Chapter 50: The Concert of Dreams

Chapter 50: The Concert of Dreams

Aaron King's sudden display of possessiveness left Lydia Moore in a state of shock. She could feel the eyes of everyone in the room on her, their gazes filled with surprise, curiosity, and, in some cases, envy. Her face flushed as she tried to process what had just happened. Aaron, who had always been so aloof and guarded, was now holding her close as if she were something precious—something to be protected.

The warmth of his embrace was almost overwhelming, and Lydia's heart pounded in her chest. She wasn't used to this kind of attention, especially not from someone like Aaron. The intensity in his eyes was unlike anything she had ever seen before, and it made her feel both comforted and confused.

"I... I can manage on my own," Lydia stammered, trying to break free from Aaron's hold, but he only tightened his grip, as if to make a point.

"You're not here to manage on your own," Aaron replied, his voice low and firm. "You're here to assist me. Nothing else. Got it?"

Lydia nodded, too flustered to argue further. She wasn't sure how to respond to this new side of Aaron. He had always been so distant, so untouchable, and yet here he was, acting like she was the most important person in the room.

Aaron finally let go of her, but the atmosphere in the room had changed. The other models and staff seemed to give them a wide berth, their earlier attempts to involve Lydia in their tasks forgotten. It was clear that Aaron's word was law here, and no one wanted to cross him.

"Now, just stay by my side and do what you're supposed to," Aaron said, his tone softening slightly as he glanced down at Lydia. "I don't want you overextending yourself for no reason."

Lydia nodded again, still a bit dazed by the whole encounter. She followed Aaron as he moved towards his designated area to prepare for the show, feeling strangely out of place but also oddly comforted by his presence.

As the final preparations for the fashion show continued, Lydia found herself standing quietly beside Aaron, who was now fully focused on his upcoming performance. She watched as he slipped effortlessly into his role, his earlier anger seemingly forgotten. He interacted with the stylists and photographers with a professionalism that left Lydia in awe. It was like watching a completely different person from the one she had seen just moments before.

When the show finally began, the lights dimmed, and the room fell into a hushed anticipation. The first model stepped onto the runway, and the audience erupted in applause. Lydia watched from the side as one breathtaking design after another was showcased, each one more elaborate and stunning than the last.

And then it was Aaron's turn.

As he stepped onto the runway, the entire room seemed to hold its breath. He was dressed in an exquisite, avant-garde ensemble that blended classic elegance with a futuristic edge. His every movement was fluid, graceful, and commanding, as if he were born to be in the spotlight. The audience was captivated, unable to take their eyes off him.

Lydia found herself mesmerized as well. Aaron King, the arrogant and sometimes insufferable model she had gotten to know, was transformed into a living work of art. His presence was magnetic, and she could see why he was so highly regarded in the fashion world.

But as she watched him glide down the runway, Lydia couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had been growing in her chest. She realized that while Aaron thrived in this world of glamour and high fashion, she was an outsider looking in. No matter how close she got to him, this was his world, not hers.

The show concluded with a grand finale, and the audience rose to their feet in applause. The designers and models took their bows, with Aaron receiving some of the loudest cheers. He glanced briefly in Lydia's direction, their eyes meeting for a split second. It was a look that sent a shiver down her spine—intense, unreadable, and filled with something she couldn't quite define.

As the lights came back on and the room slowly emptied, Lydia helped with the post-show tasks, but her mind was elsewhere. She couldn't stop thinking about the way Aaron had held her, the way he had protected her, and the way he had commanded the stage. She knew that her feelings for him were growing more complicated with each passing day.

Later, as the venue cleared out and the excitement of the night began to fade, Lydia found herself alone with Aaron in a quiet corner of the backstage area. He was back to his usual self—calm, collected, and slightly aloof. But there was a lingering warmth in his gaze that made Lydia's heart skip a beat.

"You did well tonight," Aaron said, his voice soft but sincere. "Thanks for being here."

Lydia smiled, feeling a rush of warmth at his words. "I'm just doing my job."

Aaron chuckled, a rare sound that made Lydia's smile widen. "Still, you handled yourself well. I know this isn't easy for you."

Lydia hesitated for a moment before speaking, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "Aaron, why did you... back there, why did you..."

Aaron raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to finish.

"Why did you act like that? Holding me like that, in front of everyone?" Lydia finally asked, her heart pounding as she awaited his answer.

Aaron looked at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a small, almost imperceptible smile, he simply said, "Because I wanted to."

And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving Lydia standing there, her thoughts swirling with confusion and something else—something that felt a lot like hope.