Love the Second Time Around

Chapter 67 Pushed Into The Spotlight

Dominic slung an arm around my waist and pulled me into his embrace. He whispered, “The costume for the finale.”

About three seconds later, I asked, “You’re letting me wear the final design? What about the model? What’s she going to wear?”

He chuckled and replied, “Liliana, you really should be adding more brain foods to your diet. You’re taking forever as always to connect the dots. Since you’re wearing the costume, doesn’t that make you the model?”

I was about to retort his backhanded jibe when the word “model” struck me dumb.

And indeed, I was silent for a while before I fully understood the implications of his words.

“Dominic, are you making me take the runway? Now’s not the time for jokes. It’s fine if it’s only my reputation at stake, but I don’t want to ruin someone’s hard work and the entire fashion show to boot!”

I stared at Dominic like he was deranged, wondering if he was the one who should be checking out brain foods.

It was not a sense of misguided humility that had me denying his request but a fair assessment of my actual talents.

Walking a runway? That’s absurd.

“Do I look like I’m making a joke right now?” Dominic arched a brow and asked calmly.

I heaved a long sigh. “I can’t do this. If this is your way of pranking me, there are way more appropriate occasions for that. Modeling is beyond me.”

My brain was blank save for one thought – Dominic was definitely trying to embarrass me.

Soon enough, the staff who had left to retrieve the costume returned with a garment bag in hand.

Dominic took the garment bag from the staff and inspected the dress. Satisfied, he dropped the dress in my arms.

“Get changed.”

His tone left no room for argument, and I felt like I was about to dissolve into tears.

“I’m not getting changed! Like I said earlier, it’s not only my reputation at stake. I can’t be responsible for ruining other people’s hard work.” I draped the dress carefully over a nearby chair and stood my ground.

and this is my fashion show. You’re not messing things up

wild. “Why on earth would you have me wear this, then? Are you

was perplexed. Really? He’s going to drag himself down for a chance to

reject him, Dominic pulled out the big guns, threatening to undress me himself if I refused

insistence

a fashion show in my life, let

seconds. Get changed, or I’ll do it for

regret sending me out there?”

“One.”

attempt to dissuade him. “Dominic, you need

“Two.”

can’t turn around and blame me

utter “three,” I grabbed the dress and dashed into the

I had gotten undressed, I heard a woman’s voice from outside

I come in to

sure. Please

since this was Dominic’s creation, I wanted

my head if I ruin a

help, I managed to put on the masterpiece, which happened to be a wedding

sigh when I saw myself

that I almost thought that he might have designed it

skirt, I asked, “Does he specialize in

question and smiled. “Do you

why is the final

be satisfied, Dominic was yelling at us to hurry

skirt for me as we left the dressing

tailored black tuxedo. It looked like he had

respective outfits, we looked like a couple ready

had nothing but praise for how I looked in the gown. Under Dominic’s scrutiny, though,

horrendous? Would

it nice?” I

more minutes before saying, “It’s all right. The gown