The Chief designer, Costume designer, Pattern maker, and all the heads of departments involved with the fashion shows gathered in the meeting room to prepare for the upcoming spring fashion show.
Scarlett rose up from her seat, picked up her phone and tea, walking out straight to the meeting room.
Orla carried some important files and a bottled water, walking directly behind Scarlett.
Orla opened the door for Scarlett to walk in. Scarlett waited for Orla to come in before she made another step.
She believed her assistant was as important as she was and would always wait for her to get into the room anytime she opened the door for her.
Everyone present in the meeting room rose up to their feet, greeting Scarlett.
"Good morning, Miss Scarlett." They all chorused.
By the way they spoke, it seemed like they had previously practiced their greetings before they came for the meeting.
"Good morning." Scarlett replied them, walking to her seat at the head of the table.
"So, what designs have you all come up with for our theme?" She asked, looking at everyone's face throughout the room.
Her face was no longer as gentle as when she was bantering with her grandfather and Orla earlier. She looked so fierce, it seemed she would roast anyone who spoke out of line alive.
"Ma'am, we've brought about four color transitions for this theme." Vera, the Chief designer spoke up.
"Since this theme, CALISTA, is in honor of the President's late wife, we drafted the color and design transitions based on the different phases she and Mr. President would have gone through in their relationship." She finished.
Scarlett rested in her chair. The design seemed interesting even though she had not seen it yet.
"The floor is all yours, show me what you've got." She told Vera.
Vera stood up with a flash drive in her hand and walked up to the large TV screen before them.
She inserted the flash drive in and started her presentation.
"So, the design theme is ANGELIC.
Many people who had met the late Madam, associated themselves with her, or had any relationship with her either in business or socially, testified to the fact that she was as sweet and nice as an Angel. Hence the theme." Vera explained.
"We settled for four stages of her life represented through the design and colors.
Blush pink, Lavender, Red and Pure White.
Blush pink is the first stage: Totally innocent and clueless about life and love.
Basking in an infinite ignorance of the future and what it holds.
It should give off innocent lady vibes.
The design for this stage is flowy mesh gowns, with tiny flower details on from the waist all the way to the hem and a huge bow with a long train to go behind the dress.
We're going for sweetheart designs with tiny flower straps for all gowns in this stage.
With a bold pink neck scarf for all, and a flowery headpiece, it brings together the image of innocent." Vera gave a briefing of the stage one designs.
Scarlett nodded her head at Vera's design concept. It looked splendid so far.
"Stage two is for Lavender: The place where she's on a search for her identity, in the society and her love life.
The gradual understanding of how life plays itself out for her and how she can learn to take control of it.
It's a look that aims towards projecting the image of an upcoming powerful woman." Vera explained.
"The design for this stage is Trumpet dresses with double bell sleeves and a magnificent ruffled hem.
The some dresses have ruffled hems with a slit at the front while others have the slits at the back.
Lines and patterns would be added on to the front panel of the dress, with a little bit of cutouts on the side, for a little sexiness." Vera chuckled.
Everyone else chuckled, as Vera was clearly nervous during her presentation.
"So the third stage is Red: Fierce, hot and heavily...… Vera's voice drowned out amidst Scarlett zoning out.
She was back there again, witnessing that scary night, fighting, screaming and kicking the air.
She struggled as much as she could to get back to reality, but she couldn't.
Beads of sweat started to form on her forehead, even in the heavily air conditioned room.
""no! no! no! please don't do this."
"I'll give you anything else, I'll do whatever you want…I'm begging you don't do this…..aaaahhh!!!" She begged continuously.
She had lost count of how many times she had begged him to leave her alone.
"Be quiet you little bitch!" He hit her on the face.
"I'm having my way with you, and there's nothing you or anyone can do about it. Nobody even knows you're in this van.
Do yourself a favor by keeping your filthy mouth shut, or I might just decide to keep a piece of your flesh as a memorial of this day."
"Miss Scarlett? Miss are you okay?" Orla's voice ringed amidst Scarlett's dreadful hell.
Scarlett looked across the room, confused as to why they were all staring at her.
"The presentation is over and the dress samples are here. Everyone is waiting for your response." Orla whispered to Scarlett, handing her a handkerchief to wipe her forehead.
Scarlett closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
She stood up and walked up to examine the dress samples.
Her hands went through the dresses one after the other. She noticed her hands trembling violently as she went through all of them.
No one else besides herself noticed her trembling hands, as she tried to hide it from everyone.
The longer she stood, observing the dress samples, the harder it was for her to concentrate on her work.
Her mind was moving in circles and couldn't settle down.
She was a packaged mess right now.
5 minutes had passed and Scarlett was still observing the dress samples before her staff.
Everyone present was concerned as they couldn't understand what she was doing.
She had only been perambulating around the dress samples ever since.
"Miss Scarlett, is there any comment you have regarding the dress designs and the design theme?" Vera carefully asked.
Her heart was in her mouth. She was scared of Scarlett would say about the dresses.
Scarlett could be unpredictable at times.
"For the first time in history of ROMANO, there's finally a designer that can bring out a design that totally fits the set theme."
It's a special design. Well done Vera." Scarlett commended her chief designer.
"You can go ahead to make the dress. The signature dress will be this dress from the fourth stage." Scarlett pointed out to the dressmaker, thoroughly impressed with the dresses.
"The photoshoot commences in three days after the dresses are finally made." She gave out instructions
"Erin." Scarlett called out the logistics manager. "Send an email to Mr. Walter so we can get the set design ready."
"Yes ma'am." Erin replied.
"This would be the first and last time, I would correct anyone on how to address me.
My name is not ma'am. Don't call me ma'am. My name is Scarlett Chevalier.
It's either you address me as Miss Scarlett or Miss Chevalier.
Do I make myself crystal clear?!" She strictly corrected them.
"Yes Miss Scarlett." They harmoniously chorused again
She was fed up of being constantly addressed as "ma'am" by her staff. Anyone passing by would think they were addressing an older woman.
"The rest goes according to schedule. You all know what to do, see you all in two days." Scarlett waved them goodbye.
Orla followed closely behind Scarlett. Orla noticed Scarlett's slumped shoulders and her distracted walking manner.
"Miss Scarlett, is everything alright?" Orla asked as they stepped into Scarlett's office.
Scarlett rubbed her temples as she sat down. She closed her eyes and took deep series of breaths.
"Yes, Orla. Everything is alright. Just a little pressure to make this event the best one yet." She forced out a lovely wide smile.
Even though she did not fully believe her words, Orla was assured by Scarlett's smile. "Okay, if you say so. I'm one call away if you might need anything."
She bowed and left Scarlett's office for hers.
Scarlett heaved a deep sigh as soon as Orla left. She was sinking deeper and deeper into this pit that threatened to consume her.
'This would soon end. When my mission is accomplished…this would soon end.' She thought.
She turned on her desktop to resume work, the clock silently ticking…..
A sharp knock resounded from the door.
"Yes Antonio. How may I be of help to you?" Scarlett asked without raising her head.
"It's been nine hours and fifty eight minutes now. All of the staff have gone home, except Miss Orla.
The car sent to pick you up by the Old Master had long gone, and he is still expecting your presence at the manor." Antonio reported
Scarlett hurriedly looked at her wristwatch. It was already 09:58 pm!
'Oh my gosh! I am so done for!' She muttered to herself.
She didn't even realize it was dark. How engrossed was she in her work?!
"Prepare the car. I'll be down in two minutes.
I think I would stop at a store to get a gift for Grandpa…He must be really mad." She quickly rounded off what she was doing.