Fashion Me, Sweet!

1. Beijing’s Sunlight

Translator: Nina Mel

Rewritten & Copyrighted in 2020.

Printed in St.Lucia.

All rights reserved.

Soon to be published on Amazon after editing.

7:30 AM, my alarm rang.

I arose from bed with a headache. Instinctively, stretching my arms up in the air and yawning. I approached my window, the curtain was tilted on aside. The sunlight seeped in like honey overflowing my room with its brightness, transforming the dull flora patterns on my bedroom’s wall into a golden field of flowers.

Opening the hotel’s window, I shouted, “Good morning, Beijing! I’m finally here!”

As a famous St. Lucian fashion designer based in France, Paris, I, Shani Nina Milton will make fashion history at Beijing Fashion Week 2022.

Inhaling the morning dew, I smiled. Looking downward, there was heavy traffic which occupied the street. Sidewalks bustling with citizens well-dressed in the latest fashion trends heading to work and school. Since I’ve arrived, I’ve spent most of my time preparing for, Beijing Fashion Week 2022. I haven’t even gotten a chance to visit China’s famous historical sites such as Taimiao, Wangfujing, Water Cube, Forbidden City, Phoenix Center, The China Millennium Monument, and National Museum. However, thanks to my best friends, Xiao Ruby, Kang Aya, and my personal assistant, Elena Lousie Zhang, they’ve planned a special day for me to hang out with them touring the city and learning their culture.

Gazing at the clock, realizing it’s seven minutes to eight. Still in Garfield’s pajamas and a morning breath that could kill a skunk. I knew something needed to be done about this and rushed into the bathroom.

Suddenly, I overheard my doorbell rang. Quickly, washing my face with a scented rose soap before rinsing it off. I grabbed my towel and wiped my face. I put toothpaste on my pink toothbrush and brushed my teeth before rinsing my mouth with water and sipped it out into the sink. I walked towards the door in a hurry and checked the door-monitor and realized it was Elena. She was looked pale, drain, and sleepy. She wore a red leather jacket over an orange summer dress with white heels holding her blue luggage at her side. Elena was going to be my roommate along with Aya and Ruby.

She has been diligently checking the venue: ‘Forbidden City’, models fitting, DJ and keeping me updated on my fashion company, Shani Clarity’s progress in the online sales, store sales, and appointments with Vogue, Elle, Maria Claire, Dior, celebrities and other designer brands basically the entire fashion industry. She’s my right-hand woman, taking care of all the important details for the upcoming event which will be held on Tuesday. As soon as I opened the door, Elena stormed in and landed on the cream couch exhaustedly.

“Shani! Everything has been set in place. The coordinator, Mr. Lee Yang-ji agreed with the 21st to showcase your summer collection. You’re grouped in B with all the newbies…” she panted sitting up and took a sip of water from the water bottle she was holding.

“That’s great, Elena! Did you run up here?” I asked.

“What do you think? The elevator is out of order and I had to walk all the way up here. Why does your room have to be on the top floor for Pete’s sake!” she yelled glaring at me as she frowned.

“I’m famous, I need to be treated like royalty, ” I joked, giggling.

“What? Royalty? Nonsense!” Elena laughed.

I rolled my eyes, annoyed, and answered, “Shut up, will you?”

“Never,” she teased smirking.

The doorbell rang for the second time.

“Who could that be?” I questioned.

“I’ll get it,” Elena said getting off the couch and headed for the door. She checked the door-monitor and spotted Aya and Ruby. Aye wore a white blouse, jeans, and sandals. While Ruby wore a lemon-yellow pencil-skirt suit with heels and shades. They held their suitcases in one hand and on the other hand, had a tray of chocolate cake and lattes as soon as Elena opened the door, they stepped in.

“Surprise! We’re here!” they exclaimed excitedly.

Elena chuckled, “Shani, your party-girls are here!” and hugged them.

“Thanks for the introduction, Elena,” Aya laughed. “Good to see you.”

“Yeah,” Elena smiled.

They rushed into my arms and embraced me.

“Girls, you can let go now I can’t feel my arms,” I spoke while Elena chuckled.

“Hug her more,” Elena teased.

“Don’t even think about it,” I said and they released me.

“Shani! Did you lose weight or you got yourself a hot boyfriend?” Ruby poked my nose.

“What? No,” I scoffed rolling my eyes, and sat on the armchair.

Aya added, “Anyway, I never thought Beijing International Airport would be packed with a mob of my fans cheering on a boy group called INSANE with so many colorful banners asking them to marry them. It’s outrageous!”

“You think!” Ruby agreed. “We had to fight our way through the crowd to get out of there.”

“Oh my gosh, that’s crazy!” I exclaimed surprisingly.

“Oh yeah! I almost forgot. Mr. Chang Li Kai, chairman of CC Entertainment signed our contract to allowed four idols to participate in your fashion show. He said he has cleared his afternoon appointments to have a meeting with you today at twelve.”

“Oh? That’s wonderful! I can’t wait to meet him,” I replied.

Suddenly, Ruby started getting hype up about this situation calling by my nickname, Shan Shan.

“Shan Shan, this is awesome! You always said that you wanted somebody to love. Here’s a great opportunity to scout a boyfriend,” she said.

“This is a business deal I don’t want to mess up, Ruby. It’s not a dating hub,” I warned as I shook my head watching her with an eyebrow raised up.

Somehow, Aya and Elena thought Ruby was right. They didn’t speak their minds, they knew I haven’t dated anyone or went clubbing in the last few years because I was practically married to my job. Still, I was optimistic about the boyfriend’s fact. ‘Who knows what will happen,’ I thought.

Elena snapped her fingers at me.

“What?” I answered.

“Shani, are you going to take the opportunity?” She asked looking at me puzzled.

“This could be good for your life, I mean the collection, of course. More guys will buy your clothes just to attract women, think about it?” Aya said.

She, Ruby, and Elena laughed at the suggestion, they knew I could read between the lines.

“Stop it, I know what you girls are thinking but no,” I said.

“At least we tried,” Elena joked as the girls giggled.

“I’m ignoring you,” I sang as we entered the living room.

Honestly, an open-concept living room and kitchen worked perfectly for me.

Ruby placed the tray of cake down on the table and suggested, “Let’s have some cake. Maybe this will help her change her mind.”

Aya laughed, “Probably” and sat at the table.

“Oh, you know,” I smiled wickedly.

Elena and I went into the kitchen to get a knife and four plates. Aya switched on the television to see if there’s any celebrity gossip. She found an older news reporter in her late thirties named, Lina talking to INSANE members ZT, Lau, Sei, and Donny Li on CGTN.

Lina reported, “We’re back with INSANE members! ZT, Lau, Sei, and their leader, Donny Li! They will be taking part in the Beijing Fashion Week 2022. Modeling famous fashion designer, Shani Nina Milton’s summer collection, Sunshine Shani. The St. Lucian designer who lived in Paris for five years launched her popular brand, Shani Clarity took the fashion world by storm. About to make history at Beijing Fashion Week 2022, the twenty-six years old CEO is bringing her Caribbean style to China’s fashion…..”

“Girls, check this out!” Aya yelled.

She brought our attention to the screen, where I saw four handsome guys in their early to late twenties. They were well dressed in her causal three-piece suits from her men’s collection, Scent, and Gucci. The boys had their billion-dollar smile flashing while doing the interview with the female reporter, Lina.

“How do you guys feel working with such a top designer? Shani Nina Milton?” she asked smiling.

“We feel honored to be working with her. She’s a global sensation and an inspiration to us in the fashion world. We are ecstatic that Ms. Milton accepted us to be in her fashion show which will be viewed globally. And, knowing that we are the very first idols to collaborate with her is precious history being made for us,” Lau answered.

“Plus! We’ll be performing our new single, The Wind on the runway stage as well. It’s a gift for our fans, Angels,” ZT smiled excitedly.

Sei and Donny Li agreed, “Yeah.”

“Oh wow! That’s fantastic! We can’t wait to hear it. We also heard a rumor that guys will be meeting Ms. Milton for the very first time today, is that true?” Lina asked curiously.

Donny Li replied, “Yes, will be doing our final fitting for the outfits.”

“Alright! Since you guys haven’t seen her yet we got a photo of her when she arrived here for the first time yesterday. Would you like to see it?” Lina asked.

Sei, Lau, ZT, and Donny Li exclaimed nicely, “Yes!”

“What?” I shouted as the girls laughed.

As soon as they showed my photo on the stand-monitor, I was surprised because I actually looked beautiful like I just finished a photo-shoot with Vogue. That day I wore blue skinny jeans, a plaid yellow shirt, shades, and blue converse shoes. I held my luggage in one hand while listening to Ciara- Level Up in my Beatport’s headphones around my neck. INSANE members’ expressions were so funny even Lina got shocked.

“So what do guys think? Is she your type?” She asked anxiously waiting for their answers like all fans did, who watched the news.

Immediately, they said, “Yeah!” and Lina laughed.

Finally, their interview led to an end playing their recent music video.

Aya, Ruby, and Elena teased, “Woo! Shan Shan, the boys love you!”

“Shut up, let’s eat,” I giggled rolling my eyes at them. I took the knife and slice a piece of chocolate cake.

Aya started asking Elena who she likes out of the guys. She answered Lau ge ge. Ruby couldn’t remove her eyes from Sei. ‘She interested in him,’ I thought. Then Ruby who asked Aya, she proudly replied Kung Fu Panda. ZT! He is so cute when he cries or acts silly. She laughed and then Elena, Ruby, and her faced me with a mischievous look.

“You like someone, don’t you, Shani?” Elena teased.

“Shani, I hope you don’t like Sei ge ge. He’s mine. It’s better if you like Donny Li,” Ruby blurted out staring at me furiously.

“Seriously, don’t tell me foolishness. I don’t even like him plus none of them aren’t my type,” I answered. I sighed shaking my head and continued to eat my cake.

11:30 AM after I finished ate and showered. I prepared myself for the meeting. Aya washed the dishes, while I styled my hair into a ponytail. Elena and Ruby run into the bathroom putting on their make-up and shoes. I wore the white pantsuit I designed, accessorized it with a red beret, coat, vans, and dark shades. I walked out of my room after checking myself in the mirror. I found Aya, Ruby, and Elena ready, they were dressed in their pencil-skirt suits in various colors. They were shocked when they saw my outfit matched well with caramel complexation. I earned the nickname, Miss Independent.

“Wow! Shani, you look stunning! Oh my gosh, we need to take a photo of you and put it on Instagram,” Aya smiled.

“Yeah,” Ruby agreed, suddenly turning into my fan photographer.

“Hey! Stop it we’re going to be late,” Elena said, frustrated as she watches the time it was 11:55, five minutes to 12:00.

We entered the elevator, pressed the ground floor button. When we got there, we headed through the lobby and exited the hotel. Hotel Manager, Mrs. Lee hired a personal chauffeur known as Chan Junior to drive us to my scheduled appointments. Once we boarded the car, Mr. Chan greeted us.

“Good morning, Miss Milton and ladies! Where are you going today?” He asked cheerfully.

“CC Entertainment. I have a meeting at 12:00. Can we get there quickly, please?” I responded.

“Sure, Miss,” Mr. Chan nodded.

He drove off at lightning speed. After three minutes, we arrived.