Sacked The Stylist

Prologue

In the heart of the Upper East Side, amidst the twinkling Manhattan skyline and the city's never-ending buzz, Kai Diamond was a man on a mission. His penthouse stood like a fortress of style, a sanctuary where fashion wasn't just worn, it was invented. Kai was a name the industry whispered, a stylist with a vision so bold it bordered on reckless. Draped in silk and surrounded by racks of couture, he was equal parts architect and alchemist, weaving dreams into fabric.

His penthouse gleamed with opulence. The polished hardwood floors reflected the floor-to-ceiling windows, which framed Manhattan in all its glittering glory. Cream-colored sofas begged for an editorial shoot, while art and photography covered the walls in a curated mix of chaos and class. Display cases housed rare, drool-worthy accessories, Hermès scarves, vintage Chanel purses, and diamond-studded stilettos from Valentino. But Kai's pride and joy was the wardrobe: a sleek, state-of-the-art monument to luxury, bursting with pieces that would make even the Met Gala jealous.

Tonight, though, his focus wasn't on the views or the art. It was on the outfits meticulously arranged before him. Kai ran his fingers over a silk scarf as his gaze darted across the array of custom suits, bold jackets, and luxurious gowns.

"Alright, Kai," he muttered, his tone equal parts pep talk and prayer. "NFL Gala. You're dressing half the league, and they're counting on you to have them looking like kings."

He laughed to himself, shaking his head. "Man, when did I become the stylist-slash-therapist for oversized dudes in cleats? And why do they need five outfits each? I'm out here working harder than their PR teams."

With a groan, he started packing. "Let's see... rookies need the drama. Electric blue Versace blazer? Check. Fendi sweater? Check. Gucci shorts? Hell yeah, because why not? These guys love a little flair. And for the vets? Classic elegance. Tom Ford tux? Perfect. Armani black-tie? Absolutely. Gotta sprinkle in some Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Burberry summer pieces too. What they don't wear, their girlfriends will. Trust."

Kai tossed the pieces into sleek duffel bags, muttering under his breath about how the NFL didn't understand the concept of traveling light. The pile of bags at the door grew comically large.

"Private jet or not, this is ridiculous," he grumbled. Then, with a smirk, he added, "Ain't no way I'm carrying all this. Somebody better call Hercules, 'cause I'm about to throw my back out."

As he zipped up the last bag, his travel detail buzzed from downstairs. "Yo, Diamond, your cars are here. You coming down, or you packing for a whole damn football team?"

Kai smirked, grabbing his phone. "Mind your business, Tony. Some of us gotta keep these millionaires looking fly. You think them paparazzi care about your UberXLs?"

"Nah, but they'd care if you ever made it on time. And what's up with all these bags? Every trip you act like you moving out. You ever heard of packing light?"

"Light?" Kai shot back. "Boy, I'm packing right. You ever seen a 6'5", 250-pound linebacker in a suit that don't fit? It's a public service. Plus, you never know when you need options."

Tony cackled through the speaker. "Options? Kai, you traveling like you Beyoncé. All you missing is the wind machine and a fan club."

Kai grinned as he wheeled the first duffel to the elevator. "Wind machine's on back order, but don't tempt me with the fan club. I got receipts for the last time I turned heads at JFK."

"Yeah, yeah. Just bring your diva self downstairs. Plane's waiting."

Kai chuckled, shaking his head. "You lucky you funny, Tony. Be there in a sec."

Before stepping into the elevator, he took one last look around his penthouse. Everything was in its place. The outfits were packed, the schedule planned, and the stakes higher than ever. He adjusted his scarf in the mirror, gave himself a wink, and muttered, "San Francisco, you ain't ready for me."

*** Mean while ***

Across the country, in San Francisco's posh Pacific Heights, Nathan Bucket woke to the soft glow of dawn spilling into his mansion. His home, a towering structure of glass and steel, sat perched on a hill, its panoramic views stretching from the Golden Gate Bridge to Alcatraz Island. It was the kind of house that screamed wealth and masculinity without breaking a sweat.

The master bedroom was no different—a sprawling, minimalist haven of sleek furniture and monochrome decor. Sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a golden halo over Nate's muscular frame. Even half-asleep, the man looked like he belonged on a magazine cover.

He stretched, his biceps flexing as he yawned. The brunette model next to him stirred slightly, her silhouette graceful against the rumpled white sheets. Nate glanced at her and smirked, a quiet satisfaction flickering across his face. Last night had been fun. But now, a new day awaited, and with it, new challenges.

Sliding out of bed, he padded across the cool hardwood floor to the window. The view was breathtaking, but Nate barely noticed. His mind was already on his next move. Life for Nathan Bucket was about maintaining the grind, whether it was on the field, in the gym, or at one of the exclusive galas that dotted his calendar.

As he reached for a glass of water, his phone buzzed on the nightstand. It was his assistant, reminding him of today's fittings for the gala. He rolled his eyes and muttered, "Damn, can't even take a day off without the world calling my name."

But if he was being honest, Nate loved the spotlight. And if the gala meant turning heads, then so be it. He smiled to himself. Time to make a statement.

Author's Note: Greetings reader, Sacked The Stylist and AKBOOKS LTD was temporarily down. During this time, I have reflected on the out come I would like to deliver in this story. Again the book is supposed to be rooted in current pop-culture events, which is one of the reasons I took a break. I personally do not agree with the ideals and values of some of the characters I am depicting, specifically when it comes to politics, but I believe that is what is going to make this novel to prolific and realistic. I hope you all enjoy the changes that will be made to previous chapters and the new chapters to come.