My Forever

Chapter 1

Chelsie

“I looked at the list, and everything seems to be in order. Can you double check?” Nikki, the boss’s assistant, asks while I’m perusing the lingerie collection.

“Yep. We’re all good.”

“Great! Anya just texted. I’m gonna go.”

I just nod at Nikki as she takes quick steps toward her office. As I look at another collection I curated, I’m beset by how satisfying it is to finish one batch, and for people to love them.

“That totally looks good on you, Maddie,” I compliment one of our models as I pass by to check the raw shots on the screen.

This is exactly the part which I love most about my job. We cater to different sizes and body types. Our mission is for every woman to feel beautiful and sexy in their own skin.

I’m Chelsie Woods, and I’ve been working for Essence Brands as a lingerie designer for three years. I love working here, but I have bigger dreams for myself.

I then notice Nikki entering the studio, and Anya, our boss, behind her. She greets everybody with a smile, as she always does.

“What do we have here, Chelsie?” Anya asks as she stands beside me, scanning the photos.

“The pair Maddie’s wearing is called Lisbon,” I answer.

“I was just there last week!” she says enthusiastically.

“I remember. Is it okay that I used the name?” I  ask Anya shyly.

“Are you kidding? I love it!”

I sigh in relief, and smile at her in return. She then asks where the rest of the collection is, and I gesture in their direction.

“What do you think?” I inquire as she meticulously scans each piece.

She looks at me with cheerful eyes, and I know what’s about to come. I feel my lips lift into a smile because, once again, I’ve impressed my beloved boss and mentor.

“I think you don’t need me to say anything.  You can already see the answer on my face,” she winks.

“Thank you so much, Anya. It means a lot to me that you like it,” I say modestly.

“Well, I just dropped by to see what’s going on here, but I’ll be heading out now. I have to meet a client over lunch. Good job, Chelsie.”

She taps my shoulder, and bids her goodbyes to the rest of the team. As I watch her leave, another hand touches my shoulder.

“Looks like you’ve done it again.”

“Done what?”

Nikki just smirks at me, and pinches my waist. If Anya smiles in lieu of compliments, Nikki does it through pinches. 

“We’re almost done here, right? Drop by my desk later, so we can have lunch together. Bye!” Nikki reminds me.

“Sure.”

As the other employees finish their work so we can meet our goal for the morning, I sit on the corner to observe. As I watch, my thoughts drift to the events in my life that led me to this.

Ever since I moved here from New Orleans five years ago, I’ve been living the dream. I’m working for a company I love, I have amazing co-workers, a very kind boss, and I live in the Big Apple. Still, I feel there’s something missing.

See, I studied fashion design in college, and I’ve been drawn to designing lingerie since. I pour my heart and soul into every design because I want every woman to feel confident in their own beauty. 

“Chelsie? Could you check this?” the photographer calls my attention.

I shake away the remnants of my thoughts as I approach the screen. When I’m satisfied with everything I see, I call for a wrap and we start packing up.

“We did great! Thank you so much, everyone!”

“Thank you!” The people respond in unison.

It always humbles me to see the smiles on my co-workers’ faces after a successful project. In other companies, the marketing department would have been all over the whole collection, but here at Essence, we work differently. Because I designed the collection, I have a direct hand in its marketing and promotion.

“You ready to go?” I ask Nikki as soon as I reach her table.

“Thank God! I’m starving. Let’s go!”

Being the extrovert that she is, Nikki greets every person we come across and invites them to join us. She always does this, and I really admire her for that.

“What?” she asks when she catches me staring blankly at her once we sit down to lunch at a corner bistro. 

“Nothing. I was just lost in my thoughts.”

The waiter comes by and we order. Afterwards there is a silence. 

She then gives me her signature pointed look and says, “Tell me!”

I sigh and give in, “I guess I’m just worried.”

Nikki’s face instantly becomes concerned, reaching for my hand and questioning, “About what?”

“About pursuing my dream. Do you think I can do it?”

Suddenly, she lets out a teasing laugh. When she sees how annoyed I am, Nikki says sorry and immediately turns serious.

“Sorry, I just find it funny you don’t see just how talented you are,” she explains.

“You can’t blame me. You know I have so many what ifs in my mind.”

“True. But, honey, look how far you’ve come,” she reaches for my hand again. “Your talent is exceptional.”

Nikki is the only person from work who knows about my dream of having my own lingerie store. She’s my confidante. She’s the only one I can share my worries with about what it will take to make my dream come true.

“Look, I’m telling you this as a co-worker, not as a friend. You’re so talented, and you think outside of the box. You have what it takes. Just keep your eyes on the prize.”

I squeeze her hand to thank her, but she interrupts me by saying, “I’m not done yet.”

“Sorry.”

“Even though we’re working for a great company, I know how much you want your dream. I’ll always support you.”

Our intimate conversation is interrupted when the waiter arrives with our food. Nikki smiles once again, and I’m comforted by it, knowing I have a friend who has my back.