister attempt to foil any intending affection between them. Leo got mad and ended up ruining the party. He also remembered that she had told him about her pregnancy. Doing all his possible best to reach her family, none of them knew where she was and even assumed she probably committed suicide.

Five years later, Darby whom he thought was long dead showed up successful and his to be bride designer at that. Leo turned in bed uncertain of the emotion holding him down. Could it be that she ran away to protect herself from her family? They looked detached the day he had gone to look for her. How about the pregnancy? Did she abort it? Several questions plagued his mind all through the night.

It felt like he didn't sleep a wink when he woke up the next morning. Chloe was still sleeping soundly next to him. Standing up begrudgingly, he headed to the kitchen. The chef was already awake preparing breakfast.

"Good morning, sir. What would you like to have?" She asked, holding up her usual signature smile.

"Coffee, please." He grumbled staggering towards the couch.

Leo caressed the side of his head as he tried to think back to last night. It felt like he had been dreaming about Darby. Probably Chloe's excitement about meeting her was a dream too.

"Here you go sir." The chef muttered, handing him his cup of coffee.

"Thanks." He said, throwing his head back in delight at the taste of the coffee.

Leo clicked on google and he typed out Darby Miller on the search engine. Leo was shocked once more when he realized he wasn't dreaming and everything his fiancée old him was real. "No way!" Leo grumbled.

"What is the matter?" Chloe yawned behind him. "Why do you look tensed?"

Leo jolted from the couch, splitting the coffee on the rug. "Oh, it's nothing. How…how…how was your night?" He stammered.

"Baby, you spilled your coffee. Please come clean it up." Chloe walked towards him while addressing the maid. "Did you get enough sleep? You look tired." She sighed caressing his face.

Smiling weakly, he kissed her forehead. "Do you have plans to go out today?"

"Not really." She replied, resting her head on his chest with her arms wrapped around him. "Do you want us to spend the day together?"

Leo looked extremely uncomfortable at the closeness. "No, I have plans to head out. You should have a spa date or something like that." He said, freeing himself gently.

Clasping her hand behind her, she nodded thoughtfully. "I think I will just check through my schedule for the week and binge watch movies. Are you going out with, Aaron?"

"Yeah, I should. I…I…mean I would." He stuttered uncertain of his response. "I will just go get ready. Thanks for the coffee." Leo mused hurriedly as he ran through the stairs.

Chloe sighed tiredly as she watched him leave. Ever since they got engaged, he has been acting like someone had him locked up in an unpleasant space. He can't seem to hide his disinterest, no matter how much he tried to act so cool. His recent attitude had prompted her to come stay with him for a while before the wedding. Shaking her head to get rid of the thoughts, she headed to the study to find something interesting to do.

As he drove through the streets of LA, Leo was unsure as to where to go exactly. He had searched for Darby's office address and had it typed into his GPS but courage seem to have kept a distance away from him. Making up his mind, he took the route he had been parading again and this time he headed straight to her space. He is a man who takes responsibility for his actions. And reaching out to Darby after such a long time is definitely one of it.

Chloe wasn't exaggerating when she described the luxury design of the fashion house and how beautiful the dresses were. Leo awed at the delicate designs of each dress when he walked in. Pocketing both of his hands, he walked around the place admiring each piece. Darby sure is one hell of a creator. She knows her onions quite well. It's unfortunate that he didn't get to know that part of her before they went their separate ways.

He heard the sound of heels clanking against the marble floor behind him. Turning around his breath hitched and the lady was forced to stop in her tracks. "Darby?" He whispered almost uncertain of his own voice.

Darby gulped hard, she never thought the day would come so soon when she would be face to face with the one who broke her heart to shambles. She was about to say something in response when a little voice yelled from behind running towards her.

"Mommy!"

Leo froze in his stance as he stared at the replica of him as a child.