On a sunny afternoon, Zia's phone buzzed with an unexpected call from Rachel, a prominent influencer manager.
"Zia, I have an exciting opportunity for you," Rachel said, her voice vibrant. "Eclipse Beauty, a rival brand to Lumina Glow, wants to collaborate with you."
Zia's curiosity piqued. "What kind of collaboration?"
"A six-figure endorsement deal, exclusive content creation, and event appearances," Rachel outlined. "Eclipse Beauty is willing to match Lumina Glow's offer and then some."
Zia hesitated, weighing her loyalty to Lumina Glow against the allure of the new proposal.
"Lumina Glow has been good to me, but Eclipse Beauty's offer is tempting," Zia confessed to Rachel.
Rachel's tone turned persuasive. "This is a chance to expand your reach, Zia. Eclipse Beauty's audience is vast and diverse. You'll have creative freedom and a significant pay bump."
Zia requested time to consider the offer.
Zia spent the rest of the day torn between loyalty and opportunity. Her mind raced with pros and cons, weighing the potential benefits against the risks.
"Lumina Glow gave me my big break," she thought. "But Eclipse Beauty's offer is too enticing to ignore."
As she paced in her room, Zia's phone buzzed with a text from Perach.
"Hey, bestie! What's going on? You seem distracted."
Zia hesitated, unsure how much to reveal.
"Just considering a new opportunity," she replied.
Perach sensed something was amiss.
"Spill the tea, Zia!"
Zia decided to confide in her friend.
"Eclipse Beauty wants me to collaborate with them. A six-figure deal, exclusive content, and events."
Perach's response was immediate.
"Meet me at Glazers tonight at 7. We'll discuss everything and figure out what's best for you."
Zia agreed, grateful for her friend's guidance.
That evening, Zia arrived at Glazers, a trendy bar and restaurant. Perach was already seated, sipping a cocktail.
"Hey, girl!" Perach said, as Zia slid into the booth. "Let's get down to business."
Over drinks and appetizers, Zia shared every detail of the Eclipse Beauty proposal. Perach listened attentively, asking pointed questions.
"What are your concerns about leaving Lumina Glow?"
"How does this align with your long-term goals?"
"What are the potential risks and rewards?"
As they discussed, Zia's clarity grew. Perach's objective perspective helped her weigh the pros and cons.
As they deliberated, Zia's gaze drifted away from Perach. Her eyes locked onto a figure behind the bar, a young man with chiseled features and piercing blue eyes. His dark hair was perfectly messy, and his smile hinted at a captivating charm.
Perach noticed Zia's distraction. "Zia, focus!" she said, snapping her fingers in front of Zia's face.
Zia blinked, returning to the conversation. "Sorry, nothing," she said, shaking off the distraction.
Perach raised an eyebrow. "What caught your attention?"
Zia hesitated, unsure how to reveal her fascination with the mysterious server. "Just...the decor," she stammered.
Perach's skeptical gaze lingered, but she let it slide. "Anyway, where were we? Ah yes, Eclipse Beauty's proposal..."
As Perach continued, Zia's attention wandered back to the bar. The young man was expertly mixing cocktails, his hands moving with fluid precision. Their eyes met, and Zia felt an unexpected jolt.
The server's smile faltered for a moment, as if he too was caught off guard by their connection. He recovered quickly, flashing a warm smile.
Zia's cheeks flushed. She hadn't felt this spark since...
"Zia, Earth to Zia!" Perach teased, waving her hand.
Zia laughed, attempting to brush off her distraction. "Sorry, Perach. Just...lost in thought."
As the evening wore on, Zia found herself stealing glances at the mysterious server, wondering who he was and what his story might be.