Chapter 3

*Five years later*

‘I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.’ I pep talked myself as I tried not to squirm on the couch, which probably cost more than my house rent.

The house was intimidating, and though it wasn’t a mansion like I had grown up in, it was still a high-class luxury.

‘It doesn’t make sense. Why would someone with this kind of wealth want to patronize me? Me?! With her kind of money, I’m sure she has access to different luxurious designers and brands, so why me? Unless…’ I bit my inner cheek, trying to quench the fear that gripped my bones, and I shook my head.

‘No. I’m just being paranoid. From what I saw on the net, she doesn’t have any relation with my ex-husband or ex-family. And it’s been five years. They probably think I’m long dead. I really need to—’

“I’m sorry for keeping you waiting. I had an urgent call to attend to.” A young lady said as she strutted into the living room, and I stood up.

She was prettier in real life and taller than I imagined, almost a head taller than me. Silky, shoulder-length brown hair framed her face, and her blue eyes were bright and warm.

“It’s alright. I didn’t wait for too long.” I replied and stretched out my hand to her. “I’m Aurora Nigel; the owner Aurora dreams of fashion. It’s nice to meet you.”

“It’s nice to finally meet you too. I’m Bianca Warner.” She smiled and shook my hand. “Please have your seat.”

“Thank you.” I said, sitting down on the sofa as she sat on the one adjacent to mine, and I smoothed the invisible creases of my dress.

She didn’t need to tell me who she was; I already knew her, as did every girl who loved makeup. Bianca Warner was from the popular multibillionaire Warner family and owned the biggest make-up and skincare brand in the entire country. No one could compete with her; she was a god in her field.

Yet she wanted to see me! Me! When she had reached out to me, I thought it was an elaborate prank or something, and honestly, I still thought it was. The whole thing was just out of the blues. How somebody like her stumbled on my fashion page was a mystery I didn’t understand but was glad. It wasn’t that I wasn’t trying to reach out to big names, but I never expected her.

Bianca's bright smile twitched and she stared at me with curiosity gleaming in her eyes.

“You look familiar? Do I know you from somewhere?” She mused, furrowing her brows.

My breath hitched and my stomach clenched. She had to be making a mistake; she couldn’t recognise me. It would mean she had either met my ex-husband or someone in my ex-family, and those were the last set of people I wanted to be associated with.

“No. I’m sure we haven’t.” I quickly said and forced a pleasant smile. “I just have one of those familiar faces.”

“I swear I’ve seen you somewhere, but I can’t quite place it. Oh well, can I offer you anything? Tea, juice, wine, champagne, water?” She shrugged, crossing her legs.

“No, I’m fine, thank you.” I refused, shaking my head. At least she had dropped the topic. I didn’t know what she was going to do if she somehow connected the dots.

Even if I wanted anything, I doubt I could stomach it. All my body wanted was to know why she wanted to see me.

“Ok, so I saw your designs on in.s.t.agram and wow, I loved them. They were so fairytale-ly and princess-y and they gave me this ethereal fantasy vibe that, ugh, just hit the spot. I swear I don’t fall in love at first sight, but when I saw yours, I fell madly in love. Like, oooh, that’s so cute.” She gushed, fanning herself with her hand.

“Thank you. I’m glad you like them.” I grinned, pushing my hair over my ear.

The Bianca Warner liked, no loved my clothes! My clothes! I wanted to squeal and kick my legs in the air while giggling like a maniac. She loved my designs. Designs that I sometimes thought were too childish because they were inspired by princesses, fairytales, and magic, but a girl boss like her loved them. It was crazy.

“Like them? I’m obsessed. I know people wouldn’t normally associate me with them because I’m more of a bold, badass kind of vibe, but I’ve always loved princesses and magic since I was a little girl. That’s why I want to do something a little bit outside my norm.” She bubbled and I nodded, waiting for further explanation.

‘Does she want to expand her image from just the badass independent woman to something princessy?’

“My wedding is in a few months, and I want it to be the wedding of the year. I want to make a statement, do something that people don’t know me by so my fiancée and I decided the entire wedding will be fantasy and magic themed. We really want to go for the ethereal, fairytale vibe, and when I saw your page, I was like, yes, I love this. I want this person to create my wedding dress.”

“You want me to do your wedding dress?!” I gasped, pressing my hand to my lips. There was no way, no way that she wanted me to design her wedding dress. I was dreaming a very good and wonderful dream.

“Yes, your designs are literally made for the vision of my wedding I have in mind.” Bianca grinned like a child. “Do you think you can handle it?”

“Yes! Of course!” I tried not to squeal and sound too excited.

I was going to design a wedding dress for the one and only Bianca Warner. Of course I could handle it. I was going to pour my entire life into that one dress. It could either make or break my career, and I was going to make sure the former happened.

“Perfect!” She beamed, brushing her hair over her shoulder as she stood up. “I would have loved us to discuss the design and price today, but I have an impromptu event to attend. I would love for us to meet on Sunday evening if that’s okay with you. You can show me the designs you have in mind then.”

“Yes, it’s fine.” I nodded as I stood up, and she stretched out her hand.

“Looking forward to doing business with you.”

“Me too.” I smiled, shaking her hand.

I probably was looking forward to it way more than her. She had given me the opportunity of a lifetime, and I wasn’t going to waste it for anything.

“Kelvin, please escort Miss Nigel to the front door,” Bianca said, and the man standing at the corner walked to the door and opened it.

“Four pm on Sunday, Miss Nigel; please don’t be late.”

Me? Late? Never!

“I won’t.” I nodded as I walked to the door, muttering a small thank you. He stepped out after I did, closing it, and my lips curled into the silly grin I had been stifling.

‘I, Aurora Nigel, a noob designer, am going to design Bianca Warner’s wedding dressing. Ahhh! I just want to scream and roll on the ground.’ I thought as I walked behind Kelvin.

‘I can’t believe the big break I’ve been hoping for is finally here! If Bianca’s wedding blows up as she imagines, then my design will get so much notice. It will bring my work into the limelight. I can’t wait to share the news with Dorothy. I need to tell her now.’

I dug my hand into my bag, searching for my phone. If I waited till I got home to tell her I was going to explode.

‘Where is it?’ I scrunched my face and turned my attention away from who I was following to my bag. My fingers brushed against the device, and I pulled it out. ‘Finally, I— Ouff!’

Crashing into something broad and hard, I stumbled back, almost losing my balance. An arm wrapped around my waist, stopping me from falling to the ground. The pale blue eyes of a man stared into mine and widened as they flitted across my face.

“I’m sorr—”

“It’s you!”