Laila looked at him several times, confirming he wasn't just making excuses before nodding, "Alright."
"I'm going to take a bath and will be down in a bit," Roy said, feeling uncomfortable under her gaze, and quickly left.
Laila watched his retreating figure up the stairs, her eyes narrowing.
What exactly is he busy with?
In recent months, his behavior has been unusual. He traveled through several countries and even went missing once. After finally returning safely, he started acting mysteriously again. She couldn't help but speculate if he had met some troublesome people.
She knew he still kept in touch with a few old friends from before coming to Hollywood, even helping them with money to open stores. She didn't mind that, as it was his money and there was nothing wrong with helping old friends. However, not all those people were 'upstanding citizens.' To survive, those at the bottom had to resort to means that weren't always clean.
Her concern was that his deep connection with them might drag him into some trouble that couldn't be easily resolved.
Laila's thoughts spiraled further, but she didn't want to confront him directly. She knew Roy's charm in making friends was astonishing, so having friends all over the world wasn't surprising. Moreover, he genuinely cared about his relationships, which explained why he had so many friendships.
If she asked directly whether he was entangled in trouble with his old friends, it would likely lead to unpleasant results. Even if he didn't get angry, he wouldn't be in a good mood.
So, she could only keep her worries to herself, hoping that one day he would come clean about whatever he was hiding.
Upstairs, Roy had no idea that his brief concealment had led Laila to such far-reaching conclusions. While he did stay in touch with old friends, he knew his limits and wouldn't put himself in a difficult situation.
Moreover, it was unlikely those friends would involve a prominent Hollywood star like him in illegal activities; his identity would be revealed in no time!
A few days later, Roy finally received another call from Bernie. The new design drafts were ready.
Making an excuse, he quickly left home and headed straight to Bernie's small shop.
"I've reviewed many photos of Laila on the red carpet and feel she prefers simple and rational styles. So, I abandoned the teardrop shape and opted for a princess cut."
"Princess cut?" Roy had no idea what that was.
Bernie placed a design draft in front of him. "Here it is. The princess cut, also known as a square-modified brilliant, has been a classic since the 1960s. While round diamonds are most common, their cutting results in significant loss, so non-round cuts are often chosen for precious diamonds."
As Bernie delved into his favorite topic, his confidence grew, and he spoke more fluently, losing his previous nervousness around Roy.
"Common cuts include heart, oval, pear, and marquise shapes, each with its advantages and symbolic meanings. I chose the princess cut because it looks strict and disciplined, usually preferred by thoughtful, rational people with leadership skills."
"Based on Laila's public image and your descriptions, I decided on the princess cut. The remaining fragments from the cut can be used for a men's ring, making a perfect pair. Though the diamond in the women's ring is slightly smaller than the original design, Laila, who seldom wears accessories, might appreciate it more."
As Bernie laid out the design draft, Roy was instantly captivated.
It was a pair of rings, unmistakably a couple's rings.
The original teardrop shape had been cut into a square for the women's ring, with the leftover pieces used for the men's ring.
Compared to the previous lavish design, this one was more elegant, exuding beauty in its simplicity and fluid lines.
Seeing the design, Roy knew it was perfect—Laila would love it.
"What do you think, Mr. Seasonstar?" Bernie asked nervously, noticing Roy's lack of reaction. He had great confidence in this design, feeling it was the best one yet.
"I like this design very much. Bernie, could you tell me more about it?" Roy wanted to understand the design's concept better, hoping it conveyed a beautiful meaning along with its beauty.
Bernie, thrilled to hear Roy's approval, eagerly continued, "The princess cut has four corners, said to represent love, passion, cherished affection, and devotion. I wanted to incorporate this into the design, with the diamond set in the ring like a star in the sky."
Roy nodded, encouraging him to continue.
Even if Roy didn't prompt him, Bernie was excited to share more. All those days of thoughtful design culminated in this moment of explanation.
"I saw many red carpet photos of you and Laila, noting how beautifully coordinated your outfits were. I believe your relationship with Director Moran is very strong. Thus, I placed the cut diamonds into the man's ring. Though smaller, it symbolizes a deeper connection between you two."
Roy loved this idea, sharing a piece of the same diamond with Laila. How wonderful was that?
"Bernie, I'm very satisfied with your design. Let's go with it."
Bernie's heart skipped a beat, "Really? You're entrusting it to me?"
"Yes." Roy extended his hand with a smile, "I like this design."
Bernie, overwhelmed with emotion, quickly shook his hand, "Thank you, thank you, Mr. Seasonstar. I will make sure it's perfect, you won't be disappointed!"
He succeeded! He truly succeeded! He would be the designer of wedding rings for Hollywood star Roy and director Moran! God, if this is a dream, please don't let him wake up!