Chapter 65
Roselle’s P. O. V.
I lazily opened my eyes and the rays of the warm sunlight streaming across the window danced across my face, casting, a gentle glow.
I sat up on the bed and yawned spreading my arms simultaneously,
It suddenly dawned on me that I was in a strange room.
I almost panicked before the memories of the previous day started sinking in.
After Lily’s boyfriend drove us to her apartment, she offered that I stay with her for the meantime.
I was really grateful for her assistance. I don’t know what I would have done if I didn’t meet her when I met her.
I looked around the bedroom.
The room was simple with cream colored walls, a comfortable queen sized bed and a wooden dresser against one wall. The window curtains, a light blue shade, were partially drawn allowing the sun rays to enter and illuminate the place.
A framed picture on the dresser caught my attention as I slowly surveyed the surrounding with my eyes.
The image of Lily and a man hugging her while she smiled was endearing.
The picture was beaming with their joy. I couldn’t see his face well, so I assumed he was her boyfriend. I wondered what. their story was.
My thoughts started to stray, reliving the circumstances that brought me to this point. My mind flashed to Samuel’s face, and I felt a familiar twinge of hurt. Everything came back, the suffocating feeling of being used, and the overwhelming need for freedom. I thought of Katherine and Samuel’s heartbreaking video.
The way she boasted that she and Samuel were back together and accused me of having delusions for believing that Samuel truly loved me.
Sitting up with my feet hanging over the side of the bed, I became aware that I wasn’t questioning my choice to flee. There were no regrets.
I was entitled to a better life, than that.
I had allowed other people to design my life, but that was about to change.
My father was the first to do it, and then Samuel. Even so, I was initially led to believe that Samuel had my best interests in mind.
As it happens, he was equally as cunning as my dad.
It felt good to be taking control of my life at last.
But then reality set in. I had nothing, no credit card, no money, and no direction.
I was filled with uncertainty as I considered how challenging it would be to truly stand by myself.
As I got to my feet, the room reverberated with the creak of the wooden floor beneath me. I inhaled deeply, feeling both thankful that I had received assistance when I needed it and apprehensive about the future.
“Roselle, breakfast is ready,” Lily said, breaking the silence from the other side of the door.
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Chapter 65
Her thoughtfulness made
me
smile.
I instantlyered how hungry I was as my stomach made a terrible growl.
Lily and her boyfriend had urged me to join them for dinner last night, but I had declined.
I was too exhausted to even consider food, but that was not the case at the moment. “Thank you, Lily. I’ll be there, right away. I sounded more enthusiastic than I actually was.
I quickly showered before heading to the kitchen. Lily had already taken her place at the table and was smiling warmly.
My taste buds were tempted by the aroma of toast and scrambled eggs that permeated the air.
“Good morning,” she greeted, as she handed me a plate.
“Good morning,” I replied taking the plate from her.
“How did you sleep?” She inquired while preparing tea.
“I slept well,” I said in response.
Despite her somewhat incredulous expression, Lily said nothing.
I dug into the food before Lily as I could no longer hold back any longer.
She finished making tea and pushed a mug towards me.
“Thank you,” I mouthed with my mouth half filled.
Lily settled down on her chair and started eating.
The toast was crispy and the eggs were fluffy.
We ate in silence that felt comfortable, like a warm hug. I appreciated this little break and enjoyed the normalcy. Although I couldn’t help but think about what my next move would be, what would I do? And where would I go? This thought kept replaying in my head hindering the air of freedom that I so badly wanted to feel.
I shook my head, as if by doing so, I would shake off all the disturbing thoughts.
I knew it was going to be hard but I needed to believe in myself if I was going to pull through all this.
And Lily had a warming infectious demeanor.
I was also relieved that she was just letting me be and not asking me a ton of questions.
“Where’s Julius?” I asked noticing that I could not find her boyfriend.
“He left last night, he doesn’t leave here with me,” she stated.
“Ohh,” I remarked shaking my head.
We both went quiet for a while.
I realized that I needed to at least give her a little insight on my predicament.
She had been so kind to house a stranger like myself, the least I could do was not make her feel like she was getting in trouble.
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Chapter 65
ก
“I was engaged to Samuel actually married.”
Lily gaped with shock but soon replaced the expression with an understanding one.
“Who’s Samuel?” She asked.
“Well let’s just say he was someone who had some sort of business with my father. My father gave me off to him as a compensation for his betrayal.”
I paused to looked at Lily, hoping that she was administering what I was saying and at the same time not misunderstanding my situation.
She still wore the same understanding look so I continued.
“I have since then been living with Samuel. It was hard at first but I grew to love him, but the event that led to me trying to escape made me question everything.
Lily, for once in my life I want to be the architect of my own destiny. I no longer want to depend on anyone who could break my heart. It’s about time, that I navigated my future myself.”
Lily stood up and came to sit down on the chair next to me.
“I completely understand you Roselle. Believe me, I’ve shared similar feelings before. You’re going to be fine.”
I nodded and smiled sadly, grateful for her understanding.
“Thank you Lily,” I can’t tell you how grateful I am.
“Oh common, you’ve told me enough,” she said with a chuckle.
“Come on, there’s something I want to show you,” she said standing up and stretching her hands to me.
I took it and she led me to a room tucked away behind a sliding door. Lily showed me a part of her apartment that I had nor really noticed.
I only came here last night, so it was understandable if I didn’t know that her apartment sffetched that far,
I was amazed at the change as soon as we entered the room. Although the room was smaller in size but every inch of it was used to create a comfortable haven perfect for a designer.
There were at least three sewing machines, each with a unique design and possibly different functions.
Threads, fabrics, and notions were arranged neatly around them. Around, was also half finished clothing.
Two mannequins stood sentinel, and the walls were covered with sketches of stunning design. I had the impression that I had entered a fashion genius’s creative workspace.
As I looked around the room and took in Lily’s exquisite work, my eyes grew wide.“This is incredible,” I said amazed. “Lily, you are really talented!”
Lily’s eyes gleamed with delight as she smiled.
Thank you, Roselle. I’ve always had a passion for design.
The detailed details on each sketch captivated me as I moved deeper into the room. Every design, from edgy street wear to flowing evening gowns, stood out like a work of art.
“But why do you keep this hidden?” I turned to Lily and asked. “This needs to be shared with the world, not locked away
here.”
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A trace of self–doubt crept into Lily’s face as she shrugged. “I’ve considered it, but I’m not sure. Keeping it to myself feels safer.”
I shook my head, getting more excited. “Lily, no. You should to be recognized for your talent. Your voice in fashion is distinct. Why keep it a secret?”
Lily’s smile wavered, and I briefly caught a glimpse of her vulnerability. “You really think so?”
“I know so.” I said with conviction.
“You can really make this grow, you could start small with online platforms, social media…the possibilities are endless.”
A newfound resolve appeared on Lily’s face as her eyes glistened.
“I guess you’re right, I’ll have to let the world know about it somehow.”
There was silence as I continued to gaze around.
“Julius has always shared the same perspective. That I ought to put my work out there, but my self doubt wouldn’t even let me try,” Lily said.
“I understand you and it’s okay to feel that way, but you gotta pull out for productivity. Your works are perfect and you needn’t have any self doubt.”
“Thank you Roselle,” she said and I smiled.
“So how about we make something for you,” She stated moving over to fetch an illustrated notepad.
“For me?” I questioned sceptically.
“Yes of course, I have some sketched design here that I think would really fit your body figure.”
I watched as Lily flipped through her notebook, which was chock–full of gorgeous designs. She stopped at a page showing a stunning illustration of a form–fitting dress with a flared bottom.
“This one,” she said, with a gleam in her eyes.
“I think this would accentuate your curves perfectly.”
She handed me the notepad, and I saw the details of the dress more clearly.
With its flowing silhouette, delicate lace, and delicate embroidery, the design was stunning.
“It’s gorgeous,” I exhaled deeply.
Lily smiled with satisfaction.
“I’ll make it for you. We will just have to select the materials and color that best fit you.”
“Thank you Lily. That is very considerate of you.”
Lily dismissively waved her hand. “It’s my pleasure. Let’s get started now.”
She proceeded to a small cabinet and produced a piece of material.
“Roselle, how about this fabric,” she said, displaying a gorgeous silk fabric.
I felt the softness of the fabric as I touched it. “It’s beautiful.”
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Chapter 65
Lily nodded. “I knew you’d like it. Now, let’s talk about colors.”
***
The rest of my day was mostly spent in Lily’s design room as she started with the outfit she was making for me.
It was noon now so I was lying down on the bed in the room that I had initially slept on.
I laid on the bed on my back with both my hands placed at the back of my head as support despite the pillow.
My mind was racing and I was contemplating on what I should do next.
Suddenly something struck me and I stood up abruptly.
Mr Marco!
I rushed over to my small purse to check if I still had his business card.
It was right there in my purse.
I smiled as I thought of the possibility that I could actually be a real model.
This was probably my way to self independence.
But how was I going to meet with Mr. Marco without getting in trouble?
knew that Samuel was perhaps in search of me and I knew how far he would go to get what he wants.
Either ways, I wasn’t going to pass on this beautiful opportunity.
I will meet Marco the next day and have him send me off to Paris immediately.
My phone has been turned off since the previous day and I made sure to throw away the necklace Samuel gave me which had a tracking device on it.
His chances of getting me were slim but I still had to be careful.
