LYSSA

Grand opening day had arrived.

Exhilaration from the young woman could be felt even from a mile away. Delighting everyone nearby her just by observing. "Do I look good, mom?" Mia questioned with wrinkled eyebrows. Staring at her reflection in the mirror with anxiety.

"Yes, my dear daughter. You look so beautiful" Camilla smiled warmly. "Why are you still asking, Mia? You are the most beautiful girl on this world! 'Am I pretty?' shouldn't be in your vocabulary!" Theo stated from the back. Making the young woman beamed.

"If I am the most beautiful girl, who is the most beautiful woman?" Mia waggled her eyebrows. Teasing her parents through the mirror while Maki and her granddaughter listened from the side along with smiles on their faces. "Of course, it is my wife"

Theo proudly claimed as Camilla rolled her eyes with a grin. The young woman giggled out of enjoyment at her mother's reaction. She became more active than before. They made her feel like she was home even though she was not in fact.

"Then what are we waiting for?! Let's go!" Camilla thrilled voice delighted the mood. The three directed to the building after bidding farewell to Maki and her granddaughter. Lorcan drove the car that day. Wearing a royal blue colored suit with lavender shirt under.

To match the young woman's hair color. He just wore it without considering. Even he himself did not realize the fact that he chose the shirt which had same color as the young woman's hair. Lorcan followed the young woman's grand opening to protect her.

He had not spoken about George Seith stalking Mia because the young woman was in good mood. It would be better to watch her smile instead of a worried expression. So Lorcan decided to protect her secretly without notifying her about the man.

"I hope people will like my surprise"

Ria voiced. Fidgeting in anxiety again. "Don't worry, they will surely like your surprise" Camilla patted her daughter's shoulder. Smiling warmly to calm her daughter's anxious mind. "If they don't, I will kill them" Theo suddenly spoke out loud.

Causing the young woman to burst out loud in amusement while Camilla only observed. Theo was attempting to make his daughter laugh so she would forget about anxiety and prevented being anxious. The occasion why he had been making Mia giggle.

But it did not mean he was just joking around. He really would murder those who refused to take a like in his daughter's suprise which would be revealed at grand opening. "We have arrived!" Camilla reminded. Capturing the young woman's attention.

She gulped down with wrinkled eyebrows. The sight of people gathering in the building made her anxious even more than before. Without realizing, Mia was already biting her fingertips as she listened to her chaotic heartbeat. The four went out of the car.

Stepping into the building as they caught everyone's attention easily. "Miss Mia!" The manager ran up to the four with a wide grin displayed on her face. But her smile dropped when she noticed the young woman biting her lower lip.

Camilla turned around.

Theo let out a sigh. Holding her daughter's hand as Camilla linked her arm with her daughter's. "Mia.." she softly called the young woman to regain consciousness. "Huh?" Mia's eyebrows rose in realization. Facing her mother who was smiling warmly at her.

"You should go to back stage to make your appearance on the stage. Go follow her. We will be waiting for you in the hall room" Camilla stated. Earning a nod back from the young woman. "Look at me and your mother if you feel afraid when you are on stage"

Theo winked at his daughter. Encouraging the young woman as best as he could. "I understand, dad" Mia beamed with a tiny smile. Relieving the couple a bit. "Lorcan, take care of her" Camilla commanded. "Yes, Ma'am" Lorcan responded.

He went after the young woman. Glancing at her eyes shifting non stop. When they arrived to the back stage, the young woman stopped her steps. "Miss, all you have to do is give a speech and disclose the surprise at the end after the announcer calling for you"

The manager informed. Earning a nod from the young woman back. And then the woman walked away from the two. Going to notify the arrival of the young woman. Mia sat down on the seat nearby. Biting her lower lip harshly. It was the first time for her.

To give a speech in front of many people. Everyone's attention would be on her only. The main reason why she was being like this. Lorcan peered at the young woman losing herself in ocean of thoughts. Without thinking twice, he took a seat beside her.

Staring at her shaking legs anxiously.

He inhaled a deep breath. Putting his hand on her leg as he caressed his thumb. Shocking the young woman wholly so that she flinched. Facing the man who was comforting her. They deeply observed each other. Not even uttering any sound.

"It will be alright. Just imagine as if you are the only person who exist in the hall room. Give a speech as if you are talking to someone you adore. Don't panic. And collect yourself together. You can do this" he grinned. Stunning the young woman.

Her eyes widened and stared at his rare grin. The encouragement from him made her feel better than before. Causing her heart to calm from a mess. It was like a spell casting upon her, it soothed her so well that she even forgot about the grand opening.

"Thank you" she murmured. Lips slowly curving up into a smile as she placed her hand on the man's hand which was on her thigh. "I don't know what I would have done if you weren't here with me" she shook her head with a beam.

Relieving the man to see her being herself. "I am glad to hear that" Lorcan took back his hand. Turning his head to avoid the sparkling eyes of the young woman. Who would have thought a mam with an iron wall could soothe her anxiety?

It was unanticipated. Bizarre enough for her to question the life. He might be a character who was never shown in the novel. But Mia could confirm that he could be a male lead for sure. "Please welcome Miss Mia!!" The announcement captured the two attention.

Making the young woman jumped up.

She straightened her back while Lorcan stood up. "Thanks again!" She grinned with eyes closed. Appearing like an adorable angel for a second thanked to her glittery eye shadow. She walked up onto the stage in hurry.

Leaving the man at the place in daze. Lorcan blinked twice. Still seeing the image of the young woman grinning with eyes closed. "She is beautiful" without realizing, the man spoke out loud his thought with a small smile creeping up on his face.

Shaking his head as he walked away. Mia stood out from the long curtains. The sight of people staring at her fell in front of her eyes. Surprising her wholly. She inhaled a deep breath. Thinking she was the only one who existed in the hall room.

While in the people's eyes, the young woman in white satin strapped dress stepped onto the stage. Her lavender hair was parted to the left. Wearing a smoky glittery eye shadow as her lips were painted in brick color. Looking mature and alluring.

The announcer passed the microphone to the young woman. Earning a gratitude back from her. "Welcome, ladies and gentlemen!" Mia greeted. With a smile displayed on her face. The hall room fell into silence as soon as she voiced. There's a man observing her.

With affectionate gaze.

His lips tugged up into a proud smile as if he knew how the young woman was quivering in anxiety just now. He was none other than Zeke Preston. Camilla invited him since he was apart of person who helped the young woman.

But only Camilla was aware of the fact that he lent a hand to help Mia. While the young woman had no clue about it. Soon after some minutes of giving a speech, Mia disclosed the surprise to everyone. Turned out it was the branded dress.

LYSSA. The brand which the young woman created. She had planned on releasing the branded clothes and bags since it was her goal. And Camilla approved it. Including Theo as well. Mia and her mother focused on opening a store.

While Theo took care of building up the brand for his daughter even though both of Camilla and him had busy schedule. A sight of nude colored slit dress impressed the people in the hall room. Earning whoop loudly. It seemed simple.

But the quality appeared to be expensive as hell. "This garment is made of hundred percent silk satin. We use high quality fabric for the clothes, so it can be comfortable for anyone to wear" Mia stated as her eyes locked with cornflower blue eyes.

That man, what was Zeke Preston doing here?! Mia brushed away annoyance and confusion. Breaking the eye contact as her eyes shifted. But then the man who was behind everyone, at the corner captured her attention. Were her eyes tripping?

Or was he actual George Seith?