Chapter 181
Elara’s POV
The boutique was chaos in the best possible way.
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Elara had expected maybe thirty people to show up for the grand opening. She’d prepared champagne for fifty just to be safe, thinking that was wildly optimistic.
There were at least two hundred people crammed into the space.
Fashion editors from Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar examining the curated racks with critical eyes. Socialites trying on statement pieces in the fitting rooms. Influencers taking photos in front of the custom wallpaper Elara had agonized over for weeks. And somehow, impossibly, three actual celebrities browsing the accessories like this was a normal Tuesday.
“This is insane,” Mimi said, appearing at Elara’s elbow with a champagne flute. “Do you know who just walked in? That actress from the Netflix show everyone’s obsessed with. She’s looking at your evening wear.”
“Stop. I can’t think about that right now or I’ll have a panic attack.”
“Too late. She’s coming over.”
The actress approached with one of Elara’s designs draped over her arm, a midnight blue gown with hand- beaded details that had taken Elara three weeks to source. “Is the designer here? I’d love to talk about a custom piece for the Emmys.”
Elara’s brain short-circuited. The Emmys. This woman wanted to wear Elara’s design to the actual Emmys that would be broadcast to millions of people.
“I’m the designer,” she managed to say. “Elara Thorne.”
“Your work is stunning. Really. I’ve been looking for something that feels elegant without being boring and this is exactly it.” The actress gestured to the gown. “Can we talk about measurements and timeline?”
Mimi physically pushed Elara forward. “Yes, she’d love to. Let’s go to the consultation area.”
The next hour passed in a blur. Elara took measurements, sketched ideas, discussed fabric options and bead placements while some part of her brain screamed that this couldn’t actually be happening. She was designing a gown for an Emmy nominee. Her boutique had been open for ninety minutes and she already had a commission that could launch her entire career.
When the actress finally left with promises to follow up, Elara collapsed into one of the velvet chairs in the fitting area.
“I need a minute,” she told Mimi. “Just one minute to,process whatever just happened.”
“No time. There’s a woman from Town & Country asking about a feature. And someone from the Times wants an interview. And I think that’s Anna Wintour’s assistant taking photos.”
“You’re joking.”
17:10 Mon, May 11
Chapter 181
GE
11 JENGH
“I am not joking Your boutique is officially a thing. Congratulations on becoming an overnight success after three months of absolutely grueling preparation.”
Elara forced herself to stand and smooth her dress. She could have a breakdown later Right now she needed to be professional and grateful and everything a successful boutique owner should be
She found Marcus in the main room holding both twins while a cluster of women cooed over them. Alexander was eating the attention, smiling and babbling at anyone who looked his way. Catherine watched everyone with her usual serious expression, like she was judging whether they were worthy of her notice.
“Using our children for marketing?” Elara teased.
“They’re naturals. Alexander just charmed three women into buying evening gowns and Catherine convinced someone to buy an entire accessory collection with a single withering stare.”
“That’s my girl.”
Marcus handed Catherine over and Elara held her daughter close, breathing in that baby smell that somehow made everything feel more manageable. “This is overwhelming,” she admitted quietly. “In the best way but still completely overwhelming.”
“You’re doing amazing. Look around, El. This is all you. Your vision, your designs, your business. I just wrote some checks.”
“You did more than write checks. You believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.”
“That’s because I’m extremely smart and have excellent taste in wives.”
Elara kissed him, quick and soft, then pulled back before she got distracted. “I should get back to it. Can you handle the twins a bit longer?”
“We’re fine. Go be brilliant.”
She worked the room for another two hours, talking to potential clients and press and other boutique owners who’d come to check out the competition. By the time the crowd started thinning Elara’s face hurt from smiling and her feet were screaming in the heels she’d chosen for height over comfort.
But every muscle ache was worth it when she looked at the order forms her assistant had been collecting all evening. Dozens of custom requests. Interest from buyers who wanted to carry her designs in their stores. Invitations to show at fashion week events.
Three months ago she’d been a wife and mother with dreams she’d pushed to the side. Now she was a designer with a successful boutique and more opportunities than she knew how to handle.
“You should eat something,” Marcus said, appearing with a plate of canapes from the catering table. “You’ve been running on adrenaline and champagne for five hours.”
“Has it been five hours?”
“The grand opening was supposed to end at seven. It’s now almost nine and people are still shopping.”
17:10 Mon, May 11 M
