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The Barnette Building was loud in design but quiet in atmosphere.

Aku’s office sat on the tenth floor, tucked in the corner with gold lettering that read “Aku Banner.” Inside, the scent of vanilla and fresh peonies met anyone who walked in.

The space was girly without being childish—warm pinks, clean whites, and gold-accented furniture.

The walls were covered in framed covers from Black Excellence Magazine, Billboard, Teen Vogue, and GQ, all with credits that tied back to her name.

Organized chaos lived on every surface—mood boards stacked on the side table, fabric swatches pinned to a cork wall, iPad charging on the desk, half-finished sketches and call sheets clipped in the corner.

Niah sat on the couch, legs crossed with her laptop open.

She was dressed for work but never pressed.

Black tights, oversized tee, curly hair pulled into a loose puff.

Aku was perched on her rolling chair, slides on her feet.

Her nails clicked against the desk as she flipped through a paper schedule.

“We got six months mapped out, but I still feel behind,” Aku said, glancing over the itinerary.

“You’re not,” Niah replied without looking up. “You just want to be ahead of what’s already ahead.”

“I’m a visionary,” Aku smirked. “But also… slightly neurotic.”

They both laughed.

“Okay. So… first up, we got that premiere in LA. You’re styling Lennox and possibly Zariah. Lennox wants that dusty vintage look again. You remember the mustard set you pulled for that BET thing?”

“The two-piece with the leather trench?”

“Yea. He wants something like that but with a 90s hip-hop spin. He sent a whole Pinterest board this morning.”

Aku rolled her eyes. “Of course he did. That man be treating me like a damn genie.”

“Better than treating you like a personal shopper.”

Aku tapped her pen against the table. “Facts.”

Niah scrolled. “Next, Noodle’s award show run. Three looks, all custom, all high drama. She said she’s trying to go viral this year.”

“She’s always trying to go viral. Let me guess—red?”

“Red, chile.”

Aku sighed. “Okay, I’mma start sketching options today.”

Niah looked up. “Do you still want that sit-down with her or nah?”

“Yes, but I want it short. Like fifteen minutes – max. That’s all I got patience for.”

“For Noodle?” Niah lifted her brow.

She knew how close the two were, so Aku saying she only had fifteen minutes for her best friend sounded weird.

“For Jacory… two different people,” Aku laughed knowing she was telling the truth. Both personalities, she loved beyond the stars. But Jacory was a perfectionist who always felt like she had something to prove.

“Got it.”

Aku flipped to the next page in her binder. “Then we have Devin’s fall campaign shoot. He wants a nature theme—trees, water, maybe some fog.”

“I already secured location permits in the dessert. Photographer’s locked in. Still waiting on fabric swatches from the team in Milan.”

Aku nodded. “Let’s follow up on that by Thursday.”

She wasn’t looking forward to having to work with Devin, but a check was a check and he’d been vital in her fast rise to success too.

Aku paused, stretching out her arms, and let her head fall back. “Why do I feel like I’m forgetting something?”

“You probably are.”

“Wow…thanks.” Aku rolled her eyes.

Niah grinned. “That’s what I’m here for.”

Aku looked over. “You still tryna style too, right? Or you just living in my shadow?”

“Both,” Niah joked. “But for real, I want to build my portfolio this year.”

“Cool. Then take the third look for Devin. I’ll oversee it, but it’s yours.”

Niah’s eyes lit up. “Seriously?”

“Deadass.”

“Say less. I’m on it.” Niah did a little dance and squealed inside. She was stoked to be getting the opportunity.

Aku checked the calendar on her phone. “Also, I’m going to the game next week. Uncle Q got a big match out in the city.”

“Oh yeah, the soccer thing? That’s cute.”

“It’s legacy,” Aku said. “And Esmeray gon’ be there, so you know I gotta show up clean. I’m tryna out-auntie everybody.”

“You already do.”

It was true, Aku was that girl in her family and loved the recognition they all gave her, even though everyone was famous in their own right.

Sometimes, she felt her shit was miniscule compared to everyone else’s but they never let her sit in that too long.

Don’t get her wrong, Aku loved styling but since she was a little girl her life had been family focused…

a flaw to some people but she didn’t care.

She wanted a family and rightfully so. When you were raised in legacy and family ties, it was natural to want a piece for yourself.

Aku stood up and walked over to the mini rack near the window. She thumbed through a few pieces for the weekend. “You seen the custom jersey?”

“Not yet. Still with the tailor.”

“Okay. Text him. I want it for the game.”

“Noted.”

Aku turned back around. “What else?”

“Emails. You got four new client inquiries, one from a Netflix showrunner, and an invite to some gala you don’t care about.”

“Decline the gala. Forward me the Netflix one. Flag the others.”

“Done.”

They worked in silence for a few minutes. The printer spat out contact sheets. Niah typed fast. Aku started sketching.

“You ever miss modeling?” Niah asked suddenly.

Aku didn’t look up. “Nah, not really. I liked it, but styling is more my thing. Modeling was something I could do. Styling is something I built.”

Niah nodded. “Makes sense.”

Another pause.

“You ever feel like you building all this shit but don’t know what it’s for yet?” Aku asked.

“All the time.”

“Cool. Just checking.”

Niah smiled without looking up. “You good?”

“Yea, I think so.”

The scent of vanilla filled the room again as the air freshener hissed from the wall. Aku flipped another page in her sketchbook and leaned over her desk.

“Let’s kill these next six months,” she said.

“We got this.”

Business moved…time passed. And even though Aku didn’t say it, she felt it—that shift in the air like something was coming. Not now…but soon