Designer of Romance

Angie Somers let out a sigh as she laid down on her bed. She had been working on a dress for hours because her deadline was tomorrow. This wasn't for a client, technically, but it was for a look that she needed to portray. She would be wearing the dress to a family outing with the Mills. The Mills family was powerful in the fashion industry and they were on the brink of owning anything that sold high end fashion. Often wondered why she got caught up in all this and then a signed contract on her office whiteboard reminded her of what she gave up two weeks ago. "Why don't you marry him? He will make sure you never go hungry and will let you pursue this hobby of yours." Angie's dad was trying again to get her to marry Joseph Andrews. She refused like the last several times. She knew why he was trying to marry her off. He wanted to get rid of her because she couldn't inherit the family name and raise the family business from the dead. He was not blessed with any sons and he never remarried after the death of Angie's mom.  "This is not a hobby. I have put the last 5 years of my life into my fashion degree and I will not marry someone who sees women as possessions. I want to have a career not a child right now." She was getting tired of this game and she still had a couple projects to complete before the weekend.  "There is a party this Friday that you have to attend. You will be meeting Joseph and you will be saying yes to his proposal unless you want to leave this home and never be allowed back in. I will leave the details on the fridge." Her dad emphasized the word "will" heavily and left. She was not going to attend the party as she had her final presentation for her degree was that same night. All her hard work was finally going to pay off. She had high scores constantly and was going to possibly have an internship with Mills fashion industries.  It was nearing midnight when she finally finished sewing her last jacket up and she turned off her video camera. She was going to use the footage in her presentation. She grabbed the camera and plugged it into her laptop. She began downloading the footage and decided it was time to go to bed. She walked into her bathroom, changed into her pjs, washed her face and applied an overnight face mask. She then laid down on her bed and made sure her phone alarm was on. The presentation was the day after tomorrow and she would be getting up early so she could get all her work locked away in her safe so nothing happened to it.  She woke up the next morning at 6 am and turned off the alarm. She put a caramel cappuccino pod in her Keurig and pressed the button so it could brew. She then took a shower and drank her coffee after. She  gathered up the clothes and placed them in her suitcase. She went over her list of things to take with her a couple times to make sure nothing was forgotten. She was afraid that if she left anything behind that her dad would throw it away. He never approved of her going to art school, but he was more intolerant since he gambled away the company.  She placed the laptop and camera in her backpack then grabbed the suitcase headed to her car. She didn't have an expensive car anymore. She had been given a Ferarri when she turned 14. That was also the last time that they had money. Two months later it was taken because her father never paid it off and she worked as a babysitter around the neighborhood so she could at least save up for a vehicle. She bought herself a used Subaru Outback and also learned how to work on it so she could cut costs. Again her father didn't approve of her working on her car, but she had money and he didn't. He didn't have any income coming in and all he did was borrow from people to pay off other people. If she married Joseph then he would probably use her like an ATM to pay off everyone.  She got to school at 7:30 am and headed to her favorite teacher's room. Mr. Davies had safes that students could use to keep their item's secure and although she was no longer his student they still had a bond and he let her still use them. He had actually helped Angie when her dad had kicked her out for a week because the company had disintegrated and he took out his anger on her. She tried to sleep in the back of his classroom and he had gone back after hours to pick up some papers. He found her and after a small talk, she went back to his place. He didn't try anything on her, but she was sick during that time and they almost went too far because she wasn't thinking straight.  He had admitted that she was attractive, but he would never take advantage of a woman. Especially if they were in a tough situation. He also abided heavily by the college code of conduct and that would cause him to lose his job. Jay Davies was very attractive with his tall muscular figure, blue eyes, and long blond Viking hair that was normally in a low ponytail or a braid. He had girls constantly at the school sending him letters and wanting to have that forbidden romance. He turned every single on of them down.  Angie placed her fashion line in the safe and then headed to the library. She had no classes till afternoon so she started on taking the footage that was recorded and adding it to her presentation. She worked on it until she had 15 minutes to get to her business management class. She really liked this class because if she was going to have a fashion line she would need to know this. Not just classmates that were in fashion attended this class. All professions at the college attended. Her best friend was Carla Martin. She was from Mexico and came here by herself because she wanted to make enough money to get her whole family out and to California. They did not believe in getting to the USA illegally and so Carla left one night knowing that it was now or never. They met their first year. Carla was also studying fashion, but her designs had Spanish and Latin vibes to them. She was very passionate about her family history and wanted to honor that. She was more business than fashion because her designs were simple. They could be easily produced and she already had an online store. She was not interested in the internship presentation like Angie was, but she would be there to support her girl. They sat next to each other and while class was going they wrote on a notebook since there was no talking in class. Angie put down her issues and Carla offered again that Angie could move in with her. Angie didn't want to create any hardships for her friend and the tiny studio that she lived in. After this Friday she would have no issue telling her dad where to shove the marriage because she would be able to make enough money to move out and be rid of him. She was very determined to get the internship so she could achieve her dream. She was very talented as a designer and kept up with the trends, but was not afraid to add her flair to every piece. She though more about the individual than on the look. The models that she had gotten she talked to every one so she could put a little personality into each piece. It was risky and time consuming, but she received high marks in the past. She was sure that it would still pay off now.  Class finally ended and the girls finished up the rest of their school day. Carla invited Angie out after school, but Angie needed to finish the presentation. She headed home and was greeted with her dad telling her that she had better be at the party the next night or she would be sorry. She just went up to her room and continued working on the presentation. She practiced it and made changes where necessary. When she was satisfied she text Carla asking if she could stay the night because she did not want to come home after winning. She was picking a career over marriage and that would not be a fun conversation with her dad. Carla immediately said yes and that they should go out to celebrate after. Angie packed a small tight blue dress that showed off her curves. No matter what she wore she looked hot. She was naturally tan with brown long wavey hair, she had clear blue eyes that were big like a cartoon character and pink plump lips. She had been blessed with a large chest (34DD) and large hips. She had to work for her waist as she naturally was a little thick in areas. She was around 5'2" so short, but she still caught eyes. Unfortunately she never caught the eye of anyone she wanted. She was born into riches so the only men there did not want a woman with a mind of their own.  She figured it would be easier to stay single since no one that her dad introduced her to wanted to help further her career. She hadn't had a boyfriend since high school and she would go on those meet and screw apps now and then. She hadn't done that in a while since this was her last year. She poured her heart and soul into this presentation and no party was going to mess this up for her. Her and Carla didn't have classes the next day so she would be going straight to her friends after waking up. She wanted to be out of the house before her dad woke up.  The next morning Angie woke up and grabbed her stuff she heard her dad snoring on the downstairs couch so she went out the backdoor. She drove to Carla's and the girls went downstairs to the gym that Carla's apartment was above. Carla worked at the gym so she got a discount off the membership plus she used her student discount with it as well. The girls both knew martial arts because they needed to know some sort of self defense. They would spar with each other and other females that came in. The men didn't want to spar with them, but it was understandable and instead they spotted each other on the bench.  After a couple hours the girls were drenched in sweat and they headed back up to Carla's to shower and have a spa day. Since tonight was a big night, Angie needed some girl time and also a chance to make herself presentable. She was going to be one of the models in the show and come out first. She had fun with her shows and it made her less anxious. She called all of her models and made sure that they were ready for tonight. She also invited them to party after the show. They would be going to the hottest bar in the city, Enclave. It was not just a bar, but under it was a night club. It was exclusive and you had to be invited by a member to get in. One of the people that Carla was a personal trainer to was a member and had given her his member invite card. The girls were super excited and so they would made sure that they looked worthy of being there.  It became 3 in the afternoon and it was getting close to time for Angie to meet up with her models at the college. She grabbed her laptop and gave the camera to Carla so she could take pictures that Angie would use to keep building her portfolio. She hopped in the car and went. She met up with her 3 models Van, Amethyst, and Darien. In total there would be 3 actual models, but she wanted to have fun. She added audio to the presentation so that she could be part of the show. She didn't this every time, but this time she wanted to go out with a bang.  She walked over to Mr Davies's room and noticed that he was still there. He noticed her and smiled. She let him know that this was the last time she would be using the safe and he nodded. As she was about to pass his desk, he stood up and his 6'4" body towered over her. "I am so proud to see one of my most hard working and charismatic students join the fashion world. I watched you flow with the hardships you have faced and I'm glad that you found someone to confide in, instead of holding in all of it. You will always be my favorite student and I am proud of you." Angie teared up for a moment and hugged him. He hugged her back and wiped away her tears.  Angie invited him to attend the show and he said he would be there. She then headed back to her models and they got ready. She had met the people that would help with the backstage getting people in and out of clothes, but the pieces were easy to get on and off so it was just making sure that everything was right. When everything was set up she went to see the media people. She gave them the flash drive and made sure that it was going to play and then let them know that there was audio and speaking. She had her speaking over the recorded footage that she had compiled the whole time she was working on the clothes. She even gave a little backstory into the models and how everything fit together.  She had chosen her performance to be in the middle there were 4 in all so she was the second one. It finally became 5 and the party that she was missing would be at the same time that her presentation was starting. They all made their way to the auditorium to sit and watch the competition. They couldn't see the judges and would not until the end when they announced who would be getting the internship. There were many other agents that were recruiting so even if you didn't get the internship there would hopefully be someone that wanted you.  The show started at 5:10 pm and it was heavily Japanese themed. She loved the kimono inspired dresses, but she also felt that it was done before. Halfway through the show her and the models made their way to the back so they could get into gear. They congratulated the designer and all the models that were there and awaited for their que to go. Angie was the first to go out on stage and with every step she felt herself become closer to her dreams. The rest of her show played off spectacularly. The audience that was there enjoyed the atmosphere that she created with her presentation and with her clothes themselves. She felt so happy and when she saw Carla in front, she became more excited. When it came time for all of them to come out and take a bow, they bowed and then threw lotus petals into the air. It was fun and it mad the clothes have a new light, like they were different than before. She could feel all eyes on her and she knew that she had won.  The rest of the show finished and by 8 pm it was time for the judges to come down and pick who would be getting the internship. One of the judges was a recruiter for Mills so they knew what to look for. An announcer came onto the stage and introduced the judges as they came up. "Here are your judges! Leona Bartholy from Louis Vuitton, Isabella Artino from Prada, Tanya LaFey from Mills Fashion Industries, and Jay Davies from Nightmare Clothing Inc." Angie had to blink a couple times because the teacher she had was actually a recruiter for the fiercest new company in fashion. Three years ago Nightmare did not exist, but then it started showing up in Vogue and dominated the runways. It was very high end and no one knew where it came from. All people knew was the that CEO was the most attractive man that didn't want his face on the cover of a magazine.  The judges faced the designers. Angie was the only one that was still in her fashion clothes, but it was still professional looking. She had added a jacket that she planned to pair with the dress. The jacket made the look new and that's what she had gone for. Tanya from Mills was given the microphone. "Sorry for my English." She had a heavy German accent, but she still smiled and laughed a little. "I am so honored to be judging you all. I am blown away by the clothes I have seen tonight. I can see how much hard work you all put into this, but there is only one person who I can see put everything; their heart and all of their soul. That is the person I will be offering an internship to. Just because you did not get this internship does not mean that your road ends here. The other judges and some in the audience will gladly want your dreams to help keep building the fashion world." She held out an envelope and walked towards Angie. "Every time I see the dress you are wearing, you make it seem new without changing the core of it. I can see your dreams and all that you are through your fashion. Please come work for us at Mills Fashion Industries."  Tanya handed her an envelope that had all the details of when an orientation meeting and what to bring in it.  Everyone stared at Angie as she took the envelope. After a minute everyone in the auditorium started clapping and she felt tears start to form. She had achieved what most dream about. Not many people get this honor. All of her decisions and sleepless nights paid off.  When everyone left the stage and had changed Carla met Angie in back. The girls went back to Carla's to change and get ready for the night. The clothes that Angie made were given to the models that wore them as a reminder of how their lives would change. After the girls were ready they headed to Enclave. Angie wore a dark blue form fitting strapless dress and stappy blue heels. Her make up was subtle, but it made her eyes pop. Carla's dress was also form fitting, but the neck and hem of the dress had Aztec designs and the neck was hand beaded. She wore nude colored sandals and made her eye makeup bright with the same colors on the dress.  They waited outside for the rest of the group and the other models walked up. Everyone made sure to discuss an emergency plan and then headed in. Carla gave the security guard the invitation, he checked ids to make sure none were fake and then let everyone in. The music was loud and upbeat. The girls made their way to the dancefloor to celebrate a night to remember.