On Friday night, Janet arrived at her home in Beverly Hills, Hollywood. As agreed, she would reunite with her parents at their New York home tomorrow, along with her daughter.
When she saw Zeni, she regretfully examined him from head to toe. She managed to make Zeni, who had always been composed, feel uncomfortable. Then, he found an excuse to escape.
"Zeni is not bad. Why didn't you two have a wonderful romance?"
Laila was laughing uncontrollably at Zeni's embarrassed escape, and upon hearing her mother's words, she finally understood why her mother had been staring at him since she arrived.
After a moment of thought, she said, "Maybe it's because our souls are tuned to different channels."
A rather pretentious statement, but it worked on the naturally romantic Janet. "You're right. Love always arrives when you least expect it, and then leaves you bewildered when you're not ready." She seemed to think of something, and her beautiful eyes grew misty as if covered by a layer of fog.
Laila didn't want to see her like this, so she quickly changed the topic to divert her attention. "By the way, how's your recent design coming along? Fashion Week is just a few months away. Are you prepared?"
Unexpectedly, bringing up this point made Janet even more disheartened. "No, it seems like I've run out of inspiration. None of the designs I've drawn satisfy me. Do you think I'm not cut out to be a designer?"
"How could that be?" Laila hugged her from behind with a smile. "You are Janet Morlan, the genius mother of Laila Morlan. Who dares to say you have no talent? If you've managed to grow a brand to this extent in just a few years, what should we call those talented designers?"
Janet chuckled at her words, pinching Laila's cheek. "Only you would say such things."
"What about your designs? Show them to me." Laila knew Janet had a habit of carrying her designs with her.
"Alright." Janet took out a stack of design sketches from her large briefcase. "Take a look."
Taking them in her hands, Laila flipped through a few pages. "Why is your interest in vintage still lingering? Hasn't it been quite a while? Three Fashion Weeks?"
Janet pouted, "I just like it. Those factors keep coming to mind, and nothing else can pique my interest."
"I remember you once incorporated several different styles into vintage. Can't you do it this time?" After looking at a few sketches, Laila also thought they were indeed a bit less impressive than her previous works. Perhaps the final product might turn out well, but for the perfectionist Janet, these designs seemed inadequate.
"No." Janet pulled out a few sketches. "Take a look. I've combined some Bohemian and British styles, but the results are all just mediocre."
"Hmm..." Laila's eyes flickered. "Have you thought about trying the Baroque style?"
"Baroque style?" Janet was puzzled. "Why would you think of Barocco style? You know that the Barolo style usually features softer, more delicate colors, like pink, cream, light yellow, and champagne. Can it blend with vintage?"
Laila smiled. "It's not just that. There are also white and gold colors, right? And I think lace and ruffles are very suitable for women, don't you?"
Janet frowned in thought for a moment. "You're right. Baroque..."
Muttering to herself, she pulled out a pencil and swiftly began sketching on a blank sheet of paper. She outlined a human figure and added some clothing accessories on top.
With just a few strokes, she had a rough design in place. Janet held it up from a distance, then looked at it up close. "Like this?"
Hearing the uncertainty in her voice, Laila knew that the final design wasn't satisfactory to her. So, she took the sketch, made a few adjustments with the pencil in some areas, and handed it back to Janet.
The most prominent features of the Baroque style were its soft and intricate designs, seeking a graceful and delicate ambiance. It heavily utilized lace, ruffles, bows, ribbons, flowers, and scalloped edges—unmistakably Baroque design elements.
Laila retained the lace, ruffles, and scalloped edges, but changed the sleeves to lantern sleeves, and added a triangular scarf and a shirt with ruffles.
"How does this look?" she asked.
Janet's eyes lit up as she looked at it. "Darling, are you going for a pirate theme with this?"
"That's right. Don't you think it's interesting to blend these elements?" Laila smiled as she handed the design back to her.
"Yes, you're right! It's perfect!" Janet couldn't stop herself from holding onto the design sketch. She felt like her mind was a volcano on the verge of erupting, with a rush of unstoppable inspiration flowing out. "Darling, you're truly my angel!"
She hugged Laila's head and planted a firm kiss on her forehead. Then, holding the design sketch and her portfolio, she rushed into her study.
Laila touched her kissed cheek, smiling thoughtfully.
Perhaps today was just a coincidence. But even if her mother hadn't struggled with finding inspiration, she would have found another way to expose her to the pirate theme. After all, the plan hidden deep within her heart required a little push from her mother.
Inspiration was a wondrous thing. When you deliberately seek it out, it hides and eludes you. But when you encounter an opportunity, like Newton getting hit on the head by an apple, inspiration suddenly surges in, making you feel incredibly invigorated.
Janet was currently being baptized by a wave of inspiration. From leaving home, to boarding the plane, and then taking the car back to their New York home, she didn't let go of her pen. The design sketches in her portfolio multiplied rapidly as if they were springing forth boundlessly, free of charge.
"What's gotten into her again?" Her grandmother, seeing Janet's state, curiously pulled Laila aside to ask.
"Inspiration struck." Laila covered her mouth and chuckled.
Her grandmother shook her head helplessly. "Why is she getting so worked up about this again? Last time, she was like this when she insisted on getting married."
Even without much thought, Laila could guess who that marriage partner was.
Her grandfather's voice sounded displeased from behind, "Don't mention that bastard in front of me!"
"Forget about those matters concerning someone who's already passed away," her grandmother consoled as she patted his hand.
"Hmph." Her grandfather snorted and turned his head, walking toward the study. "Laila, come with me to the study."
"Understood." Laila playfully stuck her tongue out at her grandmother, who responded with a smile. Following her grandfather, she entered the study.
Once they were inside, her grandfather asked with vigor, "What's that plan you mentioned? What's it all about?"