10 years later***
The single ring of my phone woke me up. The person on the other side spoke in a cultured voice- "Good Morning, ma'am Charlie this side. I just called you to remind you about the meeting."
Me: Oh Thanks. Yeah, I'll be there in an hour.
Charlie: Sure ma'am.
I got up from my bed and took a quick shower. The water was warm and nerve soothing. I wrapped my bathrobe around my shivering body. As I went to my closet, I was stopped by my own reflection in my mirror. I had come way too far from a 15-year-old girl to a full grown-up businesswoman. It's been 10 years since I had last seen Carsten but the memories were still clear and fresh. I had somehow managed to maintain contact with Naomi and Sofia but lost contact with the boys. I wondered where Carsten could be and did he still love me?
I kept staring at my face as it gleamed at the thought of Carsten. The only thing I had left was the thin sheet of crumpled paper on which he had written a poem about me. Every time I opened it to read, the smell of ink in his pen brought back all the sweet memories. It was the only thing that could help me survive 10 years without him. I had a start-up of designing clothes that had become a fully settled business. Yes, I had become a fashion designer and a famous name in the fashion industry. I had designed dresses for many celebrities. I had afforded a big bungalow in the city of Seoul and was living with my mom. My little sister was in London with my granny.
I sighed and went towards my closet to choose my outfit for that day. There was a very important meeting with the very famous supermodels Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid to design their outfits for Met Gala that year. I chose a simple white formal shirt and black pencil skirt, which went with a black blazer, my black stockings, and formal heels. I tied my hair in a high pony and applied a deep red lipstick. I looked presentable. I had my breakfast, which was made by the cook, and left the house in my private car.
My driver was on a holiday that day, so I had to drive it all by myself. I reached the Fashion Centre, which was a huge multistoried building. I went inside and was greeted by my employees, more like my colleagues. I never considered them inferior. They were like my friends.
Everything seemed normal from the outside but there was something that made me anxious on the inner side. At first, I thought it must be the meeting but then I had already attended many meetings with many international stars. I was lost in my thoughts when I was notified that the models would reach the place at any minute.
I just checked for the last time if everything was all set for the meeting. I waited at the entrance to welcome my clients. As they reached, I watched in awe. They were naturally beautiful and gorgeous. They smiled as they noticed me, and the meeting went well. They were really friendly and jolly. They were happy with the sample designs that I showed them. The meeting ended after two and half hours but that strange anxious feeling was still scooping me from inside.
It felt as if something was going to happen. I took my lunch and was sitting in my cabin when I got a call from Charlie.
Charlie: Hello ma'am, someone wants to meet you.
Me: Me?? But who is it?
Charlie: He must be for an interview for the replacement of your personal assistant.
Me: Yeah maybe. But always remember, no one can take your place, Charlie. You are personally the best. Don't forget us when you reach Amsterdam.
Charlie: No ma'am. You have done a lot for me. I can never forget you and all my colleagues. I will always be grateful to you. Thank you. So... should I send him in?
Me: Yeah, okay.
I hang up my phone and just then received a text from Naomi. It said " Babe, I am finally getting married to Seb!!! You, Sofia, and Natalie will be my bride's maid. It will be after 2 months in the Maldives. Reach the Maldives by the next week. No excuses."
I was really surprised and happy at the same time. They were still in the relationship and were finally getting married. It was like, they were already tied in a knot and marriage was just a formality. I had a lot of works to do at the same time. Book tickets, pack my clothes and the most important one was to complete my order. I was busy making my "to-do list" when someone knocked at the door and said, " May I come in?"
My pen slipped from my fingers. The voice was familiar, indeed very familiar. It was smooth enough to soothe my insane heart and deep enough to make my heart sink in it...
"CARSTEN!!!" I whispered.