SCARLET MEETS MILA

23

With a few moments of agonised waiting, Scarlet returns after her shower and gives in to what I can only describe as weeks worth of pent up tension. I have to say, I'm grateful for the breakthrough, but no amount of patience could have led me to wait anymore.

Now, sitting in her office finalising the plans, we both seem to be happy. "I think it's brilliant." She smiles, signing the bottom of one of the documents. I smile back, sighing a breath of relief. "The media will love it."

"I don't really care about the media." I admit. "I just wanted to do something different, you know?"

"It's different alright." She chuckles, handing back the document with a proud expression. "I didn't think I'd be needing to cut extra pay checks this month, but hey, I'm not mad."

I curve my brow and smirk. "Put your purse away."

"A deal is a deal, baby."

"And we're the ones in control. Relax." I reassure. "They'll get over it."

Scarlet lifts from her chair and reaches for the sketch pinned to the wall. "This will be the fresh take we've been needing." She sighs. "After the whole stripper situation, we need a little light on the stage."

I shake my head and join her, running my fingertips over the picture. "I agree. Though, I'm hoping we can keep up the mixture of tension."

She turns to me with a worried expression. "You don't have anymore skeletons in the closet, do you?"

"No!" I laugh. "That was the last one. I just mean- well, I don't know?" I pause to muse. "They ate it up? What if we covered some darker themes, you know?"

She presses her lips together and sucks in a deep breath. "I've never really-

"Scarlet." I turn to face her seriously. "You've been through a lot, and so have I? What's the harm in shedding light instead of burying things?"

"I don't know?" She pulls away and looks out toward the window. "It feels a little risky, don't you think?"

I shake my head and shrug. "You've been doing this for years, Scar." I begin. "You should have confidence that you're well received no matter what. I mean, at this point in your career, anything you do, they'll deem it as a success."

"I guess." She leans back against her desk. "I just don't want to offend anyone."

"So what if you do?" I ask. "The world needs to be exposed to real life. Fashion is a power tool for knowledge. Use it!"

The flicker of a smirk pulls at her lips. "I'll think about it."

"Good. Now, sign the rest of those documents so I can get Ember to start prepping."

"Yes ma'am." She winks, returning to her seat with a satisfied smile. "Right away."

—

Right away seemed far too imminent. Now, on the evening of the campaign, imminent is a word that crushes my chest and pulverises my soul. I'm proud of my creation, but nothing in this world will ever take away the anticipation of what is soon to come.

I take a deep breath as I tilt my head to the side, hoping to find the missing stitch on Marley's dress. Thankfully, I do, fixing it as quick as is humanly possible given the time constraints of the looming curtain call.

I want this to be perfect, for me, and for Scarlet. It doesn't take an idiot to realise that the Ramirez brand has had its fair share of problems lately. Right now, I'm adamant not to add to them. Scarlet tells me I'm worrying too much, but I know in my heart that even the slightest mishap will derail our last campaign.