Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart

CHANELLE

It was the day before my grand opening and I was on the way to the showroom to check on the work that was being done. I know I got on my event planners last nerve but I wanted, no, needed this event to be perfect. Not only was it my grand opening but it was the fashion show to launch my first bridal collection. I had spent the last few years co-designing with other people and styling celebrities, and now I had my own line, this was a big deal. For the fashion show I decided to use all plus sized models; In a world of rib showing models plastered all over magazines, I wanted to show that big girls were beautiful too. I had invited everyone I knew down to my old boss who was the editor of a bridal magazine published here in Baltimore. 

As I pulled up to the showroom, I took a deep breath before entering the building and found myself in the middle of chaos. My event planner Diane rushed over the second she saw the panic across my face. “Don’t worry Chanelle, by tomorrow it’ll look exactly like we envisioned-” she paused her sentence to bark at the men setting up the lighting. “I said SOFT PINK not neon or magenta, this is not Sesame Street!”

I chuckled, “I’m not worried Ms. Diane, I hired you because you’re the best in the DMV.”

Diane smiled, “I know you have more important things to do, go on now, I got this,” she shooed me away.

Walking towards the back of the venue, I entered the fitting room where I found all ten of my models; all of different shades of brown ranging from sizes ten to twenty-four. My seamstress, Vera and her assistants were working on any last-minute alterations the dresses may have needed. I clapped my hands together to get everyone’s attention. “Okay ladies, listen up... as you know, today if the final fitting before the show and I would also like to run a rehearsal while in the dresses to make sure you can walk in them...”

Back in the main room, I pulled up a chair to the front of the runway and cued the music for the girls to start walking. The only dress I knew would give a problem was the trumpet style dress since it was a little tight near the knees but the model who wore it managed to strut down the catwalk without a hitch. As the last model did her run, I ended the music and clapped my hands once more. “Good job ladies. Now go home and get your beauty sleep. Remember the event starts at 6pm sharp so I need you heard no later than 5pm...” They all nodded their heads before heading back into the fitting room to change into their street clothes.

Half an hour later, I was standing up on the pedestal while Vera pinned and tucked away at the ball gown I had on. With all the stress from planning this damn line and event I had lost about ten pounds so she had to take it in slightly. Since I was closing the show, the last thing I needed would be for the dress to fall while I was on the runway. 

“All done...” Vera announced as she secured the last pin before helping me out of the dress and off of the pedestal. 

After pulling on my clothes I gathered my bags and kissed her goodbye, “thanks Ms. Vera...”

As I switched on my car, I was able to catch the ending to one of Asia’s hit singles and smiled to myself. I was proud of my friend and now it was my turn; I was glad to have a friend who hustled just as if not harder than me. I had no respect for bitches that had no drive and/or slept around looking for a come up.

Though I wanted nothing more than to go straight home, the perfectionist in me just had to swing by the bakery to see how my cupcake order was coming along for tomorrow before stopping to get myself food. At last I was home two hours later and I was mentally exhausted; after shedding my clothes on the floor I eased my body into the hot bubble bath I had set up and turned on my Pandora radio to the radio station.

After half an hour or so I felt my eyes start to get heavy as Beres Hammond’s smooth voice crooned in the background. Hoisting myself out the tub, I wrapped a towel around myself and padded back into my bedroom where I sat on the edge of my bed and rubbed cocoa butter on my body. Not even bothering to put clothes on, I simply turned off the lights and fell asleep right away.