The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

Chapter 688: EMMA FASHION SHOW (II)

ASTRID accepted the bouquet of flowers from Casey, holding them gently as he stepped aside to let the three Grimaldis into his dressing room. ”Thank you for these,” he said, his voice warm. ”Theyʼre beautiful.”

”Only the best for you, my dear,” Casey said with a playful grin. He and Thomas sat on the empty couch, while Nicol stayed beside Astrid. Thankfully, the chair was spacious enough to comfortably fit both of them.

Astrid only chuckled at that. Then he glanced at Thomas. ”Is it alright for you to come here, Uncle Thomas? You must be busy.”

”Not busy enough to miss my nephewʼs first runway show,” Thomas replied, his tone as serious as ever, but with a hint of warmth.

”Thank you,” Astrid said sincerely. While he still wasnʼt as comfortable around Thomas as he was with Casey, he genuinely appreciated his uncleʼs support.

”Itʼs a shame that Reas couldnʼt be here with us,” Casey said, sounding genuinely regretful.

Thomas leaned back slightly, his expression as composed as ever. ”It canʼt be helped. The military academy is strict about attendance. If Reas were to skip his classes because he attended a fashion show the night before, they might question his commitment. And that wouldnʼt reflect well on him.”

”You know, we couldʼve just sent a car for him and had it bring him back right after the show. That way, he wouldnʼt have to miss any classes,” Casey said, his tone casual but with a hint of regret.

”Itʼs alright, Uncle Casey,” Astrid said quickly, before Casey could seriously consider the idea. ”Even if Reas isnʼt here, I know heʼs supporting me.”

It wasnʼt that Astrid didnʼt want his brother there—he just knew Reas wouldnʼt enjoy being in a place like this. In fact, heʼd probably spend the entire time glued to Laurenʼs side, and then Chris, Laurenʼs agent, would really have something to worry about.

”Iʼm sure youʼre right,” Casey said with a sigh, his tone softening. ”By the way, do your parents know about your first runway show today?”

”Yes, they video called me earlier,” Astrid replied, a small smile forming as he remembered the conversation. His mother had been calm but clearly excited, asking thoughtful questions about the show and how he was feeling. His father had chimed in with his usual dry humor, making a few teasing remarks about him being a model. ”Grandfather was there too. He seems to be adapting well to life on the farm.”

”Ha, maybe the old man will hand you the title, Tommy, and heʼll switch to being a full-time farmer,” Casey said, his voice a mix of amusement and sarcasm.

Thomasʼ brows furrowed, but did not respond to Caseyʼs remark, obviously finding it very childish.

”Brother Aster,” Nicol said, tugging gently on Astridʼs sleeve, his sapphire blue eyes wide and pleading. ”Will you come with us after the show? Please, please, please?”

Astrid looked down at Nicol, the boyʼs big, pleading eyes blinking up at him. He couldnʼt bring himself to say no. ”Well, thereʼs still an after-party after the show,” he began. ”But Nikki canʼt go because you have school tomorrow. So, Iʼll ask Uncle Casey to bring me to the Grimaldi mansion after the party. That way, when you wake up, Iʼll be there, and we can have breakfast together. How does that sound?”

Nicolʼs face fell slightly when Astrid began explaining, but as he kept talking, the boyʼs expression gradually brightened. By the time Astrid finished, Nicol was grinning from ear to ear. ”I think it sounds great!”

Casey and Thomas exchanged a glance, both smiling faintly as they watched the interaction between Astrid and Nicol.

Soon, the stylist and makeup artist arrived, both visibly surprised to see the three Grimaldis in the room. However, being professionals, they quickly composed themselves and didnʼt comment.

As the three prepared to leave, Casey realized heʼd forgotten to ask Astrid about that stalker, White Wolf. He needed confirmation on whether the person behind the handle was truly who he suspected. Surely, Astrid would know. But then, he thought it might be better to ask when Thomas wasnʼt around. The last thing he needed was his brotherʼs judgmental stare if his suspicions turned out to be wrong.

He decided to just ask Astrid later during the party.

Astrid offered a polite smile to the stylist and makeup artist as they entered, and they responded with friendly nods. As he closed his eyes and let the makeup artist begin her work, his thoughts wandered to the conversation heʼd had with Wulfric earlier that day, just before leaving his apartment.

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”Are you nervous about today?” Wulfric asked. Although he sounded casual, there was clearly a hint of concern in his golden eyes.

”Is it weird if I say no?” Astrid replied with a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Wulfric stared at him for a moment, then chuckled softly. ”I shouldʼve known something like walking a runway wouldnʼt make you nervous.”

This time, Astrid smiled fully. ”Letʼs just say confidence comes easier when youʼre wearing a six-figure outfit.”

Wulfric raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. ”Shouldnʼt that have the opposite effect?”

”Well, clearly not on me,” Astrid said, his tone playful.

For a moment, the two of them just looked at each other, and then they both burst into laughter.

”Damn, I wish I could be there right now,” Wulfric said after a while.

Astrid stared at Wulfric through the screen. The other manʼs expression was soft, his eyes holding a quiet but unmistakable longing as he looked at Astrid. It was clear, even without words, that Wulfric would rather be there with him than stuck in Alluna at the moment.

”Even if youʼre not here, I know that youʼre supporting me from there. Thatʼs all that matters.”

”I wish that was enough for me,” Wulfric said, his voice low and earnest, ”but I really, really want to see you walk that runway in person.”

Astrid chuckled lightly. ”The showʼs going to be streamed live, so youʼll still get to see me.”

Wulfric responded with a small, almost childish pout, which only made Astrid laugh again.