Power, Paperwork, and Us: Love Was Never on the Schedule

✦ CHAPTER ONE ✦ Unanswered Emails Alicia Cole stopped checking her inbox three weeks ago. Not because she’d given up—but because hope hurt more when it arrived empty-handed. She sat cross-legged on the living room rug of their four-bedroom apartment, fabric sketches spread around her like controlled chaos. Silk samples. Pencil shavings. Color palettes taped to the wall. Fashion wasn’t just something she loved—it was the language she thought in. “Still no reply?” Winnie asked gently from the kitchen. Alicia didn’t look up. “They’ll respond.” It wasn’t blind optimism. It was stubborn faith. Nathan Wilson’s fashion house wasn’t just a company—it was the ideal company. Innovative. Fearless. Clean lines with dangerous edges. Clothes that told stories. Clothes that mattered. She’d applied for the position of Head Designer six times. Six emails. Six portfolios. Six carefully curated collections. Yet there hadn't been any reply, not even a turndown. Winnie walked in with two mugs, sitting beside her on the rug. “Alicia, you’ve been on this floor since morning. At least eat.” “I’m not hungry,” Alicia said, but her stomach growled. Amber walked in, dressed immaculately as always, her Uber already waiting downstairs. “If they don’t hire you, they’re stupid.” Alicia smiled. “Facts. Please help me scream it to the world." Amber picked up a sketch. “I mean it. This one? This is the runway. Why are they ignoring you?” “Because Head Designer isn’t an entry job, Amber,” Winnie said quietly. “Maybe you should have applied for Assistant first.” Alicia shook her head. “No. I know what I can do. I didn’t spend five years in school and bracing myself to be an assistant.” Winnie looked at her — really looked at her. “You’re tired, big sis. You need to leave the apartment and go have some fun, unwind and let go of the stress from days of staring into your inbox non-stop". That word — big sis — made Alicia’s chest tighten. That was the whole point. She was the older sister. They made sure Amber never saw the struggle — and that was intentional. No public buses. No corners cut. No childhood stolen. She and Winnie made sure of it. “I’m fine,” Alicia said. “No, you’re not,” Amber said, as bluntly as only the youngest can be. “You haven’t left this apartment in three days except to buy more fabric. You check your laptop like it will bite you.” Winnie nudged her. “Amber.” “What? It’s true,” Amber said. “Big sis, if they don’t want you, we’ll find someone who does. Or we’ll start our own label. Cole Sisters. You design, Winnie does accounts, I’ll be the model.” Alicia finally laughed. “Cole Sisters? What the hell?" “Yes! Why not?” Amber was serious now, holding up two sketches like dresses. “You’ve been carrying us since Mum left. Let us carry you for once. Let us help.” Alicia looked at them — Winnie with her gentle worry, Amber with her fierce loyalty — and felt tears prick her eyes. She quickly blinked them away. “I just wanted this one to work,” Alicia whispered. “Just this one job. Then I wouldn’t have to worry about everything else.” Winnie squeezed her hand. “We know.” Amber leaned her head on Alicia’s shoulder. “You know what I think? I think Nathan Wilson is just scared to hire you. Because once you get there, you’ll take his whole company.” Alicia smiled through the tears. “You think so?” “I know so,” Amber said. You guys hype me too much,” Alicia whispered, her voice a little thick. “Someone has to,” Winnie said, bumping her shoulder. “Since you won’t hype yourself." Amber leaned in. “So what’s the plan? Application number seven?” Alicia shook her head. “No. I’m done begging for emails. If they want to be fearless and innovative, I have to show them fearless.” Winnie and Amber exchanged a look. “Oh God,” Winnie said. “What does that mean?” Alicia gathered her sketches, her hands suddenly steady. “It means tomorrow, I’m not sending another email. I’m going there.” Amber gasped, delighted. “To Nathan Wilson’s office? Physically? In person?” “Yes. Let me show him what he's missing. I'd provide my sketches for him and pictures of my dress designs so he'd know I deserve a spot in his fashion house and not just any spot, but that of a designer. " Amber clapped. “Finally! Yes! Can I come? I want to see his face when he sees your work. I want to be there when he realizes he’s been stupid for three weeks.” “You have an Uber waiting downstairs, Amber,” Winnie pointed out. Amber waved her off. “I’ll cancel it. This is more important. Sister business.” Alicia laughed at Amber's dramatic display. "Come on Amber, I understand that you want to help me but you can't possibly skip classes, don't worry about me, I'll figure this out." Amber sighed and rolled her eyes. "Fine. But don't forget that I love you." "I love you too," Alicia said and kissed Amber's cheek. She watched her younger sister leave, pride swelling in her chest. Amber never saw the struggle—and that was intentional. They made sure of it. No public buses. No corners cut. No childhood stolen. When the apartment finally grew quiet, Alicia exhaled and opened her laptop again. One last time. Still nothing. She closed it. “Tomorrow,” she whispered. “Something will change.” She didn’t know how right she was. This is chapter one of the novel I'm writing tittled:Power, Paperwork, and Us: Love Was Never on the Schedule