Chapter 37-Ideas for Senia

The faces of Senia, Thalia, Rocco, Apollo and Enzo turned serious when Lux explained about his crazy idea. Who would have thought, if Senia liked Lux's idea.

"We've never done that before, Senia. Is it fine?" asked Thalia anxiously.

"I agree with what Lux said. Something different will attract attention. So far, the unique things Lux has done have been liked by the public. I want to try this. I am very challenged to find out the results. Support me, Thalia, please," pleaded Senia whining who turned out to have a childlike attitude at times.

"All right. If you're sure about this decision, I'll support you," Thalia replied which again, made the pink-haired girl scream hysterically with pleasure.

"What about you guys? Do you want to join us?" asked Lux looking at Apollo, Enzo and Rocco.

"Us? What should we do? Our business segment is different from the three of you," Rocco said confused.

"I think the three of you are handsome. Become a model like me. Think of it as a side business," Lux replied, but his words made the five people surprised by it.

"Why should we model like you?" Enzo asked critically.

Lux smiled before answering. "Let me ask you a question, Enzo. Answer honestly."

"Fine. What do you want to know?" Enzo asked seriously. Apollo and the others listened intently.

"Have you ever been to a fashion show before?" Enzo nodded. "Now, do the models walking on the stage all have the same face?" Enzo's brow furrowed, he shook his head. "That's what makes models different. The posture, the face and the way of walking, give a special charm to the people who see them. It is like they have a mirror in their imagination when they see the models walking, while modeling the clothes they are wearing," Lux explained.

"Oh, do you mean... if we walk on stage, with different clothing styles and our own characteristics, it will create an attraction for the customers? Is that what you mean?" asked Apollo with certainty.

"Exactly! You're smart, Apollo!" praised Lux pointing which made the young man proud of himself.

"We all have different physiques, right?" The men nodded in affirmation. "When they see us styling with Senia's designed clothes later, the potential customers will have an eye for the intended market segment. The more variants we show, the more scope there will be for buyers to choose from," Lux replied enthusiastically.

"Ah, I understand now. Yes, to be honest. All this time, I've been looking for the 'safe' path when creating a work. I mean, when I saw that my previous works were well-liked by the public, I made similar works, with only slight differences. I... never innovated because I was afraid that my work would be disliked and not sell well. That would affect the people who work for me a lot. My parents will—"

"Hey, hey, stop, stop!" said Lux as he held the back of Senia's hand. The beautiful woman then looked at Lux closely. "You are too prejudiced. You've never known the results. Don't assume too much. That's what keeps you from growing. You must also feel bored even though you've always received many awards. That's because you're creating a product that's not much different from your previous work."

"You were right, Lux. You are absolutely right. I am like that," replied Senia who was crying.

Thalia hugged her best friend and tried to calm her down. Enzo and the others were silent, thinking about Lux's words seriously.

"We must dare to try something new. Why is that? So that we know whether what we are doing is expected or a disaster. Therefore, we have to make sure that what we are doing is right. At least, we have to do a survey for that before creating a new work," added Lux.

"Survey?" asked Thalia which made Senia stop crying.

"Yes. Senia should find out from its customers. Give them some kind of form to fill in about what to expect for the next fashion style. From there, we summarize and add some things according to the designer's characteristics and wishes. We can't force the work according to the designer's idea to be applied to consumers, especially when it's a new style. Some of them will find it hard to accept. A real example, like me. My dressing style is still considered weird by you guys, isn't it?" asked Lux who was confirmed by his friends.

"Yes, I agree with Lux's suggestion about the survey. You should do it before creating a new work, Senia," said Enzo.

"Mm, how do I do the survey?" asked Senia confusedly.

"I'll help you with the list of questions. The rest is up to you and your team. Give the forms to customers to fill in when they buy your products at the store. The forms that have been filled in, you will later summarize and take the positive side of the buyers' opinions. From there, you will know what your loyal buyers want which you can realize with your latest creation later," Lux replied which made Senia's smile widen.

"Yes, I agree," she replied happily.

"Alright, guys. Get your writing combat gear ready. We have coursework to complete," said Apollo as he took out a puplen from his jacket pocket.

Gian chuckled because he felt that the young man was quite funny. Senia who had come with a troubled feeling, was now able to laugh. Lux gave some ideas and suggestions during the form creation. Here, Gian could see that Senia had a bright potential in her work. They had been in the library for four hours. Until Tedo suddenly came and invited them to have lunch together.

"You came at the right time, Tedo. Alright, let's eat," Lux invited to which his friends nodded.

Senia who had already pocketed the data for the form filling along with the description of her new design later, carried it in her briefcase. They planned to go home after lunch because they did not want to disturb Lux who was known to be very busy. In fact, Gian himself still didn't know what Lux was busy with.

As the younger generation entered the dining room, their beaming faces turned tense instantly. As it turned out, Maximo Osiris, Heidi and Serena were in the room. Enzo and the others were awkward as they were stared at by those three people.

"Why are you still standing there? Come," Lux invited.

Senia and the others nodded reluctantly. They sat nervously on the empty seats that had been provided.

"So... are they your new friends? However, from what I see, they seem to be just using you, Lux. Before, there was never a single person who came to this house, let alone claiming to be your friends," Serena said sharply which made Rocco and the others bow in silence.

"Maybe they dare not come because of you guys. If you guys didn't exist, perhaps everyone in the Imperium city would already be my friends," Lux replied casually then took a sip of his mineral water.

Serena's breath was roaring because Lux dared to fight against her, in front of the crowd. Maximo was silent and kept feeding his mouth with sliced meat. Thalia and the others, who felt insulted, just sat silently with their eyes downcast.

"We defended you, but look what you did. You're demonizing both of us," Heidi said irritably.

"You guys really ruined our mood. I'm sorry, but it doesn't seem like we're suited to eating together. I don't know what's gotten into your hearts to have such an annoying attitude. So, we'll excuse ourselves. I'll take my friends to have lunch outside instead. Excuse me," Lux said as he stood up and invited his friends to leave.

"Stop!" the mayor exclaimed which made Apollo close his eyes in shock. Enzo asked them to sit down again. Rocco followed his friend's instructions and sat back down.

"If you want to say something, now is the right time, Father," said Lux who chose to remain standing beside the chair.

"You didn't listen to my advice earlier this morning about the presentation before Mr. Arco, Lux Osiris," said Maximo looking at his son sharply.

"I listened well and thought about it seriously, Father," Lux replied seriously.

"Then, why did you even want to be absent and not do it?" asked Maximo starting to raise the intonation of his voice.

The hearts of Lux's friends were beating fast like they wanted to explode. Lux was scolded, but they could feel the impact. Apollo and the others felt insulted. Heidi and Serena smiled wryly, happy to see their brother now the target of her father's wrath.

"I can't work if the atmosphere around me inhibits my ideas. This house is very big, but I feel like I'm in a prison with the walls closing in. If you want me to make a brilliant presentation, let my brain be free with a happy heart. Not confine it and keep pressuring me by saying I'm a big liar!" Lux shouted back which shocked the people in the room. "Can't you just trust me, Father? What debt do I owe you that you're so eager to control me?" asked Lux looking back at the Mayor sharply.

Maximo and Lux stared at each other without blinking. Thalia even waved her hand like a fan because she suddenly felt claustrophobic due to that conversation.

"I will make sure the young master will be fine out there, Mr. Maximo. If you'll excuse me. Rowi will temporarily replace my duties," Tedo said suddenly which made the Mayor immediately look away.

"Go," Maximo replied, surprising Gian and the others.

"Father?" called Heidi disapprovingly, but Maximo ignored her. The mayor resumed slicing meat and feeding his mouth.

"Come, Young master. Let's go. I know a restaurant where the food is quite good with a beautiful view. It's perfect for looking for brilliant ideas," Tedo invited to which Lux nodded.

"Excuse us, Miss Heidi, Miss Serena, and Mr. Maximo," Senia said reluctantly and then left followed by her friends.

When Lux was about to step away, he turned his head towards Lux's father. "Yes, the song I sang back then was indeed intended for you, Father. However, I assure you. I won't sing that song anymore."

Lux left the dining room. Maximo's gaze was downcast, staring at the remaining meat on the plate as if thinking about something. Heidi and Serena who were annoyed because they failed to humiliate Lux, chose to continue eating. They knew that their father was not in the mood to talk. Moreover, they had also received a stern warning from their grandfather, Osiris for Lux's complaint.

"Heidi, we have to do something," Serena whispered.

"Do you have any good ideas to get back at that damn Lux?" she whispered back.