Chapter 9: Fate working with Destiny
In Spain
The building where the convention was going to be held looked fabulous. The baroque architecture depicting ancient Spanish aristocracy precisely pointed out the stylish side of the event. While the interior décor of the edifice manifested the different fashion evidences of different countries, characterized by displaying mannequins donning garments from distinct parts of the globe.
Workers employed to carry the different apparels by the representing couturiers moved in an informal, worker ant-like fashion. They had to keep up with the time in order to be on time. Three days before the convention proper arrived.
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The next day
Global delegates started to arrive at the designated hotels. Emissaries proceeded to their rooms to rest.
"I thought we'd never arrive!" Satomo sighed as he and his group walked along the corridor nearing an elevator to the right. The elevator bell sounded as a bunch of people exited. Silence suddenly prevailed as the crew digested the scene in front of them. The newcomers noticed this and turned. They gasped. Tension suddenly clouded the area as someone cleared Eriol throat and led his staff away. But not without catching Tomoyo's eyes first. But Tomoyo broke her gaze and directed her group straight from the elevator's right.
Not bad for two rival companies eh?
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The day before the celebration
Aichi was checking the compilation of designs as she double-checked it with the outfits in the stack room.
"Floral cheongsam? Check. Classic Maria Clara? Check. Butterfly-"
"Excuse me Ms. Aichi, you have a phone call from Ms. Tomoyo!" a messenger girl interrupted.
"Thank you," she said as she left the stack room, carrying the folder with her. As Aichi walked briskly, she bumped into another girl carrying a folder, herself. The two unintentionally dropped their portfolios and they scrambled up, picking the scattered files, and arranging them in the process. They stood up, expressed regrets, and went opposite ways. But before they were far enough, Aichi noticed a piece of paper lying behind her. She leafed through her files. Seeing that it was complete, she called up the girl gave the design, without looking at it, and went ahead to answer the call. Forgetting the accident.
The perfect, inevitable, switches.
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The night before the gathering
"Oh I'm so excited!" Sakura jumped in glee. Tomoyo was busy combing her hair as she watched her green-eyed friend prance around the room in excitement.
"You're acting as if this was a birthday party," Tomoyo frowned in disapproval. "You have to rest, you know. I wouldn't look good if my top model walks lazily down the ramp."
Aichi entered the room the three of them were sharing.
"Tomoyo, I really don't know what's the matter, but I think there's something wrong with the clothes," Aichi said as she began pacing the room, her shoulder-length hair flipping and flopping as she turned.
Tomoyo put down her brush. "But you already checked them."
"Correction. Double-checked," Sakura insinuated.
But Aichi wasn't satisfied. "Could I send someone to inspect them again? I don't want to cause panic if something really did happen."
"Sure."
