Stitches of fate

CHAPTER 4

Chapter Four: PROVING HERSELF

The next morning, Ellie woke up with sunlight streaming through her small bedroom window. She stretched, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness pulsing in her chest. Today was the day she would show her sketches to Claire, the first real test of her skills since joining Greyson Couture. Her designs, which she had worked on late into the night, were neatly tucked into her portfolio and waiting by the door.

Jamie was already awake, sitting at the kitchen table with his cereal and crayons. His tongue stuck out slightly as he concentrated on a drawing.

“Good morning, kiddo,” Ellie said, ruffling his hair as she made her way to the coffee pot.

Jamie beamed up at her. “Morning, Mom! Are you ready for your big meeting with your boss lady?”

Ellie chuckled softly. “I think so. I just hope she likes my designs.”

Jamie held up his drawing, another colorful jacket with stars and stripes. “If she doesn’t, just tell her I can help! Look at this,it could be in a fashion show, right?”

Ellie laughed, leaning down to kiss his forehead. “You’re the best, Jamie. I’ll keep that in mind if I run out of ideas,” she said with a wink.

After finishing breakfast and dropping Jamie off at school, Ellie made her way to work. The bus felt slower than usual as her nerves kicked into high gear. She clutched her portfolio tightly, going over the designs in her head. She had poured so much of herself into these sketches. Would Claire see that?

The sleek Greyson Couture building loomed ahead, its reflective glass catching the morning light. As Ellie walked through the bustling lobby and onto the design floor, the familiar hum of sewing machines and quiet chatter greeted her. She took a deep breath. This was where she was supposed to be.

“Hey, Ellie!” Lily’s cheerful voice called out as Ellie reached her desk. “Big day, huh? You ready to impress Claire?”

Ellie smiled nervously. “I hope so. I’ve worked hard on these, but you never know with Claire. She’s… intense.”

Lily nodded knowingly. “She’s tough, but she’s fair. If she sees potential in you, she’ll push you to be better. Just be confident. You’ve got this.”

Ellie nodded, grateful for Lily’s encouragement. She opened her portfolio one last time to review her sketches.

Her three designs reflected her personality and vision: The first was a flowing dress in soft pastel colors, inspired by the petals of spring flowers. The second was a sleek, tailored suit with clean lines and subtle details, perfect for a modern, professional look. The third was a playful, lightweight jacket with bold patterns, ideal for layering on cool spring evenings.

Ellie felt a flicker of pride as she looked at her work. These weren’t just clothes; they were pieces of her creativity, her story.

A few minutes later, Lily appeared again. “Claire’s ready for you,” she said, giving Ellie an encouraging smile.

Ellie’s stomach twisted, but she stood up, clutching her portfolio like a shield. She followed Lily down the hall, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor.

When they reached Claire’s office, the door was slightly ajar. Ellie took a deep breath and stepped inside, her heart thudding in her chest. Claire sat behind her large, spotless desk, her sharp eyes focused on her computer screen. She glanced up when Ellie entered.

“Good morning, Ms. Harper,” Claire said, her tone as brisk as ever. “Let’s see what you’ve prepared.”

Ellie handed over her portfolio, her hands trembling slightly. Claire opened it without a word and began flipping through the pages.

The room was silent except for the sound of the pages turning. Ellie watched Claire’s face, trying to read her expression, but it was impossible. Claire’s sharp features remained neutral as she studied each sketch, taking occasional notes on a pad of paper.

Just as Ellie’s nerves reached their peak, there was a knock on the door. Claire looked up, frowning slightly. “Come in,” she said curtly.

The door opened, and a tall man stepped inside. Ellie’s heart stopped.

It was him.

Alexander Greyson.

Ellie’s first love. The man she had walked away from all those years ago.

He looked as striking as ever, dressed in a tailored navy suit that fit him perfectly. His dark hair was neatly combed, and his piercing blue eyes scanned the room before landing on her. For a moment, the world seemed to stand still.

“Sir Alex,” Claire said, standing up. “I didn’t realize you’d be stopping by today.”

“It was impromptu,” Alex replied, his voice cool and commanding. “I wanted to check in on the progress of the spring collection. I don’t have time to waste, so I need a few things arranged.” His gaze flicked briefly to Ellie before returning to Claire. “I want a meeting with all the new hires. Make it happen today.”

Claire hesitated for a moment, clearly caught off guard. “Of course, Mr. Greyson. I wasn’t aware you’d be dropping by, or I would have already set something up.”

Alex’s expression didn’t change. “That’s fine. Now you are aware. Make sure the meeting is arranged.”

“Yes, sir,” Claire said, nodding briskly.

Alex stepped further into the room, picking up Ellie’s portfolio from Claire’s desk. Ellie’s heart pounded as he flipped through her sketches, his expression unreadable.

“These are impressive,” Alex said after a moment, glancing at Claire. “She’s talented.”

Claire nodded. “I agree. Her designs have potential, but I’ve given her some feedback to refine them further.”

Alex’s sharp gaze returned to Ellie. “Ms. Harper, is it?”

Ellie nodded, her throat dry. “Yes, sir.”

“I look forward to seeing what you bring to the table,” Alex said, his tone firm. “Creativity and hard work are the cornerstones of this company. Don’t forget that.”

Ellie swallowed hard, her voice barely audible. “I won’t, sir. Thank you.”

“Good,” Alex said simply. He handed the portfolio back to Claire and turned toward the door. “I’ll expect to see everyone in the conference room in an hour. Don’t keep me waiting.”

With that, he walked out, his presence leaving an almost tangible weight behind.

Ellie exhaled shakily, her mind spinning.

“Let’s continue,” Claire said, her tone brisk as though nothing unusual had happened.

Ellie nodded, trying to focus as Claire gave her detailed feedback on her designs. But no matter how hard she tried, her thoughts kept drifting back to Alex.

An hour later, Ellie and the other junior designers filed into the conference room, their nerves palpable. Alex stood at the head of the table, his commanding presence filling the room.

“Welcome,” he began, his voice calm but firm. “You are the newest members of Greyson Couture, and that comes with expectations. High ones. This is not a place for mediocrity. If you’re here, it’s because you showed potential. But potential is meaningless without results.”

His piercing gaze swept across the room, landing on each designer in turn. When his eyes met Ellie’s, her stomach flipped.

“I expect creativity. I expect dedication. And I expect you to push yourselves beyond what you think you’re capable of,” Alex continued. “If you can’t do that, you don’t belong here.”

The room was silent, the weight of his words sinking in.

“This is your opportunity to prove yourselves,” Alex said. “Don’t waste it.”

With that, he dismissed them, and Ellie walked out of the room feeling both inspired and terrified.

Alex Greyson was not the man she had known all those years ago. He was something else entirely and she wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing, and he didn’t act surprised when he saw her …could it be he knew she got a job here ???