[
BONUS
Chapter
for the Super Gift! Thank you all!🤍]
=== 🤍 ===
[EVE]
Just weeks ago, some of these same fashion insiders had scoffed at the idea of a relatively unknown designer making waves in an industry dominated by old money and legacy brands.
That's why it's nearly impossible for new fashion designers to break into the industry without serious backing and undeniable talent.
In reality, Hyun's rise to success should have taken months—steadily building his reputation through consistent posts of his designs on social media.
But I wasn't interested in waiting. I sped up the process by strategically gifting his dresses to the right people—celebrities, socialites, even a few members of royalty.
To add fuel to the fire, I hired a team of digital marketers to make sure Hyun's posts shot straight to the top of trending lists.
It was a calculated move, and the results were instant. Like a perfectly orchestrated domino effect, everything fell into place, setting the stage for Hyun's explosive debut.
And now the same media were singing a different tune, practically tripping over themselves to get an exclusive interview with him.
"Did you see this?" Hyun asked, sliding his phone over to show me a headline from a major fashion magazine:
[Hyun's Latest Collection Shakes Up the Fashion World—An Overnight Phenomenon'].
The article was glowing, full of praises about his innovative designs, his daring use of materials, and his fresh perspective on modern luxury.
"It's amazing," I said, handing his phone back with a smile. "And well-deserved."
He laughed, shaking his head in disbelief. "It's just . . . surreal. One moment, I'm practically begging people to look at my sketches, and now I have heiresses and celebrities lined up to buy them. I even got a message from Evangeline Hart's assistant," he added, eyes wide.
"Evangeline Hart?" I raised an eyebrow. She was one of the most influential figures in the fashion world, known for her impeccable taste and eye for future trends. And she was Hyun's idol.
"If she's interested, you've really made it, but don't get complacent. This is just the first step, after all. The real challenge will come after this."
Hyun's eyes shone with excitement, but there was a touch of disbelief as well. A light flush of color crept up his cheeks as he glanced at me, almost shyly.
"It feels like a dream, Eve. I've never seen this kind of money in my account before. For the first time, I can finally send a big amount back home. My little brothers and sisters can continue their schooling without worry, and my mom can finally hire someone to fix the leaky roof over our house."
I watched him, a warm smile spreading across my face as he spoke. It was impossible not to be moved by the genuine joy in his voice, the way his eyes sparkled with hope and innocence.
Despite all the glamor and chaos of the fashion industry, Hyun's thoughts immediately turned to his family. It was rare to see someone so grounded, and in that moment, I realized just how much he deserved this success.
"You're really close with your family, aren't you?" I asked softly, a hint of envy slipping into my voice despite my best efforts to hide it.
Hyun looked up, catching the fleeting sadness in my eyes. He tilted his head slightly, concern knitting his brows together. "Eve, what's wrong?"
I waved my hand dismissively, trying to laugh it off. "Oh, it's nothing. I guess I'm just a little jealous of you. You have such a big family that you clearly love so much. And I think that they love you with the same intensity if you're so fond of them."
Hyun blinked, clearly taken aback. He quickly shifted in his seat, looking almost like a guilty puppy. "Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to make you feel that way. I know it's insensitive of me to go on about my family when . . ."
I cut him off with a gentle smile, shaking my head. "It's fine, really. It's just . . . hearing you talk about them, it makes me realize how much I've missed out on. I grew up didn't know who my real family were, so I can't help but feel a little envious."
Hyun's face softened, and before I could react, he reached across the table, taking my hands in his. His grip was warm and reassuring, a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me.
"Eve," he said earnestly, "I may not be your real family, but I already think of you as one. You can consider me your big brother if you want too."
I burst out laughing at that, a genuine sound that felt like a balm to my heart. "Big brother? Hyun, for all we know, I'm probably older than you!"
Hyun's face turned into a playful pout as he shook his head. "Na ah! I'm 22, and you look like you're just 18. Tops."
I chuckled, touched by his sincerity. "You're really too sweet, you know that? And I have to say, you're pretty good at lifting my spirits."
He grinned, squeezing my hands once more before letting go. "You deserve it, Eve. You've done so much for me. I want you to know that you're not alone. You've got me now, and I'll always have your back."
Something about his innocent, comforting demeanor melted away the remnants of my sadness. It was a rare moment of vulnerability for me, but Hyun's words and his warm, genuine smile felt like a ray of sunshine breaking through a stormy sky.
I beamed back at him, feeling a little lighter. "Thanks, Hyun. That means a lot to me."
He nodded with a satisfied smile before clapping his hands together. "Alright, enough of this sappy talk. Let's dig into this sushi before it gets warm!"
I laughed, picking up my chopsticks as he eagerly eyed the plate in front of us. "You're right. It'd be a crime to let this go to waste."
With that, we both dived into the sushi platter, the atmosphere around us lightening up instantly.
The delicate, melt-in-your-mouth pieces of toro and salmon seemed even more delicious with the unexpected warmth of our conversation.
For a brief moment, it felt like we were just two friends, sharing a meal and a laugh, without the weight of the pressures of success hanging over us.
"I have to admit," he said, setting his chopsticks down and leaning back in his chair, "I was a little scared yesterday when I posted that teaser. I thought maybe it would flop, or worse, no one would care."
I smiled, sipping my sake. "You underestimated yourself, Hyun. Your designs spoke for themselves. People were just waiting for something new and exciting, and you delivered."
He gave a small, grateful smile, his eyes shining with a mix of relief and happiness. "Well, it's still sinking in. But I couldn't have asked for a better start."
As the night went on, we continued celebrating, laughing, and talking about the future. The orders were still pouring in, and the world was eager to hear from Hyun.
It was clear that this was only the beginning of something big—something that would take the fashion world by storm and keep it buzzing for a long time to come.
I was glad to be here, celebrating with Hyun as he stepped into the spotlight that he so rightfully deserved.