Getting away with the Alpha's Pup

Chapter 116

Cherry

“Cherry, you've got to see this! She's here!” Kendra greeted me in excitement the minute I arrived backstage at the show.

“What's it?” I asked, snickering at Kendra making a fuss about everything.

“It's Anna Wintour! She's here! The chief editor and brain behind the famous vogue magazine is here at our exhibition!”

Overwhelmed with joy and surprise, Maisy and Nina came over, joining Kendra to share this amazing news with me.

"Anna Wintour's here at my show?!" I mumbled in disbelief, taking my eyes off my colleagues and following their eyes towards the front row, where Anna was seated.

"But she didn't reply to our invites. I thought she was declining us." Things just happened too fast. I still couldn't believe what was going on in front of my eyes.

“No, she didn't. But we did send her the catalog of your works at the show together with the invite. Maybe she happened to flip through the pages and saw something special in your concept!” Nina chirped cheerfully.

“Nina's right. I know this show is gonna be a hit!" Maisy chimed in. "With Anna showing up here now, I'm pretty your name as a designer brand is now set in this industry for life! Now go and greet her!"

Under their encouraging look, I took a deep breath before walking towards Anna's direction.

"Hello, Miss Anna Wintour. This is Cherry. I've long been looking forward to meeting you. Thank you for gracing my show here." Uttering every word steadily, I managed to suppress the nervousness and excitement inside me.

"Oh, you must be the brilliant mastermind behind this genius show. Glad to meet you, Ms. Cherry. Please?" Instead of bothering herself to stand up from her seat, Anna simply showed me the empty seat next to her, which was really flattering for me.

"Thank you, Miss Anna. Hope you'll enjoy my show." I took the seat and as the models wearing my designs began to show up and strutt on the runway. Cameras were all on at the same time, flashing from all directions!

"Impressive! I have to admit!" Anna commented with satisfaction, her eyes never leaving the models on the stage. "Where did you get the idea for the theme Love: Softest & Strongest by the way?"

"Oh, it's my life experience, I think." I gave Anna a bright smile when memories, both sweet and bitter, flooded back.

"My love for design was first inspired by my mom. She used to stitch my name Cherry on all my clothes when I was young, together with a few cherry blossoms. It's with this tender, soft love that I grew up. And then a lot of things happened after I got married. And love is always the reliable source of the strongest power that encourage me soldiering through all those storms in life."

"Is there any change in your design interest ever? I mean most of your works today are bridal gowns, aren't they?" Anna did have sharp acumen for fashion indeed.

"Oh yes. I'm shifting my focus onto wedding gowns recently."

"Why's that?" She pursued.

"A lot factors contribute to this shift. But most importantly, I think it's because I got married, moving to the next stage of life. And I came to realize that love, among all of its forms, either kinship or friendship, takes root in family. And an exquisite wedding gown is what I as a designer can bring to a new family. This is my way to give best wishes to young couples."

Anna didn't give much a response as I shared the original inspirations behind these works, which was a little bit discouraging. I thought that my design was just not to her taste.

"Look, I know my ideas may sound trivial and petty..." I nerved myself, ready to defend the efforts of my team.

"No, it doesn't. I think I finally found what I've been looking for!" Anna drew her eyes away from the models and turned to look at me, excitement shining in her eyes.

I breathed a sigh of relief as she continued.

"Look, I got places to go, Ms. Cherry. How about we set up an appointment and meet another time? I want to feature you and your works on the centerfold in the next issue of my magazine." Anna stood up while handing me her card.

"Sure, I'd love that. It's my pleasure, Miss Anna.” I nodded and shook her hand, maintaining a calm facade. But inside, I couldn't help being more thrilled! Not many designers could get recognized by Anna Wintour after all!

“Good. You'll hear details from my secretary then. But for now, I'd have to bid goodbye. Wish your show a huge success.”

"Thank you, Miss Anna. That means a lot."

After watching her walk out of the venue, I turned back, only to find my mate Dylan standing next to me.

"Congrats, baby." My mate mumbled to my ears.

"None of this would be possible without you". I clasped my hand tightly with Dylan's and spent enjoyed the rest of the show with my mate.

“Congratulations on your massive success, mate.” Dylan took me into his arm when Maisy jumped to her feet and ran straight towards me.

“Cherry! You got it! Julian's million dollars worth of sponsorship! You won it! They are granting it to you. I just got the message from the organizing committee!" She waved the phone in her hand.

“I won the sponsorship? You sure it's me?” My jaw dropped when the clamor of celebration was drowning and overwhelming me.

“Yes! I cannot be more sure! Here!" Maisy showed her phone to me, nodding in the affirmative.

My eyes bulged out as soon as they landed on the screen. I was just unable to wrap my head with the rare opportunities that were flooding me.

“Cherry, congratulations! Do you know what does this means for us?” Kendra looked no less excited than anyone else. “It means our brand make it into the high-end market in the shortest time. It means Cherry brand is now lining up with Chanel and Hermes! We'll soon rise into a globally recognized name!”

“Hey guys, the news outlets and journalists from fashion magazines are waiting outside. They want a statement from Cherry. Plus our VIPs are requesting a photo op.” Nina informed us gaily.

“Let's give Cherry some space. Though this is a win, it all came up to her in big waves. She needed a few minutes to let all these sink through her.”

“Thank you,” I mouthed to Maisy, for that was exactly what I needed. I was close to shutting off with overstimulation.

It was not that I didn't enjoy the limelight. I could just really use some time facing the press.

"Relax, baby. You can do it. If you can impress Anna Wintour, the queen of the famous vogue magazine, then you can do this with the press too.” My mate purred into my ears, his thumb gently raking the back of my palm.

“Do I look ready to meet them?” I breathed out and smiled at him.

"Not yet." Dylan lightly shook his head with a grin.

“No? Why? Don't I look presentable? Do I need to get changed or something.”

“It's your lips.” Dylan began slowly when I was about to get restless again.

“My lips? What's wrong with my lips? Do you think you can help me fix it?” Unable to find a mirror in my purse, I simply handed the lipstick to my mate.

"Sure." Dylan agreed gladly. But instead of taking lipstick from my hand, he simply pressed a kiss on my lips.

“There you go! Now you're all set. I'll be waiting for you here.”

Now I got it. This was his way to pep me up.

With all the encouragement and trust from my family and friends, I strode to the stage steadily and confidently.

"Good evening, friends from the press. Thank you for your strong interest in and support to my show. I'm now ready to take your questions. "

“Ms. Cherry, your name and brand is the number one trending topic now. Not only did you bag a sponsorship from Julian, but impress the legendary Anna Wintour. What's the next for you and your brand?”

“Thank you. For starters, I'd love for my brand to gain a greater impact in this industry for sure. Also, I want the stories of my pieces to be heard across the world. So, sit tight everyone, cuz this is just a beginning. There's more to come, more stories to tell through the fabrics of my design.”

Another reporter raised her hand before I barely finished answering the question, which I acknowledged by looking straight to her eyes.

"There are rumors that you'll put your sponsorship from Mr. Julian to good use and fund a charity under your name? Is that true?”

“Actually, they aren't rumors. Half of the profits that my brand has made in the past and will make in the future will be used to fund my charity. And Mr. Julian's sponsorship is no exception.”

A thunderous applause echoed in the hall the minute I finished my sentence.

“Thank you for making this world a better place with your design and through your advocacies.” One of the journalists quoted after I answered a few more questions.

After seeing all the audiences and guests off, I finally got some time for my family and friends.

"Mommy, I'm proud of you!" Fern threw herself into my arms as I got into the car back to the hotel.

********

After a two-day relaxation in Paris, Dylan and I decided to embark on our journey back to Seattle. We couldn't just idle one more day here, because that would put too much a strain on Bert and Jason back at Lord Hills.

Holding my hand at Charles de Gaulle Airport, Dylan looked around when the boarding announcement of our flight was aired.

“Where are Maisy and Bill? They're gonna be late for the flight. I'm gonna give them a call.” He asked anxiously.

“They won't be coming back to Seattle with us." I grinned at him.

"They won't? What's going on?"

"Bill's gonna surprise Maisy with a romantic trip across Europe. You should learn a thing or two from Bill, Alpha Dylan.”

"Good for him! You don't get jealous, do you?" Dylan joked.

"Jealous? Come on. I cannot feel happier for them. Guess Fern and Oliver will get a new playmate soon!" I winked mischievously as we got aboard the plane home.

Dylan entwined his fingers with mine as the plane took off, my hand sweating.

"You nervous?" He murmured into my ears.

"I guess." I admitted honestly. Days back in Lord Hils had never been easy after all. Neither for me nor for my beloved ones.

"Don't be. We've grown stronger after soldiering through all the ordeal life has set for us. And I'm ready to rise to whatever challenges that come with greater responsibilities. We'll make great Alpha and Luna of Starsmoon!"