Chapter 123
123
~Elara’s POV
Janae was still smiling as she stood beside me, watching the last petals flutter off the cybertruck. She turned her head slowly, her expression shifting into something playful, almost dramatic.
“So,” she said, nudging my arm gently, “do you think if David proposes to me, I will also get a cybertruck covered in flowers or will I just get a bicycle with balloons, because that man is romantic only in his dreams p>
I looked at her, pretending to look offended on David’s behalf. “Janae, he is trying,” I said softly, even though I could feel laughter pushing up.
She raised a brow. “Trying to sleep properly or trying to love somebody p>
“Trying to be a human being first,” I replied, and she burst out laughing so loudly that one of the nearby workers turned to look.
She shook her head and sighed. “He loves me, I think. He just… he is still learning, and I am still waiting. But if he doesn’t hurry up, I will start dropping hints that I want a ring, maybe even push him to a jewelry store by force. I want to be his wife soon, too, you know, maybe I will get a castle as a gift p>
I rolled my eyes gently. “Then tell him to propose, not force him p>
She placed a hand on her chest. “I am a lady. I will not propose. But I will stand behind him and whisper ring in his ear until he understands p>
I smiled and shook my head, trying not to laugh too hard. “You are unbelievable p>
“And you are lucky,” she replied, squeezing my arm, “so don’t be scared to accept it p>
We left the entrance and went back inside, walking through the hallway as staff whispered excitedly. I felt eyes on me, not in a bad way, just curious, surprised, happy for me. The receptionist almost tripped when she saw me, bowing so fast that her glasses slid down her nose. Someone gasped and covered their mouth, saying congratulations under their breath. I had come to know how to respond to attention like that, so I only kept walking.
Janae and I returned to my office. The air smelled like fresh paper, perfume, and expensive wood. I stood there for a moment, breathing in slowly. I could feel my heartbeat settling. I could feel something new inside me settling, too. It still felt unreal.
“I should call a meeting,” I said quietly, running my fingers across my desk.
Janae nodded. “I already informed the team. They are waiting p>
We headed out again, and when we walked into the conference room, everyone stood. Not in a stiff way, but in a way that felt respectful.
“Good afternoon,” I said, taking my seat. “Let’s begin p>
We talked about the fashion week preparations. They showed fabrics, color palettes, sketches, digital mockups for the runway layout, sponsorship inquiries, publicity letters, and everything that made the event feel heavy and important. I listened, gave instructions, corrected what needed to be corrected, and encouraged what needed to be encouraged. I tried to focus even when a little wave of nausea kept coming and going like a reminder of what was happening inside me.
Halfway through the meeting, I touched my stomach without thinking, just resting my hand there. Nobody reacted, but I saw Janae smile very softly from across the table.
By the time the meeting ended, I felt tired but proud. I walked back to my office slowly, breathing carefully, like I was learning how to move in this new version of my body.
Janae followed behind me. When we stepped into the office, she leaned against the door and crossed her arms.
“You are going to be fine,” she said, voice gentle now, not playful. “You are not your mother’s story. You are your own. I know my friend better than anyone and I’m sure that you will be the best mother in the world p>
I looked at her, and my throat tightened for a second. “Thank you,” I said, because it was all I could say without crying again.
She nodded and left to handle the sewing unit, and I finally sat down behind my desk. For a moment, I just placed my hands on the table and stared at nothing. I wanted to understand how fear and joy could live in the same chest without destroying each other.
There was a knock on the door.
“Come in,” I called.
David stepped inside, holding a bag in one hand.
“Luna… Elara,” he greeted, clearing his throat.
I raised a brow. “David, what are you doing here p>
He hesitated, then nodded. ” Alpha Darlon sent this.” He placed the bag gently on my desk. “He said it is lunch. Foods for pregnant women. Balanced meals. He chose everything himself p>
My chest warmed again. “He shouldn’t have troubled you p>
“It wasn’t trouble,” David said. “He was very serious about it, though, like he was preparing for a war. He said, and I quote, if she does not eat properly, come back home without your job p>
I stared at him. “He said that p>
David nodded. “Yes, and then he smiled, so it was confusing p>
I laughed softly, covering my mouth. “He is dramatic p>
“And in love,” David replied simply, before lowering his head and leaving.
I opened the bag. The smell rose softly, warm and comforting. Soup, fruits, something with ginger, something with milk, something that made my stomach feel calmer already. I ate slowly. Every bite made the fear loosen just a little bit.
Work continued. People came in with questions, with samples, with fabrics to touch. I moved through everything carefully, like someone walking on new ground. I tried not to stress. I tried not to panic. I tried not to remember the way my mother’s story ended. Instead, I held onto Darlon’s voice like an anchor.
By late afternoon, the office felt quieter. Sunlight slanted through the glass and painted the floor gold. I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes for a moment, listening to the small hum of the building.
There was another knock. Softer this time.
“Come in,” I said again.
Janae entered, holding a clipboard. She looked excited, like she had been waiting all day to say something.
“Elara,” she said, taking a breath, “I am proud of you. I really am p>
I looked up at her. “Why p>
“Because you are doing everything at once,” she said, stepping closer. “You are leading a company, preparing for fashion week, growing a baby, facing your fears, and you are not breaking. Not even a little p>
I felt the words land heavy and gentle at the same time. “I feel like I am breaking sometimes,” I admitted. “On the inside p>
She smiled a little. “Then do it. Break. Cry. Shake. Be scared. But don’t stop p>
I nodded slowly, feeling tears gather again. She came closer and hugged me, and I let myself lean into her warmth.
When she pulled back, she wiped under my eyes with her thumb. “Now eat your food properly and drink your water. And tell Alpha to send me a Cybertruck next time p>
I laughed softly. “I will tell him p>