A year with you.

Chocolates and Cannabis

Three months ago.......

We're almost done with the summer collection. I'm so frigging happy; I’ve been working on this for almost a year now. We're currently making preparations for the launch and runway show. After this launch I'll sleep like a dead bat. I won't see the light of day for 72 hours. Aside from all the stressful days and nights, everything is going well. Ebony has been helpful through it all. The late breakfasts and random visits with food and drinks, knowing that i must have been so absorbed in work that I forgot to eat again.

The runway show is happening on the streets of Los Angeles, the palm trees and the sun-kissed streets of L.A. would do great justice to the theme and designs. Right now, we're scouting for models for the runway show in L.A.

We’re staying at Caroline's place in L.A. and they're both helping with the model scouting. Some members of my team are still in Asheville rounding things up for the runway and launch.

It's going viral on social media already. It's my second collection, and I'm so excited about it. I kind of went MIA after the first launch in New York, and this comeback has to be perfect, so I can go MIA again but with more money in my bank account.......he-he, he-he....

Model scouting is going great, some models and agencies have submitted portfolios and other requirements, and we’re still making our choice based on aesthetic, target audience and so on. We've picked a handful of models, but we still need more.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The following week, we started castings. We’re using a warehouse nearby. The selected models are all here. I urged Caroline and Ebony to be present to help me with the evaluation, along with some other casting directors.

Hours later, we finish with castings and everyone looks more relaxed than they were 6 hours ago.

"Thank you dearest heavenly father, it’s going great," I whispered as I stepped out into the warm LA evening air, the sun setting over the Hollywood Hills in a blaze of orange and pink hues, a sigh of relief escapes my lips. The model casting for my summer collection launch had been a whirlwind, and I needed a quick smoke break to clear my head.

The scent of cannabis and the hum of the city's nightlife fills the air as i lean against the wall, eyes closed, letting the stress of the day melt away. The sound of laughter and chatter from the nearby street corner drifted over, mingling with the beat of music from a passing car. I caught a shadow approaching me as i leaned against the cold wall, smoking a joint. The darkness seemed to swallow me whole. The ember's glow was the only hint of warmth in the air. Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, a shadow materialized — but it wasn't cast by anything behind me. It was as if a figure had stepped into the glow of the sunset, deliberately positioned to be seen. The eerie part, they were standing just far enough away that they shouldn't have been able to easily spot me, tucked away in my dark corner. But the man stood there for a moment, then stepped inside the warehouse. "Weird,” I said to myself, although i couldn't help but notice......he's a fine man, a very fine man.

I stubbed out the joint and headed back inside, the warm glow of the sunset streaming through the windows caught my attention. It was bathed in a golden light, and the energy in the air was palpable. The models and staff were lingering, chatting and laughing, as they waited for their final instructions.

My eyes scanned the room, taking in the platters of meat cubes – skewers of marinated beef and pork – and cheese cubes on the plow table.

Then, my gaze landed on a handsome stranger, standing by the food table, chatting with one of my models, Julian i think.

As i made my way over to address the models, the handsome stranger caught my eyes and smiled. I can barely focus on what i have to say. I thank the models for showing up, and tell them that the selected models will be communicated with through their agents or agencies.

His gaze is distracting but bite me. I like it. I barely got off the stage without tripping.

My stupid heart skipped a beat as i took in the 6'2 tall man with a soft, chiseled face, sharp jawline, and piercing eyes. A great physique, broad shoulders and a toned body, likely achieved through regular workouts and a balanced diet. He is dressed in a crisp white shirt and tailored pants. His jet-black hair perfectly styled, falling on his face, slightly above his eyebrows, and a dashing smile to pair with the perfect look.

I couldn't help but notice the way the sunset cast a warm glow over his features, accentuating his sharp jawline and crescent-shaped brown eyes.

I knew he was fine from the moment the shadow morphed into a figure, bathed in that L.A. sunset glow, outside during my smoke break. He stood there, frozen in the fading light, his gaze drifting towards me, oblivious to my presence in the dark corner, although he stood there for a moment, his eyes scanning the space and locking onto the dark corner like he could see me......or so i thought. The way the light danced across his features, and he looks even better right now.

The meat cubes and cheese plow table seemed to be a focal point, with people milling around, grabbing snacks and chatting. With my senses on high alert, I couldn't help but notice the way he moved with confidence and ease, his eyes sparkling with interest and a smile on his lips... as he spoke with a model who looked like a younger version of him, his younger brother, perhaps.

“Earth to Debbie," Caroline says, looking at me like she knows something.

“Ugh.. Uh hey," I stutter. Shittt she knows.

“He’s really fine, you know. He looks like candy, the kind that leaves your cheeks and mouth sore from licking and sucking. You know the big fat jawbreaker candy." Her eyes focused on the handsome stranger.

"Heyyyy, stop staring....he's going to notice," I plead.

"b***h, you're high as f**k, he won't even know you're drooling over him"....she replies with a smile, visibly making fun of my current state.

"Are we talking about the hot handsome stranger that was eye f*****g Debbie?" Ebony joins in....

"I'm not going to hear the end of this, am I?" already dreading the teasing that awaits me.

In unison, they reply, “No." I groan.

"Although he looks familiar," Ebony looks like she's trying to remember where she's seen him. “It’ll come to me,” she says and walks off.

Moments later, the room grows empty. My eyes scanned the room, but I didn't see the handsome man or the model he was talking to.

As the last of the models and staff filtered out, my mind kept drifting towards him and caught me staring. I pray our steamy moments don’t end with the day.