Curvy Desires

Chapter 3

Kevi

After a particularly hard morning I started preparing for my midday appointment I smiled as I saw the name on my diary. Out of my clientele I met truly inspiring women who seemed pleased to find a store where clothes actually fit and the shop assistants didn’t make them feel like whales or snob them.

It also meant I got clients who appreciated my work so much and who truly felt that they had found the place to shop and order dresses for special days like any other woman. And I, in turn got customers who felt beautiful and special in my dresses. Among my dresses my favorite to design were wedding gowns.

I hated the thought of plus sized and curvy women having to settle for horrible dresses because they were the only ones that fit them. I had made wedding gowns for brides who were almost in tears because they couldn’t have their dream wedding. I smiled again as I looked at my book. The name on my list was Olympia Koures.

I really liked her she was down to earth, funny and kind. It was not a normal occurrence for me to get clients from such a renowned family my impression of women from her social circles was a bit jaded. Most of them are so stick thin and flawless, the few times some of them wandered into my shop I almost had to restrain myself from punching them.

They always had horrible comments about the size of my dresses. But not Olympia she had completely broken the cliché, first of all she wasn’t a self-absorbed person, she wasn’t stick thin and actually had curves and she seemed excited and honored to meet me.

So far she was the best client I had ever had. She actually kicked the groom’s cousin of the bridal team because she insulted my designs. It was a really bold move only a true friend would do. I was worried when her fiancé came in a few minutes later thinking I had a caused a rift between the couple.

However he was more concerned about her distress of finding a new bridesmaid on short notice and trying to placate my hurt feelings. He was such a gentleman and complimented me about my designs. I wish I had a man who would put me first like he did to her.

This was one of her final visits as her wedding was happening soon. I was sad to see her go however she assured me that she would shop only at my shop from now on. I was really honored she said that. Lost in my thoughts I failed to hear that someone had entered the shop until I heard someone clearing their throat.

I turned around and blinked once, twice, thrice. Yet my vision still remained the same. In front of me stood the most handsome man I had ever seen. He had dark hair and a nice chiseled to perfection face. His body looked great and I had never seen a man looking so good in a suit. He had muscles but didn’t look like he was a gym addict.

His whole appearance screamed wealth and power. I was able to recognize the designer suit and shoes. I looked at his face and froze again, his eyes. They were a shocking electric blue that captivated me. I felt as if he was looking straight into my soul. Stop being ridiculous, I chastised myself he must think I’m an i***t. He’s been standing here for some minutes and I’ve said nothing and stared at him without saying anything. “Hello, how can I help you?”

“Yes, I’m Aristide Koures.”

The name rang a bell but I couldn’t remember from where. Wait, did he just say Koures that means he’s Olympia’s…

“Olympia’s older brother.” He continued taking the words from my mouth.

“Well it’s nice to meet you.” I said. “Likewise” he replied. “Where’s Olympia, I thought she would be here unless you want to try on the dress for her?” I tried to make a joke but ended up laughing weirdly due to nervousness. Great now he thinks I’m an i***t, it doesn’t matter anyway it’s not as if he’d notice me. At least not as a woman he can date.

I remember seeing his name in today’s gossip magazine. Front page of the magazine no less. A picture of him and a Victoria secret model. ‘Yeah, like any guy who dates models is going to look at you twice.’ A sarcastic voice in my head said.

It was becoming awkward just standing without saying anything and I was about to offer him a seat when Olympia entered. “Kevi,” she said excitedly “I see you have met my brother, Aristide, he’s going to be involved in the wedding planning isn’t that exciting?” She finished. I internally groaned that means I was going to be seeing more of him.

I don’t think I could take more of his presence, my poor legs almost collapsed when he smiled at me. At this rate he’ll make me a cripple before the wedding is over. I guess it’s good he’d never see me as a woman he could ever be interested in. Which is good, I told myself an insecure woman like me needs a safe, normal man not someone who women would always chase after.

I have enough self-esteem issues without having to look over my shoulder every time I’m with my boyfriend to make sure he’s still interested in me and fend off female admirers. Besides a man like that would probably demand I lose weight before being seen in public with me. Or demand I look beautiful all the time, I just couldn’t see us together.

I pulled myself out of my thoughts as I saw Olympia pointing at a rack of evening dresses. What was wrong with me? I’m acting like he proposed, he didn’t even spare me a second glance. I quickly cleared my head of all those thoughts of Aristide though it was a little hard with him standing near me.

“So Olympia, the fitting for the gown isn’t until next week so I’m guessing you’re here for something else. “You’re right, I came here to look for a gown for the rehearsal dinner.” “Well do you have anything specific in mind” I asked. I smiled a little to myself, of course she did. Olympia was a woman who knew what she wanted and always had a way of specifying on the type of clothing she wanted.

Working with her was easy, because even though she knew what she wanted she was not opposed to my views. “Well, it should be either white, royal blue or gold. Because those are the colors we’re using for the wedding decorations. It should have some sort of cape at the back like Elsa’s dress from frozen. In fact you can design in the same way the slit at the side a sort separation of the top from the bottom and the sleeves should be long. I was thinking the sleeves and the top bodice should be different from the skirt. The material used there should be sheer and shiny but not transparent. Maybe put an under layer of material there. Anything along that line should be good.”

She paused as if remembering something, then she continued. “What do you think Aristide, any ideas?” At this we both turned to looked at him, I had to bite back my tongue to keep from laughing. Aristide looked completely lost as if we were speaking a foreign language and not English.

“Wow,” he shook his head as if coming out of a daze. “I never knew that it took such skill and understanding to design a clothes well at least female clothes. I can barely tell you anything about the suit I’m wearing except its color and measurement and maybe the brand, nothing else.”

He suddenly looked at me with some sort of awe and new found respect in his eyes. “I’ve always thought fashion was easy it just meant keeping up with the trends. Even if it means starving yourself just to fit into ridiculous clothes that were in season. At least that what I’ve gathered from my encounter with the people in the fashion industry I’ve met.

I guess there’s a vast difference between designing clothes and being a model that only show cases the dresses.” He said, then he looked at me again with that look of awe and wonder. Be still my shaking legs, I reprimanded myself there’s no way he would like you. There was a pause of silence after his statement until Olympia suddenly exclaimed that they had to go and handle some other things for the wedding.

I nearly gave a sign of relief honestly I didn’t think I could handle any more of his intense looks and overwhelming presence. Unfortunately for me I spoke to soon, Olympia gave me a warm hug before she left. But Aristide took my hand in his and took his sweet time holding it before kissing it gently with his lips. Just that simple touch of his lips to my hands caused my body to spin out of control.

I quickly snatched my hand to avoid him seeing it trembling, there was nothing I could do to hide my blush though. He smirked as if noticing the effect he had on me, my heart started to beat so fast I thought I would faint. How in this earth were women able to spend any time with the man especially alone? I seriously need to know the secret because, I’ve been with him for less than an hour in the company of his little sister yet I felt breathless.

And his smile! At the rate this is going I’ll be crippled before the wedding. I thought as I closed the door after they left. It’s like his smile was a force of gravity affecting only my legs. It’s a wonder women are able to talk to him without turning to blabbering idiots.

‘He dates models, actresses and socialites who are gorgeous and thinner than you will ever be. They are as enchanting and captivating as him not to mention comfortable in their skin. There’s no way he would notice you not with the way he’s been surrounded by such beautiful women. In fact the only reason he noticed you is because of his sister, after the wedding he will forget you. You will be nothing to him but the fat designer who sewed a dress for his sister.’

A snarky voice in my head said, it was the same voice that told me to eat salads on dates or always make sure to eat the least at a table. It was the same voice that made me to hate myself no matter how many times I convinced myself was beautiful.

It was that same voice that said I would never get a man to love me just the way I am. That constant dark shadow at the back of my brain reminding me that I would never be good enough and kept on destroying my self-confidence and self-esteem bit by bit .

It was my greatest bully that hurled the insults more painful than anything ever said to me. As I stood before any mirror it was the voice that made me hate my body and feel ashamed of my own skin. But strangely it was my greatest motivation, the reason why I strived so hard to achieve my dreams and goals.

The reason I worked tirelessly during college to build something for myself. It was both my greatest bully and biggest motivator. Because I knew when I shut that voice up for good all my insecurity would die along with it. How I know this because I know that voice, the voice of self-hate.