Lila's heart was a hummingbird, fluttering with excitement. She began dialing numbers like a woman possessed, her fingers dancing over the screen of her phone. One by one, she called the best fabric vendors she knew, her voice bubbling with anticipation.
One call, in particular, stood out. It was with a vendor named Marcy, known for her exquisite fabrics but infamous for her sharp tongue. Marcy was notorious for her cursing out on people and her lack of patience for those she deemed unworthy of her time.
"Hey Marcy, it's Lila," she began, trying to keep her voice steady.
Marcy's response was a drawl, dripping with disdain. "Well, if it ain't Miss High-and-Mighty herself. What can I do ya for?"
"I need some fabric, Marcy. The best you've got."
Marcy laughed, a harsh sound that grated on Lila's nerves. "Honey, you couldn't afford my worst."
Lila swallowed hard, her excitement momentarily dampened. "I can pay, Marcy. I have the money."
Marcy's laughter grew louder. "Sure you do, darling. And I'm the Queen of England."
Despite the disrespect, Lila persisted. "I'm serious, Marcy. I need fabrics that will suit the design I want to make, Midnight bloom.. yeah it's the name."
Marcy finally stopped laughing, her voice cold. "Sorry, sweetheart. I don't have what you're looking for."
Lila was left staring at her phone, as she listened to the sounds of her phone signaling that Marcy ended the call on her.
"Bitch!" Lila said her heart, once fluttering like a hummingbird, now felt heavy in her chest. The phone, still warm from her conversation with Marcy, seemed to weigh a ton in her hand. She stared at the screen, the harsh reality of Marcy's words echoing in her mind.
But Lila was not cut out for that right now she was way too happy to get sad.
With a determined glint in her eyes, she dialed another number. This time, it was Sam, a vendor she had met at a fabric fair a few years ago. They had exchanged contacts but never really done business together. Sam was known for his wide variety of fabrics and his willingness to negotiate.
Sam was a stark contrast to Marcy, always ready to help and never one to turn down a customer.
"Hey Sam, it's Lila," she began, her voice stronger this time.
Sam's response was warm and welcoming. "Lila! It's been a while. What can I do for you today?"
"I need some fabric, Sam. The best you've got."
Sam chuckled, a friendly sound that eased Lila's nerves. "You always aim for the stars, don't you? What's the occasion?"
"I'm working on a new design, Midnight Bloom."
There was a pause, then Sam's voice came back, filled with excitement. "Midnight Bloom, huh? Sounds intriguing. I think I have just the thing for you."
Lila's heart, which had been fluttering like a trapped bird, now soared. The words she had been longing to hear finally came. "Really, Sam? You have the fabrics?" she asked, her voice trembling with anticipation.
"Absolutely, Lila. Come to my office immediately. I'm going to show you the fabrics that will suit Midnight Bloom perfectly," Sam replied, his voice brimming with confidence.
A wave of joy washed over Lila, so powerful that she screamed out loud, unable to contain the happiness she was feeling on the inside. On the other end of the line, Sam's laughter echoed, a warm sound that added to her happiness.
As the call ended, Lila took a moment to breathe, her chest rising and falling with each exhilarating breath. She was on cloud nine, her mind filled with visions of Midnight Bloom coming to life. This was it. This was her moment. And she was ready to seize it.
******
Meanwhile in Maya's room was a sanctuary of calm amidst the storm of calls. Her phone buzzed incessantly, the screen flashing with Ryan's name over and over again. Her frustration bubbled over and with a swift movement, she blocked his number. The silence that followed was a sweet relief.
Her attention was quickly drawn back to the television screen, where Victor Vane's news was being broadcasted. It was the talk of the town, the media was buzzing with excitement. As a journalist, Maya was called upon by her firm to cover the event. She had no choice but to accept.
She rose from her bed, her pink bum shorts and sleeveless top replaced by a fluffy towel as she headed for the shower. The warm water washed away her frustration, leaving her refreshed and ready to face the day.
Once out of the shower, she dressed in a chic ensemble from the latest collection of Stella McCartney. A crisp white blouse paired with a high-waisted black pencil skirt, the outfit was professional yet trendy. She added a pair of black pumps for the finishing touch.
Just as she was about to leave, her phone beeped. She glanced at the screen, her heart sinking as she saw Ryan's name again. "Ryan again!" she exclaimed, her voice echoing in the empty room. She quickly turned off her phone's screen light, tossed it into her bag, and walked out of her room, her head held high and her stride confident. She was ready to face whatever the day had in store for her.
As Maya stepped out of her apartment, the city was already buzzing with activity. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a golden glow on the buildings. She hailed a taxi and gave the driver the address of the event.
During the ride, she went over her notes for the event, mentally preparing herself for the task ahead. Victor Vane's news had taken the city by storm and she knew that her coverage needed to be perfect.
The taxi pulled up at the venue, a grand building that was already swarming with media personnel. Maya paid the driver and stepped out, her heels clicking on the pavement as she made her way to the entrance.
Inside, the atmosphere was electric. Camera flashes lit up the room and the air was filled with the murmur of excited voices. Maya took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and plunged into the crowd, ready to get the scoop on the biggest news story of the year.
Just as she was about to start, her phone beeped again. She pulled it out, expecting another message from Ryan, but was surprised to see a notification from her firm. She opened it to find a message of encouragement from her boss, wishing her luck for the coverage. A small smile played on her lips as she put her phone away and focused on the task at hand.
As Victor Vane emerged from the crowd, a wave of anticipation swept through the many including reporters standing outside the grand building.
Maya watched as he was immediately swarmed by reporters, their microphones thrust forward in a sea of eager faces. She quickly reached into her bag, pulling out her phone and switching on the sound recorder. She held it up, capturing Victor's words as they echoed through the room.
Suddenly, a familiar face caught her eye. Her gaze landed on Ms Isabella D'More, her heart skipped a beat. She blinked, and for a moment, the bustling environment around her faded away. She was no longer at the grand event, but in a different place, a different time.
Her mind was suddenly filled with images from the past. She remembered seeing herself, younger and more naive, shaking hands with Ms Isabella over a business deal. The promise of a profitable venture had been too good to resist. But it was all a facade, a Ponzi scheme designed to rip her off her hard-earned money.
She remembered the shock, the betrayal, and the anger she felt when she discovered the truth. The memory was like a wound, still fresh and painful. She could almost hear Isabella's hollow laughter echoing in her ears, the sound of her dreams shattering into a million pieces.
Maya opened her eyes, the memories receding as the present came rushing back. She was back to her senses, the noise of the crowd filling her ears.
But now, her focus was not on Victor Vane or the event. It was on Isabella D'More.