You Are Mine, Little Sister novel Chapter 32

Chapter 32

RALI

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I wore my smile like a mask stitched too tight–one I’d perfected from years of pretending not to feel exhaustion clawing at my spine. With a half–drained glass of champagne between my fingers, I drifted through the event room.

Tonight, of all nights, they just had to hold this event. I was fucking exhausted. And unfortunately, this event was pretty important to me.

Compliments danced around me like confetti from every stranger I passed.

“Oh, my God. You look stunning.”

“Your dress is lovely.”

I smiled on cue, nodding like a wind–up doll with manners. But the moment I reached the wine counter, I exhaled as if I’d been holding my breath all night.

I wasn’t there for a refill. I just needed a second of stillness in a room drowning in silk, sequins, and the scent of power.

I wished Veronica were here. She’d know how to keep me busy with gossip. But the event was strictly invite–only. The sort of elitist gathering where even your plus–one needed a background check. I was only here because Fable and Fabric got an exclusive invitation, and Mr. Knightley had handpicked me along with three others to represent our designs.

A fashion show of this magnitude meant major exposure, sure, but right now all I wanted was a dark room, a bed, and my headphone.

My purse vibrated. I reached for my phone and read the text in disappointment:

“I’m sorry, Rali. Still no luck. But I’ve found something promising and I’m chasing it down. A couple more days, ‘ll have something.”

-Steven.

I sighed wearily, my eyes lingering on the message longer than necessary, as if my stare might pressure the words into becoming something more hopeful.

Steven was still working on the Elizabeth search. Since the last time we spoke, I’d been anxious and hoping for some good

news.

“It could only be you,” the familiar voice reached my ears.

I placed my phone beside the glass and turned with a small start to find my boss approaching me, one hand buried in his pocket.

“Mr. Knightley,” I dipped my head, letting the smile reattach itself to my face.

When I met his gaze again, I could see him clearly taking me in. The admiration in his eyes was getting harder to miss.

His eyes flicked to the glass near my fingers.

“Can’t you see she needs a refill?” He snapped at the waiter behind the bar.

“Yes. I’m sorry, sir.”

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I swallowed hard, feeling the flush creep up my checks. Mr. Knightley was a frighteningly rude man. Sometimes, I tend to forget that because he was kind to me.

“Thank you, sir,” I ducked my gaze. “Um….how was your trip?”

He gave a short nod. “Bearable. Just got back and had to make it to the event. And you? Having fun being swarmed by peacocks and perfume?”

“Why, yes.” I let out a small laugh. “Anyone would be privileged to be here, and I’m not taking it for granted.”

He nodded again, darting his eyes around. “Soon, it’ll be time to display your designs. You should be ready for it, Rali. There are a lot of potential clients here; people who could change your life with just one nod.”

My phone buzzed on the glass. I flinched so hard you’d think someone had whispered murder in my ear.

Was it weird that I could tell when it was ‘him‘ texting?

Yup. Probably weird.

“I understand, sir. Thank you so much for your consideration.”

He smiled. “It’s nothing, Rali. Pretty girls like you deserve the best.”

I lowered my gaze. The waiter was done refilling my glass, and I mouthed a silent ‘thank you‘ to him.

“I’ll see you around, then. Enjoy the party.”

“Yes, thanks.”

He walked off and I exhaled with a weight I didn’t realize I’d been holding. God, that was exhausting.

My phone buzzed again but I still made no attempt to check. He could keep texting for eternity, I didn’t care. The asshole had ruined my life and mind.

It had been two days since he forcefully ate me out on my dresser. Two days of radio silence from my end. And I was determined to keep it that way. He didn’t deserve a single syllable of me anymore.

After he left, I got to understand why Meredith and her team never showed up. The cop that had been assigned to keep an eye on me was dead. Fucking dead!

His throat was slit and he was left next to his scout car.

Fucking hell.

The car’s dashcam was smashed. So, there was no record of his killer. But I didn’t need any footage. It was him.

Since then, I’d been scared shitless to bring more cops into this. What if Meredith ended up like that officer? The thought alone made my insides crawl.

I didn’t even know the dead cop personally, but I knew he didn’t deserve what happened. How could the monster kill him simply because he was watching out for me? How dare he take his life?

The anticipated moment of the event finally came.

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Designers began moving to the display corner. I joined the movement and positioned myself before my glass booth.

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There was a countdown. With a quiet hiss, the automatic glasses began lowering, revealing each designer’s masterpiece to

the room.

For the first time since the start of the event, I felt alive. This was the highlight for me.

Etched across my glass in chic, silver serif was the label I was representing: Fable and Fabric.

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Beside me stood my colleague, stationed before her own work. But my eyes were glued to my glass and the dress displayed inside it.

It was a long midnight blue dress standing on a mannequin that resembled a ballerina silhouette. A slit that ran up one side, shoulders dripped with crystals that’d been hand–placed one by one, and a backless swoop plunged into a V that was sure to keep eyes glued.

It was so beautiful I wanted to cry.

The guests went round, whispering to themselves as they checked out each person’s work. I had confidence in my design, and each time a guest reached my glass, they nodded agreeably, some with a smile.

“Oh, my! This is lovely!” a woman exclaimed as she approached with a younger woman and a security officer flanking her.

My jaw dropped. It was Vlyrissa, the wife of the newly elected Governor!

I knew she was attending the event, but I hadn’t exactly envisioned meeting her face–to–face.

She was stunning in the kind of way that made you pause and reassess your own reflection. Slender, tall and model–like.

I dipped my head, smiling as she stopped before my glass.

“Goodness.” She had an accent that hinted at elite finishing schools and old wealth. “This is lovely! What did you think?” She tilted her head slightly toward the woman beside her without actually breaking her gaze from the display.

“It’s gorgeous. The creativity is topnotch.”

“It definitely is.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” I said with a wide, controlled smile, careful not to look too stunned.

According to the headlines, Ms. Vlyrissa was the reason her husband won the election. She was strong, philanthropic, and made a good name long ago, making things really easy for him.

Staring at the woman now, I couldn’t doubt it. She looked like a true leader.

Her eyes caught the name printed on my glass.

“Fabric and Fable.” Her gaze moved to me. “I can’t believe you work there. Your mind is one creative one, honey.”

Her manicured fingers trailed over a section of the embroidery on the displayed dress. She spent a couple more minutes admiring the details and engaging in low conversation with the woman beside her,

“What’s your name?” she asked a moment later, her full attention turning to me.

God, this felt so unreal. She was admiring my dress!

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“Zerali Hayes, ma’am.”

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“Nice name, indeed, for a beautiful one.” Her gaze swept over me with an approving smile. “I really love your work, Zerali. I think you might have to work for me”

My heart jolted to my throat.

“We can’t really talk now, can we? I’ll just get in touch with your boss. He’ll relay the rest of the details.”

Oh, God. Oh, God. Was it really possible to feel this alive!?/

“Of–of course, ma’am. I’ll be willing to work with you. Thanks.” I dipped my head.

Flicking one last smile at me, she turned and glided away, passing my colleague to admire the next glass.

My heart threatened to burst through my chest. Yes!

Ugh. Thank goodness Evie wasn’t here. That witch would’ve thrown knives at me with her eyes

CHI

“Wow! That’s one hell of a stroke of luck, Rali,.” My colleague next to me said with a smile.

ais ice…

That was Beatrice.

“Thanks, darling.”

Moments passed. More guests came by, many offering kind words and compliments about my design.

Everything was going so well. So perfectly.

Until it wasn’t.

Among the slowly drifting crowd, I spotted ‘him‘ walking beside one of the hosts of the evening.

My breath caught in my lungs. All the warmth I’d been basking in seconds ago turned to nausea.

No. It had to be a dream.

I shut my eyes, and when I opened them again, he was still there, walking lazily beside Ms. Larkin.

I