Chapter 51 - Attention Seeker!
Rhehan was trying his best too keep things subtle and not create a topic of gossip amongest the audience. He quietly walked Rose to the backstage still holding her tightly from her waist. Soon the lights were put on and the show resumed with the other designer showcasing his work.
While they were walking towards the back stage, they could hear some people giggling at them. Some people even pa.s.sed certain nasty comments on Rose.
"What kind of a designer she is? She herself is wearing a third-grade dress."
"What the h.e.l.l! Is she trying to grab eye-b.a.l.l.s?"
"Who is going to wear her dresses? She herself could not carry her own creation."
"She is just an attention seeker. Trying to
grab CEO Rhehan"s sympathy. If it wasn"t for her dress, CEO would not have even noticed her."
Rhehan could hear every nasty comment coming from the audience, while walking her backstage. So obviously, even Rose must have heard every pinching word.
People, instead of empathizing with the lady, were critisizing her, as if it was her own fault for her dress falling down.
Rhehan quickly made her sit inside the make-up room, hugging her tightly, while patting her head lovingly. Rose burst into tears, feeling his warmth and care all over her body. Rhehan let her vent out her frustration, so as to make her feel light.
Rhehan was now kneeling on the ground, looking deep in her flooded eyes.
"Trust me! n.o.body could see anything. Not even me! Your dress was much above your chest before I hugged you," he said wiping away her tears.
"No!!! Thats not possible. I was b.l.o.o.d.y naked in front of whole world", she said sobbing hard, covering her face in shame.
Rhehan felt a sharp pain in his chest. He will never be able to forgive himself now. Even if Rose would not have saved his life, he would have never inflicted this kind of pain upon any woman. Had he known Cheryl"s plan could have been this adverse, he would have never spoken to her.
Chapter 52 - Thankful Rose, Ashamed Rhehan!
Rose"s team was gathered outside the make-up room anxiously. They, so much wanted to go inside and console their boss. But seing the closed door, none of them dared to disturb them.
Inside, Rose was feeling a little better finally convincing her mind that things were not so bad. They had completed their performance atleast and her malfunction was not so bad either. She looked thankfully in Rhehan"s eyes and smiled at him.
Rhehan again felt a sharp pain in his chest. Rose was thinking that he was his saviour, but he was the sole reason for this incident. He did not have the heart to look at her face or smile back at her.
The guilt was engulfing his body. How could he have been so rashless? He had always repected women. His face was growing red in despair and he suddenly dashed out of the room, leaving Rose stunned. The moment he stepped out of the room, Rose"s staff stood up alert.
"Take care of her. I have a very important task to do," he said and left.
Rhehan was always invited to such impactful fas.h.i.+on events and was considered as the prime guest of every international event. Rhehan waited for the ongoing performance to finish and as soon as the designer left the stage and the host was about to announce the next event, Rhehan quickly took the mike in his hands.
As soon as Rhehan held the mike, their was dead silence in the entire auditorium. People were curiously looking at him, trying to figure out his intentions.
Rhehan was back to his usual grace and charm. His face had a smile which was melting away every girl"s heart in the auditorium. His perfect built was more visible now, since he was not wearing his blazer but only a well-fitted white s.h.i.+rt.
"Good Afternoon Everybody.....
53 - THE CEO!
"Good Afternoon Everybody;" he greeted the audience with a pleasant smile.
Their was a loud cheer from the audience, making Rhehan"s grin wider.
"Ahh! Such wonderful reaction. I am overwhelmed", he added gracefully.
The audience was now silent so as to hear carefully every precious word being spoken by the legend.
"It is indeed overwhelming to have such reaction from the audience. Today I realised the most important thing in my life. A thing which I had learnt long back, but was made to realise again, this evening", he added, not reducing the length of his grin.
The audience a.s.sumed that Rhehan was indeed over- excited by the performances and thus wanted to encourage the show organizers. Thus, all the show organizers were vastly excited at Rhehan"s sudden decision to address the audience. The show was now already a huge success for them.
"I am a strong, influential man, thus, I recieve a warm welcome from you all. If suddenly, I trip down from the stage at this moment, you all will rush to help me. But just few minutes back a lady, who was standing helplessly on the stage because of a slight misfortune was rebuked by you all like anything. She is one of nation"s most successful designers who imparted her trust in this event, but n.o.body came forward to help her! I am rather dissappointed at the show organizers, media and the audience for being so ruthless!!! So, as the CEO of Excel Corporation, I hereby take back all my company"s share-holdings and investments from Loraine International, on the basis of unprofessional behaviour", he said trying to sound very casual.
A loud gasp was heard from the audience, which was finding it hard to digest his words. Rhehan further continued with his remaining declaration.
"So, they will have to compensate the price of 47% of shares, plus 700 million dollars investment made by us. I believe other investors would be equally unwilling to invest in such an unprofessional company. A company that tries to retain its share holding or investment in Loraine, shall have to part ways with Excel Corporations. Also, any news channel or media person who tries to cover the incident of the girl, will be considered an enemy by Excel Corporations. I, hereby declare Loraine Fas.h.i.+on week closed as the company is now officially in heavy loans. You all may now proceed towards the exit door. Thank you," he concluded, still maintaining his wide grin.
The audience was dead-shocked, not knowing what to do next. There was pin drop silence in the auditorium.
Chapter 54 - Fearless CEO
More than the audience, the person who was left dumb-founded was Rose. She had followed Rhehan after a few seconds he had left the make-up room. She wanted to be with him, but was sh.e.l.l-shocked to see him already standing on the stage. More astonis.h.i.+ng was his fearless declaration, which anybody could make out was only to support Rose.
Rose and the entire "Fabiosa" team was looking at Rhehan from the back-stage, including Cheryl. Cheryl had nothing against her boss but now she was fuming in jealousy and anger.
This CEO is so cunning! First he plans to destroy the boss and now he is acting like her saviour. Did he want to frame me for sabotaging the dress? How clever! What a plan he has cooked up to impress our boss. So he wants to win her over? I"ll never let that happen!!
Cheryl looked at Rose and a rush of jealousy travelled across her body. Why is she so beautiful and talented? The CEO is crus.h.i.+ng over her like a teenager, like the way I have done for so many years over Rhehan.
But now Cheryl had just the right plan. A plan after which Rose would never want to see Rhehan"s face and Cheryl will get a permanent position as the show-stopper of Fabiosa.
The entire team of fabiosa was now singing praises for CEO.
"Wow! He is so fair and fearless! No wonder he has reached the pinnacle of the business world."
"He is so handsome, just perfect for our boss. I wish they both get married soon and have cute babies."
"CEO is just so amazing. He stood up for our company against such an influential company."
Cheryl took this opportunity to instigate fire in Rose"s mind.
"Boss"s dress looks like it has been tampered with. Such a cheap move! The person behind it is a shameless rascal," she said pretending to sound furious.
"True! If I find the culprit I will beat him to death," replied the a.s.sisstant manager.
"Seriously! who can be this cheap," replied the team"s ch.o.r.eographer.
Rose who was listening to every converstaion also pondered on their words. She had for a few minutes completely forgotten about her malfunction. Who could have been so cruel to me? Why would anybody want to put me to shame like this? It must be somebody from the rival team only!
Tears started streaming down her eyes again. Just when the feeling of shame and disgust was engulfing her soul, she looked up and saw Rhehan standing before her. He was looking at her intensely.
"Feeling that bad for Loraine International. Are you?" He said with a wicked smile.
Rose couldn"t help but chuckle at his words.
"Not at all. But you did not have to," she said biting her lips in antic.i.p.ation.
Though, she was exhilerated that Rhehan took a stand for her, the unnecessary trouble caused to him due to her was also troubling her mind.
"It"s no big deal. I hate people who can not treat their employees with respect", he said seriously.
Rose could see him getting lost in an old memory. A painful memory perhaps, which made Rhehan frown a little.
"I did not expect you to be so fair", she said being honest.
Rhehan did not have the heart to reply to her words. He did not have the courage to tell her that he was cause of her misery. He had tried his best to make-up for his actions and had promised himself to protect Rose in everyway.
"Is that even a compliment. Why does it sound more like a sarcasm?" He chuckled.
Chapter 55 - The Dilemma!
Rose was a little embarra.s.sed at his reaction. She did not mean to offend him at all. Rhehan"s image in her eyes had taken a complete upside-down flip. The most irritating amd pervert man was now the most dependable and ethical man. Offcourse, he was extremely good looking also. For her that was like the cherry on the cake!
"It was a compliment, considering our previous encounters your support was something unexpected," she said smiling at him.
Rhehan was relieved at her reaction. She now sounded a lot more relaxed.
"Don"t you worry! This wasn"t the last opportunity to showcase your talent", he said patting her shoulder lightly.
Rose smiled at him thankfully. Rhehan could see tears forming in her eyes.
"Hardwork never goes unpaid", he added.
"Yes, thats true", she replied with a wide grin. A smile that could make anybody skip a heartbeat. Rhehan was no exception, who was now starring at her kissable lips.
But the dilemma in Rhehan"s mind was killing him. Rose was being friendly with him, something which he had always craved for. From the moment he had seen her, he wanted her to show interest in him. But now ,when she is coming close to him, it does not feel correct to Rhehan. It felt like as if he was cheating her and was playing with her innocent heart!
Rhehan thought hard for a few seconds. Should he confess the truth to her? But then, she will hate him! She will hate him to a point of no return. But at the same time, it was also not appropriate to use this opportunity to come close to her. What should he do?