Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
LIVIANNA/LILY
Then
Six Months Later
Couture Lies & The Seat He Owns Like a Throne
He doesn’t raise his voice. He just stares at me like he already knows how I’ll fold.
Trent and I are sitting at a table with three other fashion mentees in one of Crowne Ventures International’s conference rooms in Paris.
I glance over at him with my heart racing. “Are you sure Jaxon is going to be here?”
“That’s what I heard.” Trent reaches under the table and squeezes my knee. “You have to quit beating yourself up over what happened with him at your interview. It’s not that big of a deal.”
“Right. That’s why he left me hanging and walked me home in silence.”
I cringe inside, knowing that once again I’ve made a fool of myself. “And let’s not forget how three days later we were told plans had changed and some of the alumni were going to be mentoring us because he had to attend to business in the States.”
Just as I finish my sentence, the door to the conference room opens. Jaxon strides in wearing a navy-blue Brioni suit, a crisp white button-down, and a brown leather belt and shoes.
The air gets sucked out of the room with his commanding presence. He’s the epitome of a powerful billionaire.
He dips his head at me as he passes. I wave with my fingers and roll my eyes at myself. But that fades when I catch a whiff of his cologne. My stomach twists, and I want him in seconds.
Why can’t I shake the effect he has on me?
He continues to the head of the table and takes a seat.
“Good afternoon. I’ve heard you’ve all made great strides since I’ve been gone.
Congratulations. For the rest of the afternoon, I’m going to have each one of you present what you’ve done, what you’re doing now, and where you see your business in the next six months. ”
My eyes round and my head snaps to Trent. His expression is as terrified as I’m sure mine is. Presenting to the group is one thing.
Giving Jaxon a total rundown without time for preparation is like being blindfolded and thrown naked into a freezing-cold lake. It’s shocking beyond belief.
I keep my gaze on Trent and pray someone offers to go first. The room remains quiet for a few beats, then Jaxon calls on one of the other mentees. I relax for a moment, but my mind is racing and my pulse is through the roof.
The one thing Jaxon will want to know is if I’ve confronted my parents. I haven’t even mentioned my business to them when I’ve talked to them. If the issue arises, I say things are great and change the subject.
Just thinking about it has me scratching at my wrists, which are already cut and scabbed from me digging at them.
I thought I could be strong and speak to my parents about Lehlani Rose, but the second I walked out of that strange room that’s hidden away at the top of this building, I lost all my bravery.
Once every mentee but me has presented, Jaxon calls on me. “Livianna, the spotlight’s on you.”
“I figured.” I flip my sketchbook open to my new designs and stand. “The first three months, I focused on building a new team, including an assistant to help with customer service. My new chief marketing officer and manufacturer are working out beautifully.”
“That must be reflected in your bottom line.” He gestures to my computer.
“Yes, my numbers are up by thirteen percent this quarter.” I show the group the sketches I’ve been working on. “My orders increase daily. I’m still doing well by sending out new dresses and suits to influencers and actors I know—”
“Why is the monogram on the pieces an LG?” Jaxon leans forward and rests his folded arms on the table.
I blink a few times and want to take my fingernails to my skin. I bring in a deep, calming breath.
Do not have a panic attack right now, Livianna.
I wrap my palms around my wrists to divert my urge to cut. “The LG is a…um…it’s a placeholder for my new brand design, LR.”
Jaxon remains stone-faced, but his gaze drops to my hands. I’m pretty sure the transparent bandages aren’t detectable underneath my fingers, but I can’t be sure unless I glance down to check.
He tilts his head and studies me for a second. “You said you’re working with a new manufacturer. Are you sending those items to customers directly once you receive the orders?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“What’s the brand name on the clothes you’re advertising and selling?”
Better just own up to it before he calls me out in front of everyone. “Livianna Grace Designs.”
“I see.” He reclines and runs his hand over his trimmed beard. He sweeps his gaze over the group. “You’ve all made excellent progress. I’m excited to see where the next six months take you. You can adjourn for the day.”
The group thanks him as I lower into my seat. Trent remains beside me as they gather their belongings and file out of the room.
He taps the side of my leg. “Why did he make you stop?”
“I don’t know.” My stomach tightens.
I have a good feeling I know precisely why Jaxon didn’t want to hear more about my business strides. He probably thinks I’m a fraud and he wouldn’t be that far off base.
Trent rises to his feet once he’s packed up his computer bag. “What are your plans after—”
“Livianna.” Jaxon slides his phone into his suit jacket pocket. “I’d like to speak with you alone.”
“Okay.” I face Trent. “I’ll text you later.”
“You better.” He slides his gaze between Jax and me. “I want to hear everything.”
I nod and pretend to be organizing my stuff. Trent leaves the room while I stay in my chair and wait for Jaxon to start.
He gets up, strides to the chair beside mine, and sits. “You need to decide whether to continue in the program or withdraw your participation.”
“Why would I leave?” I roll back my shoulders. “My company is doing better and gaining traction. I’ve structured everything just as the mentors have recommended. I’m following everything they’re teaching me.”
“And working on something you don’t believe in.” He lifts my sketchbook. “Your designs are fabulous, but you’re wasting your spot here.”
“Are you asking me to step down?” I keep my head up and my posture straight.
He needs to see I’m not walking away from this mentorship. It’s the best thing that’s ever happened in my life. I’ve grown professionally more than I ever thought I would, and that’s without his help.
Jax takes my hand in his, flips my wrist up, and exposes the bandage. “You know why you’re doing this to yourself and so do I. We’ve been through this. Until you let her out, you won’t hit your targets. You’ll never own that sector of the market.”
“My business is doing well.”
“For now.” He runs the pad of his thumb over a partially exposed scar and makes soft, circular motions over it.
A few moments of silence pass as we stare into each other’s eyes. His gaze is understanding but hard enough to tell me he won’t let me out of this.
“Jax, I can’t let my parents’ secret out.” My words come out faint and defeated.
“Why would confronting them mean their secret is out?”
I glance away and shake off the sting that’s aggravating my nose and eyes. “She needs to be seen and loved by the world, but I—”
“Then let her out.”
I swallow and pray he’ll give me an answer that will push me forward. “What about my parents?”
“You’re not fourteen anymore, Livianna. What does it matter what they think? Besides, I bet they’d rather have you express Lehlani Rose than continue to hurt yourself. Talk to them and tell them why this is important.”
“And if I don’t?”
“You’ll never see success with your brand. It’ll die and never be known, just like your sister.”
I yank my arm away from his gentle touch. “Wow, that’s a dagger in the heart.”
“But the truth. Find your strength. Talk to your parents and unleash your dreams. Quit hiding Lehlani Rose in here.”
He taps my temple. “Stop making her bleed out through your wrists and let her be beautiful like she’s meant to be. Not some dreadful scar that only reminds you of something you weren’t responsible for.”
“But I was the one who killed her.”
“No. Her fate was sealed long before that happened.”
My shoulders roll forward. “Still talking about fate and destiny?”
“I believe in it, Livianna.” He rests back in his chair and crosses his ankle over his other knee. “You told me once you were studying the concept and thought there was something to it.”
“True.” I stand and pace along the side of the table. “If Lehlani Rose Designs is destined to be successful, maybe there’s a way I could do it without confronting them.”
“Don’t fool yourself. Deal with the issue and let your brand explode like it’s meant to.”
Does he think I can have my dreams come true? My stomach swirls and my chest heats.
I stop and connect my gaze to his. “Do you really believe my company can be that big?”
“I’d stake my name on it.”
“That’s a pretty bold statement.”
“Maybe, but I mean it.” He rises to my level. “We don’t need to discuss what you must do around that issue anymore. But something else needs to be addressed before you tell me if you’re going to stay in the program.”
My mind goes blank. “What would that be?”
“I told you when you approached me about wanting my help on that New Year’s Eve we spent together that I wouldn’t assist you if you were using drugs.
I’m back in Paris for a while and will be leading the mentors through the rest of the year.
If you want to remain in the program, you will stop doing drugs. ”
“I’m not using anything.”
He growls. “Livianna, if you lie to me one more time, I won’t allow you to stay in the program.”
“Why do you think I’m lying?”
His glare burns my way. “I have ways of knowing.”
“Are you saying you’re spying on me?” I fold my arms over my chest.
“No, I’m saying I know the signs.”
I bite down on my lip.
If I lie… Fuck!
“So what, Jax? Doing a little blow here and there isn’t a big deal.”