Permanent Ink [PUBLISHED]

t h r e e

Heaven.

I have died and enter through the pearly gates of fashion heaven.

My eyes flicker around the reception desk of Cavloretta Couture, taking in the pastel blue palette of the decor, the framed sketches of designs, the immaculate grey marbling of the floors, the detailed crown molding, and the walls, oh these walls; textured with an alabaster glimmer. I almost fan myself. I'm having a visual orgasm and, oh my God, it feels so fucking good. Now, this is an office. This is a house of creativity. Of luxury. Of hope!

"Miss?" Micah, the receptionist says again. "Your name please."

"Sorry! It's just so ethereal in here." I take a deep breath, a familiar scent filling my lungs. "Why does it smell like Chanel?" I whisper.

Micah smirks, gesturing to the hour-glass infuser on the desk. "Because it is."

I let out a soft squeal. "How is that even possible?"

"I have my ways." Micah lets out a quiet laugh. "What was your name again?"

I shake my head. "Right, sorry. It's Cassie Carrington. I have a meeting with Ms. Simmons at 10 am."

"Okay, let's see what we have here," Micah hums, typing on the computer. "Ah, yes, here we are, Cassie Carrington." His eyes widen. "Oh! You're our new Creative Director! How exciting!"

"Potential Creative Director," I correct him, tucking a stray hair behind my ear. With the amount of hairspray I used this morning, this should not be happening. "Nothing's official yet."

Micah waves me off. "You were headhunted, Cassie. It's official. You just need to sign on the dotted lines." He gets up from his chair and walks around the desk, dusting off his asymmetrical blazer with zigzagged lapels. "Follow me, Yasmin's office is just down this way."

"I absolutely adore your blazer," I muse, following him down the halls. "It's so unique. Where'd you get it?"

Micah whips his head around his shoulder, a proud smile on his face. "I designed it myself! My final project last semester."

"What? You designed that?" I exclaim. I can barely sew up a small hole. "It's beautiful! Oh my God, you're so talented."

"Yeah? I can make one for you if you'd like?" he offers, a wide grin on his face. "Just pop by my desk anytime and we'll talk patterns."

Definitely heaven.

"You don't need to ask me twice, I'll be there!" I say, goosebumps manifesting all over my body.

This is it. This is where I'm supposed to work. It feels right. God, I wished I didn't waste years of my life at a job that didn't make my heart race. If I wake up every morning and I'm half as happy as I am right now, I'll consider myself lucky.