Jade entered her office building the next morning, fully expecting just another busy day in the whirlwind following her Vogue shoot. As she walked down the hall, something felt off. Strangely quiet, almost like the calm before a storm. She glanced around, catching glimpses of her coworkers hiding behind corners, their faces barely containing grins. It was suspicious enough to make her wonder what was happening.
Then, as she stepped through the doorway into her department, a chorus of voices shouted, "Surprise!" The room erupted with cheers, applause, and laughter as confetti cascaded from above. Jade's eyes widened, and she clamped a hand over her mouth, taking in the scene. Her entire team, a few friends from her modeling agency, and even a handful of close friends from outside work were all gathered, beaming with pride. Banners reading "Congratulations, Jade!" hung across the walls, and her Vogue cover was plastered across posters decorating nearly every surface.
"Oh my god," Jade gasped, her hand covering her mouth in shock. "You guys!"
"Did you think we'd let you reach this milestone without celebrating?" her manager teased, wrapping her in a warm hug.
Jade moved through the crowd, greeted by familiar faces congratulating her and sharing in her excitement. Everyone wanted to hear all about the Vogue shoot, their voices filled with pride and admiration. The love and encouragement reminded her of everyone who had supported her journey since the beginning, through the small victories and the big leaps.
Then she saw Brandon, standing with Emma a few steps away, holding a bouquet of her favorite white lilies and looking at her with an expression of pride and emotion that took her breath away. He stepped forward, handing her the flowers and pulling her into a tight hug.
"We're so proud of you, Jade," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
Jade stepped back to look at him, her heart swelling at the joy and pride in his eyes. Emma rushed forward, clutching a handmade card decorated with glitter and stickers, and handed it to her with a big smile.
"I made this for you, Mommy! It's for your special day!"
Jade knelt to take the card, her eyes misting as she opened it. Inside, in Emma's enthusiastic handwriting, was a simple message: "You're a star, Mommy! I love you so much." Jade hugged her tightly, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
As the party continued, Jade found herself surrounded by laughter and love. Many of Brandon's coworkers, both longtime friends and new acquaintances, came over to offer their congratulations. One of them, Jeff, who had worked with and is a longtime friend of Brandon's, gave her a hearty pat on the shoulder.
"I knew you'd make it, Jade. You're setting this industry on fire, and it's only the beginning."
Around them, everyone mingled, swapping stories and reminiscing, adding to the warmth of the celebration. The team had even ordered a massive cake with an edible image of her Vogue cover, and as Jade cut into it, another round of cheers and applause erupted. Cameras flashed, capturing every joyful moment, and Jade couldn't stop smiling, feeling overwhelmed with appreciation and love.
Toward the end of the afternoon, Jade found herself standing by the window with Brandon, taking a quiet moment together. He handed her a glass of sparkling water, his knowing smile sending a comforting warmth through her.
He leaned in close, his voice soft. "I told you you'd get here, Jade. A Vogue cover girl, celebrated by everyone who loves you. And this is just the start."
Jade felt a surge of emotion, realizing how much she'd achieved with his support, and with Emma's love. This success, the warmth in the room, and the bond she shared with her family made every struggle worth it. She felt like this was the beginning of an incredible journey, not only in her career but in the life she was building with the people she loved most.
