Isabel Reeves sat at her table, hunched over a blue print with pencil poised mid-sketch, though her mind wandered more to the reality she had been ignoring for months: Her family Legacy was crumbling,everything they had built falling under the earth. The once mighty Reeves $ Co Company was now a mere office looked down on by other lower organisations. The office itself creaked in weight of protest under the weight of years of neglect even her architectural from which was once celebrated in magazine and design circles, now barely stayed afloat.
Isabel sighed, running her hand through her chestnut hair, the frustration just pulling tight lines around her eyes. The phone rang,startling her from her thoughts and she picked it with a polite yet distracted tone.
"Yes, this is Reeves & co" she said pressing her pencil against the paper once more as the thought of drawing could ground her. Then a voice she didn't recognize with an edge of authority that put her on alert.
"Good morning Ms. Reeves, I'm Marcus from Blackwells. We've been reviewing some of your firm's Projects and, frankly, we are impressed with the way you approach both form and function.So would you like a potential partnership with us? Isabel brows furrowed as she leaned back on her chair.
"I'm afraid we're a very small operation at the moment and our resources are limited but perhaps we could meet up tomorrow and talk about it. I would love to work with you guys as well."
"Okay, Ms. Reeves. We'll love to have you tomorrow. Thank you."
The line was cut even before Isabel said thank you. She stared at the phone with a blooming smile on her face. "Oh God, finally," she muttered.
"Lily," she called to her assistant through the telephone, "Make up a schedule for me.I have a meeting at Blackwell's."
"Yes ma'am," Lily responded.
By evening, Isabel closed for work, the day already was weighing her down. As she was walking towards her car,her phone rang. It was Steph, her best friend.She picked up the call.
"What'sup girl?"
"I'm good, and you?" Steph's voice echoed through the phone with excitement in her voice.
"I'm fine. What have you been up to?" Isabel asked while rubbing her neck.
"Nothing. I'm on my way back from work, so let's go to the party!" Steph said with her voice all excited.
"Oh, Steph, I'm really tired and stressed. I'll just pass."
"Please, Isabel, we really need to go. Let's go relieve ourselves. No debates. I'm coming to pick you up." Steph said and cut off the call, not allowing Isabel to speak.
Isabel sighed, entered her car and drove off.
When she arrived home, she showered and wore a midnight-black satin gown cut in a sleek, architectural style that mirrored her profession. The back was exposed in a deep V, outlined by thin, criss-crossed satin straps revealing confidence rather than vulnerability.
The sound of a horn echoed softly from outside her apartment."
"Steph," she muttered, shaking her head with a tiny smile. The best friend I never asked for. She grabbed her purse.
"I'm outside, babe," the announcement came with zero apology. She slipped the last silver earring into place just as another horn followed. She made her way down the stairs, her heels clicking lightly on the polished wood.
Before she even reached the door, she heard it swing open.
"Isaaaaaa—" Steph's voice stretched dramatically as she stepped inside. "Bel, what in God's perfect earth are you WEARING?"
Isabel stopped in the hallway with one hand on the banister.
"What does that mean?"
"It means," Steph said with her eyes widening like she just discovered gold, "you look like a sin dipped in velvet. Holy hell!"
Isabel laughed, smoothing her hands down her gown.
"It's just a dress." "Just a dress?"Steph placed a hand on her chest.
"Isabel Reeves, you are out here looking like you're ready to collect hearts. That sl*t? That neckline? That back? Girl, architects shouldn't be allowed to look this good. It's dangerous."
Isabel shook her head. "You're being dramatic, Steph."
"Dramatically? It's a talent. We're leaving before I handcuff you to the house. The men at this party are not emotionally stable enough for you," Steph said.
Isabel took one last glance at herself in the mirror hanging by the entryway. She didn't dress to impress anyone but dressed to remind herself she belonged in any room.
"I'm ready," she said softly.
"Good." Steph linked their arms. "Let's go."
Arriving at the club, Isabel and Steph turned onto a packed street with lights glowing electric blue and pink. The bass from inside was loud that Isabel felt it through the car Steph whistled.
"oof. Big Crowd tonight,bet we would catch some fishes tonight?" They parked and stepped out. The wind swept Isabel's dress against her legs. She felt the wind a little bit cold.
A mountain sized man stood beside the door front. He grinned and lifted the rope.
"Good to see you, ladies?"
Steph winked." VIP all the way."
The moment Isabel and Steph stepped into the club, the atmosphere slammed into them like a wave. They were heavy bass, flashing lights and bodies moving in rhythm. Steph grabbed Isabel's hand immediately.
"Okay, Queen. Drinks first." "Steph, maybe I shoul
d slow down. -"
"Shhh. No slowing," Steph said, already weaving through the crowd. "Tonight is therapy."