It wasn't at first sight

Chapter 82

A few Christmas and New Year's celebrations, some family vacations, way too many walks to the park with Chocolate, hundreds of passionate nights, plus a couple of Caleb-banished-to-the-couch ones, lots of laughter, some tears, and thousands of Haleb kisses later...

Backstage, Hanna sits upright as a crew member clips a mic onto the collar of her dress.

TV Producer "How are you feeling, Hanna?" The woman asks kindly as the other crew member steps away.

Hanna "I'm doing my best to play it cool, but..." She flashes a nervous smile. "I'm freaking out inside." A small chuckle escapes her.

TV Producer grins. "Oh, really? I thought you'd done this before."

Hanna "Yeah... just not on freaking national TV." She lets out another laugh, but it does nothing to mask the nerves creeping in.

The producer reassures her with a nod before pressing a finger to her earpiece. "Hanna Marin's ready."

Within seconds, Hanna hears the TV host introducing her. It feels like a million butterflies having a freaking nuclear war in her stomach. She takes deep breaths, trying to calm her anxiety.

TV Host (from the stage). "We have an absolute icon with us today! One of the most sought-after designers in the industry, the creative genius behind some of the most stunning red-carpet looks... Please welcome, Hanna Marin!"

With the audience's applause filling the studio, Hanna takes another breath, then finally steps forward, her heart racing. She walks onto the set like a pro, like she's a supermodel working a runway, but in her head, it feels more like she's floating than actually walking.

The host, Leonor Vaughn, a striking woman with sleek, jet-black hair and an effortlessly cool energy, meets her with a warm smile.

Leonor "Hanna! You look incredible. Welcome!"

Hanna leans in for a quick hug before settling into the plush armchair across from her.

Hanna "Thank you! I'm doing my best to hold it together, but I won't lie... I'm kind of losing it." She exhales a quiet laugh.

Leonor grins. "Oh, come on! I thought you were a pro at this by now."

Hanna "Yeah... just not this." She gestures vaguely, still adjusting to the bright lights and cameras. "National TV is a whole different beast."

Leonor "You've got this." She reassures her, flashing a wink before turning back to the cameras. "Alright, let's get into it. Your designs have taken over Hollywood. Everyone is wearing Hanna Marin. Did you ever imagine this level of success when you first started?"

Hanna swallows, steadying herself. Here we go, she thinks. "Not in a million years." She laughs. "I started in my mom's basement with just my sewing machine and my boyfriend handling the website where I first put my dresses up for sale. It took days before I made my first sale. I was freaking out, but my mom and my boyfriend—now my husband—believed in me the whole time. So, no, I definitely didn't see this coming." She grins.

Leonor "And now, you're dressing everyone from A-list actresses to music and TV stars, even pop culture icons. What do you think it is about your designs that makes people fall in love with them?"

Hanna pauses for a moment, not because she doesn't know the answer, but because she doesn't want to sound stuck-up. "They're perfect." She laughs, immediately realizing that if she was trying not to sound full of herself, that probably wasn't the best start. "Okay, that sounded bad. Let me explain." She leans forward slightly. "From the moment I start sketching a new design, I want it to be perfect, and I don't stop working on it until I feel there's nothing I could've done better. And it's not just me. Everyone on my team has that same mindset. We use the best materials, our seamstresses are insanely talented and passionate, and we pay attention to every single detail. When I pick up a finished dress and I love it so much that I want to keep it for myself? That's when I know it's ready. If I don't feel that way, it doesn't make it to my store until it's flawless."