Moona's POV:The big, bright red letters stood boldly across the surface, filling me with a wild sense of satisfaction. I slowly put my lipstick away, admiring my "masterpiece" with pride. The lipstick was pretty much sacrificed, but releasing my anger felt absolutely refreshing.
People who flaunt their wealth like that definitely deserve a little "lesson"!
Giggling at my own wicked prank, I shot one more mischievous glance at the giant letters, chuckled under my breath, and walked into the store.
The main theme inside was a dazzling gold like stepping into a miniature palace making all the displayed designs look incredibly alive. The moment I stepped in, I couldn't help clicking my tongue in appreciation.
No wonder this place was famous. The storefront looked simple, but the interior was enough to leave anyone speechless.
To be honest, I didn't usually step into stores like this especially the kind normal people admired from afar. But…
I'd heard from classmates that today, this shop would be unveiling the newest masterpiece by John Gallino, a limited-edition gown from the Whispers of Eternity Collection. As a loyal fan of John Gallino, how could I possibly miss such a chance?
A sales associate guided me up a crystal staircase straight to the third floor. This level displayed the most expensive pieces and had the most beautiful viewing area.
But just as I stepped onto the third floor, a sickly sweet voice rang out:
"Nicolas… you're so mean, you said you'd help me pick clothes, and you're still just sitting there!"
I turned toward the sound. A woman dressed extremely provocatively was sitting in a man's lap, acting coquettish. Next to her was a pile of clothes, just one glance told me she was your typical gold-digging escort.
"Ann, whatever you like, just take it."The man lounged lazily on the sofa. Though he wore simple clothes, from my fashion-trained eye, I could tell they were extremely high-end. My gaze slid from his head to his shoes…
Honestly, he had a very handsome face, and his figure, well, easily above average by far. He was the definition of a human clothes hanger.But that wicked grin, that lazy, arrogant look in his eyes, one glance was enough to tell he was a spoiled playboy.
The woman named Ann instantly beamed at his words. Completely ignoring the salesgirl nearby, she wrapped herself around him and whined:
"Of course I'm trying on clothes to show you… but you don't let me make any decisions! So mean…"
Her arm snaked around his neck.
The man's thin lips curved into a smirk, his eyes darkening into a bottomless void.
"Trying them on for me? Actually… I prefer seeing you with nothing on."
"Nicolas, you're terrible!"Her face grew even more suggestive.
"Honestly, seeing this kind of disgusting display even in a place like this is a tragedy for humanity."I shivered in disgust, goosebumps rising all over my skin. I shook my head helplessly. Never mind… women who seduce rich men hoping to transform from sparrows into phoenixes pathetic. And as for the man paying for her? Equally trash, throwing money just to crush women.
I wasn't going to let those two ruin my good mood. I was here to witness the masterpiece of the great John Gallino!
So, I put on a bright smile and gently asked the salesgirl:
"Excuse me, is this where you display the gown by designer John Gallino, the one from the Whispers of Eternity Collection?"
The salesgirl lit up instantly."You have such a good eye, miss! Yes, today is the very first day we received that gown. There are only 19 pieces worldwide, symbolizing 'everlasting love'. And in all of Crestfall Capital, we only have one piece."
I asked anxiously,"Has it been sold yet?"
"Not yet, we only opened a little while ago," she replied with a professional smile.
"Whew…"I exhaled in relief. If it had already sold, I wouldn't even get to lay eyes on it once!
"May I please see it? Thank you!" I tried to suppress the excitement bubbling up inside me, eager to finally witness this masterpiece.
"Of course, please wait a moment!" She bowed politely and went to fetch the gown.
This moment felt like waiting for a lover. My heart pounded with anticipation. Becoming a great designer had been my dream since childhood. No matter how hard it was, I was determined to enter the Paris Fashion Design Academy, not only for its prestige, but because it was the alma mater of my idol, John Gallino. To be in the same lineage as a world-renowned designer… was an honor I treasured deeply.
Even though I never had the chance to meet him, my determination to follow in his footsteps had never faded. Whenever John Gallino released a new design, I always found a way to see and learn from it.
I came from an ordinary family, with a younger brother still in school. I spent almost all my weekends working part-time jobs to cover living expenses and tuition. Although I originally planned to go to Europe as an exchange student, since my family now lived in Crestfall Capital, I chose Crestfall Capital University instead.
I sat quietly by the sofa, waiting. But it seemed the "performer" still hadn't finished her show, acting all entitled with a man throwing money at her.
"Miss, look! This gown looks like it was custom-made for you!"I noticed the salesgirl's movement falter slightly, her smile stiffening.
The woman stood proudly before the mirror, turning left and right. She was wearing a fiery red gown with barely enough fabric to qualify as clothing. The design was bold, yet elegant enough to blur the eyes.
But I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing.
This gown was clearly designed for a European body type.Even her hairstyle didn't match!
I watched the scene unfold like a comedy, thinking:
Dragging such a low-quality girlfriend into public, how is this playboy planning to end this spectacle?
Sure enough, the woman frowned, then turned to face the man's lazy expression.
"Nicolas, I love the color and style of this gown, but… the hem looks too long!"