na's

'd dreamed of having a place like this for years-a modern apartment high above the city, quiet and personal, with enough space to think, sketch, and breathe. The moment I stepped onto the 30th floor that first day and saw the

ow unfo

lemonade beside each plate, the door buzzed. "Finally," I muttered, walking over barefoot and pulling the door open. Evara stepped in like a wave of energy-hair pulled up in

unning from the paparazzi with

en gasped dramatically. "I wanted to be mysterious. Do

s?" she asked when she finally set

, grinning. "Do

u only make eggs and

gged. "Also, I was too an

slides off, and grabbed a lemon wedge. "So... wanna tell me why you ghosted the bi

n the couch with an annoyed look

?" she said immediately, mouth full o

there soaked in red wine and social humiliation." Her eyes

age dress that I had made myself, by the way-and instead of apologizing, he just stood there and blamed me." I

ying not to laugh. There isn

ssic

hat photo. I thought he was just another arrogant socialite with too much money and not enough decency." "Well..." she started, then c

he man told me to get wine-

ss down. "Look... I know he's a lot. He's always been intense-hyper-focused, business-minded, not great at emotions. But once you get past the stone wall personality, he's not all that

lse." There was a pause. Then Evara looked at me thoughtfully. "You really hate him, huh?" I shrugged. "I don't know if it's hate..

remin

inspiration, a fashion pop-up happening next week. We ended up deciding to binge watch the new Gi

asked gently. I hesitated. "It's moving. Slowly. I've finalized the brand name, drafted some preliminary collections, and found two potential textile suppliers. But-

rd. "Have you pitc

one told me he'd fund it if I added rhinestones and made it more 'Instagram baddi

ones. Not fast fashion." There was a beat of silence as Evara tapped her nails on the edge of her glass,

ked. "

ly, he's been saying he wants to diversify into creative industries-fashion, media, lifestyle." I stared at her. "Please tell me you're not suggesting your brother." "I'm just saying

He's smart, strategic, and honestly? He'd admire your work ethic-if he actually listened long enough to see it." I sighed, leaning my head against the back of the chair, staring out the giant window again. It did make

she said firmly. "You've worked your ass off. You have the designs, the vision, the research. He either sees that, or he doesn't. But give him the chance

en we find someone better," she said, smi

ne, and Dubai's skyline now sparkled like it had dressed for a gala. I'd changed into a pair of ribbed loun

idery. Every line I drew pulled me deeper into the world I was building-ALPHA. My future. My vision. My legacy. I paused, staring at the flowing lines of a gown I'd just finished. It had a high neck and dramatic open back, me

ne

lived off for the past year were thinning faster than I'd expected. Between rent, living expenses, material samples, and legal fees for setting up the brand.

ts didn't fund me. No ex-boyfriend bankrolled my dreams. Every cent I'd made came from nights spent staring at charts and currenci

ver my phone. No. I

order styles only. But with each compromise, I felt the vision crumbling. That wasn't what ALPHA was supposed to be. It wasn't meant to play small. I sat back down and stare

y call log, and tapped Evara's name

as a pause. "You okay?" I closed my eyes. "I've been going over everything, Eva. The costs. The timeline. The launch plans. My account

this company to exist. And that matters more than hating a man for having bad manners and a God complex." She chuckled softly. "That's growth, bab

intimidating. You know he hates being outdressed." "Oh," I smirked, "now you've given me a

was still here-alive, waiting. I didn't know what Eros would say, and I certainly didn't know if we'd

for

for

ven f