Chapter 01: Eclipse Was Waiting.

Elara balanced two warm cups of coffee in her hands, her steps light and purposeful as she made her way through the bustling hallway of Aurelia Company.

The familiar scent of fresh fabric and coffee beans filled the air, a comforting reminder of the place that had changed her life.

She pushed open the door to their small shared office, dropped her bag onto her chair with a soft thud, and smiled warmly at Jasmine.

"Here you go," she said softly, placing one cup beside her friend.

Jasmine looked up from her sketches, her eyes lighting up. "Oh my god, that's so nice of you. I was already planning to go grab one because I'm fucking tired."

She took a grateful sip, leaning back in her seat with a contented sigh.

Elara settled into her own chair, crossing her legs neatly and taking a slow sip of her coffee.

She glanced toward the door, then back at Jasmine. "Am I missing something, or are the whole workers staring at me right now?"

Jasmine raised an eyebrow, still sipping.

Elara pressed lightly, tilting her head. "I feel like everyone was staring at me... or am I stained with my monthly flow?"

Jasmine nearly choked on her coffee, setting the cup down with a laugh. "Oh my god, yes....just stand up. It's actually stained down your white skirt."

Elara's eyes widened in panic. She quickly stood, twisting to check the back of her skirt, her hands smoothing over the fabric as Jasmine burst into laughter, covering her mouth.

Elara turned back to her, letting out a heavy sigh, her cheeks flushing with mild embarrassment. "You are just so crazy," she said, shaking her head with a reluctant smile.

Jasmine wiped a tear from her eye, still grinning. "Well, I'm so sorry, but to be honest, I overheard some of the workers talking about your sudden promotion. How it's totally unexpected."

Elara stared at her friend for a long moment, searching for the right words as the weight of it settled in.

Aurelia Company was one of the city's most respected fashion houses, a vibrant space where talented designers sketched, sewed, and crafted stunning outfits for high-profile celebrities and elite clients.

Elara had poured her heart into it since arriving in the city, and the promotion had felt like a natural step for her dedication.

She finally looked back at Jasmine. "Are you fucking serious right now? I mean, everyone knows I am actually good at this job."

Jasmine shrugged, uninterested as she took another long sip, her expression relaxed. "Oh my God, where did you get this? I feel like this is the best coffee ever."

Elara rolled her eyes, though fondly. "Jasmine, I am speaking to you. Do I need to get worried that the workers are becoming jealous that they promoted me?"

Jasmine met her gaze, her face softening into a mix of sympathy and amusement, one eyebrow slightly raised. "Elara... it's normal. I mean, whenever people get promoted at work or anywhere in life...people are bound to hate on you. Maybe they're just wondering because you just got in here and all of a sudden you've been promoted."

Elara murmured, running a hand through her hair. "Oh, fuck me. I did not actually think about that." Then her expression brightened, a sweet, hopeful smile curving her lips. "Well, that aside, guess what, baby? Jordan texted me earlier to go on a date with him tonight."

Jasmine nearly spat out her coffee, her face twisting in exaggerated disgust as she set the cup down quickly. "Is it the Jordan I know or another Jordan?"

Elara hissed lightly, her eyes sparkling with a mix of affection and defensiveness. "Come on, Jasmine. Is there any other Jordan except my Jordan?"

Jasmine stared at her for a long moment, her expression a blend of concern and disbelief. "Don't you let experience teach you very much? Come on, Elara, be for real. That guy cheated on you. He did not just cheat....he had a fucking threesome In a hotel he specifically made for both of you! Who does that?"

Elara looked at her and sighed heavily, her shoulders slumping a little. "Yeah... You know what? Forget about it. I shouldn't have said anything to you because all you do is judge, judge, judge. You are not in love. You've never been. So you don't know what love does to someone. But I do."

Jasmine shook her head. "Maybe we should start with you dropping those whole books and movies you watch. They are just killing you, draining you. Love is bullshit. Those are just facts. And I promise you, it's not as cute as it seems in books and movies."

A quiet fell over the room.

Elara stood up from her chair beside Jasmine, smoothing her skirt as she moved back toward her own desk. "You know what? I think we should go back to work."

Jasmine watched her for some time, her expression softening with a touch of guilt. "Don't tell me you are pissed off right now."

Elara didn't respond. She kept her head down, focused on adjusting fabrics and spinning her chair slightly, her movements gentle but determined.

Her mind drifted back to how she had first arrived in the city, eager and a little lost, searching for a fashion job that could prove her worth.

Meeting Aurelia had been a game changer...The joy and pride of seeing her designs come to life for celebrities was all she ever dreamed of.

Just then, the telephone on her desk rang. Elara glanced at it, sighing heavily, already knowing it was her boss. She picked up. "Hello, ma'am."

The voice on the other end was crisp and commanding. "I need you at my place right now. We have a deal proposal. Be fast. 1 p.m."

The line went dead as Elara stared at the phone. "Is she serious? 1 p.m.?" she muttered to herself.

Jasmine raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess. The boss wants you there."

Elara rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "Jasmine, we are not on talking terms. Keep that fact right." She stood up, gathering her things.

Jasmine looked at her with wide, innocent eyes. "Elara, I was just trying to be a good friend."

"Fuck you," Elara said playfully, blowing her a quick kiss as she walked out of the office.

As she moved through the main area, she walked a bit quicker, feeling the eyes on her again.

She glanced around with a soft, uncertain smile, then hurried on.

Outside, she called the driver. "Hey, Drake, take me to the boss's second apartment, like right now."

"Sure, ma," Drake replied warmly. He opened the car door for her with a polite nod, and she slid inside gracefully.

The city unfolded around them as they drove.

Towering buildings gleaming under the sun, streets alive with pedestrians and vibrant billboards advertising the latest fashion trends. Elara leaned back, watching it all with quiet wonder. Traffic soon thickened into a heavy jam as Minutes ticked by.

Elara checked the time and sighed heavily. "Drake, it's like ten to twenty minutes now before the time the boss wants me to arrive."

"I'm so sorry, ma'am," Drake said, glancing ahead. "But I think there's something going on at the front and we are unable to pass."

"Fuck it," she whispered.

Immediately, an officer approached the window as Elara lowered it. "Hi, officer, is there something going on there?"

The officer nodded. "Oh, I'm so sorry, but the Eclipse Holdings are actually working on something there. They will be free in a jiffy."

"What the fuck is an Eclipse landing?" she asked, confused.

"Sorry, not landings....Holdings. Eclipse Holdings," the officer corrected.

Elara bit her lip. "So what do you think we should do? I can't stay here for more than ten minutes."

The officer looked around, then back at her. "Maybe I have an idea. You are the Aurelia PR, right? Second in command."

She nodded, offering a polite smile. "Of course, yes. And my boss needs me now. We ply this road so well."

The officer nodded sympathetically. "Yeah, you're right. Actually, I'm so sorry this had to happen. But the thing going on there is not just a normal company, it's one of the highest that just came out. How about you just walk out or stroll forward? When you get past the traffic, call your driver to pick you up on the other side."

She nodded, smiling at the officer and whispered to Drake, "Don't wait for me. Just call one of your fellow drivers to come pick me up, please. Be fast, because I'm actually going to pull these heels and walk as fast as I can. You know how Ma'am can be."

Drake nodded as Elara stepped out, slipping off her heels and carrying them as she began walking forward through the stalled traffic.

"Oh my god, this is so crazy," she murmured softly.

Suddenly, a breeze swept through, strong and unexpected.

A newspaper flew up and smacked lightly against her face. She gasped, quickly pulling it away. "What the fuck?"

She glanced at it, as the headline said: Eclipse Holding Limited. Then looked around, front and back. "What kind of company bears a cringe name as..."

"Can I have it? That's mine." The deep, smooth voice stopped her mid-sentence. It came from a sleek black car beside her.

Elara turned toward it, her heart skipping unexpectedly.

The tinted window began to glide down slowly, revealing the interior shadows first. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words caught in her throat.

She held her breath, pulse quickening as the glass continued its descent, the moment stretching with electric tension.

Her eyes widened slightly, a soft flush rising to her cheeks as curiosity and something warmer bloomed in her chest.

Who was this?

The breeze teased her hair, the city noise fading into the background as the window revealed...