Chapter 1

1450 Words
Amethyst's POV "Ms. Wright, these are the sketches you asked for," my secretary informed me in a professional yet polite tone, placing a neatly arranged file on my desk. I looked up briefly, giving her a small but appreciative smile, before returning my attention to the file I was holding, carefully scanning through its contents. Just as I was about to flip to the next page, the door to my office suddenly burst open with a loud thud. My brow instinctively arched as I shifted my gaze to the unexpected intruder. "Good morning, girlfriend!" my best friend, Celine, greeted cheerfully, her voice filled with unmistakable excitement. She strode into my office confidently, heading straight to my desk without a care in the world. Celine has been my best friend for as long as I can remember. We first met in college when we were randomly assigned as roommates. It was an unlikely friendship at first, given that we were polar opposites in almost every way. But if there was one thing that bound us together, it was our shared passion for fashion. Over the years, our bond has grown stronger, and I no longer see Celine as just my best friend. She has become like a sister to me—always there, always supportive, and always ready to have my back no matter the circumstances. She truly is amazing. "What are you doing here so early in the morning?" I asked her, setting the file aside momentarily. She pouted dramatically, crossing her arms. "No 'good morning' back? How rude," she huffed playfully, making me chuckle in amusement. "Good morning, Celine. Now, what are you doing here?" I repeated my question, watching as her expression lit up with excitement. "I just went out for breakfast with my new boyfriend!" she announced giddily, her eyes twinkling with enthusiasm. I rolled my eyes. "Celine and her new boyfriend." I said with a slight chuckle of disbelief. She giggled. "I know what you're thinking." "I'll give it a month," I quipped, making her burst into laughter. "I'd give it two," she countered, and we both laughed together. Celine had a track record of dating numerous men, none of whom lasted long enough to make a significant impact. She wasn't the type to fall deeply in love—she simply dated for the thrill of it, or perhaps just to keep herself entertained. As our laughter subsided, she gave me a once-over and frowned. "You look like you haven't slept a wink." "I haven't," I admitted honestly, rubbing my temples as fatigue settled in. Her expression turned concerned. "Amethyst, you have to take better care of yourself." she said with a concerned expression as she walked beside me and clung to my arms. "Fashion Week is just around the corner," I explained. "I'm extra busy trying to set up everything as soon as possible." I added. I have been in the fashion industry for five years now. I started my career when I was just twenty, still in my third year of college. Back then, I had no support from my family. My parents are deeply rooted in the business industry, and as the second child out of three siblings, they had expected me to follow in their footsteps. My older brother and younger sister still live in California, where I grew up. However, I chose a different path. At eighteen, I ran away from home. I refused to be forced into a life dictated by my parents. With nothing but my savings, I bought a one-way ticket to New York and found myself a small place to stay. I worked part-time jobs to pay for my education and living expenses, determined to carve my own future. Although I cut ties with my parents, I still kept in touch with my siblings. My brother, Adrian, even secretly sent me money every now and then, though I never spent it. I wanted to be independent—I needed to be. That was my choice. A few months into living in New York, I found myself in need of a new job after quitting my last one. That was when I stumbled upon an opportunity to work part-time at a fashion company. It felt like fate. Fashion had always been my passion, and as luck would have it, someone eventually noticed my talent. Ironically, it happened when I lost one of my sketches at work. It wasn't intentional—I was just incredibly clumsy. That small accident led me to become an apprentice for over a year, and at the age of twenty, I made my official debut in the fashion industry. Since then, my work has become widely recognized. But there's a catch—not many people know my real identity. To the world, I am known as Lady A, a mysterious designer who has taken the fashion industry by storm. My real name, Amethyst Beverly Wright, remains a secret. I purposely work behind the scenes, ensuring my parents have no way of interfering in my career. This secrecy only adds to the intrigue surrounding my work, making people even more curious. Oddly enough, this arrangement gives me a sense of freedom that I cherish. "For someone who is a famous fashion designer, you don't seem very fashionable today," Celine teased, snapping me out of my thoughts. I rolled my eyes playfully. "You say that like it's a crime." I said as a yawn escaped my mouth. Celine shook her head in disbelief. "Anyways" she continued, placing her hands on her hips "You're going out to lunch with me." she demanded. "I will not. I cannot" I refused immediately. "I'm too busy, Celine. I need to finalize everything for Fashion Week." I told her. She frowned in disapproval. "Oh, come on, Amy! It's just lunch! One hour of eating and relaxing won't hurt you." she pouted. I shook my head. "No, Celine. An entire hour is too much time to waste." "You're such a workaholic," she groaned dramatically before sighing. "Fine. Forty-five minutes?" she negotiated. I remained firm. "Thirty! Just thirty freaking minutes, Amethyst!" she exclaimed, clearly frustrated. I considered it for a moment. Thirty minutes wasn’t too bad. Sure, I wouldn’t be in the comfort of my office, but I could always bring my tablet to continue working while I ate. "Okay," I finally relented. Celine sighed in relief, though she still looked slightly annoyed. "God, if only you weren’t my best friend." she sulked. I chuckled. "You know how it is, Celine. I only have myself to rely on." I reminded her. She nodded knowingly. It had been seven years since I left home, and I had never seen my parents again—not even once. They probably despised me. Not that I cared. Okay, maybe I did. I'm not completely heartless. But I simply couldn’t live in a household where I was constantly controlled. I didn’t want that life. I wanted freedom. That was why I left in the first place. I hated being manipulated. I hated it more than anything. "I'll see you at lunch later. I have some errands to run first," Celine said, giving me a quick peck on the cheek before waving goodbye and strutting out of my office. Shaking my head with a small smile, I returned my focus to my work, going over the final details for the upcoming Fashion Week. Just as I was getting immersed again, my phone rang. Absentmindedly, I picked it up while flipping through another page. "Hello? Who is this?" I asked distractedly. "Amy, it's Adrian." A smile immediately formed on my lips. "Oh, hey! How are you? Sorry, I didn’t even check the caller ID." I greeted him cheerfully. "It's okay," he assured me. "Anyway, has Amara called you?" "Nope. Why?" I asked curiously. "Nothing. I just couldn’t get in touch with her, and I had a bad feeling." "Don't worry too much, Ady. I'll let you know if she calls me." I assured him. "Okay. Thanks, Amy. I miss you so much." "I miss you too, Ady. Let's all meet up soon when we're not too busy, okay? I just have my hands full at the moment" I suggested. "Okay. Good luck with Fashion Week." "Thanks, Adrian. Take care always, okay.?" I thanked him. "Yes yes, I will. You can hang up now." I chuckled. "Okay. Byeee." Just as I got back into work mode, my office door burst open again. "Lunch time, b*tch! Get your a*s up, or I'm dragging you out!" Celine announced dramatically. I sighed but complied, grabbing my tablet and office keys. "I'll see you again soon, my dear office," I muttered, before following her out.
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