Chapter 28

Bella smiled. "It reminded me of something I experienced this morning while going through my presentation."
She told them how she had thought of giving up when she suddenly couldn't get her presentation right, despite getting it right so many times before. She told them of her encounter with the elderly woman and the bird who refused to give up, despite trying so many times. Until they finally succeeded.
"This is what they both taught me. Resilience, determination, and strength," Bella said. "I can see that same strength in this room, in the young designers trying to find a place in this competitive industry and the older professionals who have given years of their lives to fashion and now wonder if they should continue."
She had her gaze on Jordan this time. It was more like she was encouraging him.
"To all those starting out, success will not always come quickly," she said. "It may take time. It may take many failed attempts. But keep going. Fashion isn't just about beauty. It is about the process, about growth, about courage." She looked away from him. "I started out as a secretary, with no hope of starting a fashion school. But someone encouraged and supported me..." She looked at Charlotte and smiled. "She was my boss. She became my friend and now she is more like a sister. I opened the fashion school and thought everything would go smoothly but it did not. I faced challenges I never expected. There were times I doubted myself. Times I failed. But I kept learning."
She smiled again. "I wouldn't want to bore you with my story. So, to those who have been in the industry for a long time: your experience is valuable. Your voice matters. The fashion world is not only for the young. It is for the bold. And boldness comes in many forms, including wisdom, patience, and the courage to adapt. Whether you are just beginning or starting again, I encourage you to stay committed. Stay passionate. And above all, stay resilient. Fashion is more than just fabric and style. It is a reflection of human experience, and you are a part of that story."
She smiled again. "As I round up, I will leave you with this... Just like every stitch in a garment matters, so do the quiet, unseen efforts behind every success story in fashion. Thank you."
Everyone stood up and began to clap. Bella walked down the stage and headed back to her seat. People kept clapping. Not only had she encouraged those starting out and those at the verge of giving up, but she had also stirred up something deeper: a quiet strength, a renewed hope, a reminder that even in failure, there is purpose.
Bella got to her seat and Charlotte pulled her into a hug. They hugged in silence for a few minutes before finally sitting down.
Bella was the last speaker before their short break. The break was announced and everyone began to go out. A lot of people came to Bella to tell her how much her speech had encouraged them.
Bella appreciated them and also shook hands with them. It took a while before she was left with Charlotte.
"Hey, girl," Bella mumbled.
Charlotte smiled. "Has the celebrity finally had my time?"
Bella chuckled. "Who made me a celebrity? You of course. All thanks to your consistent guidance and encouragement."
Charlotte shook her head and then smiled. "No, all thanks to your persistence, determination, and resilience. I'm super proud of the woman you have become. I would not stop saying that."
Bella hugged Charlotte again. "And I'm proud of the woman you have become too. Do you know how proud I am whenever I see you speak on the screen? Or when you go to seminars to speak to younger people?"
Charlotte smiled. "Then should I say how I looked at you with admiration whenever you speak to your fashion students?"
"I can tell you both are super proud of each other," they heard Jordan's voice.
"Hi, Jordan." They both waved.
Jordan folded his arms. "Hi. That was a great presentation, Bella. How did you come up with that?"
Bella smiled. "I was inspired by a lot of people. One of them is you. You have a great sense of style I must say."
"Finally!" Charlotte mumbled.
Bella had finally said what was eating her up.
Jordan looked at himself and smiled. "Do I have a good dress sense?"
Charlotte nodded. "I can't agree less on that. By the way, where is Jade?"
"I was about to ask him that," Bella said, looking around.
"She went to the restroom. She should be..."
"Oh, Bella," Jade's vibrant voice rang out, full of pride and joy.
"Hi, Jade," Bella waved.
"That was a powerful message. How did you come up with that?" Jade asked, folding her arms.
Charlotte chuckled. These two are surely related, or how could they speak almost the same way? Folding their arms too.
Bella smiled. "I was inspired..."
"By you," Charlotte completed Bella's sentence. "You have a great sense of style I must say."
Bella hit her playfully. "I wasn't going to say that."
"I thought you wanted to, since Jade asked a similar question to Jordan's, and your answer was going the same way."
"That was mere coincidence," Jordan and Bella said together.
Charlotte rolled her eyes. "I can bet this is too."
Bella chuckled. "Come on, it is."
Charlotte smiled but said nothing. Silence lingered between them for a few seconds until Jade spoke up.
I loved your speech, Bella."
"Thank you, Jade."
"Can we go and eat now? It's time for lunch," Jordan said.
"I was about to say that," Charlotte answered. "I'm famished."
"I guess you are too, Bella," Jordan said. "You barely touched your breakfast."
Bella and Charlotte stared at each other in surprise. How did he know that?
"My brother was watching you the whole time during breakfast. I think he likes you," Jade said.
Bella blushed slightly. It seems the feeling is mutual, just like Charlotte had said.
"Jade?!" Jordan said almost in a yell.
Jade shrugged. "I did not say anything wrong did I?"
Bella sighed. Maybe he doesn't like her.
"You did not say anything wrong, my darling Jade," Charlotte said. "And I can bet you the feeling is mutual."
"Charlotte?!" It was Bella's turn to yell.
"What?" Charlotte asked, shrugging.
Bella tried to look at Jordan to see his reaction. She caught him staring at her and they both looked away quickly.
"I-I think we should go," Bella stuttered slightly.
"Oh yes, we should," Jordan said, touching his hair.
Bella smiled. Is he shy?
They left the conference hall and went to the dining hall.
"If you don't like the food being served here, we can go to the hotel restaurant," Jordan said to Bella.
Bella said nothing. She doesn't know what to say; she did not expect him to say that.
"I would love to eat some steak. Are they going to serve some here?" Charlotte asked, hoping it would help Bella make a decision.
"Me too," Jade said.
Bella smiled. "Then let's go to the restaurant."