Chapter 162
Veronica’s POV
Grand Del Hotel – Venue Hall – Evening
The venue was well lit with elegant displays all across the sides of the hall.
jewelry cases sparkled beneath the carefully arranged dangling lighting.
The Harmon designing staff was taking care of last minute adjustments and details.
The media crew kept arriving as the clock was ticking.
I was walking by checking every display to be sure as the door would officially open in a few minutes.
Jonathan joined me after making sure the security was all in place.
He smiled as he came over.
But he kept a low profile.
I knew to him today is my day,
But I could clearly see even as much as the low profile he wanted to keep, he wasn’t able to after he is the CEO of Rollings Designs and a billionaire.
And I was his proud wife as he didn’t inherit his company, he made it from ground zero.
But he wanted today to belong to me.
After all it took us months to be able to organize this one single evening.
Finally, the door officially opened.
Guests slowly started to fill the venue hall.
Right from the luxury retailers, to fashion journalists, to celebrities, socialites, and long-time Harmon clients gathered at the event.
Today was also my first time to come forward as the President of Harmon Designs.
I knew some of the retailers and suppliers were curious while some were skeptical regarding my leadership over Harmon Designs.
Finally, the time came for me to take the stage.
I slowly walked onto the stage and stood before the podium.
The room gradually became silent as I parted my lips.
This was my first public appearance as the face of Harmon Designs.
As they say, the first impression is the last.
Today was the day I had to prove my ability.
I was supposed to read the speech written for me by my assistant.
But I wanted to be…me.
“Good evening, my name is Veronica Rollings,” I continued by telling about the collection.
“Today’s collection may be one of the many for Harmon Designs p>
“But for me…it’s my first of many p>
“Now, I’m open to questions p>
“Mrs. Rollings,” a reporter asked.
“Why did you name it reunion p>
“Every design I created represents people reuniting after a long separation p>
“Be it with parents, your children, your love, or friends p>
“Families separated due to circumstances p>
“Separating from your spouse or lover due to misunderstandings p>
“Fighting with your friend over something you later regret p>
I didn’t mention my own life, but apart from the friend part, I was a witness to them all.
I exhaled as I noticed the audience was listening quietly.
“Mrs. Rollings,” the reporter said.
“What’s your inspiration p>
“Healing.” I said.
“Healing after reunion allows you a second chance p>
I raised my hand gesturing to the staff to unveil the cases.
“The exhibition is now officially open p>
“Auction will be held for the last three cases p>
I gestured to the covered cases.
Then I stepped aside and allowed the designers to explain the designs.
Each piece held a short true story of reunion, giving the guests the idea of what I wanted to convey to them.
Later on, I went about explaining the emotions behind each piece that I designed.
“For me,” I said.
“Jewelry should preserve memories p>
“It shouldn’t be just a piece of decoration p>
I gently touched the plain band I was wearing on my right ring finger.
I raised my hand to show it.
“Like this,” I said.
“It’s a plain ten dollar ring p>
“But it’s special p>
“My husband proposed to me with this ring, and said one day he would propose to me with a diamond ring p>
I raised my left hand showing the ring.
“He did p>
I looked proudly at him.
“But I cherish the old band as much as the wedding band p>
“That’s what I want p>
“Fond memories you can recall on seeing your jewelry p>
I noticed several reporters were taking notes.
The guests weren’t only admiring my work, they were connecting their meaning to them.
“Mrs. Rollings,” a reporter asked
“We heard you used your painting skills in the designs p>
“Yes,” I said.
“As you all know I’m a painter p>
“Rollings Arts is my studio p>
“But painting and jewelry designing are totally different p>
“One is on a canvas p>
“While the other one is on metal so tiny one wonders how it could hold a design p>
The guests’ soft laughter filled the hall.
“But Jonathan had faith in me and kept encouraging p>
“Reunion is the result of that p>
With that the sales representatives began to receive purchase orders as retailers began to place preliminary orders, and customers began to choose the pieces they loved for the auction.
By the end of the night, several luxury boutiques requested exclusive distribution rights.
Jonathan reviewed the incoming figures.
I smiled brightly as the collection was successful beyond my expectations.
As the presentation ended, the design department and the designers thanked me for my hard work.
They did admit they had their doubts as I was a painter who designed her first jewelry collection.
“You’ve proved your leadership,” one of the senior board members said.
I was checking on the packing of the cases, I overheard the staff speaking among themselves.
“President Veronica’s collection sold faster than expected p>
“For that matter, we never sold so fast p>
The other one nodded proudly.
“The president should create another collection fast p>
I was happy as no one called it Harmon Designs collection, but mine.
And I earned this respect.
“Nicky,” Jonathan said as he came over.
“Congrats p>
“All thanks for you believing in me p>
Not that he was the managing director.
Not that he helped me all through the ordeal.
But as my husband who had faith in me.
He had faith in me, in my ability.
We were about to leave, when my receptionist walked over to us holding a card.
“I told him the event is over, he still insists on meeting you p>
“He said he didn’t want to interrupt the launch p>
“So he waited.” she said.
I took the card and looked at Jonathan.
“I don’t recall any such company and they are located abroad?
“He also asked if President Harmon is willing to meet tomorrow p>
We both exchanged a glance as we didn’t know what this new name would bring to us.
An opportunity, a challenge or a mishap.
But we knew one thing.
We had understood one thing,
Either Harmon Designs attracted international attention,
Or he was someone whom Fredrick rejected, and now aims to clip on with me.
Even so, I still had to see how far my vision would go.