Chapter 41 Already Defending Her
Christina’s face flushed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure, remembering where they were. “You’re right, we are in public,” she said, her voice steady but carrying an underlying amusement. “But you did look pretty good up there on stage, Nathaniel. I think you could pull off anything.”
Nathaniel’s smile deepened, his eyes gleaming with both admiration and playfulness. “Flattery will get you everywhere, Christina,” he teased, his voice low and almost a whisper. “But we still have to focus on the show.”
Christina turned her attention back to the stage, where the applause was still echoing, the crowd clearly impressed by her design. It was a rush, seeing the outfit she’d poured so much effort into getting the appreciation it deserved. She didn’t need a celebrity to make it shine—her work spoke for itself. And even though there had been hurdles along the way, like dealing with Xandra, in the end, it had all come together perfectly.
As the show went on, Christina’s mind remained focused on the moment, savoring the success of her design. Her assistant, now more confident in her role, walked the runway again, this time alongside a new model that Christina had quickly arranged for the next segment. It wasn’t a perfect situation, but it was good enough.
After the last model took their turn, the lights dimmed, and the show came to an end. The audience erupted in applause, their approval of the designs ringing out louder than any words could express. Christina, despite the chaos backstage, felt a deep sense of pride and accomplishment. This was her moment to shine, and she had taken it with grace, despite the many obstacles thrown her way.
Nathaniel, who had been by her side the entire time, leaned in closer again, his voice barely above a whisper. “I think you’ve just made your mark, Christina. You’ve got their attention now.”
She turned to face him, her heart racing slightly from the intense atmosphere of the evening. “Thanks for being here, Nathaniel. This means more than you know.”
His expression softened for a moment, his eyes filled with quiet admiration. “You did all the hard work. I’m just here to watch you succeed.”
Christina gave him a small, grateful smile. “Well, I’m glad you’re here. I couldn’t have done it without a little backup.”
Before they could say more, the backstage area erupted in a mixture of excitement and relief. The show had been a success, and everyone was eager to head back and celebrate. But in the midst of the cheers and congratulations, Christina found herself standing there for a moment longer, taking it all in.
For the first time in a long while, everything seemed to fall into place.