Love In The Shadows

I woke up this morning feeling…. Extremely good. As a fashion designer in the vibrant city of New York, my schedule is often very tiring. I basically stay up all night pouring over designs, meeting with clients and supervising my team's progress, therefore making me lose sleep. Despite having a very strong and talented team, I still love to roll up my sleeves and get to work because bringing my creative visions to life makes me feel alive. My passion for fashion is what keeps me going, and I won't trade it for anything. The fast-paced world of New York fashion can be overwhelming, but I live for it. From imagining and sketching out collections to selecting fabrics and colors, every aspect of my job excites me. I still worked late yesterday, and I'm currently running on about four hours of sleep, but I still feel extremely happy and energized, and it's not just the caffeine running through my veins, it's something else. Maybe it's because I got to work with Hollywood sweetheart and trailblazer in the movie industry, Megan Dixon, today. She's one of the biggest people in the movie industry, and although I've worked with a lot of celebrities, she's the one person I can say I've really prayed, hoped and really looked forward to working with. So last week, when her manager reached out to us, I was over the moon. Megan wants me to create an exclusive, one-of-a-kind dress tailored specifically to her vision, and I'm nothing but honored to bring her dream to life. From sketching the design to selecting the finest fabrics and embellishments, every detail will be carefully crafted to reflect her unique style and personality. When my personal assistant burst into my office with the news, I let out a spontaneous, ear-piercing scream of delight. My team, already used to my composed, although sometimes playful demeanor, was taken aback. They'd witnessed me collaborate with countless celebrities, but never had they seen me react with such enthusiasm. The shock on their faces quickly turned to amusement as I jumped up from my chair with a grin. We all erupted into laughter, releasing the pent-up excitement. “I'm going to work with Megan Dixon.” I exclaimed, still grinning. My team's curiosity was turned up a billion notches by that statement, while my PA stood by my side with a smile. “What's the project?” Annabelle, one of the tailors asked. “Megan wants me to design an exclusive, custom gown for her next red-carpet appearance,” I shared with a huge smile. The room filled with oohs and ahhs. Everyone knew what this opportunity meant a lot for us. As we celebrated, I couldn't shake off the thrill. This was more than just another celebrity collaboration; it was a chance to showcase my craft alongside a true icon. Well, I guess the day has finally come for me to meet Megan Dixon. I'm not gon’ lie, I'm freaking out a bit, but either way, it's still a dream come true. I just hope I don't f**k it all up. I stepped into the bathroom and had a soothing warm bath to calm my nerves. Feeling pampered, I decided to shave my legs for an extra dose of good luck – a silly habit? Maybe. But one that brought me confidence. Stepping out of the bathroom, I followed my skincare routine, then curled my hair into loose, effortless waves, adding a touch of glamor to my overall look. The only question I had now was what to wear. I stood before my closet, scanning the array of options, looking for the outfit that would make a perfect impression. I didn't want to put on any random dress today because, come on, today is a very important day, but I still didn't want to do too much, because most times doing too much is worse than doing nothing at all. I slipped into my carefully chosen ensemble: sleek navy blue pants, a fitted cropped blazer, and elegant black stiletto heels. As I stared at my reflection in the mirror, I beamed with satisfaction. Everything screamed professionalism. I don't think I've ever looked this professional in my life. I felt confident, classy, and perfectly put together. All done, I headed into the garage, got into my car and began the drive to work. Despite my best efforts to shake off the feeling, a nagging sense of unease settles in the pit of my stomach. Something feels off, and I can't quite put my finger on it. I just hope it isn't related to my meeting with Megan. The last thing I need is complications. Wait! But what if everyone comes late today and Megan is totally unimpressed and chooses not to work with you anymore? Or worse, she tells you that her manager made a mistake, and you're not the one she intended that message for? My mind raced with worst-case scenarios. Stop it, you silly brain. Today is going to go perfectly and by evening, I'll be walking out that door with a huge smile plastered on my face. My brain has this bad habit of conjuring up different worst-case scenarios. I think it's to prepare me for the worst, but right now all I want is a clear head. But I can't help the fear that's suddenly beginning to creep in, because it's kind of right. What if my team doesn't make it to work early though? No, I'm not going to think of that. This is just the devil on my shoulder doing its work. Clear skies, clear skies, clear skies…. I chant repeatedly in my head in a desperate attempt to calm my mind and push away any dark thoughts. I finally arrived, and as I walked into the office, a wave of relief washed over me. My team was already gathered, and by their faces, I could tell they were very prepared for today. We were usually a scattered bunch, but today, everyone made an effort to arrive early. I had tears in my eyes at their show of support for our brand at this critical moment. As the founder of Adorné, I've never referred to it as 'my' brand. Instead, it's always been 'ours.' This is because every individual here contributes to our success. Together, we make the magic that makes Adorné what it is, and we'd not be as good without any one of us. Come on, you guys. Let's go prepare. I called out to my team to follow me for last-minute preparations and I could feel the excitement and anticipation in the air. A few hours later, Megan arrived. I found it very difficult to contain my excitement about meeting her and working with her, but I did it anyway. And at the end, she was happy with the sketch, and she said something that really surprised me. She said she had always loved fashion designing but had never had the opportunity to do it, and that she'd love to partake in the making of this dress. Of course, I said yes, because why not? No existing human would pass up an opportunity to hang out with Megan Dixon, even if they're mentally unstable. Checking my phone, I found out that I had five missed calls from my mother. This sudden interest was suspicious, because the b***h hadn't cared about me before, so why the f**k was she calling me now? I didn't care to know, so I most definitely wasn't calling her back. But then I saw a text from my father that got me worried. The text read: Hey Ale. We really need you to come home, baby. It's an emergency. Panic set in as I read Dad's words. Despite Mom's neglect, Dad has always been my rock. The thought of him needing me, possibly struggling, was unbearable. I had to go to him, no question. My mind raced with worst-case scenarios, but one thought overshadowed all others: Please let him be okay. “Hey Maya.” I called my assistant, I have to go to California. It's a family emergency and I don't know what it is or when I'll be back, but I trust you all to handle everything very well. I'll call you to Update you on when I'll be coming back. I said and dashed out.