Moona's POV:
The huge, blazing red letters sprawled across the car, giving me an intoxicating sense of satisfaction. I slowly put my lipstick away, admiring my "masterpiece" with smug delight. The lipstick was sacrificed, but letting out that anger felt absolutely refreshing.
People who flaunt their wealth like that deserved to be taught a lesson!
Giddy with my little wicked prank, I cast one more mischievous glance at the oversized words, smiled to myself, and walked into the store.
The store's dominant tone was a radiant gold, like a miniature palace, making the displayed designs come alive. As soon as I stepped inside, I couldn't help clicking my tongue in admiration.
No wonder this place had a reputation, the exterior was modest, but the interior was breathtaking!
I didn't often enter stores like this, the kind ordinary people only admire from afar. But… I'd heard from classmates that today the shop would debut John Gallino's newest masterpiece: an evening gown called the Whispers of Eternity Collection, a limited edition. As a devoted fan of John Gallino, how could I possibly miss it?
Guided by a sales assistant, I took the glass staircase up to the third floor. That level housed the most expensive pieces and offered the best views.
The moment I stepped onto the third floor, a syrupy voice cut through the air:
"Nicolas… you're so mean, you said you'd help me choose, and you're still just sitting there!"
I turned toward the voice and saw a woman dressed provocatively, curled up in a man's lap, acting cutesy. A pile of clothes lay beside her, one glance told me she was a classic gold-digger.
"Ann, take whatever you like," the man said, lounging on the sofa. Though his clothes looked simple, my trained eye knew they were high-end. My gaze slid from his head down to his shoes…
He was actually quite handsome, and his build, well, above average without question. The kind of man who could be a walking clothes hanger. But that sly, lecherous grin gave him away as a spoiled playboy.
Ann lit up at his words. Ignoring the salesgirl beside her, she wrapped herself around the man and cooed:
"I'm trying on clothes to show you but you won't let me make any decisions! So mean…"
She took the chance to loop her arm around his neck.
The man's thin lips curved into a smirk, his eyes darkening into something bottomless.
"Show them to me? Honestly… I prefer to see you wearing nothing at all."
"Nicolas, you're terrible!" the woman purred, her expression even more seductive.
The whole scene made my skin crawl. I involuntarily shook my head. Women who seduce rich men hoping to be kept pathetic. And the man who uses money to trample women? Disgusting.
I refused to let that pair ruin my good mood. I was here to see John Gallino's masterpiece!
So I put on a bright smile and asked the salesgirl politely, "Excuse me, is this where you're showing John Gallino's piece, the long gown from the *Whispers of Eternity Collection*?"
Her face lit up. "You have a very discerning eye, miss. Yes, we just received that gown today. There are only 19 pieces worldwide, symbolizing 'everlasting love.' In all of Crestfall Capital, we have only one."
My heart raced. "Has it been sold?"
"Not yet. We only opened this morning," she replied professionally.
I breathed a huge sigh of relief. If it had been sold I wouldn't even get to see it!
"May I see it, please?" I tried to keep my excitement under control; my whole chest fluttered at the thought.
"Please wait a moment." The salesgirl bowed and went to fetch the gown.
That wait felt like waiting for a lover. Becoming an outstanding designer had been my dream since childhood, which is why I worked so hard to enter the Paris Fashion Design Academy. Even if I didn't meet my idol, John Gallino, I still wanted to learn from every new piece he released.
I sat by the sofa and waited. The gold-digger beside Nicolas, however, didn't seem finished performing yet, her entitlement only grew as the man spent money on her.
"Miss, this gown looks like it was made for you!" the salesgirl called, though I noticed her smile had grown a touch stiff.
The woman strutted before the mirror, modeling a fiery red gown that left little to the imagination. The cut was bold and a little alluring designed for a European figure, which made the outfit look oddly mismatched on her. The hairstyle didn't suit the look either.
I watched the absurdity like a spectator at a show and inwardly scoffed: bringing such a low-quality girlfriend out in public, what a spectacle.
As expected, the woman frowned and then turned to Nicolas. "I love the color and the cut of this gown, but… the hem seems too long!"
I thought to myself: what do you mean "seems", it's plainly long!
I glanced at the man again. Pity his looks and his circumstances, what kind of eye seeks out a woman with big breasts and a tiny brain? Ah well, perhaps only women like her would accept being kept.
Not long after, the man stood and moved toward her with an air of casual refinement. He smiled indulgently and wrapped an arm around her pale waist, his voice low and magnetic as he said to the salesgirl, "Miss, would you come with me for a moment?"
"Yes, sir, what would you like?" the salesgirl answered immediately. She clearly knew which customers to favor: handsome men with money.
"This gown can you remake it to fit this young lady here? Any problem with that?" His tone was lazy and arrogant, but carried authority; no room for refusal.
"Well… we'd need the designer's approval, and the cost would be a bit..." the salesgirl began, hesitating.
He smiled, pulled out a check, signed it with a flourish, and handed it over. "Have designer Lero redraw this gown. This covers the alteration and a designer's fee. No problem."
The salesgirl accepted the check hurriedly. Her face registered shock when she glanced at the amount, then she forced a smile. "Yes, of course!"
The woman immediately flung herself on him, kissing his cheek. "Nicolas, I love you so much!"
"Is that so? Then behave tonight…" He smiled seductively, but there was emptiness in his eyes.
Disgusted, I watched her heaving chest and felt nauseous. How could such people live comfortably?
I thought about staying to watch the show longer, but what's the point? Money buys away awkward problems. Clearly he was rich and knew the value of the gown; typical nouveau riche behavior.
Lost in those thoughts, a moment later the salesgirl carried out the gown I'd been dreaming about.
"Oh..." I rose slowly to my feet. Seeing the dress in its entirety felt like the world had been illuminated. Was this really John Gallino's Whispers of Eternity? It was breathtaking.
Pure white as the base, a simple V-neck, a delicate floral applique on the shoulder, silk soft as a moonlit goddess's robe, flowing like water. With the eye of a global master, the gown seemed to dance with the breeze, emanating an aristocratic air that left one breathless.
Whispers of Eternity, the name fit. I was instantly captivated. If only I had the money, I would buy it without a second thought!
Perhaps sensing my longing, the salesgirl added, "Miss, you really have an eye. If you like it, try it on. With your figure, you'll astonish everyone. This is the only piece in Crestfall Capital take your chance!"
My heart pounded. I'd never thought I could afford Gallino, I'd only ever dared admire from afar. But today I genuinely loved the dress; some inner voice screamed, *Try it on! It will suit you!*
"Miss, trust my eye. You'll be stunning," the salesgirl urged. I lifted the gown in my arms, enchanted, then glanced at the price tag and froze. My clear eyes fixed on the numerals as I silently counted: one, ten, a hundred USD, a thousand USD, ten thousand USD… a hundred thousand… a million USD…
When I hit a million, I nearly bit my tongue to stop myself from fainting. Over a million USD for a dress, I couldn't even dream of buying it, let alone trying it on!
"Miss, this is a premium limited piece; the price is inevitably high." The salesgirl's enthusiasm vanished and was replaced by an air of disdain. As someone studying design, I knew the equation: limited edition = luxury = for the elite.
Yet I still loved the dress.
Seeing my hesitation, the salesgirl sized me up and said, "Well, since you're clearly not buying, why don't you try on some other outfits that are more suitable?" She took the gown from my arms, hung it back up, and turned away. I felt a sting as the silk slipped from my hands and the salesgirl's disdainful expression pricked me.
Then I made a bold decision.
"Wait a moment!" I called out so loudly it could have shaken the floor. The salesgirl turned, frowning. "Do you need something else?"
I pointed at the dress and drew a deep breath. "I want to try this on." No matter the price, a million, ten million USD, I wanted to try it. If I truly wanted to become a great designer, how could I be afraid to try this dress?
Fueled by determination, I hugged the gown and stepped into the fitting room. As the door closed, my world narrowed to that single moment and to Nicolas, watching from across the room with a faint, wicked smile in his eyes. This girl is interesting, he seemed to think.
Soon I stepped out. Not only the salesgirl but also the beauties by Nicolas's side gasped. The gown transformed me as if by magic: my dimples caught the light, silk hugged my pale skin, the hem elongated my legs. My eyes sparkled and my lips looked full, I felt like a moonlit goddess straight out of a fairytale.
"Miss, truly this gown was made for you!" the salesgirl blurted, unable to contain her praise despite earlier disdain. I stared at my reflection, dazed and amazed was this really me? I had beauty, after all!
But the amazement was quickly replaced by sadness. What good is beauty if I have no money? Such an expensive garment I couldn't buy it even if I sold myself. All I could do was admire it and tuck the longing away.
Seeing my dejection, Nicolas sat not far away with that eerie smile. His deep eyes glittered mischief as he stared unblinking toward the fitting room. He rose slowly…
I stepped out holding the gown and stammered, "I'm sorry, I can't buy it…" I braced myself for ridicule. Unexpectedly, the salesgirl's face changed to joy: "Oh! Miss, the gown is yours now!"
"Huh?…" I thought I'd misheard. "I didn't say I wanted to buy it." The salesgirl lightly pointed across the room. "Sir, the gentleman over there has already paid for it on your behalf."
The salesgirl clearly knew which customers to favor. The handsome, very wealthy man had decided and thus everything changed.