Chapter 54
Have I lost my mind, or did Lily Ellington, one of the most prominent fashion designers in the world, just compliment my outfit?
It seems like I’m not the only one who can’t believe it as Valerie’s mouth drops open, and Eliza lets out a tiny squeak.
Lily smiles, tilting her head to the side. “You look stunned, dear.”
I laugh awkwardly. “Sorry, I just…I…you just-” My eyes widen as someone bumps into me, and I stumble to the side, barely catching myself in time to avoid face–planting on the ballroom floor.
“Lily Ellington,” Valerie gasps, having taken my place in front of Lily.
She curtsies gracefully, a faux coy smile on her face. “It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Valerie St Claire.”
Eliza and I exchange a look, and we both roll our eyes.
Lily raises a brow, eyeing Valerie like a pet performing an interesting trick. “Yes, I’m aware of who you are.”
Valerie beams proudly. “I must say, you look absolutely stunning. And the dress you designed for Lara,“–Valerie fans herself like a ditz-“absolutely gorgeous.”
Lily gives her a tight–lipped smile. “Ah, so you do know what good fashion looks like.” She eyes Valerie’s dress like it’s a bunch of trash bags tied together.
Then Lily turns to me, and I’m a little taken aback by how wide and genuine her smile becomes.
She reaches for me, and my eyes widen when she intertwines our arms. “Come along, dear,” she says, pulling me away from Valerie and Eliza and moving to the other side of the room.
My friend gives me a thumbs–up with a wide grin while Valerie looks like she might have an aneurysm.
Stunned, I follow Lily to the arrangement of chairs and tables at the back.
“As I was saying before the egotist interrupted,” she said. “Your dress, dear, is exquisite.”
I feel slightly lightheaded. Once could be a fluke, but Lily Ellington just complimented my dress twice.
“Thank you,” I say softly. “I can’t believe you, of all people, are saying that.”
On a large banquet table next to us is an impressive spread of hors d’oeuvres that no one really pays attention to. It’s as if rich people don’t come to parties for the food.
Wild.
Lily, however, smiles as she delicately takes a strawberry from the charcuterie board, dips it into the white chocolate fountain, and pops it in her mouth. The action is so naturally fluid and graceful that I can only stare.
The more time I spend around elegant women like Marisol, Lara, and now Lily, the more of a hunchbacked ogre I feel.
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Chapter 54
She chuckles slightly at my expression. “Why so dumbfounded, dear?”
I blink, laughing nervously. “Sorry, it’s just…you’re you, and I’m me.”
She nods. “And you, dear are very talented.”
Is anyone counting? That was complement number three!
“You know,” she continues. “When I heard that the contestants would be custom–making their dresses, I was intrigued. I’m always interested in finding new talents–diamonds in the rough, if you will.”
My heart skips a beat. Where is Lily going with this?
“When I came over the other day,” she continues, “I asked Easton to show me the dresses you all had designed, and I remember seeing yours.”
I swallow against the lump that builds up in my throat.
She reaches out and runs a finger reverently over the sheer overlay of my dress. “And I honestly can’t decide which version of the dress I like more.”
She looks at me and winks. “It’s one thing to make a dress that impresses me, but you, April, dear, made two different dresses I find absolutely gorgeous.”
Lily’s words, this very moment–they make it all worth it. The hours I slaved over the dress, both before and after it was destroyed. My decision to stay.
Everything I’ve been through makes it all worth it to get to this moment when a literal fashion icon tells me she loves not one but two versions of my dress.
She tilts her head to the side. “If I remember correctly, you’re studying some science course at UChicago, right? Tell me, dear,“–she gestures to my dress-“is this just a hobby?”
My heart skips again as I shake my head. “I–it’s my dream.”
Her perfect teeth glint under the glow of the chandeliers as she beams. “That’s what I like to hear.”
Around us, the music changes, and the current dance ends.
Lily glances behind me and raises a finger up to someone.
“I have some people to say hi to, dear,” she tells me. “But I’d love to continue this conversation further.”
My mouth drops open. It hasn’t been much of a conversation, as I’ve been alternating between gaping and stuttering.
“Come over for brunch tomorrow.” It sounds more like a command than a request. But I don’t care. Right now, Lily Ellington could ask me to drop and do the worm, and I wouldn’t think twice.
“I’d love to,” I say breathlessly. “But…” I look around the room to bring to her attention that I’m a contestant in a competition and can’t necessarily leave when I want.
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Chapter 54
Lily smirks and waves my concerns away like she’s swatting a fly.
“Let me worry about logistics,” she says.
:
Then she puts a hand on my shoulder. “You, dear, just worry about getting your creative juices flowing, okay?”
I almost melt under her touch. Whoever said never to meet your idols definitely never met Lily Ellington.
I nod. “Yes, ma’am.”
She chuckles and squeezes my shoulder. “Till tomorrow.”
I nod again, and she winks before walking away.
I stare after her, awestruck, unable to believe the conversation we just had.
It’s one thing for my fellow contestants to be impressed with my dress, another for Nathan to be stunned speechless at the sight of it, but Lily Ellington went out of her way to compliment me and invite me to her house.
I think I might actually faint.
“Spring!”
I turn at the sound of June’s voice. “Summer,” I gasp, unable to keep the unadulterated joy from my voice.
June is also glowing from her dance with Nathan, and she giggles as she eyes me. “I was going to ask if you were okay because of how you ran out earlier, but you look more than okay.”
I giggle, pulling my sister into my arms. I have the sudden urge to twirl about in a circle, laughing like a lunatic.
If I pretend that the dance with Lucas never happened, and only consider the conversation with Nathan, our dance, and the conversation with Lily, I can safely say that tonight has been the best night ever.
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13:04 Fri, Oct 3
Winning the Heir Who Bullied Me
Chapter 55
