CHAPTER SIXTEEN
"We share a connection that goes far beyond words," he whispered, his breath tickling her ear, sending shivers down her spine.
Just as he was about to reveal more, a footstep echoed outside the room, and he swiftly retreated, regaining his composure and slipping back into his formal attitude.
With a nod, he backed out of the room, leaving Cherry wondering what had just transpired.
It was Lady Yo coming in and just as Carlos was about to exit the room, she shifted to Carlos, who was attempting to slip away.
"Wait a minute, Carlos," she called out.
Carlos turned to face her with a neutral expression. "Yes, ma'am?" he replied respectfully as he awaited her next words.
"How's Amy doing? Is she adjusting well to the resumption activities?"
Carlos nodded, "I think she's managing, ma'am. She was engaged in a conversation with the fashion designer just before I entered the room, so that's a good sign."
Lady Yo nodded curtly, "Alright, you may leave now."
With that, she dismissed him and stepped further into the room, her gaze fixed on Cherry, who was standing before the wardrobe, murmuring to herself as she scanned through the clothes.
"What was Carlos saying just now? And are these the clothes I was supposed to get rid of?"
Her eyes widened in surprise as she shuffled through the clothes on the hanger.
"My goodness, these clothes are still perfectly good for at least another six months! How often does...I mean, how often did Amy change her clothes?
She gasped, her hands pausing mid-motion as she couldn't fathom the extravagance of it all.
Anyways I'm not even a fan of her kinda clothes."
The array of high-end clothes seemed to mock her, a testament to the vastly different world she found herself in, one where fashion was a fleeting obsession.
"Every month, darling," Lady Yo interjected with an amusing voice as she glided closer to Cherry, causing Cherry to jump slightly at the unexpected interruption.
Cherry's eyes darted towards Lady Yo, her cheeks flushing slightly as she stuttered,
"Ummm, I...".
She quickly closed the wardrobe door and leaned back against it, her back resting on the wooden panel.
Lady Yo chuckled, her eyes shined,
"Yes, darling, you're always talking about revamping your wardrobe every month, and you never let your poor designer catch their breath," she teased, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm.
"Ah..." Cherry replied, nodding as if she grasped the conversation, though her expression hinted at a lingering confusion.
Lady Yo continued, "So, Amy, I hope you're prepared to dive back into work and all that comes with it..."
Cherry's response was laced with a hint of trepidation, "Umm, about that... funny question, but..." She chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement, as she closed one eye, "What's my occupation again?"
Her question was left hanging and Lady Yo's expression turned knowing.
"Oh, Amy, I'd assume everything would be fine with you and answer that 'funny question' for you.
You're an actress, an idol, and a star to many," she replied.
Cherry's mind raced in panic.
"Amy was an actress? Oh no, this is going to be a disaster! I need to come up with a plan, and fast!" She thought to herself, her eyes darting like she was searching for an escape route.
She couldn't just imagine herself putting up a charade as an actor, one occupation she doesn't know anything about.
Meanwhile, she attempted to stall for time,
"Umm, about resuming work... could it possibly be postponed for, say, a week?" She asked, as she tried to buy herself some time to figure out her next move.
Lady Yo's expression turned quizzical, her eyebrows rose in surprise,
"A week, dear? Why, darling, don't you want to resume work now?" Lady Yo asked.
"Not really, I just need to be more... prepared to face the crowd and all."
"Ok, dear, so..." she began to say, but was interrupted by a knock at the door.
Juana stood in the doorway, seeking permission to enter.
"Come in, dear," Lady Yo called out.
Just then the fashion designer arrived with a lot of hurried activity.
The designer's assistant rolled in a cart laden with an impressive array of garments and hee tape rule hung around her neck.
"Voilà! All set!" Paula; the designer announced with pride, as she unveiled the extensive wardrobe collection.
Cherry's eyes widened in surprise,
"So quick? How did you manage that?"
Paula beamed, "I mobilized my entire team, over 100 workers, to ensure everything was perfect and tailored to your taste, Miss Amy.
We worked tirelessly to meet the deadline, as you're scheduled to resume work today."
Lady Yo nodded in appreciation, "Gracias, Paula. Your dedication is commendable."
She then turned to Amy's personal assistant, "Please inform Amy's manager that she'll be taking another day off and maybe also a week. You may go now."
With a nod, the assistant departed, and Lady Yo turned back to Paula, "Begin packing the old clothes and replacing them with the new ones."
Paula swiftly obeyed, her assistant following closely as they efficiently swapped the wardrobes.
"Amy, I think it's time for me to take my leave. I have to head back home, but don't worry, Carlos is here, and there are other staff members who will be assisting you.
Just give me a call when you need me, okay?" Lady Yo said with a warm and maternal tone, as she prepared to depart.
Cherry nodded, feeling relieved and a whole lot of liberty as Lady Yo finally left the room and the house.
"Ah, finally, some breathing space!" She muttered under her breath.