“Alicia’s looking for you. Said I’d bring her to your room.”
“Thanks, man. Alicia, come here, honey,” Oliver ordered as he ran a hand through his hair.
“If you’re entertaining, I can call an Uber,” I murmured as Kent laughed and strode away.
“Here, babe, now.”
I walked obediently over, and Oliver hauled me in tight to his side.
“Look, if I’m disturbing you—”
“Shush, Alicia. You’re not doing anything of the sort. To be honest, I’m sick of the women down there. They’re not what I’m looking for.”
“What is?” I asked, holding his gaze.
Oliver smiled and ran his finger down my cheek. “You are.”
Oliver – three years later.
Alicia walked up the aisle, and I grinned. She was gorgeous—and mine. Alicia was literally glowing, and the comments people were making puffed me up. Everyone was saying how beautiful she looked and how in love we were. The compliments about Alicia’s beauty reflected on my choice and taste.
Three months ago, I graduated with top marks and got the degree I needed. I was now learning the business, which, honestly, wasn’t doing great under Dad. He wasn’t a shark, and I was. Alicia finished college a year ago, bought our house, and had been working for a designer, creating a home.
I’d slipped an engagement ring on Alicia’s finger at her graduation, and Alicia had accepted. Everything was falling into place, and my life was looking freaking perfect. Today was the start of our future together, and I couldn’t wait. Dad washanding over Eliganz, and I’d huge plans for the shops. With Alicia by my side, I was unstoppable. Happily, I reached out and took Alicia’s hand as she stopped beside me.
“Love you.”
“Love you too,” she replied.
It had been hard work to get Alicia to trust me. And sometimes I hadn’t thought we’d make it, but we had. Today was a culmination of loving Alicia since we were sixteen. Five years we’d been a couple, and we were on the up. Nothing would stop us; I’d not let it. My girl would rule the world.
Four years later.
“Wear something nice but not flashy,” I ordered Alicia.
Alicia nodded as she twisted her fingers together.
“We need this, Alicia. I’ve worked hard to get Eliganz where it is. If I can secure Sinclair’s investment, then Eliganz can expand as I want.”
“Sorry, I’m nervous. Oliver, how do I speak to them? The wives are famous in their own right,” Alicia replied.
“Yeah, but you’ll impress them. You’re perfect,” I said, kissing Alicia’s forehead.
Alicia had struggled with fitting into the life we’d created. She’d had to ditch her wilder ways and learn decorum. That hadn’t been easy, but Alicia had succeeded in taming herself. Now, Alicia looked, acted, and dressed the part of an up-and-coming businessman’s wife.
She’d quit designing clothes two years back, after it became obvious that her career clashed with mine. I’d not forced the issue. Alicia had made the choice. With a few hints, Alicia had realised I needed support, and she’d given it freely.
Alicia hadn’t complained as she walked at my side. She kept the house neat and tidy, took some cooking lessons, and was wonderful. While my business life could be chaotic, working from seven to eight, six days a week, my home life was idyllic. I’d grown Eliganz through hard work and sweat, achieving many new shop openings. Eliganz now boasted a store in the capital city of every state. That had been a grind. Sometimes I thought I wouldn’t make it, wouldn’t gain the success I deserved. During those times, Alicia would soothe my doubts and let me find comfort in her body.
I’d worked damn hard growing Eliganz, and if I secured investment from Aaron Sinclair, I’d make my dreams come true quicker. Recently we’d moved into a new house. It was much bigger than our previous two and made a statement. The owner of Eliganz needed it as a status symbol. Sinclair’s mansion screamed wealth and prosperity. The furnishings were expensive and ultramodern. My entire life was perfect, but there was always room for improvement. If I got Sinclair’s interest, it would advance my long-term plans by five years.
Tonight’s dinner party was vital. I ranked third in the industry; I wanted to be first. Eliganz sold quality clothing for the middle class upwards. Ripped jeans and tie-dyed tees were not welcome on Eliganz’s shelves. Not unless they had a designer name on the tag. That was my aim. Grab a designer’s attention and have them work solely for me; it was unheard of, but I believed I could secure someone.
Most designers spread out amongst retailers or opened their own chain. I was looking to buck the trend. The dream was to have an in-demand top fashion designer and to have only my shops stock their lines. An exclusive which would bring in loads of business. I knew what I wanted, and I’d get it.
There were two chains above Eliganz: Chic Dreams and Zade. Zade was the one to beat. Slowly, I was closing in on them.
“How’s this?” Alicia asked, distracting me from my thoughts.
