"All my life, I've wanted a dream. When I found something that moved my heart and spoke to my soul, I wanted it.
"From when I was sixteen, I wanted to create. I drew the expressions of the people I saw and painted the raw emotions that rocked my young heart. At seventeen I discovered designing and at twenty three, I had it mastered. I had a good portfolio, a decent amount of experience and talent that was itching to manifest.
"So, I planned my route, packed my bags, learnt a language and crossed an ocean. And it brought me to the only consatant in the equation: Change.
"I never realized that going to a new country would be so lonely. The people I met and the places I visited, they gave me a brief sense of happiness, but that was it. It wasn't until I got a job that my reality started to slow down to a pace I could keep up with.
"I worked as a part-timer at a chicken joint.
"My income was low and I lived off my leftover scholarship money, but I was getting better at it and soon I had a friend.
"We had similar dreams. She wanted a business. I wanted to create. So we decided to bet on the wind and go for it. Her parents were rich anyhow so we had all the funds we needed.
"Well, I admit it was hard. Custom made luxury clothing was indeed a luxury - so was making money off it. We modelled for our young brand and slowly, we began to draw attention and money began trickling in. In a year we had signed a contract with a band and our reputation in the industry grew. We were well known, but we were still rooks. We still are.
"It's been about two and a half years since we first opened. That's our story. Though it's mostly mine."
I pull at my jacket. Five cans of beer and the cool night breeze can work wonders in arousing nostalgia. My drinking buddy lets out a long sigh.
"There's a lot to read between the lines." he says.
"Life's not been a path of flowers."
I bring the sixth can of beer to my lips and take a good deep mouthful of the bittersweet liquid. I need to limit myself. I have a meeting tomorrow. Exhaustion washes over me like the sweet breeze as I make my way down the flimsy, rust-eaten stairs.
"Wait for me, Boss!"
I turn around mildly startled. I'd forgotten that Jay was there. He took his time picking up the empty cans and placing them in a plastic cover. He's a good assistant. He does a thorough job.
Suggesting that we have our company dinner at my house was a terrible choice. Although we rationed the alcohol, three out of five of us were drunk. This is a choice all of us are going to regret tomorrow morning. I begin clearing up as Jay runs out to hire a cab.
It takes about an hour until the last person has been sent home. I am absolutely spent. I know once my head hits the pillow, I won't wake up till my alarm rings. I set my alarm and flip the light switch off.