That’s my cue.
“Fine. Sounds wonderful. I can never say no to you. Let me wrap this up and then I’ll relax. Promise.” I reached up and kissed him on his papery cheek. “Keep your fingers crossed that I don’t trip and ruin mycareer.”
He grinned, slipping into the much loved and well known persona of Tex—short for Textile—a nickname he’d had all my life.
“You don’t need luck. Knock ‘em dead.” His brown eyes faded. The melancholy I was so used to seeing swallowed him whole, hiding his jovial spirit. It was his curse. Ours. All of us.
Ever since mum divorced him and disappeared we’d never been the same.
Vaughn pecked my cheek. “I’ll help you get through the crowd.”
I nodded and weaved through the crush of bodies to the small staircase at the side of the runway.
The organiser, with her headset, frantic blonde curls, and dog-eared notebook, squealed when her eyes landed on mine. “Ah! I’d sent out ninjas to find you. You’re up. Like right now.”
Vaughn chuckled. “I’ll wait here for you.” He faded into the living organism that was the fashion hungry crowd, leaving me at the mercy of Blonde Curls.
Bunching the overflowing train of my dress, I climbed the steps, hoping against all odds that I wouldn’t faint. “Yes. I know. That’s why I’m here.”
“Thank God. Okay, stand there.” She manhandled me until I stood just so. “I’ll give you the cue in thirty seconds.”
The girl couldn’t have been much younger than me. I’d just celebrated my twenty-fourth birthday, but after leaving school at sixteen to follow in my family’s footsteps and nurture my skills as a designer, I felt much older, grumpier, and less eager to please.
I love my job. I love my job.
And it was true. Ididlove my job. I loved transforming plain fabric, sourced by my father, into works of art thanks to the accessories, silks, and diamantes my brother imported when he wasn’t modelling. We were a true family business. Which I loved and would never change.
It was the public eye I hated. I’d always been a homebody. Partly out of choice—partly because my father never let me date.
Talking of dates...
My fingers itched to grab my phone.
The girl nodded, pressing her headset hard to her ear. “Gotcha. Sending on now.” Holding her hand out, she added, “Come. Your final model is ready. Get onto the runway.”
I nodded, gathering the thick black material of the feather and gemstone dress I wore. Completely impractical. Completely couture. A bloody nightmare to wear, but the effect of soft wispy feathers and the glint of black diamantes set my hair off better than any other colour.
Some said colour was what made your mood.
I said black protects.
It gave me strength and boldness where I had none. It granted sexuality to a woman who’d been sheltered all her life by a severely overprotective father and insanely possessive brother.
If it hadn’t been for Darren and the one night where I’d drunk too much, I would still be a virgin.
Taking my place in the middle of the runway, I smiled tightly at the model chosen to wear my centrepiece.
My heart fluttered, falling in love—just like I always did—with the garment I’d adoringly, intimately created. Wrapped around the girl’s zero-size frame and shimmering in the low lights of the packed room, the dress was revolutionary. My career would reach new heights. It wasn’t pride glowing in my heart—it was relief. Relief that I hadn’t let anyone down—including myself.
I’d done it.
Despite my nerves, I’d done what I’d always needed and carved a name for myself despite the huge inheritance of the Weaver name and empire.
My collection was mine.
Every item from handbags to shoes and scarfs was mine.
Nila.
