Love the Second Time Around Novel

Chapter 67 Pushed Into The Spotlight

Dominic slung an arm around my waist and pulled me into his embrace. He whispered, “The costume for the finale.”

I blinked dumbly, my brain stalling at his words.

About three seconds later, I asked, “You’re letting me wear the final design? What about the model? What’s she going to wear?”

He chuckled and replied, “Liliana, you really should be adding more brain foods to your diet. You’re taking forever as always to connect the dots. Since you’re wearing the costume, doesn’t that make you the model?”

I was about to retort his backhanded jibe when the word “model” struck me dumb.

And indeed, I was silent for a while before I fully understood the implications of his words.

“Dominic, are you making me take the runway? Now’s not the time for jokes. It’s fine if it’s only my reputation at stake, but I don’t want to ruin someone’s hard work and the entire fashion show to boot!”

I stared at Dominic like he was deranged, wondering if he was the one who should be checking out brain foods.

It was not a sense of misguided humility that had me denying his request but a fair assessment of my actual talents.

Walking a runway? That’s absurd.

“Do I look like I’m making a joke right now?” Dominic arched a brow and asked calmly.

I heaved a long sigh. “I can’t do this. If this is your way of pranking me, there are way more appropriate occasions for that. Modeling is beyond me.”

My brain was blank save for one thought – Dominic was definitely trying to embarrass me.

Soon enough, the staff who had left to retrieve the costume returned with a garment bag in hand.

Dominic took the garment bag from the staff and inspected the dress. Satisfied, he dropped the dress in my arms.

“Get changed.”

His tone left no room for argument, and I felt like I was about to dissolve into tears.

“I’m not getting changed! Like I said earlier, it’s not only my reputation at stake. I can’t be responsible for ruining other people’s hard work.” I draped the dress carefully over a nearby chair and stood my ground.

at me intently before saying, “I designed this costume, and this is my fashion

revelation, and my mind was running wild. “Why on earth would you have me wear this, then? Are

 Really? He’s going to drag himself down for a chance to denigrate

up my mind to reject him, Dominic pulled out the big guns, threatening to undress

insistence

had never been to a fashion show in my life, let

seconds. Get changed, or I’ll

regret sending me out there?” I

“One.”

attempt to dissuade him. “Dominic, you need to think things through. I could really damage your brand’s

“Two.”

you can’t turn around and

I grabbed the dress

heard a woman’s voice from outside the

may I come in to assist you

Please come

others was uncomfortable, but since this was Dominic’s creation, I wanted

come after my head if I ruin

staff’s help, I managed to put on the masterpiece,

sigh when I saw myself in the mirror. Dominic’s a pretty amazing bridal

me like a glove, so much so that I almost thought that he might have designed it especially

staff busy arranging my skirt, I asked, “Does he specialize in

and smiled. “Do you mean

why is the final

be satisfied, Dominic was yelling at us to hurry up

held my skirt for me as we left

tuxedo. It looked like

looked like a couple ready to head to the

earlier had nothing but praise for

Would he accuse me of

nice?” I asked

few more minutes before