Redeeming The Golden Ticket To Life

******

After a closed-door meeting that went on for over four hours, we reached our desired conclusion. 

It was a tough deal but it surely was the most profitable one that we signed.

As we walked out of the room towards the lobby,

"Mr Hu, wait for a second please." Ms Kingsman called out.

"Yes Ms Kingsman, how may I help you?"

"Oh please, drop the salutations we are out of our work time. What are you doing for tomorrow?"

"I am flying down to the home, I am afraid."

"Well, would you like to join me for a day, see there is a fashion week that starts tomorrow? I heard Master Pierro is dishing out exclusive designs. I am aware that you are a dedicated family man. Would you like to see the Runway? You might find something gift-worthy."

'It is not a bad idea,' I thought to myself.

"Why are you helping me?" I asked her.

"Mr Hu, do not get me wrong. I have read your file and it only mentions that you have a family but all their pieces of information lead to cold trails. I feel for someone who treats his family as a gem to be protected and hidden, they are good beings."

"Thank you so much for your character certificate but let me put up a warning here for you and the powers you represent. Never try to dig information about my family. They are my utmost bottom line, breach that and all hell will be let loose.

You may find me very civil at the moment. The reason for my civility is my family. Breach that and you will meet the most lawless man you have ever come across in this world."

"Are you threatening me, Mr Hu?"

"I am merely stating facts Ms Kingsman."

"Well then, glad that we got all this out of the way," she said cheerfully, "then let us attend the fashion week."

She put an end to all discussions and I went along with her idea, after all, I promised Sir Pierro an invite to my place. Maybe after the fashion week, I will offer him a visit.

*****

We were at St. Regis, Rome Italy, the venue for this evening's Runway for the Haute Couture Fashion Week.

The place is majestic with the charm of the old aristocrat culture still flourishing on its wall. The place had its own character.

Maybe this is the reason for major fashion houses choosing this place as their venue for a fashion week.

The place was glittering while the 'T-stage' was set. The cameras were taking their position, they were gearing up to take long as well as short shots. The place was still filled with people. It seems I am neither early nor late. 

Just on time.

"Hey, handsome. Would you like to be my date tonight?" A strong and confident female voice called out. I looked around, I find Ms Kingsman standing some distance away in all her glory.

"Sorry but I only dare my wife. You can be accompanied by Ming Li," I replied.

"Mr Hu, you are no fun. You are a henpecked husband it seems."

"I know what you are trying to accomplish here. Your misfortune, I quite like the term henpecked husband."

"Fine, I won't tease you any longer. Let us enter the venue and find our seats."

So we walked. She took the lead and I followed.

Inside the stage was set. 

"Let us take our seat," I said.

"Sure, after all this is your home ground, Mr Hu, as you own a fashion house of your own," she smiled at me and moved towards our seat, (I guess).

As we reached our seat I was jostled by industry people. Ms Kingsman gave us some room.

I handled those people and after some time joined her.

"Ladies and Gentleman, Good evening to you all, I request you all to be seated at your respective seats, as we are about to begin our show," A handsome young man made the announcement from a corner in the room and gradually the entire place calmed down to pin-drop silence.

[Ta-dum]

The lights all went out.

Gradually the 'T-stage' lit up, along with focus lights and sponsor banners.

" A very good evening, Buonasera, ladies and gentlemen, and members of the mass media. I am Pamella Liongate and I will be your host for tonight. First, let me welcome and thank you for your presence at the Haute Couture Fashion Week 2020. We are indeed proud to hold this event at St. Regis, Rome Italy.

Tonight, we have several fashion shows lined up to entertain you. We have exciting talented designers such as Azila Cara, Nazirul Mubinn, Alana Ilham and of course Sir Pierro presenting us their designs tonight.

We hope that this would be another milestone. 

First, we will be entertained by the lovely and talented Adira. She was formerly a participant of Akademi Fantasia. Please welcome Adira with her song entitled " what"."

And the lights surrounding the stages dimmed and full focus was placed on the 'T-stage'.

[Tarraradum!]

The music started to play as the first model started to walk the Runway.

She looked gorgeous and the idea presented was fresh. For a budding artist, it is a good start.

As the programme moved on I quietly enjoyed the dresses and styles, to keep a lookout for good designs which I can bring back for Bai Chang as an apology gift.

"Mr Hu, are you appreciating the beauties or the ladies?"

"I have a beautiful wife back at home to appreciate, I am only appreciating the designs here," I explained.

"I won't judge Mr Hu," she replied, clearly not believing a single word that came out of my mouth.

The show went along for a while.

" Ladies and gentlemen, now for the highlight of tonight's event! We now would like to bring in the beautiful models modelling creations from the Bellissima, from Sir Pierro.

Before I bring in the models, just a little note on the head designer of the Bellissima for this particular show. Sir Pierro is finally revealing his protegee to the world with this Fashion Show. All designs were made by this mysterious protegee of his. 

There are five pieces in the exhibition. Please hold on to your seats we will start the runway in a few short moments. All questions and related interviews would be entertained only after the completion of the complete show. 

Media friends are requested for their cooperation. I understand your excitement, so without any further ado, here come the Bellissima."

I thought to myself who is this new protegee of Sir Pierro, even I was kept in the dark by that old man, I wonder how did he convince Lucy to keep it a secret all this time. Not even a peep was mentioned anywhere in public or media.

I straightened my back as I eagerly waited for the models to walk the ramp, just like all other people who are present at this venue.

The first model walked on the ramp, wearing a couture dress with strategically burnt frills and dress drapes with orange colour embers, giving the illusion that the dress was on fire. It looked out of the world and with the accompanying music, the stage was set.

The second model was wearing a green coyote dress with leaf motifs all over it. The collars had a design of, touch-me-not leaves, then the bodice was covered in tight-knit maple leaves motif while the skirt was textured as a stacked up poison ivy leaves. It was a real personification of nature and a bold statement made using touch-me-not leaves on the collar.

With each passing designs, my expectation with this exhibit grew.

I was looking forward to the next designs like all others in the venue.

The third model walked in. She had a long flowing trail behind her. As she moved the fabric of the dress shined under the light like a fluid. It seems like a flow of water or as a matter anything. The fabric shined different colours in a different set of light. It looked amazing.

After the third model, it was clear that the designer has chosen five elements of the world to depict through the haute couture designs.

"These are amazing designs, all are statement pieces. I wonder if I can get my hands on any one of them?" Ms Kingsman wondered aloud. She turned to me briefly, "You think you can get me one?" she asked.

Women did have their time, where they desire something. I gave the idea a thought and replied, "I can't promise anything here. I will see what I can do".

The fourth model walked in,

[Ahhh!]

People collectively exclaimed as the dress was entirely made of gold threads with woven copper flowers and diamonds, sapphires as well as other precious jewels designed in exquisitely intricate designs of flowers and leaf as well as frills. The dress had lacework made up of gold and copper threads handwoven together.

It looked mesmerizing as the dress sparkled under the various lightings.

The model walked the ramp and then left.

[Tararadum]

A drumming sound blared through the sound system. The lights were all cut off.

Then a spotlight lit up and focussed on the stage.

As I look at her face I was enchanted.