Sabrina's POV
I gave a small nod, observing. “The other rack should face it, so the middle aisle is clear. That way people can walk straight to the back without being blocked.” Hazel glanced at me, her eyes bright with excitement. “Yes, that’s a good idea. That way the customer flow won’t feel too narrow.” The two large racks were placed according to plan. Then the elegant wooden cashier’s desk was carried inside. “Put the cashier’s desk near the entrance, on the left,” Hazel added. “That way, people will see it right when they walk in, but it won’t block the main display view.” I stood near the door, watching as the workers shifted the desk until it aligned exactly as Hazel wanted. I caught myself glancing at her so focused, yet her eyes couldn’t hide the happiness within. This was clearly more than just furniture. This was the foundation of the dream she had been building piece by piece. I watched Hazel pace around the rSabrina's POV I noticed the row of trees along the roadside, their leaves still dripping with rain, reflecting the light of the car's headlights. In my head, everything that happened today replayed: the furniture truck arriving, the shelves being installed, Hazel's unstoppable smile, and the phone call from the factory that nearly made her jump for joy. It was all like pieces of a puzzle finally fitting together.Hazel opened her eyes again and stared out the window. "It's so beautiful, isn't it, Sabrina? The sky this afternoon." Her voice was soft, almost drowned out by the sound of the car engine.I followed her gaze and smiled. "Yes. It's like a reward for a long day."Nicholas added briefly, still staring straight ahead. "You've all worked hard today. This afternoon deserves to be beautiful."Hazel just smiled, then fell silent again. Charlie, who was listening, exclaimed cheerfully. "It'll be even more beautiful tomorrow, right? Because
Sabrina's POV Hazel then looked around and said quietly, “I want everyone who enters this boutique to feel this kind of atmosphere. Warm, full of laughter, like family.”I nodded. “That’s possible, Hazel. Because this boutique already has a soul. Your soul, and all of ours.”Nicholas added briefly but meaningfully, “If there’s love behind it, people can definitely feel it.”Charlie immediately jumped in. “Yeah, like I can taste it when Mom bakes cakes with love! They taste so much better.”Hazel chuckled, then pinched his cheek gently. “You guys, you always manage to make Mom laugh.”I looked at the three of them, my heart warming. “Then, starting today, let’s celebrate every little step. Because every step counts.”Hazel nodded, her eyes sparkling. “Agreed. From now on, this boutique isn’t just a place to sell clothes. It’s a second home for all of us.”Charlie shouted happily. “Home boutique!”Nicholas sm
Sabrina's POV Hazel laughed again, this time with more relief. “Deal. I promise. But you also have to promise never to leave me halfway.”I looked at her deeply, then nodded firmly. “That’s the easiest promise for me to keep.”Hazel was silent for a moment, then took a deep breath. “Sabrina, I think today isn’t just the first day my boutique opened. It’s also the first day I truly believed I could do it.”I took her hand, holding it tightly. “I’ll always be there to remind you that that belief must never be lost.”Hazel smiled, this time a smile full of light despite her tired face. “Thank you, Sab.”I smiled back, stroking her hand gently. "You're welcome, boutique owner."A sudden knock on the door made us both look at each other. I frowned; we had indeed locked the door, and the closed sign was already hanging. But outside, I saw two very familiar figures.Hazel, who had been sitting, immediately rose, her face slightly confused. I knew w
Sabrina's POV The boutique had returned to its former tranquility. The door was closed, the lights dimmed slightly. Hazel was still sitting in the chair near the cashier, gently massaging her temples. I could see the fatigue in her eyes, but also a hard-to-conceal satisfaction.I stood by the window, looking out. The afternoon sun had already set lower, golden light filtering through the glass and hitting the wooden shelves we had lovingly arranged over the past few days. A warm, indescribable feeling filled my chest, a mix of pride, gratitude, and relief.The boutique was quiet again, except for the faint ticking of the clock on the wall, which seemed to tick at a slower pace than usual. The afternoon air seeped in through the vents, carrying the faint scent of road dust mixed with the scent of new wood that still lingered in every corner of the room.I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Everything felt different now. The room, which had once
Sabrina's POV We got to work. Hazel opened the boxes one by one, and I helped hang, fold, and organize them by category. We hung long dresses on the wall rack, light blouses and tops were arranged on hangers near the window, while a few pants and skirts were placed on a low wooden shelf in the center of the room.Box after box was opened, and the boutique that had previously felt spacious and empty was slowly transforming. Colorful fabrics filled the space, and hangers creaked softly as Hazel or I hung up a garment. The scent of new fabric mixed with the scent of the wooden shelves, creating a fresh atmosphere that somehow made me want to smile constantly.After almost two hours, we stopped for a moment, sitting on a small bench, gazing at our work. Hazel was still looking around with sparkling eyes. “Sabrina… this is beautiful,” she said softly.I followed her gaze. The racks were neat, the clothes looked as if they were waiting for their first cust
Sabrina's POV Before leaving, Charlie ran back to Hazel and hugged her tightly around the waist. “Mama Hazel, I hope all her clothes look good!” he said enthusiastically.Hazel returned the hug, her eyes welling up with tears, though she tried to hide them with a smile. “Thank you, honey. Your prayers will definitely make everything go smoothly.”After the door closed behind Nicholas and Charlie, the house suddenly felt quiet. Hazel and I looked at each other for a moment, then let out a small laugh, like two people trying to soothe their nerves with a simple laugh.“It’s strange, Sabrina. It feels like it’s been a really long day, even though it’s only a little after eight,” Hazel said, grabbing a rag from the table. She began wiping down the wooden surface, which was actually quite clean.I picked up some of the breakfast dishes and took them to the sink. “That’s a sign you’re impatient. When people wait for something, even five minutes ca