Xander’s POV
When we arrived at Amor Luxe, the party was already in motion. As I walked into the grand hall, flashes coming from every corner, 1 noticed that there were only a handful of reporters.
A flurry of admiring stares followed us as we were escorted to our table, and I proudly held my head high, reveling in the confident aura that surrounded me.
“Would you like anything specifically?” A female concierge, attired in a professional knee–length skirt, an elegant top, and low pumps, inquired
“Just whatever the others are having,” Irene beamed. The excitement on her face was over the top and I almost rolled my eyes.
The building was a magnificent structure with lavish decoration. Even at first glance, it was clear that constructing this grand edifice must have cost a fortune. It was a pity that the building would be demolished without its owner being able to recoup even a fraction of her investment.
Two catalogs sat on the table, and a man stood on the stage, blabbing about something that I wasn’t interested in. I only had one motive for coming here, and that was to see my newest opponent or whoever the CEO of Amor Luxe is.
Unenthusiastically, I looked around some more with a tight smile on my face. True to James words, only the elite were in attendance and everyone seemed to be looking forward to the big reveal.
“Babe, look at this Irene squealed. I averted my gaze to see that she was pointing to a page in the catalog. Specifically, to a pair of wedding rings.
“Isn’t it lovely?” I noticed a glint in her eyes. Was Irene about to cry over a jewelry?
“You like it that much?” 1 arched a brow.
Her head bounced multiple times as she nodded.
“We can get it for our wedding.”
I folded my hands, already catching the hint before she even uttered the words. It has been four years since Mia’s disappearance but I was yet to officially handover her spot to Irene. The whole thing was still in planning and Irene was quite the picky type.
Watching Irene gush over the piece of jewelry brought a grimace to my face. Was the fact that she was now ready to seal our relationship supposed to make me feel better about this backstabbing scheme!
Moments like these made me miss Min even more. Unlike Irene, who was ntore concerned with her own interests and begged me to attend for her sake, Mia would have approached the situation with a problem–solving mindset, working together with me to find a
solution.
As I started to avert my p
my gaze from Irene’s childishness, I was drawn to the other designs on the catalog.
Decisively, I flipped through the pages of my own catalog, and a dash of amusement appeared on my face. The designs were familiar and if I didn’t know better, I would have guessed that Mia was behind it.
It was her typical creativity. Mia had left a ton of her designs behind before she disappeared, and I saw a glimpse of her skill in Amor Luxe’s catalog.
Once again, I was reminded of her. The M&S project was entirely her idea. She believed that shuffling a jewelry section in the conglomerate would attract more potential clients and being a creative designer herself, she was supposed to be in charge of the project.
After the left, I had kept the spot vacant, hoping that she would come back one day, but it has been four years already with no sign of her and many fruitless searches, so I was going to kickstart the project in her remembrance.
M&S which stood for Mia and Schaeffer, was my attempt to keep her memory close. I planned to announce her as the mastermind behind the designs, giving her the recognition she deserved. Initially, I told myself it was a gesture of gratitude, but deep down, I knew it was a desperate attempt to reconnect with her.
As I struggled with the guilt of our past, I realized I had never properly acknowledged the end of our relationship. Now, I was willing to offer her a chance to reclaim her position at Schaeffer’s, hoping she would see my gesture and return.
Lost in my thoughts, my mind was blank to the sequence of events that followed until the lights dimmed and a hush silence fell over the
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Chapter 10
The emcee, resplendent in his tailored tuxedo, stepped forward. A triumphant smile spread across his face and his voice reverberated through the hall.
“Esteemed ladies and gentlemen,” he began, his words echoing off the wall. “The moment we have all been waiting for has arrived.
His voice trailed, and a collective gasp filled the air as a massive, crystal–like structure descended from the ceiling, suspended by nearly
Invisible wires.
The room was bathed in a kaleidoscope of colors as the crystal rotated slowly, refracting light into a dazzling display of sparkle and fire
Applause rented the air, accompanied by whispers of wonder as the crystal structure came to rest on a pedestal in the center of the
room.
The emere’s voice followed, filled with pride. “It is with great honor that I reveal to you Amor Luxe’s debut collection!”
With a flourished grin, he reached out and touched a hidden control. The crystal structure slid open, revealing a velvet–lined interior. Nestled within, like a treasure trove of fire and ice, lay the newest, most breathtaking jewelry collection from Amor Luxe.
The crowd’s excitement grew wild as the lights pulsed and swirled around the crystal, casting a mesmerizing glow over the entire scene.
“Babe, come on!” Irene cried, dragging my wrist and pulling me towards the box. Standing before the glowing piece of jewelry, the only thing on my mind was Mia.
“I can’t wait to see the face behind this masterpiece!” One of the women from the crowd squealed.
“I heard it’s a woman. How can one be so gifted?”
“She must have years of experience!” Another gushed. “I’m definitely getting this for my daughter and me!”
“I have to take this home with me. I’m willing to spend half my fortune just to own a piece of this!”
My face clenched, despising how much attention the infamous Amor Luxe was getting. One thing was sure, whoever she was, she knew her onion and was a worthy opponent, but I am Alexander Schaeffer. I do not back down for anyone.
“Without further ado, it is time to reveal the mastermind and face of Amor Luxe which also happens to be my daughter,” Mr Walton took over the stage. “As you all must already know, my daughter, who went missing when she was only a child, was found a few years ago. Her face might ring a bell to some of you or not. The reason why her identity has been a secret until now is because she was involved in a ghastly accident that fractured most of her memories and to protect her, we decided to make her unknown for a while.
I can’t help but say that this is the perfect moment to finally show her to the public as she has done nothing but make me proud since her arrival,” he paused to dab the tears that had spilled from his eyes.
“With a
a round of applause, please welcome the creative force behind Amor Luxe, Mia Walton!”
The air tensed and a figure emerged from behind the stage. I tucked my hands into my pockets, my eyes squinted as I tried to catch the face of the petite woman who was now hugging Richard Walton
When Brett talked about Amor Luxe’s CEO, I envisioned an older woman, one nearing her late fifties to early sixties, but seeing the physique before me left me stunned.
Mia Walton! The name finally settled in my head. It couldn’t be… my grip tightened around the glass as she turned around.
Mia… My Mia.
“Isn’t that Mia Schaeffer?” I heard one of the women ask, and then murmurs followed.
Gasps rented the air, and a series of ostentatious glances followed from Mia to me.
“She’s no longer a Schaeffer, they got divorced. She’s now a Walton”
“He looks surprised, was he not aware that his ex–wife is the face behind Amor Luxe?”
Many such murmurs followed, but no one was brave enough to utter their gossip to my face. The whole time my eyes were glued on Mia, questions running through my mind.
How? Mis was Richard’s daughter?
I was certain that the applause was thunderous, but my brain couldn’t detect a sound; the air in the room seemed to have frozen as
Chapter 10
gaze met mine. With a nonchalant shrug, she averted it, smiling gracefully at the crowd.
As she started to address the crowd of guests, my eyes were still plastered on her. How could she look the same yet so different! When she walked, it was with a poise of grace and eloquence, her former shy and withdrawn self seemed to have completely burned away.
The dress she had on, beaded with a touch of sequin, accentuated her curves, and she walked around in it comfortably. Mia hated stuff like this. Her face was caked in makeup and her hair, now golden brown, bounced in curls across her shoulders.
It would be weird if I just walked up to her on the stage and poured out my questions, demanding answers, so I decided to wait for the perfect opportunity.
Realizing the attention my fixed state on Mia was garnering, I sipped my wine and shifted my gaze to Irene. Surprisingly, she was shaking in her seat and shifting uncomfortably.
“Trene, are you okay?”
Her eyes snapped up to me, filled with something I recognized as fear.
I need to use the restroom
With quick, scattered steps, she stood up and sprinted out of the hall.
