Page 27

I thought that because I was able to go home safely yesterday that there would be no reaction to the news. I thought that people were calm and happy by the choices.

I was wrong, because I woke up this morning to a message from Marissa telling me to brace myself when coming to the office because there was a crowd outside of people and the media trying to get pictures and statements from everyone.

She told me she used the back entrance and most employees who didn’t want the hassle were using it but asked that I use the front so they don’t start trying to search for the other entrance.

Miles arrived at my house at exactly the time I told him to which was surprising. I expected him to be early or late but not exactly on time. It was almost like he was waiting for the exact time to hit before he sent me a text.

I didn’t ask any questions and instead went to the driver’s side of my car but he faked a cough.

“Can I help you with something?” I asked and he cleared his throat.

“I think it would be better if I drove.”

“I’m perfectly capable of driving myself to work.”

“Have you seen the front of your office?” he didn’t wait for me to respond, he pulled out his phone then pressed play on a video and handed it to me.

When Marissa told me there was a crowd, she lied; it was frenzy out there. It was packed and people were screaming. It was live streaming and I saw Nathan and his crew arrive. It took the collective help of four bodyguards to get them inside.

I knew I was beat here, so I handed the key to Miles, “If you get even a scratch on my car, I will kill you.”

“I’ll make sure your car is safe.” I muttered a quick prayer under my breath and made my way into the back seat.

The video didn’t prepare me for just how chaotic it was. As soon as Miles parked the car, everyone rushed from their place at the door towards my car and started screaming my name and taking pictures. I have never been so grateful for tinted glasses before today.

“Just keep your head down and I’ll get us out.” He said, “Are you ready?”

“Of course,” I added under my breath, “It’s show time. ”

Miles got out first and I saw the momentary confusion before they continued the frenzy. He ignored them expertly and made his way over to me. He opened my side of the door and the screaming somehow intensified.

I kept my head down and Miles kept one hand respectfully around my shoulder and used the other to push the people out of our way. It felt like hours until we got inside but I’m sure in reality, it was less than two minutes.

As soon as we were in the safety of the building, I smoothed down my outfit and made sure my hair was still in place. I looked over at Miles who looked unfazed by what had happened.

“Thank you,” I said and he gave me a simple shrug. “If you need help, I can ask Grayson to send someone.”

“I prefer to work alone.” He cut in, “I’ll be here when you’re ready to leave.”

I admired his bluntness and the ease with which he spoke. I knew there was nothing else to say so I just nodded and made my way over to my office.

I made sure to stop by Marissa’s first to see how she was doing. I know she doesn’t particularly do well with crowds and today would have been a scare for her but she seemed fine. In fact, she assured me she was fine and she had been warned about the crowd so she knew to not come this way.

When I was sure she was fine, I went into my office to continue my outfit for the show. I had barely settled down when my phone rang.

I expected it to be Olivia but I was shocked instead to see my father’s name flash across my screen. I picked up after the third ring and put it on speaker .

“Good morning sir.”

“Good morning, I saw the article; congratulations. Even though I don’t understand what they were talking about.”

I chuckled to myself, “I’m judging a fashion show, and thank you.”

“Oh, well done.” He said before adding, “I saw the crowd in front of your office on TV. Shey awon eniyen o no ise ni?

“That’s their work, to follow people around and disturb them.”

“I’m just happy you have your bodyguard. Imagine you didn’t get one. You’re the one benefiting from it now oh, but o tin se agidi . How would you have entered the office?”

I should have known he would call just to tell me he told me so about the bodyguard issue. I knew he was waiting for my response so I made a show of sighing deeply.

“I would’ve found my way,” he made a noise of disbelief, “But he made it easier so you were right.”

“Of course I’m right,” he scoffed, “Anyways, when are you coming home? Before you start, I know you can’t come soon because of the show but make out small time so we can celebrate you.”

“I’ll figure something out as soon as I can.”

He was quiet for a while, “Adira,” I hummed in response, “You’re doing well.”

“Thank you.” I couldn’t help the smile that grew and the suspicious burn at the back of my eyes.

Hearing that from his is equivalent to an, ‘I am extremely proud of you’ and ‘you brought me the moon and stars’. He isn’t an overly affectionate person but these little moments make up for it in the most amazing way. Making him proud is all I’ve wanted to do anyway .

“I’ll be home when I can.” He ended the call after that and I let out a sigh of relief. It’s good to know that one person is proud of me and what I’ve done.

I have refrained from looking at the comments on social media lately. I have been on a high since the announcement and the last thing I want is for it t be ruined by negative comments by some bum on the internet.

I’ll probably check them by the end of the day but the least I deserve right now is twenty four hours of uninterrupted bliss and happiness. It is not too much to ask for.

While still reeling from the conversation with my dad, I went to continue with my dress. I was surprised how far I was able to go with it the thought of my dad’s support at the back of my mind.

I was nowhere near done; in fact, I wasn’t even up to halfway done with it but at least I’m getting somewhere. I probably won’t be done until a few days before the event and I know that’s cutting it close but as long as I am doing it alone, it is going to take a while.

I decided to stop worrying about the outfit and started answering emails from clients and partners alike. Half of them were congratulatory emails; people saying they couldn’t wait to see me there and people telling me how proud they were of me.

The other half, like I predicted were from other fashion brands trying to convince me to wear their products to the show.

Some of them sent me sketches of designs they had in their vaults.

The tones ranged from entitled to pleading to complimentary.

Some of them were even bold enough to say that it would be better if I wore their products rather than my own because they were bigger brands or widely accepted .

Needless to say, I ignored any email that I didn’t find nice or respectful. As for the others, I thanked them for their offers but told them I already had a brand I was representing although I didn’t mention which. They are welcome to speculate amongst themselves.

Normally, I would ask Marissa to do this but she is piled up on work because of Couture Week and the fashion show in two months and it’s just a few emails, I can handle it myself.

I was answering the last one when Nathan made his way into my office. I checked the time and was shocked to see the short hand of the clock at 4. I didn’t know answering emails took this long. I carefully shut my laptop and waited for him to settle down.

“Couture Week,” was how he started, “How are we feeling about it?”

“It feels way too close and I feel very unprepared.”

“Are you going to be there for the entire week?”

“Unfortunately I cannot, but I will be there on the final day which should be the day of the event that I will be judging.”

“How excited are you about being a judge?”

“It feels so exciting, I feel like I am in a bubble.”

“I can imagine, it’s such an honor,” he looked down at his notes and a brief, uncomfortable silence followed, “Who are you taking with you?”

“Just Marissa; she is worth a million people to me. If I have her there then I will have zero problems.”

He looked shocked by my answer. His expression was a mixture of shock and relief and I wanted to ask what that expression meant but he asked another question and I was forced to focus .

“Have you read some of the comments that people have left on the announcement?”

“No,” I answered honestly, “And I plan to keep it that way for a while.”

“Some people say that you only got the judge position because you’re a woman of color.” I was taken aback by his words, “They say that you’re too inexperienced for the position. What do you think about that?”

I turned to him and barely held back the venom in my voice, “I got this position IN SPITE of being a woman of color. I know I’m the only black person on that judge list and that alone is a feat worthy of applause.”

I thought he would drop the issue but he continued, “A lot of people believe that the recent advocacy for representation in the media helped you get to where you are. It’s empowering women of color despite them not being qualified for their roles.”

I let out a heavy breath through my nose, “And what do you think?”

“It doesn’t matter what I think; I’m just here to ask the questions.”

“Well then, allow me to educate you.” I intertwined my fingers to keep them from shaking, “Everyone can post about representation on social media and attend rallies but bringing awareness doesn’t automatically take away everything we go through.”

“I still walk into stores and have women grip their purses at the sight of me, I have parents steer their children away from me. At a fashion event I have to work twice as hard as every other person there just to be recognized and taken seriously. ”