Black Label [EN]: Chapter 211

211. The Aftermath of the Storm (2)

PM 6:00

The first day of Paris Fashion Week concluded. Jaesung bustled around the Tuileries Garden, personally thanking those who had come from afar to see Wallflower’s collection show.

“Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedules.”

The people exchanging greetings with Jaesung with a smile were truly diverse.

Famous designers with close ties to Jaesung, including Marc Jacobs and Alexander King; editors from renowned magazines and influential columnists like Geraldine, Melanie, and Phil Ardo.

Reporters dispatched from major broadcasting channels around the world.

Famous sports stars, though with no prior connection, strongly expressing their desire to become acquainted.

Artists making great strides in other fields, including Sohn Young-guk, Kwon Ji-hoon, and Wizdom Khalifa.

Finally, magnates such as Chairman Arnault of LVMH Group and Chairman Wertheimer of Chanel Group.

As Jaesung shook hands with them until his fingerprints wore thin and delivered pre-prepared thank-you messages until his mouth went dry,

Director Song had to deal with buyers from various countries and officials from major department stores.

Reviewing contracts filled with tiny print one after another, and adjusting conditions while spitting out demands.

The schedule was only briefly wrapped up when the sun had completely set and the day had grown dark.

* * *

After finishing the schedule, Jaesung headed straight to the hotel.

He threw off the stuffy dress shirt and suit and headed to the bathroom to wash his body with warm water.

As he savored a warm coffee in his bathrobe, his eyelids felt heavy with drowsiness.

To chase away the sleepiness, he lightly tapped his cheeks ‘tok, tok’ [onomatopoeia for tapping] and immediately began to choose comfortable clothes to wear.

After completing all the preparations and leaving the hotel, he headed straight to a pub located on the outskirts of the city.

As he had always done, it was to have time to commend his colleagues who had prepared the collection together for their hard work.

Squeak-.

As soon as he entered the underground pub, countless people welcomed Jaesung.

“Why are you so late? Everyone’s been waiting eagerly.”

“Lee, you’ve arrived. Why don’t you sit over here?”

“Hey, you idiot. You should guide him to Ashlyn’s side.”

“What drink would you like?”

It seemed that everyone except Jaesung had arrived at the meeting place first, lightly clinking glasses and chatting.

Jaesung glanced around once and asked quietly.

“Is everyone here? It seems like there are fewer people than I thought….”

Kai Green smiled and replied.

“Since many of the models who haven’t finished the season have left, you can’t help but feel that way.”

“Models who haven’t finished the season?”

“I mean the models who have to walk on the runway several more times during this week of Paris Fashion Week.”

Only then did Jaesung nod a few times as if he understood.

About half of the models who participated in the Wallflower collection also had to walk on the runways of other brand collections.

Since they haven’t finished the season yet, they can’t even have a proper meal, let alone drink alcohol, right?

Rather than feeling the limits of their patience by forcibly coming to the gathering, it is more efficient to ask for understanding and not attend.

Ashlyn handed Jaesung a crystal ‘On the Rocks’ glass and said quietly.

“Lee, congratulations. You’ve worked hard.”

As Jaesung accepted the glass, Director Song filled Jaesung’s glass and said.

“Boss, you’ve worked so hard! Now all that’s left is to rake in the money!”

“How did the contracts go?”

“I’ve put off the decision and only received the contracts. For your information, there’s a truckload of contracts piled up.”

“You’re going to have a hard time.”

“I’d be happy to have this kind of trouble for the rest of my life.”

Director Song chuckled once and filled Jaesung’s glass with strong liquor.

Soon, the sound of glasses clinking began to echo everywhere. It was truly a festive atmosphere.

Everyone was drinking without any worries, busy talking about the success of this collection.

How long had it been? The number of empty bottles on the table increased, and some people couldn’t handle their intoxication and began to nod off.

Kai Green, with slightly unfocused eyes, approached Jaesung and whispered.

“Lee, I’m sorry, but can I talk about work for a moment? There’s something I haven’t reported because I’ve been so out of it.”

“Of course, please do.”

“It’s about Billy Ban Corporation….”

Jaesung raised an eyebrow and asked.

“If it’s about the settlement, isn’t it already resolved?”

He was able to entrust the performance directing at a much lower price than expected.

Compared to other companies, it was much more expensive, but considering Billy Ban Corporation’s reputation and the value of magician Hyung Dae-wook, who was brought in as an advisor, it was relatively cheap.

It was a ‘special discount’ he received because he had set a condition that he would unconditionally accept Billy Ban Corporation’s request to produce stage costumes in the distant future.

Also, Jaesung’s principle was ‘Let’s resolve financial issues as quickly as possible without dragging our feet,’ so the settlement was already completed.

Kai Green whispered again in a low voice.

“Billy Ban Corporation is showing interest in Lee. Although ‘fashion design’ is not a performing art, considering the collection stages that take place several times a year, there’s no reason not to consider you as a recruit.”

“Yes? Then…?”

“It seems they want to recruit Lee as an artist for Billy Ban Corporation, with favorable conditions on a scale completely different from a typical designer agency.”

Jaesung looked around with a blank face.

The dream stage that ended successfully, colleagues laughing and chatting while drinking after preparing and finishing the stage, and finally, the offer of a new and huge business that makes his heart race….

People say that there are ‘curves’ in life.

If we compare this moment to an uphill or downhill….

Isn’t he running up the steepest uphill?

* * *

[Premium Brand Wallflower Achieves Triple Crown in Paris Fashion Week Research. Ranked #1 in ‘Brands That Shined at Paris Fashion Week,’ ‘Best Collections at Paris Fashion Week Chosen by Designers,’ and ‘Most Desirable Brand Chosen by Celeb People’.]

[New Premium Brand Wallflower’s Remarkable Achievement, Secures Entry into Major Department Stores in 12 Countries in the Second Half of This Year.]

[Designer Lee’s Entry into Billy Ban Corporation Virtually Confirmed? Billy Ban Corporation Official Says, “Fine-tuning the Details.”]

VIP passenger lounge inside Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Jaesung was busy looking through articles about Wallflower on his smartphone while waiting for his private jet to take off.

A week had already passed since the collection stage was presented.

Yesterday was the closing ceremony stage that marked the end of Paris Fashion Week, and today is the ‘return day’ to Korea.

As Jaesung was staring intently at his smartphone, Director Song stretched once and opened his mouth quietly.

“As instructed, all schedules after returning to Korea have been cleared.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re stopping by Korea and leaving right away, right?”

“Yes, I’m going to see my parents and move right away.”

Now that all the important work was done, it was time to enjoy the ‘promised vacation.’

After briefly stopping in Korea, he was planning to move to a deserted island owned by Chairman Arnault of LVMH Group and enjoy about two weeks of leisurely time before returning.

Jaesung tilted his head slightly and carefully asked Director Song.

“By the way, are you really okay, Director Song? I don’t know when you’ll be able to rest again, so wouldn’t it be better to rest with me and come back?”

“Hey, Boss. If you and I both rest, will there be a problem with the world stock market? I’m fine, so take a good rest and come back. If you’re worried, give me a vacation after you come back.”

Jaesung nodded once and replied with a pleased tone.

“Okay, then. After I come back, you can take about two weeks off.”

Director Song replied with a sarcastic tone, “Oh, how touching,” smiled, and continued.

“Don’t forget to prepare to be surprised when you come back.”

“Yes?”

“By then, I plan to have all the preparations for the ‘Wallflower Watch Line’ finished.”

“Just take it easy.”

Director Song shook his head a few times and grumbled, “Anyway, you’re all talk… Then only give me enough work to do so I can take it easy?”

I guarantee that even if Director Song is given a vacation after he returns from his vacation, he will definitely not try to rest.

How can I be so sure? Director Song’s eyes have completely changed since he started preparing for the watch line.

He complains every day, but he has entered a contradictory workaholic stage where he enjoys being dedicated to his work.

As Jaesung was looking at Director Song with a pleasant smile, Director Song asked again.

“By the way, what about Billy Ban Corporation? Is it going well?”

“We decided to readjust the conditions after the vacation.”

Jaesung originally had no intention of having an agency, but if it’s an agency the size of Billy Ban Corporation, his thoughts can’t help but change a little, right?

Both sides were working hard to conclude the contract.

“Okay, you’ll do well on your own.”

Director Song muttered to himself and added as he got up from his seat first.

“Let’s get up now.”

“Okay.”

Two weeks to come, it is a period where you can spend a proper vacation.

When I come back from a fairly long vacation, many things will have changed again.

Wallflower stores will be located in major department stores around the world, and Wallflower categories will be set up in famous select shops.

Jaesung shook his head a few times and began to walk after Director Song.

He intended to put aside all thoughts related to work, at least during the vacation period.

Yeah, let’s enjoy it with a comfortable mind.

A two-week vacation that may or may not come again.