A Career Ascent

AVA

The alarm buzzes, and I groan, slamming my hand down on the snooze button with the kind of force usually reserved for dealing with annoying clients.

Five more minutes of precious sleep, that's all I'm asking for, universe! But nope, the universe has other plans for me.

I drag myself out of bed, my blankets tangled around me like an octopus trying to pull me back into its aquatic lair. With a combination of determination and desperation, I manage to break free from the grip of the comforter, landing unceremoniously on the floor.

"Ouch! Note to self: never trust a comforter again," I mutter to no one in particular.

Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I glance at the clock. Oh no, I'm running late. I'm my own boss and all but I dislike delinquency. I can't afford to be tardy otherwise what message am I sending to my employees?

I shuffle into the bathroom and turn on the shower, hoping the cascading water will jolt me awake. As I step into the shower, I can't help but let out a little squeal as the water temperature goes from freezing to scalding within seconds. Note to self: invest in a better showerhead.

Once I've adjusted to the fluctuating water temperature, I let the refreshing water wash away my sleepiness. The warmth of the shower brings some life back into my bones, and I begin to feel more human again.

After rinsing off, I wrap myself in a fluffy towel and stand in front of the mirror, contemplating my appearance. "Okay, Ava, you can do this," I pep talk myself, trying to boost my confidence for the day ahead.

With a determined nod, I start my morning beauty routine, applying a little makeup to hide the evidence of a sleepless night. Some concealer to disguise the dark circles under my eyes, a touch of blush for a healthy glow, and a swipe of mascara to give my tired eyes some life.

In record time, I'm dressed, and armed with a triple-shot espresso, which I hope will grant me superpowers to tackle any design challenge thrown my way. I take a sip, and for a moment, I imagine myself as a caped crusader flying through the city, rescuing homes from the clutches of bad taste and outdated decor.

With a quick double-check of my bag to ensure I've got everything I need, I bolt out the door, leaving my apartment behind like a crime scene of discarded outfit choices.

On my way to work, I press my sleek earbuds into my ears, fumbling slightly as I juggle my coffee and phone. "Morning world!" I chirp into my phone's speaker, grinning ear to ear as I walk towards the bustling streets of New York city.

My friends, Karen and Sapphire, join in with unenthusiastic greetings.

"Ava, darling, you sound way too chipper for this ungodly hour," Karen says, and I can practically picture her rubbing her sleepy eyes.

Sapphire chuckles. "Yeah, Ava, it's like you've had a gallon of coffee already."

I laugh, taking a sip of my coffee, which I've already come to rely on for its magical wake-up properties. "Well, ladies, you know what they say – early bird gets the worm and all that. Anyway, I'm pumped today! I have a feeling something great's going to happen."

"Ooh, spill the tea. What's got you all excited?" Karen asks, her voice tinged with curiosity.

I giggle, trying to contain my excitement. "You won't believe it. You know renowned Oil and Gas billionaire, Ethan Blackwood?"

"The one with the ridiculously gorgeous face that reminds me of hot chocolate?” Sapphire chimes in.

Trust Sapphire to be a little extra. She never disappoints. She's my best friend and partner in crime. I admire her spontaneity, and ability to embrace life's wild ride with open arms and a contagious laugh.

Sapphire's azure eyes are always sparkling with mischief and curiosity, making you wonder what she's planning next. And her smile, ah, her smile! It's a grin so infectious that if you're not careful, you'll end up smiling like a maniac too, for no apparent reason.

You might assume Sapphire's job would match her vivacious personality, and you wouldn't be far off the mark. She's a professional event planner, orchestrating memorable experiences for people who want to add a splash of excitement to their lives. It's no surprise that her career allows her to channel her boundless energy into crafting thrilling, unforgettable moments for others.

Karen on the other other hand, is the yin to my yang, the calm to my chaos, and the peanut butter to my jelly. If life were a rollercoaster, I'd be the one screaming with excitement, while Karen would be sipping tea, cool as a cucumber.

Karen's appearance matches her personality perfectly. She's got this elegant, laid-back vibe that I can only dream of emulating. Her long, chestnut hair cascades down her back in soft waves, and her big, hazel eyes have this peaceful twinkle that could put even the most stressed-out soul at ease.

"Yep, that's the one,” I say in answer to Sapphire’s question. “Well, I got a call from his assistant this morning. Apparently, he saw my portfolio and wants me to renovate one of his properties!"

Silence greets my revelation, and I worry that my connection dropped. But then, Karen's ecstatic scream fills my ears. "Oh my gosh! That's huge! You go, girl!"

Sapphire adds, "Wow, this is amazing! We knew you were going places, but this is the stratosphere!"

I blush at their praise, feeling a sense of pride welling up inside me. "Thanks, guys. You're the best cheerleaders a girl could ask for. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. It's just an initial meeting, so fingers crossed it goes well."

As I weave through the busy streets, I share more details about the upcoming meeting. Karen and Sapphire bombard me with tips and tricks, trying to prep me as best as they can. I'm grateful for their support, but their over-the-top suggestions crack me up.

"Sapphire, are you seriously suggesting I wear a tiara to the meeting?" I chuckle, imagining their excited faces.

"You'd look fabulous!" Sapphire insists, and I can hear her flipping through some imaginary fashion magazine.

I shake my head, laughing. "I think I'll stick with my usual chic attire, ladies. But thanks for the suggestions.”

The call continues as I make my way to the subway station. I have a car but I felt like taking the subway today. My friends and I discuss everything from design ideas to Karen's latest dating escapades.

“Sebastian and I were at Jasper’s last week,” Karen says, and Sapphire and I let out ‘ohhs’. Sebastian is the guy she's been seeing for the past couple of months. They met at a conference.

“So, how's that going?” I ask.

“It’s Sebastian this, Sebastian that. I swear if I have to listen to her talk about how sweet and charming he is one more time, I'm going to stab myself in the eye,” Sapphire whines, and I giggle.

“Oh please, Sapphire, you know we didn't hear the end of it when you and Will were still together,” Karen deadpans.

Will was Sapphire’s college sweetheart. He cheated on her and broke her heart after graduation and although, she has aimless flings, she still hasn't moved on.

“Karen, you know we don't speak of him,” I chide Karen.

“What? I was only trying to make a point,” she defends.

“It’s fine. I'm not a fragile piece of glass.” Sapphire says but I know she's hurt. They were pretty tight, and she hasn't been able to get over the asshole.

Time flies as I'm talking to them, and before I know it, I'm stepping into the bustling subway car, phone in hand.

"Okay, girls, I've got to head underground. But I'll keep you updated on how the meeting goes.”

"Deal," they chime in unison.

We exchange our goodbyes, and I disconnect the call. Arriving at the office, I'm greeted by the vibrant colors of our studio. From whimsical wallpaper samples to luxurious fabric swatches, the place oozes inspiration.

My assistant, Linda, waves from her desk, her infectious smile spreading like sunshine. Linda is a gem - efficient, resourceful, and secretly knows how to keep me from turning into a design-crazed tornado.

"Good morning, Miss Summers," Linda chirps.

"Morning, Linda," I reply with a grin. "Any pressing matters before our design huddle?"

Linda shakes her head, her caramel curls bouncing like springy springs. "All smooth sailing. You can work your design magic without any interruptions."

"Fantastic. Let's do this!"

I'm about to walk into the meeting room to meet the rest of my team when she stops me.

"Well, I might have a surprise for you, but you have to promise not to scream in excitement." She grins mischievously.

I raise an eyebrow, intrigued. "Alright, I promise. What's the surprise?"

"We got the contract!" she exclaims, practically bouncing on her toes.

My heart flutters in my chest, and I can't help but let out a joyous squeal. "Oh my gosh, really? Montgomery Housings?”

"Montgomery Housings," she affirms, barely able to contain her excitement.

"Pinch me, Linda, I must be dreaming!"

She laughs, and I can't help but join in. "No, this is real. We really got the contract!"

I feel a rush of pride and satisfaction wash over me. I've been trying to get their attention for months and now, this. Landing this project is a major milestone for my career.

"Alright, enough celebrating for now. We've got work to do,” I say, getting back into boss mode. "Gather those who aren't inside already, we need to brainstorm some ideas."

Landing a contract with a billionaire like Ethan and another big client like Montgomery Housings means more money for the team and they're super excited for the rest of the day.

Taking a cab home later on after work, I reflect on the day's events with a sense of accomplishment. Being my own boss is a risk, but it's undoubtedly the best decision I ever made.

The freedom to unleash my creativity, the joy of working with a dream team, and the satisfaction of transforming spaces into living art - it's all worth it.

Tonight, I'll treat myself to a glass of wine and some well-deserved binge-watching. But tomorrow, the design wonderland awaits once more, and I can't wait to see what enchanting challenges Ethan Blackwood has for me.

For now, though, I enjoy the drive home, savoring the feeling of knowing that I'm living my passion, one brushstroke of creativity at a time.