CHAPTER 60
It wasn't even daybreak when she woke up and started talking excitedly about places she wanted to go. She already had a list by the time he got up from bed. "It's my lucky day, you know." She said as he got down from bed. She was beside the mirror, brushing her hair.
"Is that so?" She grumbled. He wished he could have stayed in bed a few more hours. This was a vacation.
"Fashion week started two days ago. Today, Chanel is hosting hers at Palais Galleria. I heard it just got renovated. Do you suppose we could go?" She said everything so quickly it left her breathless. Her happiness was contagious. He soon found himself listening to her blab about her plans for their day. She intended to attend the fashion show and tour the place. "We will be killing two birds with a stone."
The hotel served them breakfast and they were headed out at 10a.m. for the show. Evangeline was surprisingly early. She didn't want to be late. Her excitement amused him as he deliberately dragged his dress up. She practically helped him wear his outfit in a bit to get it over with and head out. When the car parked at the entrance, Evan was bemused with the crowd. The place was packed full. And though they weren't supposed to be so close due to the corona virus pandemic, the people here were many. The queue was long.
Evan watched as the security tried to get everyone in line. She hoped this doesn't result in a fight. She couldn't stand that. She looked around with disappointment. Hoping by some divine intervention that they could get in, and get in fast.
Noticing how sad she looked, Jason brought out his phone and called someone. The Galleria assistant stepped out instantly to get them. Apologizing briskly, she walked them past the heavy security and got them seated in a good spot where she could see the models and the outfits. The seating was done in a way to allow social distance.
The pandemic, though cleared left every still cautious of proximity. The large screen showed a lot of designs to be expected. For close to two years, the fashion houses must have had a hard time gathering people here. Though, business as usual as most people knew it was not the same. There was nothing like having people gathered and displaying your talent. In-person fashion still rocked always. It's like wanting to buy an outfit and seeing it on a mannequin. 95% would rather prefer outfits displayed by a person to the mannequin. Even though online fashion shows were held, sales and turn up can never be compared to in-person shows.
As they seated, the Galleria manager walked to the stage and welcomed everyone. "Now, we begin again" she announced, formally welcoming them back from the long vacation in the industry caused by the pandemic. "First, we will like to introduce the new brands." She paused, the people applauded. Then she resumed talking, "You shall be having Dawn first, followed by Davi-davi, Bokas, and then, the brand you all have been waiting for." She paused, building the atmosphere, "Chanel" she screamed the names and everywhere roared with thunderous applause and catcalls.
As the models started coming out, Jason brought out his laptop and logged into his company's office and got busy. His secretary patched him up with his staff and he chatted with them. Evangeline glanced his way, and promised to go somewhere fun with him afterwards. Now, she simply propped herself up and watched the wears. She hoped to get some before leaving.
After some hours, the show ended and she tapped Jason. "All done" she said. He had been about rounding off too. They decided to have a quick tour of the place. The galleria had just been renovated so, everything wasn't as they remembered. She had always been one to love art works and apparently so was Jason. First, he took them through the costume section. Palais was one museum known to keep a collection of costume for tourist up till the previous year. Evangeline giggled most of her favorites wears here. The clothes kept secured in glass structures and displayed on mannequin. "They made history." She smiled
"I suppose they did." He laughed as she ran her hands through them. "This really awe you." He commented.
"Yes." She pulled him in the direction other tourists went. They were going through an underground section were other clothes were displayed, "This was just restructured." Commented the guide close by. They came out of the cave like structure and toured back to the museum. Form this side, the Eifel tower could be seen. Some tourists stood close to the open window to look at the magnificent towel.
Amidst the crowd, he held her hand and she looked at him. He leaned closer and whisper in her ear. "I have a surprise for you."
She squealed excitedly, not sure what it was but knowing she was going to love it anyway. He held her hand and walked her to their car. As they got in, she waited for the surprise. "Drive." Jason told Sloane and they left. In the car, he brought out the big suitcase at the back seat. When he opened it, she screamed. The clothes she had admired and snapped on her phone intending to buy them once they hit the market were all there, about five of them. "You were paying attention." She gasped excitedly.
"I was." He smiled, happy he could surprise her and get her this thrilled. At least this time she wasn't turning down this gift.
"But how? When?"
"They always have samples ready for quick buyers. I asked my secretary to log in, sent the ones you paid extra attention to and asked her to pay. They were delivered immediately."
"Wow. Thank you. I love these." She squealed again, happily. It must have cost a fortune to pull this kind of stunt, she thought while trying some on. He immediately pulled down the slide to shield them from the driver.
Sloane drove them to dine at an exquisite restaurant. They were served their meal and they chatted back and forth as they ate. After the meal, she leaned back in her chair. "Tired?" He asked, "We could call it a day now."
Though exhausted, she wasn't about to turn in for the day. He had made her happy and sat through hours of fashion parade. The least she could do was try to reciprocate, "I want to go to where you want to go." She told him.
"Why don't we do that tomorrow?" He picked up the bill. "We'll still be here till the weekend."
He was right. Why rush when they could always do it the next day? "I just wanted to do something nice for you."
That touched him. He smiled at her, "I'm happy you're thinking of me." His gaze slid down her neck to her chest. She heaved heavily, loving the way he looked at her. He wasn't talking about the tour anymore. They were on another line entirely. They both drank each other in as memories of their night together flashed through their minds. Someone passed their table and she was forced to lower her gaze. "This can definitely wait till tomorrow." He said and stood up. They made it to the car before their lips descended on each other. Sloane turned on the music and whistled as he drove. The slide came down again.
