Women in Love | A Winrina Romance

A Chance Invitation

It had been a few days since the fashion show and the after-party, but Karina still couldn't get Winter out of her mind. That brief encounter on the balcony had left her restless, replaying their conversation over and over. The way Winter had spoken about control, about missing out on something real—it was a sentiment Karina understood all too well. Despite her fame and success, she often felt like something was missing, a piece of her life she couldn't quite grasp. And Winter seemed to feel the same way.

Karina had hoped Winter might reach out after the party, perhaps to continue their conversation. But so far, there had been nothing. She tried not to be disappointed. After all, Winter was busy with her fashion brand, constantly traveling and networking. It wasn't surprising that she hadn't had time to contact Karina. Still, Karina couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment every time her phone buzzed and it wasn't Winter.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Sejin's voice calling her name. Karina looked up to see her manager standing in the doorway of the studio, a grin spreading across her face.

"Karina, guess what? Winter's team just called," Sejin said, excitement evident in her voice. "They want to collaborate with you for their new fashion campaign! Isn't that amazing?"

Karina's heart skipped a beat. "A collaboration? With Winter Design? That's incredible!" She tried to keep her voice steady, even though excitement was bubbling up inside her.

Sejin nodded. "Yes, it's for their upcoming collection. They want you as the face of the campaign. Apparently, Winter herself suggested it after the show. This could be a huge opportunity for you, Karina. Winter's brand is one of the biggest in the world. If this goes well, it could open so many doors."

Karina couldn't help but smile, a warm feeling spreading through her chest. "Did they say when they want to start?"

Sejin checked her phone. "They're planning a photo shoot in a couple of days. They want to go over some details and do a fitting tomorrow afternoon. I'll clear your schedule."

Karina nodded, trying to contain her excitement. "Perfect. I'll be ready."

As Sejin left the room, Karina's thoughts drifted back to Winter. She wondered if she would see her at the fitting, if they would have another moment like the one on the balcony. The thought sent a thrill through her. She wasn't sure what it was about Winter that drew her in—maybe it was her confidence, her mystery, or the way she seemed to understand Karina in a way few people did. Whatever it was, Karina wanted to explore it further.

---

The next afternoon, Karina arrived at Winter's studio, a sleek, modern building in the heart of Seoul. The lobby was filled with fashion assistants rushing around, models flipping through magazines, and designers poring over sketches. Karina felt a rush of excitement as she took it all in. This was Winter's world—fast-paced, glamorous, full of creativity. She wondered what it would be like to be a part of it.

"Karina, welcome!" A woman with a clipboard approached her, smiling brightly. "I'm Hana, Winter's assistant. We're so glad you're here. Please follow me—we'll start with a fitting."

Karina followed Hana down a long hallway lined with photographs from Winter's past collections. Each image was a work of art, showcasing Winter's impeccable style and vision. As they entered a spacious fitting room, Karina spotted several racks of clothing, each piece more beautiful than the last.

"We've selected a few outfits for you to try on," Hana explained. "Winter personally chose them. She has a keen eye for what suits people."

Karina nodded, feeling a flutter of nerves. The idea that Winter had picked these clothes specifically for her made her heart beat faster. She moved to the rack, running her fingers over the fabrics—silk, velvet, leather, all exquisitely made.

As Karina tried on the first outfit, a soft knock sounded at the door. Hana opened it, and Karina's breath caught as Winter stepped into the room. She was dressed in a simple yet elegant black blouse and trousers, her hair pulled back in a low ponytail. Her eyes immediately found Karina, and a smile played at the corners of her lips.

"Hello, Karina," Winter said, her voice smooth as ever. "I hope you don't mind—I thought I'd stop by to see how the fitting was going."

Karina smiled back, trying to ignore the fluttering in her stomach. "Of course not. It's your collection, after all. I'm just honored to be a part of it."

Winter's eyes swept over Karina, taking in the outfit she was wearing—a sleek, tailored suit with a cinched waist that accentuated her figure. "That looks perfect on you," Winter said, her gaze appreciative. "It's exactly what I envisioned. You have a way of bringing the clothes to life."

Karina felt a blush creeping up her cheeks. "Thank you. Your designs are incredible. It's easy to feel confident in them."

Winter moved closer, examining the fit of the jacket. "I think we should make a few adjustments here," she said, her fingers lightly brushing Karina's shoulder. The touch was brief, but it sent a spark through Karina's skin. "But otherwise, it's perfect."

Karina nodded, her pulse quickening. "I'm really excited about this collaboration, Winter. I've always admired your work. And after meeting you, I feel even more inspired."

Winter's eyes met hers, a flicker of something unreadable passing through them. "I'm glad to hear that, Karina. I've been looking forward to this too. You have a presence that's hard to find. It's rare to meet someone who understands the importance of both art and authenticity."

There it was again—that connection, that unspoken understanding. Karina felt drawn to Winter, like a moth to a flame. She wanted to know more about her, to peel back the layers and see the person underneath.

As the fitting continued, Winter stayed nearby, offering suggestions and making adjustments. The conversation flowed easily between them, a mix of fashion talk, shared experiences, and light banter. Karina found herself laughing more than she had in a long time, enjoying the ease with which they communicated.

When the fitting finally ended, Karina felt a pang of disappointment. She didn't want the afternoon to end, didn't want to leave Winter's side just yet. As if reading her thoughts, Winter turned to her, a thoughtful expression on her face.

"Karina, would you like to have dinner with me tonight?" Winter asked, her tone casual but her eyes intent. "I know a quiet place not far from here. We could talk more, away from all this," she gestured to the bustling studio around them.

Karina's heart skipped a beat. "I'd love to," she said, unable to hide her smile. "That sounds perfect."

Winter's smile mirrored her own. "Great. I'll have my driver take us there after we finish up here."

As Karina watched Winter walk away, her heart swelled with anticipation. She couldn't remember the last time she had looked forward to something this much. The day had been a blur of excitement and possibility, and now, with the promise of dinner, she felt like she was standing on the edge of something new and wonderful.

Maybe, just maybe, this was the beginning of a story worth telling.