Black Label [EN]: Chapter 248

Black Label 247

248. Final Goal, Wallflower Black Label Edition (2)

It felt like being struck in the head with a hammer.

Jaesung took a few deep breaths to calm his racing heart and tried to sort out his thoughts.

So, what Chairman Ardo was saying was…

That not only were there customers who spent over ten million KRW [Korean Won, the currency of South Korea] to attend the event, but most people would pay tens of millions just to get their hands on an invitation?

And that there were plenty of people willing to buy invitations that had lost their value at exorbitant prices.

Chairman Ardo added that this news was only circulating among a select few business figures and celebrities, as the number of invitees was very limited and the event was being held in secret.

– Hehehe, I’m really looking forward to the results. I can’t wait for the sales date of the Black Label Edition products to be announced.

Jaesung replied, his voice still slightly trembling.

“Me too.”

* * *

Director Song, whom he met again at the brand house in Paris, had a noticeably darker complexion than before.

It seemed he had spent a considerable amount of time sunbathing at some resort on the other side of the world, under a scorching sun.

Director Song, after looking around the interior of the brand house on the second floor, where the Black Label Edition products were displayed, stroked his chin and began to speak.

“Hmm, it looks like we have everything we need now?”

The brand house staff were meticulously arranging the Black Label products that would be available for purchase on the day of the event.

Perhaps it was due to the antique-inspired interior design, crafted by some of the best artists of the era.

With the products on display, the scene felt even more vibrant and alive.

Jaesung was equally pleased.

With a keen eye, he carefully examined the brand house.

Wasn’t this the place where he would finally realize his long-held dream? Yes. He believed it should be at least this impressive.

The sales date for the Black Label Edition products was only about three days away.

* * *

The day of the event arrived.

Jaesung left the hotel, his face clearly showing his fatigue.

He hadn’t been able to sleep properly for several days.

What was he worried about?

Jaesung was worried about an ‘ambiguous result’.

If the Black Label products weren’t sold out within the two days of the event, it would be virtually meaningless.

He wouldn’t be able to confidently claim that he had achieved his long-held dream.

“Hoo-”

Jaesung took a deep breath and began to gaze out the window of the limousine.

The car had already entered the heart of Paris, where the brand house was located.

Despite it being the day of the event, the street directly in front of the brand house was surprisingly deserted.

A few guards at the entrance strictly controlled access, turning away curious onlookers, and only those with invitations were allowed to enter.

Of course, the VIPs who confidently presented their invitations and entered were all prominent figures.

From sports stars to top models, famous singers, Hollywood actors, business tycoons, and wealthy investors….

They were being guided through the store by the staff, who acted as curators, carefully examining the various products.

Since there was a limit to the number of items each person could purchase, they had to choose wisely.

“It’s really amazing.”

The prestige of the Black Label products was undeniable.

The highest quality clothes, made using only the finest materials and components.

Luxury and craftsmanship were evident in every button, even in the smallest stitch.

The VIPs were all captivated, meticulously studying Wallflower’s Black Label products.

They examined them with serious expressions, carefully touching the clothes to appreciate the texture.

Of course, there were also a few reporters present.

Several print media outlets, having caught wind of Wallflower’s Black Label Edition project, which had been shrouded in secrecy, made proposals.

They offered to report on the event after it concluded if they were granted access to cover and photograph it, regardless of the cost.

They were busy snapping photos of the VIPs and products, capturing the shopping experience.

Throughout the event, Jaesung had to engage in numerous conversations with the VIPs who sought him out.

However, less than two hours after the event began, an unexpected event occurred.

“President, you should brace yourself before hearing this. Just now, all the prepared products have been sold out.”

Jaesung, who was talking with Chairman Ardo, who had visited the brand house as a VIP, while smoking a cigarette in the backyard, widened his eyes at Director Song’s words.

The number of Black Label Edition products prepared for today’s event totaled one thousand pieces.

Moreover, the price range was not low. Most of the products were priced around ten million KRW, and package deals including jewelry and other accessories were priced at over one hundred million KRW.

Despite the exorbitant prices, all products were sold out in just two hours from the start of the event.

It was pointless to have scheduled the event for two days.

The situation had become such that they had to close the doors for the day and call all the VIPs who had received invitations but had not yet visited.

Jaesung, with a bewildered expression, explained the situation to Chairman Ardo, who replied with an indifferent attitude, as if he had expected it.

“Well? I don’t find it that surprising. Isn’t Wallflower the leading brand in the current fashion world? If such a brand released Black Label Edition products and it took two days to sell out, shouldn’t we be disappointed instead?”

Director Song added from the side.

“I think we should promote the release of ‘Black Label Edition products’ as an annual event from now on.”

* * *

That evening, the media was buzzing once again.

Articles related to the sale of Black Label Edition products, secretly promoted by the premium brand ‘Wallflower’, began to flood the news.

Jaesung simply turned off his cell phone, which was ringing incessantly, and enjoyed himself at the hotel bar.

Of course, he was with the designers and Meister [German for ‘master’, referring to skilled artisans] members of Wallflower who had worked hard together.

On the surface, it was a celebration of the complete sell-out of Wallflower’s Black Label Edition, but in reality, it was a celebration of the realization of his long-held dream.

Kwaaa-!

As Jaesung popped the champagne, cheers erupted from all over the place, and everyone poured alcohol into themselves without hesitation, like young men experiencing alcohol for the first time.

Cheers, cheers, cheers, the place was literally a crucible of joy.

When Jaesung’s face turned red from all the alcohol he had drunk, and his eyes began to droop.

Director Song put his hand on Jaesung’s shoulder and spoke softly.

“President, shall we go out for a while to get some fresh air?”

“Okay.”

The two went out to the balcony located inside the hotel bar.

Jaesung, who entered with staggering steps, took out a cigarette while leaning one hand on the railing, and Director Song lit it for him.

“President, you’ve worked really hard all this time.”

Director Song’s gentle words reminded him of all the hard work of the past.

Starting with the memories of his past life, the memories of the trials and successes, both big and small, that he had gone through since his return began to come to mind in succession.

But, was it really hard work? Wasn’t he feeling the joy of achievement every moment while working hard for his dream?

But, can he dare to express the past times as hard work?

No, maybe not. It shouldn’t be.

Soon, Jaesung shook his head a few times and replied in a resolute tone.

“Hard work? No.”

After speaking, Jaesung exhaled a large plume of pungent cigarette smoke into the air and added.

“It was too enjoyable to call it hard work.”

At the heartfelt words, Director Song chuckled and began to look down.

The night view of Paris was truly a masterpiece in itself, possessing a subtle charm that made your heart flutter for no reason.

Soon, Director Song took a deep breath and said again.

“President, by the way, what are your thoughts?”

“Yes? What thoughts?”

“Your thoughts on being at the top of the fashion world.”

Jaesung took another deep drag on the cigarette in his mouth and made a serious expression.

Thoughts on being at the top of the fashion world.

Well?

He wondered for a moment if ‘the place where he is standing is the top of the fashion world?’

It seemed that he was convinced that the place he was treading on was the top of the fashion world.

Wallflower’s only weakness was that it had a short history.

But, what if we consider all other aspects?

Sales, awareness, fame, diversity, and even the public’s personal worship and popularity….

He was convinced that no other brand could compare to Wallflower in any way.

Soon, Jaesung tried to open his eyes wide, which were half-closed due to intoxication, and replied in a clear voice.

“I never want to give this place to anyone.”

It was a clear expression of sincerity.

He felt like he understood why Karl Lagerfeld [iconic fashion designer] had been working tirelessly for decades, sitting in his office and pondering every day.

This was a form of pleasure he had never felt before.

In just a few more days, he will have to start preparing for the next season.

Then, he will have to rack his brains with the precarious feeling of walking on a tightrope, unsure when he will fall.

But, what does it matter? If he could continue to enjoy this feeling he is experiencing now, he was confident that he could overcome any pressure.

“You’re so greedy.”

At Director Song’s playful words, Jaesung raised his eyebrows and replied in a similar tone.

“That was my driving force?”

Greed is not the right word, but a desire for success would be a more accurate expression.

Suddenly, he remembered the time when he was living a meager life in the underground studio in Dongdaemun [a fashion district in Seoul, South Korea].

From that place, which was no different from the abyss, to reaching the top here. A lot of time had passed, and a lot of things had happened.

Jaesung took another long breath and began to look at his feet.

The swaying night view of Paris, the people wandering aimlessly on the streets, the vehicles with unknown destinations.

Then, finally, he looked at Director Song and muttered.

“Ha, damn it….”

“What’s wrong?”

“We’ve come this far.”

After speaking, Jaesung dropped his head and began to cry.

It was because unknown emotions were stirring in his heart, swirling like a vortex.

Jaesung continued to speak in a tearful voice.

“I, we’ve come this far. It was a place that seemed so far away that we would never be able to reach it, but in the end. In the end, we’ve come this far.”

Still, when he looked at Director Song, the dark underground studio in Dongdaemun seemed to flicker behind him.

The place where mold grew in the summer, and ice froze on the uneven concrete floor, was flickering like a background.

You wouldn’t know.

How special it is to me that I have risen to this place with you.

I am so sad about that, but it doesn’t matter.

The important thing is that we finally came to this place together.

Now there is no more place to climb.

All that remains is to protect the throne we have occupied.

Under the pouring moonlight, Jaesung sobbed and vowed.

He would never, ever let anyone take away the throne he was sitting on now.

It was a night when the moon was shining particularly brightly.