𝐀 L͟e͟s͟s͟o͟n͟ 𝐈𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞

Twenty One

Dakota and Tyra stood in the neat and spacious enclosure that stood as the Sports Wear display area for Tiana's collection of gym wear and smiled delightfully at their efforts. 

"I think this deserves coffee and glazed scones don't you," said the stylish woman with the dark brown and gold ombre braids falling to her hips in fine invisible plaits.

Tyra turned and smiled at her fondly as she nod her head in agreement. For the past few hours, they and the other two sales representatives of TWest Fitness Apparel were busy fixing the three areas of clothing and footwear that the store would be selling for the upcoming summer.

The variety of styles, colors, and custom designs was amazing. Tyra had found herself already creating designs in her head that would fit well together on the mannequins they would place at the display windows.

Dakota had informed they would be unveiled on Saturday the beginning of a weekend sales that was to usher in potential customers as well as set off the promotion of the new apparels. And from there the manequins will be fitted twice during the week with styles created by them.

She was overly excited and more so that Dokota had implemented her ideas and input in what was to unfold in the coming days.

She had not in the million times she had gone through in her head coming to America it was going to be like this. She had thought she would have to constantly prove herself but here she was offering her ideas and having them implemented with preciseness and respect.

For a minute she felt the past swoop down on her and the secret that she held inside threaten to overwhelm her and she took a deep breath to calm herself.

She had to live in the now and besides June did promise her she was going to ensure it all worked out for the best. 

She was not going to let her fears get in her way of claiming her future and it started here and now in her present. 

Dakota who was busy clapping her hands in excitement as she looked around at the rotating display racks all sporting back and front full-length mirrors beside them to allow customers to view their choice outfits was a delightful sight to behold and she pushed her worries aside and give in to the joy of their accomplishments.

"Before we get coffee and scones let's see how Elise and Ffloyd are doing in the Foot Wear Department. I am s—"

A loud crash sent her words dying on her lips and her eyes widening as she look from Tyra and back to where the sounds can be heard.

"What the hell?!"

Before she and Tyra could move to investigate a frustrated and pissed Terrence barged in his camera pummelling the air as he shouted.

"How the hell am I to work with those crap you call mannequins, they keep falling apart?!"

Dakota stared at Terrence who marched up to her his face beet red. 

"Tell Miss West this is preposterous!" he barked and walk back to the door that lead to where he was working on getting the photos for the display windows.

Dakota followed behind the furious man her mind working on ways to ease him into calming down had her other staff trailing behind curious and concerned as to what was going to happen. 

They all stared at the infuriated lanky black man with his copper red mohawk reflecting the nature of his anger and the woman who stood there hoping to get the situation under control.

"Please calm down this is just a minor setback—"

"Minor?!" he asked with a dramatic raise of a perfectly arched brow. "Surely two hours of spending most of the shoot trying to keep these stupid contraptions up is not minor," he said glaring at the woman who was trying to make a way out of the disaster that was unfolding.

"Am sure if we…" she said moving to the haphazard mannequin on the floor and trying to fit the hand back in place. 

Terrence who was glaring at her made an annoyed guttural sound as the hand promptly fell back to the ground.

"Am through with this. I came here to work not play doll house with frumpy mannequins," he said reaching for his camera case.

"Please Terrenc—"

"Would you stay if you have live models instead of the mannequins?" Tyra said cutting in and moving to stand in front of Dakota who was showing signs of becoming frustrated.

"Continue," he said placing the case where it was before and turning his attention to her.

Tyra told him what she had in mind and turning to Dakota she said. "As soon as the shots are complete we can get them on huge collages and place them on easels to view at the display windows."

"Yes, so where are my models?" he asked looking at the persons around him before his eyes came to rest on Tyra.

There was a look in his eyes that said he was interested in the idea but when his eyes twinkled as he looked at Tyra and she realized he was considering her she backed away shaking her hands in denial.

"Come on Tyra surely you can't let us down," Dakota said pulling her forward. 

"I ca…can't," she stammered as the thoughts of her scars surfaced. "It was just a suggestion so as not to get behind on the showcasing of the new sportswear."

"And a splendid idea it is," Dakota beamed pulling her into a hug. 

"Please let Elise do it," Tyra said pulling away as she stared at the blonde woman standing beside Ffloyd.

"Let me tell you what I'll call Kessa," Dakota said already moving to leave the room. "I am sure she'll be happy to work with you on this. You two will be the perfect models for this."

"Dakota!"

Tyra watch as the other woman waved her off her mind totally wrapped around the new idea that would make sure they got everything in place for the weekend. 

"Hey relax," Elise said coming to stand by her. "You saved us all from the Ice Queen and the drama that would enfold if we did not come through on this."

Ffloyd who was known for his ability to side with everything Elise said smiled broadly at her. Yes, relax I think you'll do our display window the proper justice, Tyra."

Tyra realizing it was all out of her hands stood there looking at Terrence who was gayly whistling as he looked at the racks containing the sportswear for the photoshoot before turning to her and holding up a tie and dye spandex long-sleeve crop top with matching leggings.

"Elise, get her prepped until Dakota gets back. I need these photos—"

Tyra was lost to all that was happening until she felt a hand pull her towards an empty chair and her face was gripped beneath fingers ready to set the pace on go.

There was also another matter….her penis.

She rose from the chair determined to get out of modeling when Dakota walked in grinning like she just won a jackpot.

"Yes and sure take him along, yes that would be delightful. No problem telling Tiana would help us out a lot… let's say the next half an hour. Yes, Thanks Kessa. I owe you."

Tyra gave up all reason to not participate in the photo shoot as she watch Ffloyd, Elise, and Dakota scream in excitement.  She was once again pushed to the chair with her face once again Ffloyds canvas under Terrence's tutelage.

She only hope that today would be worth it. She had come to America under June's instructions but she had only her intention in mind.