Self-Seeker

Tyler

Spotlights were angled at the long stretch of stage, made into a runway for the show. Seats had been placed in the surrounding area for when it was time to begin. The room was full of people, some who he commonly saw at the high-class parties he would often attend. They would make light conversation every now and then, asking him how his business was going and such.

Some prodded into his personal life, very much aware that his wife was absent from his side tonight. Each received the same answer with a false, but convincing, smile - the married life was treating him well; Jazmine was fine and away on business; no, they weren't planning on reproducing anytime soon. Tyler wanted nothing more than to find his date for the night, so he could escape any further interrogation from the nosy elites.

Finally managing to spot her, he strode towards the woman in the centre of the room. She wore a turquoise evening gown with a cut-out on either side of her waist. It was long-sleeved with flared cuffs, the type of dress one would expect her to wear. Modest and simple, yet so fierce. It was an uncanny feeling to be on good terms with her, after such a long time of being at each other's throats. Seeing as it had already been an hour since his arrival, he decided it was past time he made his presence known to her.

As Tyler neared the small gathering of people she conversed with, she caught a glimpse of him from the corner of her eyes. He saw as she excused herself politely before meeting him with a couple of steps. Her mouth stretched into a smile as she took in his appearance.

The bold colour of her dress brought out the aqua eyes his best friend found so entrancing - he could now see why. She was a very beautiful woman, much like his wife. He knew they weren't related by blood, but their features somehow held similarities. Every time he looked at her, it reminded him of what he had now lost. The woman he loved was gone, and he wasn't sure if she would ever return.

"You scrub up nicely. Now, are you certain that you want to do this?" Genesis asked, bringing him out of his thoughts.

"Well, for the first time I would rather it be you, than your sister." He remarked. Tyler offered her his arm, to which she wrapped her perfectly manicured hand around. She gave his bicep a reassuring squeeze.

"Come, let us sit. The show will start any time now." She announced.

***

A round of applause sounded as the first half of the show came to an end. Everyone stood, clapping with awe at the astounding garments Genesis' boutique had produced. Tyler had to say, he was overly impressed. He knew that his sister-in-law had an eye for detail but the outfits that had just been presented before him were unlike anything he had ever seen. It was evident that hard work, precious time and a lot of money had been invested into the making of them.

He was glad that he was able to be there for Genesis at such a monumental event in her life. The show would give Harmonie's Garments the recognition it deserved and much more for a boutique that had only been set up merely two years ago. In the fashion industry, it would usually take a lot longer for a new franchise to be as renowned and successful as Genesis' was.

Tyler escorted Genesis away from the large crowd, he selected two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter's tray and offered one to her.

"To a night of success and celebration for Harmonie's Garments." Tyler said, raising his glass and clinking it against his dates. She chuckled, rolling her eyes.

"I'm not sure if there's anything to celebrate just yet. We still have the second half of the show, who knows whether the critiques will appreciate it." Genesis replied. It was just like her to have a glass-half-empty mind-set, he thought.

"They'll like it, believe me. You have nothing to worry about." He insisted.

He watched as Genesis' eyes flickered over his shoulder, but they were back on him within the second, so he didn't think anything of it.