Chapter 1: The Girl Nobody Saw
For the first few minutes, I couldn't stop staring at everything.
The reception desk was made of white marble. The walls displayed enormous photographs of legendary runway collections. Even the elevators had golden doors.
I clutched my portfolio against my chest.
My name was Maya Carter.
And somehow, I had made it here.
A receptionist with perfectly styled blonde hair looked up from her computer.
"Can I help you?""
"Yes. I'm here for the junior design assistant position. My name is Maya Carter.""
She typed something.
Then her eyes traveled from my face to my cardigan, then down to my inexpensive black shoes.
"Interviews are on the twenty-second floor.""
"Thank you.""
I smiled.
She didn't.
I walked toward the elevators, carefully avoiding the group of fashion executives gathered near the entrance.
One woman glanced at my portfolio.
"Is that a school project?""
I heard her companion chuckle.
I pretended not to notice.
I had spent years learning how to do that.
On the twenty-second floor, a young assistant named Olivia greeted me.
"You're Maya?""
"Yes.""
"Come with me. You're a little early.""
"Is that a problem?""
Olivia smiled.
"Not at all. Actually, that's a good thing around here.""
She led me through a long corridor lined with glass offices.
Inside each room, designers worked over enormous tables covered with fabric, photographs, and sketches.
I could have stood there all day.
"This is the creative department," Olivia explained.
"Most of the senior designers are preparing for the upcoming international collection.""
I nodded eagerly.
"That's amazing.""
"Are you nervous?""
"A little.""
"Don't be. Just be yourself.""
I smiled.
Then a sharp voice interrupted us.
"Olivia!""
A tall blonde woman approached in a fitted white suit.
Her heels clicked against the floor.
Her hair was pulled into a perfect ponytail, and a diamond bracelet glittered around her wrist.
Olivia immediately straightened.
"Good morning, Vanessa.""
The woman barely acknowledged her.
"Why is there a visitor wandering around the creative department?""
"She's here for the junior assistant interview.""
Vanessa looked at me.
Her gaze stopped at my glasses.
Then my cardigan.
Then my portfolio.
"Her?""
I swallowed.
"Good morning. I'm Maya Carter.""
Vanessa took a sip from her coffee.
"Did I ask?""
Olivia looked uncomfortable.
"She's scheduled for an interview with the recruitment team.""
Vanessa laughed quietly.
"Well, someone in recruitment needs better judgment.""
I lowered my eyes.
Olivia whispered, "Vanessa is the senior creative director's executive assistant. She manages access to the design department.""
Vanessa heard her.
"Actually, Olivia, I manage much more than access. Perhaps you should remember that.""
"Of course.""
Vanessa turned toward me.
"Let me see your portfolio.""
I hesitated before handing it over.
She flipped through the first few pages.
A champagne-colored evening gown.
A sculptural black dress.
An ivory wedding ensemble with delicate embroidered flowers.
Her expression didn't change.
"Where did you study?""
"I took online courses and completed several independent design programs.""
"So nowhere prestigious.""
"I couldn't afford a traditional fashion school.""
Vanessa closed the portfolio.
"Then why are you applying here?""
I felt heat rise into my cheeks.
"Because I love designing.""
She stared at me for a moment.
Then she handed the portfolio back.
"Love doesn't pay for luxury fabric, sweetheart.""
Before I could answer, a man appeared at the end of the corridor.
"Vanessa, I need the revised samples for the autumn collection.""
Her entire expression changed.
"Of course, Mr. Collins. I'll have them ready immediately.""
The man walked away.
Vanessa waited until he disappeared.
Then she turned back to me.
"Listen carefully. This company isn't a place for people who want to play dress-up.""
"I understand.""
"Do you?""
She pointed at my portfolio.
"Because I see girls like you all the time. They arrive with cheap sketches and enormous dreams. They think talent is enough.""
I tightened my grip on the folder.
"I don't think that.""
"Good. Then perhaps you'll understand when I tell you that this department has standards.""
Olivia glanced between us.
"Vanessa, her interview is actually—"
"Olivia, go get my coffee.""
"But—"
"Now.""
Olivia left.
Vanessa leaned closer.
"One piece of advice, Maya. Don't embarrass yourself today.""
Then she walked away.
I stood there for several seconds.
My hands were shaking.
But I didn't leave.
I couldn't.
My mother had taught me that the most beautiful things often began in places where nobody expected them to grow.
And I had promised myself I would give this dream a chance.
At eleven thirty, I was called into a small interview room.
Two recruitment officers sat across from me.
One was a middle-aged woman named Patricia. The other was a younger man named Daniel.
Patricia smiled.
"Tell us about yourself, Maya.""
I explained my background.
I told them about my mother.
About learning to sew at seven.
About the small apartment where I created my first collection.
Then I opened my portfolio.
For the first time that morning, someone actually looked at my work.
Daniel leaned forward.
"Did you create this architectural sleeve?""
"Yes. I wanted it to resemble the shape of a folded bird's wing.""
He studied the drawing.
"Interesting. How would you construct it?""
I explained the internal support structure, the fabric weight, and the hidden seams.
Patricia looked at Daniel.
He nodded.
"That's a thoughtful solution.""
My heart began beating faster.
Patricia turned another page.
"And this one?""
"A dress inspired by moonlight reflecting on water. The fabric would have different layers of silver embroidery, but the outer layer would remain almost transparent.""
"Beautiful concept.""
I couldn't stop smiling.
For twenty minutes, I wasn't the awkward girl with cheap glasses.
I was a designer.
A real one.
When the interview ended, Patricia shook my hand.
"We'll contact you soon.""
I walked out feeling lighter than I had in years.
Then I heard Vanessa's voice.
"Well, well. Look who survived.""
She stood near the main design studio with three women.
I recognized two of them from the morning.
Vanessa looked at my portfolio.
"Did they actually interview you?""
"Yes.""
"And?""
"They said they'd contact me.""
She laughed.
"How exciting.""
One of her friends, a brunette named Chloe, glanced at my shoes.
"Vanessa, are those the same shoes she wore this morning?""
The other woman, Madison, covered her mouth.
Vanessa smiled.
"Apparently, some people believe a luxury fashion house is a charity.""
I tried to walk past them.
Vanessa stepped into my path.
"Where are you going?""
"Back to the reception area.""
"Not so fast.""
She pointed toward a table covered with fabric samples.
"Pick those up. They're blocking the walkway.""
I stared at her.
"Those aren't mine.""
Vanessa's smile disappeared.
"Excuse me?""
"I mean, I don't work here yet.""
Chloe laughed.
"Did she just say she might work here?""
Vanessa took one step closer.
"Let me explain something. People like you don't get to decide what happens in this department.""
I felt my throat tighten.
"I'm just waiting for the recruitment team.""
"And I'm telling you to leave.""
She reached for my portfolio.
I pulled it against my chest.
"Please don't.""
Her eyes narrowed.
May you like
"What did you say?""
I had no idea that those three words would become the beginning of the worst afternoon of my life.
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