Chapter 14: Journalist's Question
2357words
That woman is Ramona Skylona, a prominent designer who has made a name for herself in the fashion world with her incredible success. Each of her works has always received the attention of the world, always filled with innovation and unparalleled beauty. Now, amid the spotlight of the cameras and the praise of people, Ramona is not only recognized as a designer, but also as a symbol of success and timeless beauty.
Beside him, a handsome man, who was none other than his son, walked confidently. Despite being only five years old, it is clear that creative blood flows within her, an inheritance from her wonderful mother. Together, they walked confidently, greeted by applause and admiration from everyone present.
Ramona, with a graceful and charismatic smile, enjoyed the attention she gets. She has become an unwavering star in the Los Angeles fashion world, and her name has never been separated from numerous awards and design auctions that have always won fantastic numbers. All eyes were on her, admiring her beauty, her talent, and her alluring charm.
In the midst of the crowd of Los Angeles Fashion Week, a man in a black suit stood out with a burly and charming posture. His confident smile seemed to be able to steal the attention of anyone who saw him. The man, with his resolute steps and radiating charisma, threw a smile at Ramona, who was now preparing himself in the VIP area.
"He, Son," the man greeted in a firm and warm voice, immediately directing attention to Ramona's son, Ester Skylona, who was standing beside his mother.
"Esther Skylona, the name of Ramona's son," Esther replied respectfully, kissing the man's hand, which was none other than their uncle, Rafle. Esther did so politely, full of impressions that showed closeness and respect for her uncle.
Rafle nodded with a friendly smile, acknowledging Esther's very polite attitude. After that, Rafle's attention turned to Ramona who stood gracefully before him. A charming smile, typical of Rafle, radiated as she spoke to Ramona. "How about your preparations?" he asked attentively, his voice soft but full of confidence. The smile she gives is a smile that always captivates the heart of every woman in Los Angeles, as if she has a natural charm that is hard to match.
Ramona nodded confidently and replied, "I'm very prepared." Her pretty face seemed to shine even more as she mentioned that sentence, showing a high level of confidence.
Rafle chuckled, his smile widening as he saw Ramona's seriousness. "Then, let's sit down, the event will start shortly," he said with a authoritative attitude, while inviting Ramona to sit in his place. Gracefully, Ramona sat down, and the atmosphere became increasingly tense but full of enthusiasm, welcoming the start of one of the world's biggest fashion events.
The Fashion Week event began with a dazzling sparkle, an atmosphere filled with spotlights and music that pumped up the spirit. Everyone in the room seemed to be swept away in the beauty and perfection of each collection on display. However, there is one collection that is getting more and more attention—the works of Ramona Skylona, the famous designer who comes with unparalleled charm and fame.
Ramona sat in the VIP seat, enjoying every moment of the show with enthusiastic eyes. Every model who steps on the runway wears beautiful dresses designed by Ramona, displaying a blend of elegance and uniqueness that can only be found in the designer's works. However, when it was the turn of the first model to wear Ramona's outfit to appear, the atmosphere inside the room changed to more magical.
The model stepped gracefully, wearing a dress by Ramona that was full of detail and exclusivity. Every step of the model on the runway seems to add to the beauty of the fashion on display, creating an impression of luxury and elegance. As the model walked, the sound of applause echoed throughout the room, so lively and echoing, while the sound of camera shots added to the atmosphere so lively. The atmosphere was truly an epic combination, sweeping everyone present, including Ramona who sat in her chair, felt moved and highly appreciated for her extraordinary work.
Beside him, his son Esther, who couldn't help but feel proud to see his mother so successful, directly looked at Ramona with a touching smile. Gently, she rubbed her mother's hand and said proudly, "Mama is amazing, you are so great." Those words made Ramona smile, her eyes tearing up. She felt moved to hear the praise from her son that meant so much to her.
Affectionately, Ramona kissed Esther on the cheek, as if to express how grateful she was for her son's support all this time. A moment full of happiness and pride for Ramona, who finally saw her work appreciated and recognized by the world.
The atmosphere in the room was increasingly tense and full of anticipation as the award ceremony headed towards the peak announcement. After mentioning the second and third place, which has been received with a standing ovation, now all attention is on the highly anticipated announcement of the first place. Every eye in the room was fixed on the stage, waiting with a bated breath.
The MC provides a slight pause, creating an increasingly pronounced tension. Everyone held their breath, waiting patiently. "And for the first place...," the MC said in an echoing voice, "This year... is..." A dramatic pause. All eyes were opening wide, hoping that the answer that would come was what they were waiting for.
"MISS RAMONA SKYLONA!" shouted the MC with a spirit that broke the atmosphere. The moment the name was mentioned, the room immediately exploded with thunderous applause, the sound of hysterical shouts from the admirers who were so loyal. The cheerful cheers of her son, Esther, were clearly heard in the midst of the joy, adding to the happiness that surrounded Ramona. The guests stood to pay their respects with non-stop applause, all celebrating the extraordinary achievements of a designer who has achieved great victories.
"Congratulations, Ramona," Rafle said with a proud smile, looking at Ramona who was slowly getting out of her seat. Ramona, with a confident step, stood up and headed to the stage to receive the award trophy she had long dreamed of. He just nodded with a warm smile, his eyes sparkling with happiness.
With an elegant and grateful step, Ramona climbed to the podium, receiving a glittering victory trophy. The applause that continued to rumble around him made his moment even more meaningful. Once he received the award, he felt that all his struggles and hard work so far had paid off. All the camera focus is on her, but in her heart, Ramona only thinks of Esther and how happy she is to be able to share this incredible moment with her son.
After receiving the award, Ramona stood on the podium with a big smile, her eyes full of happiness. In a calm and grateful voice, he uttered a few words of welcome. "Thank you to everyone who has supported me. This is the result of countless hard work, and I wouldn't be here without you. Thank you very much," he said, his voice trembling slightly, but clearly full of emotion.
After saying those words, Ramona was ready to get off the podium and return to her seat. However, just as he turned around, the reporters who had been waiting around the stage area immediately surrounded him. The mics move forward, the camera sound creaks, and the spotlight of the camera lights fills the surrounding space.
A more aggressive journalist immediately pointed the microphone at Ramona. "If I may know, is it your biological son?" asked the journalist, with a face full of curiosity. Ramona just smiled, a little hesitant, and nodded softly as a sign that Esther was her biological child.
However, the question was soon followed by a sharper one. "Then, is it true about your son's biological father dying in an accident? When is your wedding taking place?" the journalist asked again in a rather urgent tone, making the atmosphere even more tense. Ramona, who was already used to such questions, looked a little agitated.
Suddenly, before Ramona could give an answer, Rafle who was standing not far from her immediately moved forward and split the crowd of reporters. "Please, don't ask such private things. It is privacy," Rafle said, in a serious but authoritative tone. Most of the journalists there were silent, as if they understood that privacy restrictions had been breached.
However, before the situation calmed down again, another voice rang out in the crowd, attracting everyone's attention. "I know who his biological father is," the voice said with certainty. All eyes immediately turned to the source of the sound, making Ramona squint, feeling familiar with the figure that appeared in the middle of the crowd. Suddenly, there was a feeling of anxiety and curiosity that enveloped him, because he knew who the person had just appeared.
"Jeseline," Ramona muttered in fear that she immediately grasped Esther's hand tightly, making Rafle catch Ramona's fear and anxiety at this moment.
Jeseline walked gracefully towards Ramona, capturing the attention of the entire room. Every step was full of confidence, making all the journalists gathered around the podium turn their heads, curious. A female journalist immediately asked, "How can you know about the biological father of Miss Ramona's son? Who are you?"
Jeseline smiled flatly, looking at Ramona with a meaningful look. "I am the employer. Of course, I know everything about him," Jeseline replied in a calm but piercing voice, inviting whispers among journalists. Ramona returned Jeseline's gaze with a restrained anger. "Jeseline, stop," Ramona said, her voice full of emphasis, though she sounded shaking.
However, Jeseline's slanted smile widened. "Why? Are you afraid they all found out about your dark side five years ago?" he asked, sarcastically. Ramona swallowed, her face turned pale, nervousness enveloped her. Jeseline continued, her voice stern and cold, "She used to be just a maid in my future husband's mansion. Suddenly she got pregnant with no man, and when she was about to be matched with a good man, she pretended to have a miscarriage to avoid the marriage. Then, she fled abroad and returned as a famous designer in Los Angeles to cover up her bad past, giving birth to a boy whose father is still a mystery."
The crowd was getting tighter. Reporters threw curious glances at each other, while Ramona stood glued, her face flushed. "I just feel sorry for your family, Ramona. Come back to Malta, your mother is waiting for you, honestly I'm really tired of being visited by your family every day as if I was hiding you, I really can't bear to see your parents," said Jeseline with a sudden expression of compassion, even though her eyes spoke the opposite.
All attention turned to Ramona, waiting for how she would respond. Ramona's eyes were teary-eyed, her lips trembling to hold back the emotions that were turbulent in her chest. Silence enveloped the room, where all present held their breath, waiting for an answer from the woman who had been revered as a star and icon.
"What is your response to that Miss Ramona, is everything she explained right?" asked another female journalist.
Ramona was still silent with eyes pointing at Jeseline closely but more of an angry and annoyed look.
Rafle, who had been observing the situation calmly, stepped forward and grasped Ramona's hand gently. The warm touch made Ramona turn to him, his eyes still filled with tears and his face exuded nervousness and fear. Rafle, with a firm posture and a confident gaze, took a deep breath before saying in a firm but calm voice, "I'm tired of all this drama. Now, in front of all of you, I want to announce something."
Rafle's words made the silence in the room even more tense. Jeseline, who had previously looked satisfied with her confession, now narrowed her eyes, anger and annoyance clearly visible on her face. He looked at Rafle with a sharp gaze, as if wanting to challenge him to stop speaking.
Ramona looked at Rafle anxiously, her heart beating fast. In an instant, all the courage that had almost disappeared in him was now gathered again. Rafle turned to him, their eyes met, and with a gentle nod, Rafle gave a reassuring gesture. As if to say that all will be well, that he will always be by Ramona's side, supporting him without hesitation.
Whispered cheers were heard among the reporters and guests, but the atmosphere was still tense waiting for the announcement from Rafle. Ramona took a deep breath, feeling a warmth and calmness flowing from Rafle's hand's grasp. At that time, he knew that no matter what would happen, he was not alone.
"Ramona is my wife. We haven't officially formalized our marriage publicly for some reason. We also deliberately kept our relationship a secret from the public for a reason we can't explain to you. So, from now on, I will never hear from you questioning the biological father of my own son who is clearly my biological son, I will not hesitate to demand anyone to be severely sentenced," Rafle said before he held Esther and held Ramona's hand away from the crowd of reporters.
Jeseline stomped her feet in annoyance and full of anger, her eyes completely implying the annoyance of the moment.
