Briana shut her lips tightly. Did she feel humiliated?
Yes, she very much did.
She had full control of the whole designing department. To think someone would stride in and take everyone's respect away from her. And what did she say? She has more to learn? From who, her?
Please! That was insulting her pride! She was very confident in her designs and her talent.
It's not like she could do anything in her defense, anyway. She also had a headache, and those rumors from this morning made her all jumpy. She needed to stay low for now and let everything subside.
Still, her face crumbled, and it filled her tongue with pure bitterness. It was worse than the medicine kids drink. The feeling in her mouth was disgusting, bitter, and it made her want to rip Adriana to shreds.
She had a good temper, but that fact was as good as gone today.
Wait... did she hear that correctly? Two years?
"Wait two years?" She asked a bit too loudly.
Adriana laughed softly. "Yes, Ms. Brooklyn. Did you not read the contract?"
"N-no I mean I did I just forgot the duration of it." He looked down at the table, completely terrified.
"Okay, please don't interrupt an important meeting for something that's nobody else's problem but yours."
She turned to everyone in the room. "Does anyone else wish to comment? (waste my time)"
They all stayed silent.
"Perfect, now shall we get started with our meeting?"
****
"It might be a bit of a bold suggestion, but matching Royal Blue, Lime green or white would be a big turnaround. This is what I had in mind...."
Adriana listened to the man's explanation of his design. She had taken quite an interest in his proposition. The line needed to include leather, but she never said they couldn't; t add other colors on the outfit to add some spice. She liked how almost everyone added their own bit of creativity to her original proposition.
It made her thrilled, wow she loved this team. Everyone's ideas were so exciting.
It was quite unfortunate that she wouldn't be able to listen any longer.
Anyway, they moved onto Briana's designs and Adriana actually liked it. She led it neatly and showed a fantastic skill at presenting.
When Adriana had checked her past projects, she had one word in mind to describe all of them; mediocre. Did she put up more work, trying to stand at her level.?
Funny…. but it was convenient for her. Since she couldn't just kick Briana out of the project, so seeing her work like this was sufficient.
If only she put a bit more effort, the design could have come up even better. That's what upset Adriana the most, anyway what did she expect from such a person? She's just too satisfied with her current success to even think past that wall.
Well, she's the enemy anyway, so it's not like it matters.
"Okay, thank you for that, Ms. Brooklyn. I enjoyed your presentation I only suggest that you try giving your design a little twist. I'm not sure how to explain it, but I have a feeling it could have come out better."
'Even if I despise her, I can't get rid of this urge.' Adriana sighed and stood up. She walked towards the dummy and picked up a pen, a pair of scissors, and some extra fabric.
She looked at Briana's sketches a few times until she fully understood the design. After a few more adjustments, she looked up at everyone. "Does anyone have a belt?"
They all shook their heads.
She nodded her head and turned a new page on the sketching pad she found nearest to her. When she did, she redid the design but with a belt on it and the details she had added earlier.
The room stayed quiet as they watched her adjust Briana's design.
When she finished, she looked at Briana and asked, "Do you see what I mean now? It looked a little too plain, though the idea of the fabric. Since summer is approaching, the leather will feel cool on the person's body, it's honestly the perfect choice. I would like you all to order more of this fabric and try it with your own designs."
"My best advice is that you experiment with it. Sometimes you'll get surprised at the results."
Briana nodded her head and looked over the design with a smile. That actually surprised Adriana.
It was actually not one of her stupid fake smiles.
'I guess she really has a passion for designing. What a pity.'
She shook her head and furrowed her eyebrows. "Wait, a minute. Help me organize all the dummies in a line. I want to see something."
Adriana picked up her hair tie and made a ponytail. She then asked everyone to stand up and go to one side of the room.
She placed her hands on her waist and said, "I want you all to look over the designs. All your hard work and tell me....do you see it?"
Natalie looked at Adriana in confusion. She then looked at her watch and pursed her lips.
Did her inspiration hit at this exact moment? The big news will get released soon!' She could only complain quietly since she had gotten used to it.
This one time Adriana had everyone get to the office at 5 am because she had great inspiration. Thankfully, it worked out well and the lack of sleep was worth it that day.
Despite her reluctance, Natalie looked at every design. She tried to find out what exactly had caught Adriana's attention.
When she realized it, her face lit up.
"Nat, did you see it?"
She only smiled with a nod.
The others only whispered amongst themselves in confusion.
A few gasped when they finally understood Adriana's idea and that she had organized the dummies the way she did, for a reason.
Adriana looked at the lock screen of her phone with a deep sigh. She quickly dashed to her computer and took as many notes as she could. She would never let such an idea pass!
There wasn't much time left, so she did it as fast as she could.
while she took notes someone raised their arm and after permitting them to speak she continued with the notes.
"Is it really okay to do this? It might take longer, we need to order all the fabric and also handle the event preparations. But that's after getting approval from our CEO."
"No need to worry. I will handle that part. For now, let me explain to you what exactly we are going to do." She answered.
"Wait, this could be a whole new level to our plans. The audience we originally aimed at would expand and we would also push everyone to move out of their comfort zones. I remember Albert Berger did this once! But we would put our own little twist to it!" Briana's face brightened up at the idea and her eyes met with Adriana.
She hated to admit it, but at that moment their minds were in sync.
Adriana turned back to her notes, ready to discuss with the others.
When she realized the time, it made her upset.
The clock was ticking, and she wanted to groan in frustration.
'5, 4,3'
Natalie shrugged from across the room.
'2, 1'
Everyone's phone got notifications.
Adriana lowered her head in disappointment.
She could already imagine a huge group discussion and everyone putting their heads together for work.
If only she didn't have a meeting with someone important after leaving LABELS at the scheduled time of right now.
Natalie walked to her side and whispered to her the 'shocking' news.
Adriana completely disregarded the news and told Natalie.
"I need to bring them with me."
Natalie shook her head. "Of all things....."
"Nope, you will not talk me out of it. I have an idea and I want to see the results with my own eyes."