Nine months too late: After divorce

Two days later, Sylvie awoken with the same nightmare, sweat over her despite the AC being on, and her breaths coming out in short ragged gasps. She left the bed to run into the bathroom as usual, but a knock on the door stopped her.

A knock. That was right. It was the knock that had pulled her out of the nightmare.

Getting the door, she found a maid who informed her that her grandfather was calling for her in the living room. Washing her mouth, Sylvie headed downstairs and met her grandfather and sisters waiting in the living room.

Ou

don't

get t to be the last to arrive to a meeting, Sylvie." June stated with an eye roll.

sorry. The maid only informed me about five minutes ago," she calmly answered, then took her seat on a long couch where Evie was already seated on the other end. Not wasting further time, Mr. Cheng dived right into the reason he'd called for the meeting.

"The Queen of Astradelle reached out yesterday. She wants a dress for her fiftieth birthday, and she wants it to be nothing short of spectacular."

The sisters expressed their amusement. Queen Evandra was a famous Queen known for ruling one of the most powerful royal countries. The last time she had patronized them had been six years ago, as the Queen wasn't one who was obsessed with fashion. "This year, she wants something unique," Mr. Cheng went on. "She said she wants a black dress that would be decent, but also good enough to make her look youthful. At the same time, it shouldn't be regarded as something 'young people' would wear." Mr. Cheng went on to list more of the Queen's requirements.

"Now, I'm sure I do not need to emphasize on how important this deal is. Imagine the whole world getting to know the famous Queen's birthday dress was made by us. It's definitely going down in history. You know that, right?" He put on a

חח

0000000

serious face.

"This is why I'm putting it all to you as a task: Each of you are to make an exquisite dress, using the descriptions I just gave. You have three weeks to do this. At the end of the three weeks, your dresses should all be ready. They'll be presented to the Queen to make a choose, and whoever makes the one she gets to pick will be receiving a huge bonus from me." The sisters' eyes beamed. When it came to their grandfather, they knew money mattered little in the said 'big bonus. Sure, he was going to give them a huge sum of money, but what mattered most was his approval and the fact that they get to impress him. Now, that was the real 'big bonus. "You can be rest af assured, grandpa, I'll come up with the best," Astrid said with her hand on her chest, while June rolled her

eyes.

Astrid shifted her gaze to Sylvie. "But... why's she here, though? Will she be joining us?"

Obviously. The challenge is for all four of you."

"But why? There's no need for that. I don't think she's worthy to join us in this challenge. Besides, I'm sure her design is going to be trash."All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Sylvie sank her teeth into her lips, her eyes still down on the floor. If she got kicked out of the challenge, she wouldn't even mind. These days, very little interested her.

174

12:00

"I'm giving her a try. Sylvie," Galen shifted his gaze to Sylvie. "Are you ready to start working in the company?"

Sylvie's lips parted slightly in surprise. This was getting real.

"I uh... Yes? I mean, yes. I've been waiting."

Lies. She hadn't really cared much for the company since her return.

"Good. You should get ready, then. Three days from now, you'll be going with your sisters."

"Sisters, indeed." June scoffed, swiping through her phone.

"And

June, you'll be accompanying me to the Networking Nexus night on Wednesday. You should get ready." June's face lit up at Galen's announcement.

"What? Why?" Astrid frowned. "Grandpa, she had accompanied you to the last event. You promised the next one would be

me."

"Rest it out, will you?" June snapped at her. "Grandpa has the right to change his decision anytime. Or do you dare to question him?"

Astrid's teeth clenched, while June turned back to Galen with a wide smile. "Thank you, Grandpa. I'll put that in mind." Galen nodded, then turned to Astrid. "You don't have to worry, I have my reasons." The meeting came to an end with Sylvie rushing into the room as if she was being chased.

Two days later, Sylvie was making a phonecall with Ruby in the evening when Ruby asked why she wasn't at Fundraising event currently happening.

"I'm aware my dad and nieces are there already. So, why aren't you, Sylvie?"

Sylvie played with the necklace on her neck. The necklace was always hidden in her dress, but at home, when she was in her simple homewear, it was always visible.

don't feel like going." She responded sadly.

ay just my

Or did dad ask you not to go, just like the OTG anniversary party?"

s lips parted in shock. How in hell had she known that?

"You don't have to be surprised. News travel round in the family Ruby clarified.

Sylvie chuckled

I nervously.

"Okay, but nobody stopped me from attending today's party. I just didn't want to go."

The family hadn't bothered to try to stop or take her along, and Sylvie was starting to get used to being the one that was always left behind.

However, Ruby spent the next five minutes arguing and trying to convince Sylvie to give it a try. She reminded her that she needed to shake off her fears and start living her life again. "Parties are good. Just go out there and meet people. Get some r* Ruby's words.

By the time the conversation was over, Ruby had successful convinced Sylvie to give it a try.

214

Sylvie anxiously walked into her closet, and her eyes fell on the long purple dress standing in the middle of the room. It was a dress she'd made in her fashion school, but it had never been worn. There was a low probability that Kage would make it to the party. He rarely attended such parties, and even if he did, the chances of him being at that particular one was low. What were the odds? slipped into the purple dress, did a light makeup and styled her hair into a ponytail. But she had to take off her necklace since the dress was exposed down to her cleavages. Fully dressed and staring into the mirror, Sylvie saw a reflection of her old self. The beautiful vibrant Sylvie that was always outspoken.

Now, she felt strange in her body, ike she was an imposter.

For a second, she considered taking off the dress and trashing Ruby's words of encouragement. It had taken her a lot of efforts not to fall to the temptation.

Ruby was right. She needed to start coming out of her shell as slowly as she could.

Galen had given her a car the previous day as he didn't want any of his grandchild moving around in a local cab. The risk of being kidnapped was higher that way.

She drove to the venue of the party, and since it wasn't based strictly on invitation, she was granted access into the premises. Making her way through the grand entrance, all eyes fell on Sylvie.

She almost froze, her breath getting stuck in her throat. Too many eyes on her. She didn't feel good about this. Maybe she could turn around and just leave.

Stay calm, Sylvie. You've been to such gatherings before. The crowd means nothing she reminded herself.

She remembered attending similar events with a certain handsome man-curled dark hair, hooded silver eyes, broad frame.

She forced the thought out of her mind and focused on making it into the hall without tripping.

Everyone seemed occupied with a guest or acquaintance already Sylvie felt so alone. And since she was avoiding looking around, she couldn't check for her family. Not like she could go to them if she saw them. Her palms were sweaty as she approached a table with just

a man and woman on it.

"Hello, pretty." The man bearned. "You look gorgeo

Sylvie forced a smile. "Thank you."

Fortunately, the guests had stopped staring at her and resumed their various conversations. The burning sensation on her skin was starting to cool down a little.

Now that she was finally here, she didn't know what to do. She couldn't mingle with the rest of the guests on her own.

"What's the name, pretty?" A young man walked up to her.

The heat returned.

"Sylvie." She forced out, avoiding his gaze.

BUB.

12:0

"Hm. Nice name for such gorgeousness." He held out his hand which Sylvie reluctantly took.

Her skin seemed to burn, even as he took it to his lips and pressed a soft kiss on the back.

She snatched her hand free as quickly as she could.

She

You here alone? Or you came with someone?" The man asked, not picking offense at how rudely she had snatched her hand from his.

"Alone."

Okay...

... Purple sure looks good on you."

Sylvie finally allowed her gaze sweep through the room for the first time. That was when she caught sight of Astrid glaring at her from a table. Sylvie quickly looked away. Well, they didn't need to get mad. It wasn't like she had introduced herself already as a member of the Cheng family. Sylvie wasn't sure any member of the public knew she was related to the Chengs. And well, she didn't find it surprising that Galen might never do that. you should have a drink." The man picked up a glass of wine from a passing server and held it out to Sylvie.

Thanks."

Okay,

she had to admit. Maybe it was a little nice to be out in the open again. It was nice to get 'air' and be treated by others like human. Although, she still felt so nervous and contemplated running off from time to time. the air shifted in the room.

Heads

turn

turned and whispers rippled through.

Sylvie furrowed her brows, wondering what was happening.

She made a turn toward the door where it seemed everyone was looking, and it was in that moment that Sylvie's lungs froze.

Fortunately, she had set her glass of wine down on the table before turning, otherwise, it'd have definitely slipped from her hand.

Her anxiety surged to a whole new level. Right there at the door was Kage making his way in, looking every bit like the charming mini-god he's always been.