Masks

Epilogue

  "Th-This is amazing! You finished the next three designs in less than two nights?"

  "It's nothing special, really. Inspiration's been hitting me a lot lately, I guess."

  "I'll inform the manager right away, so you can get these manufactured."

  "Thank you, I appreciate it."

  The woman sat in her office on the third floor, admiring the view of the busy city laid out in front of her.

  ~~~

  Paris was shining, as always. No matter the day, month, season or year, the aura of life had always been present in the bustling streets. Whether it be men and women going to work, or friends meeting at a cafe, the the city radiated an energy no one could very well describe.

  The woman had only been working for a little less than a year. She applied to a company a few months out of university, leaving her interviewer amazed at her skill as well as her past experiences with the industry, and was accepted on the spot. She now had been happily working in the company for just under ten months.

  Like every morning, she walked to the train station from her meek house in the suburbs. After a short ride of six stops, she walks to her office near the heart of the city. It was only a small company that had its business running for less than four years, but she thought it would serve her the perfect experience to master her skills. After all, she had a long way to go before she could truly get her name out to the world again. Although her fellow co-workers, some who have been working in the office since it first opened, would often say otherwise and come to her for advice on their own affairs. As shy as she always had been, she was always flattered by them, hiding a red face whenever she was complimented.

  It was small things like these that made her nearly forget about her past as a child. The only reason why she couldn't forget it was because a part of it was what had encouraged her to work in the fashion business in the first place.

  Even though she still pities her young self for having to go through the events in her past, she no longer thinks of it as a burden. Rather, it was a key part that made her how she is now.

  She clearly remembered the person who had been able to teach her such a fundamental point. Her busy schedule had only gotten worse as each year passed, which was the only thing that had been stopping her from going to visit him again after her twelfth year. Nonetheless, she never failed to call him to talk about her day's events, as well as to listen to his adventures in the small town he lived in.

  Sometimes, to recall their initial way of communication, they'd send each other letters. Not that they didn't want to hear the other's voice, but rather to communicate things they were too embarrassed to say out loud. They haven't talked in person for over five years, so they were both quite timid when they called each other sometimes. They both appreciated letters, and would always eagerly respond to them as soon as possible instead of talking over the phone. Even if he wasn't physically in front of her, she had never felt alone whenever they talked, wrote, or when he was in her thoughts.

  Her best friend, her first friend, and love.

   ~~~

  "The manager said your schedule's clear for today." Her assistant informed. "She said you could leave after noon if you really wanted to. Unless you're willing to work ahead again."

  "No thanks, I think I'll take a breather." Violet smiled, packing up her things. "It's rare for me to get rest days like this. Perhaps I'll go around town."

  "Well, I still have a few things to take care of, so I'll see you again tomorrow morning, Miss Chatelain."

  She left the building and walked to a small cafe in one of the quieter parts of downtown, one she commonly went to for her favorite drink. It wasn't a popular one, but she enjoyed sitting alone to concentrate on her drawings sometimes. Even though she said so, she wasn't exactly taking a break from her job. She couldn't help it when drawing designs always calmed her down.