What you wear would define yourself. The fashion talks louder than you would ever imagine…
..................…..
The week quickly passed when Arissa focused herself on her dual job as a "top model" with Cristan as her companion and as a freelance photographer for various products that she working on. Fortunately, the one in charge of coordinating the schedule for her photoshoots and the product catalogs was Jojo so that Arissa doesn't have any trouble switching her roles professionally.
Cristan himself when the birth date is getting closer, he even felt more nervous.
It has been 2 years when he left his house to heal his traumatic experience psychologically which was caused by his mother's death and it seems that the wound hasn't fully healed. But, Cristan is facing his dilemma as well. He dearly missed the Great Grandpa as well. Especially after a sudden call from the only family that has left besides his mother. The house itself holds lots of sweet memories for Cristan. He treasured every moment of his inside it. Especially when he spent his childhood altogether with his mother and grandfather. Even though his father is still alive, Cristan rarely communicated with him. His father was an introvert and a loner. Moreover, he spends most of his time in the laboratory doing research and experimenting with herbal medicines rather than playing or chatting with him. Only his mother and grandfather always by his side at every phase of his life. Starting from learning how to walk, exploring the objects, and walking around inside all the rooms inside the main house. His mother and grandfather are his world and always being helpful to Cristan whenever he needed their help. While his grandfather defends and keeps the clan throne for him, his mother, Arina Levy, is preparing Cristan to become the sole heir of the Levy clan according to the rules and hereditary protocol that had been carried out for hundreds of years. If their plan worked successfully, the regeneration will run smoothly without any hindrance with the blessing of Great Grandpa and Arina Levy as the former supreme clan leader and the Senate as well. Supposedly, 2 years ago, Cristan has inherited it.
Seeing his mother smiled proudly at him who stood up and applauded her on the day of coronation.
Unfortunately, the accident had changed everything. Cristan's world collapsed and broke into million pieces after he heard about the tragedy.
Losing Arina means losing everything for him….
Unconsciously, a pair of tears fell off his eyelids.
Cristan wiped his eyes lightly while he smiling stupidly at himself.
"Are you okay?"
A voice suddenly startled Cristan. In front of him, Arissa is standing with a sympathetic look and giving him a piece of tissue.
"Eh..ah ... I ..." Cristan replied to her groggily. Since when this girl is here? He asked it to himself. Cursing inwardly that unconsciously showing his weakness in front of the girl that he liked so much.
Silently, Arissa took and held Cristan's hand inside her hand and wiped the corners of his eyes that still slightly red and wet with tears.
"It's okay if you want to cry. We're still human after all. Feeling sad or happy is part of our emotions. If you need someone to rely on…. " Arissa patted her shoulder softly.
"I am here…"
Cristan can't take it anymore. In one move, he immediately pulled and hugged the girl in his embrace and his tears flow freely like rivers on his cheeks. Seeing he sobbed pitifully, Arissa was in great shock. She never sees this side of him before and all that she can do was hug him back and patting his back slowly to calm him down. At this time, she remembered Jacob, her only child who often cried and asked him to hug him when Jacob was so young and Arissa would always do the same thing. She always hugs in silence while Jacob's tears ran down on her neck and shoulders and he sobbed continuously in her embrace. Now, Arissa is hugging Cristan to calm him down while she listens to the silent screams of his tears and allowed the young man to vent all the hidden emotions that he had been holding so hard for 2 years.
In front of Arissa, Cristan's wall had broken and collapsed to pieces. His poker face tore off when Arissa walked in and hold him genuinely this time. Let him lean on her at this moment. The same girl, for some reason, even though she looks "cold", turns out to be very warm and genuinely sincere to everyone around her. Her heart is big enough o accommodate all the storms and waves of sadness that Cristan had suffered so far. Her hug is soothing his heartache and lost mind. For a moment, Cristan gave up and let down all of his defenses. He let himself fully lost in this comfortlessness.
After they hugged for a while, Cristan pulled himself. His eyes are wet and red but then he smiled. A different smile from the one that he always put on his face. When Arissa saw it, she knew that something inside Cristan had changed. He looks … nicer and stable. And, she thinks that he's okay now.
"Can you drive?" Arissa asked him carefully.
Tonight, they both will be going to a birthday party so Arissa and Cristan have to go back to their apartment first to get ready. Cristan shook his head. His head felt a little dizzy because he had just venting all his emotions through his silent cry earlier and it drained him up.
"It's fine. I've told someone to pick us up now… "Cristan said casually while he picked his phone and calling someone afterward.
A few minutes later, a black Maybach was in front of them. A man with a serious face and brown hair opened the door for them both before then he re-entered and sitting at the driver's seat.
"By the way, do you have a dress for tonight?" Cristan asked Arissa politely. As far as he could remember, Arissa didn't have a formal dress for this kind of occasion because her job as a photographer required her to dress up casually every time she works on the field. After all, as a photographer, what was required was her act and not her looks.
"Oh..Jojo has lent me some dresses from the newest fall collection. Maybe I can try some of them before choosing a proper one… "Arissa replied innocently. She even didn't notice the disdain glint in Cristan's eyes when she said those words.
"Jade, turn around, we'll do some shopping at Summervile." Cristan instructs the driver firmly.
"Yes, young master ..." Jade replied to him solemnly as he immediately turned the car.
Arissa, who realized that the car was turning around in flash speed, was panicked!
"Wait!!"
"Where are we going now?"
"You will find out soon," Cristan replied casually at her.
His lips smiled mischievously as he continued, "Think of it as my apology for making your shirt wet earlier."
Arissa was completely clueless and could only blink her eyes several times quickly in disbelief when suddenly, their car stopped at a lavish boutique.
A big sign named "Summervile Boutique" was written there.
They're here !!
........................… ..
Summerville. Talking about this name, everyone would imagine the most beautiful and glamorous dresses that have become the icon of this famous boutique. Wonderfully hand-sewn by Mr. Denise, the owner himself, and using only the finest fabrics from around the world has raised the boutique's reputation skyrocketing to the international stages. Many Hollywood actresses, movie stars, and members of European royalty are loyal customers of this boutique because of their distinctive and elegant designs. Then, if they make a dress design, the number of users of their design can be counted by fingers. The numbers of precious stones that are installed in accordance always match with the design theme and make the one who wears it be the center of attention wherever and whenever they are.
This boutique is also Arina Levy's favorite boutique.
When Cristan walked in with Arissa, the boutique manager has been waiting to greet them in person with a broad smile.
"It's been a while, young master. How are you?" Sophia greeted him politely.
Cristan just smiled back a little when he heard the greeting.
"Sophia, I need a favor from you. It's Great Grandpa's birthday tonight, I want you to help this lady find some dresses for the event this evening. "
Sophia nodded her head and bent down while crossing her right hand over her chest.
"Yes, young master. Miss, please come with me ... "
Obediently, Arissa followed the manager into a fitting room while Cristan waited on the couch.
In his mind, Cristan imagines that he was like Richard Gere in Pretty Woman. How Julia Roberts appeared in front of him many times before him in different clothes while grooming herself and ask his opinion on which dress is the most suitable for her. Cristan was smiling inwardly to himself when Arissa suddenly appeared in front of him shyly with blushed cheeks like a ripened tomato while carrying 2 shopping bags and Sophia appeared behind her with a grumpy face.
"I am done…"
Eh? That fast??
Aren't girls usually take a long time when they're shopping huh?
Cristan was still dumbfounded at Arissa while Sophia complained to him.
"Young master, this lady's feature is nice. Almost all the dresses she tried perfectly fit on her body but she refuses to bring them all .... " She complained with a grumpy face.
Cristan raised his eyebrows. Oh, that's why ...
"All right ... please bring all the dresses that she tried on and put them in my bill ..." Cristan replied to her nonchalantly as he rose up from his seat. Time is running out and they should prepare themselves also afterward.
A broad smile spontaneously spread at Sophia's face. "Yes, young master ..."
Oppositely with Arissa who widened her eyes as if they were about to pop out of from their sockets!