Mirror Image

That Girl

Sierra woke up slowly, the soft hum of Atlanta sunlight spilling across her bedroom. The binds were tilted just right to catch the golden morning glow, painting the walls with warm streaks. Her phone buzzed gently—a string of comments on last night’s vlog. She smiled, scrolling lazily through messages from fans, some complimenting her skin, some joking about how different she looks from Sierra without makeup. Her face squinted with uninterest as she read the hate comments. But she didn’t take it deep besides it was all for fun.

She swung her legs over the side of the bed, bare feet hitting the cool hardwood. Her apartment was quiet, neat, just the way she liked it with a vase of fresh flowers on the window seal that reminded her she could buy flowers like this for herself. Sliding into a silk robe, Sierra grabbed her camera and tripod from the desk and shot a quick morning clip for her vlog. “Good morning guys, Just me, coffee and Atlanta sunshine. This—is a quick vlog, basically a Get Ready with Me,”*edit* “As obvious as it looks, i just got up from bed and now join me in my preparations for work—“ she laughed, taking a sip of her latte. No pressure, no deadline—just lighthearted, effortlessly charm.

By the time she had stopped recording, she was ready to leave. Her blazer draped over one arm and designer heels in hand. She paused by the mirror, adjusting a strand of hair. Her phone pinged again—Keira, still teasing her about last night’s gossip (About Michael Lloyd). Sierra smiled as she replied with a string of laughing emojis. Miles apart, different cities, different lives—but the bond between the twins was still unbreakable.

Stepping out of the building,she felt the city pulse around her, but she kept her gaze forward, she was mid-scrolling through her phone when she heard a voice call out.

“Excuse me—-Sierra ?”

She looked up to see a young woman, holding a coffee, eyes wide. “I—I follow your vlog, it’s amazing.”

Sierra’s smile was polite, a little reset. “Thanks” she said softly, offering a brief nod. Not her usual crowd, not Keira’s fans. This was just…nice.

The fan’s excitement didn’t dampen her morning mood. “I think you’re very pretty. Prettier in person too! Your tips helped me get an internship last month!”

Sierra’s lips curved into a genuine, small smile. “That’s great. I’m glad it worked for you”

After a few quick selfies and goodbyes, Sierra walked to the garage, unlocked her car, got her things (bag and briefcase) in ,then got in herself and drove away after buckling herself with seatbelt.

The studio was already overheating

Music thumped low in the background, bass vibrating through the floor as models rotated in and out of Keira’s shoes. Stylists crouched, adjusting straps. Someone yelled for more light. Another assistant sprinted past, carrying bags that weren’t even hers.

“Step forward…slower…yes, perfect” the photographer called at a model

Keira stood near the monitor, arms crossed, chewing gum slowly as she watched a model walk.

“Nah” she said calmly “That heel’s talking too much. Switch her pair”

The model nodded immediately. Nobody argued with Keira on set. Keira stepped forward ,knelt, fixed the strap herself—-quick, precise. “Walk again”

The model moved. Click. Click. Clean.

“That’s money” Keira muttered

That’s when the energy shifted. Not loud, not dramatic, just…off. Someone new had slipped into the space near the shoe racks. No badge. No clipboard. Just confidence. Nails done. Hair laid. The kind of girl who didn’t ask for permission because she didn’t believe she needed it.

She picked up one of the heels. Keira noticed immediately. She strode over behind the girl, arms crossed. “Hello, may i help you?”

The girl turned slowly, eyeing Keira up and down like she already knew who she was but still decided to ask. “You’re the one who designed this?”

“Yeah, that’d be me”

“Pre-launched right??”

“Exactly” Keira responded curtly. The lady smelled like trouble. Looking like she was a-bit over her middle twenties in age.

The lady hummed “Interesting, ‘cause i’ve seen something real familiar before”

The room went quiet. Stylists paused. A model froze In mid-step.

Keira smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes. A way to keep her calm “And who may you be?”

“Just a curious customer”

“And where you said you seen designs like this before? Back-up your website”

“Hey” the woman said softly, obviously enjoying the tension from the people around “Relax. I’m not saying you copied or anything, i mean you didn’t right?, i’m just saying they look similar -“

“Well that’s the thing,” Keira cut her off smoothly, walking closer, heels tapping with purpose. “Keira Ortiz don’t do similar. I do Original.” She let the words sink in then added “When next you wanna say somethin’ ,say it with ya chest”

The woman tilted her head, refusing to be intimidated “I’m just saying, people talk”

Keira laughed softly “People always talk when they don’t know a thing about process.” She picked up the shoe, turned it in her hand “You see this curve? This stitching? This balance?” She looked up “I made that. That’s mine” she tapped her temple, to indicate the place where her mind blowing ideas came from . Quietly mocking the woman. “Been mine” she continued “And it’s still gonna be mine when the noise dies”

The woman shifted, clearly not expecting the harsh clap back

“I’m not here to argue” she said

“Good” Keira replied smoothly “Cause I don’t argue ‘bout what i built from the ground up with someone who knows nothin’ ‘bout molding blocks”

The beat. Then Keira added, voice lower, sharper;

“And just so we clear—-i’m nice, but i ain’t the one you lookin’ for, sister. You got the pretty damn wrong room . Try the next door”

Silence.

Humiliated, the fuming lady grunted as she made her angry way out.

Then the photographer cleared his throat “Uh-ready for the next shots?”

Keira turned back like nothing happened “Yeah, let’s work”

The cameras started again. The music back up. But everyone felt it, Keira wasn’t just a designer.

She was That girl.

Keira walked to her office after the shoot session was over. Four hours standing had definitely done her feet harm, but she kept on. She entered her office, and packed her handbag. She was leaving for a meeting with one of her Ambassadors. Before she left, she checked herself in the mirror. Making sure she still looked good in her chic-off-the-shoulder white wrap blouse, which fitted her curves perfectly. Paired with high waisted sleek white tailored trousers, red transparent stiletto pumps from her brand for a pop of color plus it matched her foot tattoo, and to complete the look, a black Birkin hand bag.

Her hair was still shiny and neat over her shoulder and her makeup still looked more natural.

She walked to the door, paused, turned around to make sure she wasn’t forgetting anything and when confirmed, she left.

The car already been waiting outside so as soon as she stepped out of the building, while shielding her eyes with shades, the security opened up the door for her. She stepped in smoothly and the car took off.

The drive took just thirty minutes. She even wondered if the Ambassador was already there and if she had kept her waiting long. When they got to the restaurant, the security came and opened the car door for her. “Thank you” she said, stepping out.

She walked into the restaurant and saw that her reserved seat was still empty. Well, turns out she was the first there. She avoided the curious stares people gave her and the whispers.

(It’s Keira)

She just made way to her seat. She took off her shades and pushed a long of hair off her shoulder. Minding her own business. She sat her bed next to her, crossed one leg over the other elegantly and picked up the menu. She thought she might as well just order while waiting.

She rang the buzzer for the waiter and when he came, she placed her order.

Two minutes later, Keira raised her head to see the Ambassador walking towards her. A smiling faced girl. An automatic smile appeared on Keira’s face as she stood to hug her.

“Oh My God, i’m so sorry i kept you waiting. Traffic was horrible” she sounded genuinely sorry

“It’s okay, if i didn’t know New York any better, I’d think you were lying—please seat”

The girl did so.

“Overall, i’m glad you could make it” Keira told her

“You look so so beautiful” the girl said

“Thank you and so do you! Girl” Keira replied and the girl blushed. Keira went on“Wanna order? I already did.—I’m starving” she chuckled.

“Oh i understand and I’m sorry i kept you waiting”

Keira waved it off and rang the buzzer again . While they waited for the food, they discussed.

“How have you been lately?”Keira asked

“Fine, just living one day at a time”

Keira nodded “And the PR?”

“Oh they were great! Your new designs are so amazing,” and she did have an appreciative look on her face. The girl was Jasmine Roirl, a twenty five year old verified content creator. She had over ten million followers on t****k, three million or more on i********: and twitter. Keira had made one of her ambassadors few months back because of her social media influence and the number of customers that clicked on her link after seeing her advertisement was massive. They had also agreed on commission method of payment which was completely fine with Keira as long as the job remained done.

“Are the shoes comfortable for long hours?”

“Absolutely, I’m wearing a pair right now and believe me when i say, i’ve been up and down the street since since morning”

They both laughed softly “That’s nice hearing.”

There was so much admiration in her eyes for Keira as she spoke. “I can’t thank you enough for trusting me to be an ambassador. I’ve worked with so many brands before, I don’t mean to say anything bad about anyone but they weren’t fair. But working with you changed that, thank you”

“You’re welcome Jasmine and you earned your profits anyway. If the brand grows big, i want my early ambassadors to grow big too”

Then the food came and they ate.