“And we all know you only soft for daddy,” Erys joked.
Remedy rolled her eyes playfully. “You and Ernie are two peas in a pod. I can set my watch to both of you.”
“I got the bullshit honest,” he responded, laughing. The joy that found itself surrounding them was beautiful. The smiles were automatic when one walked into a room. They felt each other and leaned in the direction of the other without thought. They’d found peace in the madness, and it was blooming so beautifully.
Erys took her to breakfast, sure to fill her mind and spirit with encouragement as she stepped into her new chapter. Remedy did the same, finding the seed that was planted but it needed to be spoken to. She knew Erys had never experienced fully being in control of his life and his choices. He went from a broken-hearted boy who was ruled by wayward emotions to a grown man who took orders day in and day out. Now, he was at a place in his life where understanding himself and how having calmness in and around him shaped who he was made to be.
“Have fun in the studio,” Remedy murmured between kisses. “Tell Desi I said don’t fuck this up.”
“Cut it out,” Erys groaned. “You know I’m thirsty and like my juice.”
“I know, when I get off. Until then, do what you do,” Remedy spoke, finalizing her kisses. “See you later.”
Erys got out of the car and opened her door. “Be great, Mouth.”
“Be good, Franklin.”
He placed one last kiss on her pouty lips before handing her the dress and watching her walk into the warehouse. The further she moved away from him, the more her heart thundered. Slowsteady breaths and reminding herself that she deserved to be where she was, eased the anxiety.
Remedy followed the sound of music, leading her to a massive room where Eden was staring at the set full of vibrant colors.
“I don’t know about this,” Eden said to her photographer, before catching a glimpse of Remedy. “Oh, thank God you’re here. Come look at this and tell me what’s missing.”
Remedy hung the garment bag on a nearby rack with other vibrant pieces on it and strolled over to where Eden and the photographer stood.
“Remedy, this is my wonderful photographer, Kimyra. Kimyra, Remedy,” Eden introduced.
Remedy smiled, confidence radiating. “Nice to meet you, Kimyra. What’s wrong with the set?”
“It isn’t full enough,” Kimyra shared with a heavy sigh. “With the dresses and the flowers, it needs to be dimensional and layered.”
“Hold on,” Remedy buzzed, moving across the set to modify its set up. As she moved about, studying the vibrant flowers against the bright pink backdrop, her mind recalled the times where rearranging her room or parts of the house no one occupied turned into lectures and punishments about her being not being disciplined enough, living in the clouds or in her mother’s words, disruptive and disobedient. Amazing how she’d believed it for so long, only to be in this position being obedient to her calling, focused and creative.
It was now starting to appear like jealousy more than it was anything else. How unfortunate, that for a portion of black women, their bullying started in the house and when they went out into the world, they were already conditioned for mistreatment.
After ten minutes of rearranging and studying, she looked over her shoulder at Kimyra and Eden, who hadn’t spoken a word since she stopped zipping around. “How’s that?”
“Oh, you’re good. Real good,” Kimyra buzzed. “I know we were supposed to model, but I could really benefit from your creative direction.”
Remedy pushed out a sigh of relief. “No offense, Eden, but I can’t stand taking pictures. My mother forced us to do a holiday photoshoot for every holiday and somehow after wrestling with what I looked like or how I posed, I was always cropped out or put behind something.”
Eden curled her lip. “I know all about fucked up mothers, so I get it. But the dress is yours because you look good as hell in it. Annnndddd if you’re down for it, we’re having a little listening party this weekend at the old Midnight strip club. Bring a plus one and come meet the rest of the team. Since you’re going to be the new creative director and all, it might be good for you to meet everyone.”
“Just like that?” Remedy asked, expecting to have to jump through more hoops or a formal interview process.
Eden snapped her fingers. “I’ve learned something over the last year and a half, follow your gut and that nudge inside of you. It’ll never lead you wrong. I think you have something special locked away that never really got to come out and grow its wings. Vibrance is the perfect place for you to spread your wings. Fashion, music, health and wellness, and all things Trae Way. The position is yours if you want it.”
“I want it,” Remedy blurted before catching herself and taking on a settling voice. “I want it. I haven’t ever wanted anything more than to just be creative and not stuffed into a box of conformity.”
Eden smirked. “I can see it. It’s in your eyes. I know the look all too well.”
Remedy looked back at the set and smiled to herself. “From stripping at Wild Flame to creative director.”
“From stripping at Midnight to influencing and growing an empire with my sister. Something about us Trae Way girls, we can do whatever we put our minds to and no one can get in our way,” Eden shared. “Welcome to the team. I’m looking forward to watching how you take off. One ask…”
“Whhaatt?” Remedy softly drew out.
“Let me feature you as the new CD, please?” Eden responded in the same tone Remedy used. “There’s a rack full of clothes for you to choose.”
