The conference room was filled with people of different age group, all eager to see the design that had won their Boss's heart. They murmured to each other, taking random guesses as to who the mysterious designer was.
Adam, just like every other days compelled silence on his arrival, they however strained to see the mystery designer but there was none other than the ever-present Elijah right behind him.
Adam sat at the head of the table, Elijah by his side.
"Good day to you all, for a while now, we've been fretting about out a design for the upcoming summer, you all gave your piece but like I said, none of them were satisfying. So we widened our horizons. We gave the opportunity to the assistant designers and our job applicants. It is said that if you want something different approach the unexpected. Well, it worked for us. Ladies and gentlemen I present to you JoDa's Summer line for 2022, as always the floor is open for your suggestions. "
The design came on display immediately he finished addressing them, he allowed them a few minutes to digest it, closely examining their facial expression and most of them were wowed. Some even gasped as the pictures scrolled by, the minute details of the design was enthralling.
The designer targeted the working class, that idea itself is a genius one. For every summer line, the working class were always ignored. They always wore suits and nothing more so most designers just focused on making the suit more stylish.
This designer however focused on making it more comfortable for the weather, she however didn't ignore the style, the combo impressed the designers and made them more impatient.
'Who is the designer?'
Adam smiled to himself.
'You will all be surprised.' He thought.
Signalling to Elijah to get Alice, he said.
"I present to you the designer."
Elijah came in escorting Alice.
'She is so young.'They wondered.
Her design had convinced them she was someone with experience, the thought behind it, though there was some mistakes, they didn't give her away as a rookie.
So on her arrival, surprise etched their faces, some even letting out small gasps.
"Hello." She greeted. Her guts were about to spill. She was standing in front of some of the best designers in the world, who was she kidding when she thought she could do it.
She looked around and their expectant faces made her cower, she had never felt so small and insignificant. One look at her design and she could now see the mistakes she had been formerly blind too, some even basic, the whole thing began to look below average.
'How did I think I could present something so...'
"May I say something sir?" A male voice asked from the crowd interrupting her thoughts.
Alice searched for the person but there was nothing to identify him, so she waited for Adam to permit him.
"Go on." He permitted.
"Miss." A petite elderly man called.
Alice finally saw the man, he is an elderly petite man, with a very friendly face, she willed herself to stand there and listen, she should at least be brave enough to hear their opinion.
He is going to chastise her, of course he should, after all she had dared to stand in front of them with a designso subpar.
Now thinking about it, Adam had only brought her here so she could see for herself how inexperienced she was. How her design, the design she seemed so proud of was equal to nothing.
"I Like your design, I like the idea, the style, the particular colors you used, the choice of material, yeah they are some mistakes but I'm very impressed." Alice gasped, she couldn't believe it.
He likes her design?
This design?
Her?
Didn't he know she is just a rookie?
Alice looked around trying to confirm from others, from anybody and she could see affirmative nods
They agreed with him?
"But I'm just a rookie?" She voiced her thoughts timidly.
This Made him Chuckle along with some of them.
"Weren't we all rookies Ma'am?" He asked.
"You know there's just one thing we need now. Fashion designing is an art and art on its own without any explanation only appeals to the eye but the thought behind that art, the writer's intentions appeals to the heart. So ma'am you have passed one test, I, We, can't wait for you to pass the other."
Alice felt happiness rush through her, it was like it rushed along with the blood pumped from her heart, unconsciously her eyes brimmed with unshed tears.
' Someone was finally seeing her.'
"I hope I don't disappoint you, you all" She whispered.
Adam stares at Alice.
No matter how much he wants to doubt her, he could feel his heart welcoming the idea that he had misunderstood her. Her timidity, the tears she tried to blink out, the slight trembling of her hands, couldn't be all a lie, could it?
'Maybe I am wrong this time.' He thought.
Alice cleared her throat and introduced herself.
"I am Alice White, I stand before you to present the above design, please excuse my incompetence, I am but a rookie hoping to gain more experience with you all in this prestigious fashion house."
"Miss Bethany White, you will now proceed to my panel of designers, my assistant will show you the way. They will ask you some questions, when they are done you can go home, you'll get a feedback very soon." Bruce said smiling very professionally.
Bethany felt tensed for a bit, Was her reputation not enough?
She had accomplished quite a lot during her school days so she didn't think there was a need to be tested again. Not that she was scared of not passing the test, she just didn't like the fact that they have to test her as if she was like everybody else.
Feigning a smile, she thanked him and and got up to leave when he added.
"I hope you like our company enough for you to stay a long time. It will be a real pleasure to have the likes of you her Miss White." Now his smile felt different, it felt more personal and without a struggle, she let her annoyance fade. She no longer minded being tested. And from his statement, the test is just a formality, she's already hired.
"I hope your company would accept my humble self." She replied, giving him the most polite smile she could come up with.
"Interesting." he whispered as she walked out, leaving him with the scent of her perfume. Getting over himself, he looked at the list to see the next applicant.
"Caroline Pierre." He recited quietly.
"Once again, Welcome to JoDa." Adam said to Alice immediately they entered his office.
The meeting had taken longer than they had both expected, with everybody putting in one or two words, the design had become a masterpiece and though they were all exhausted, they felt relieved, like a thorn was off their neck.
"Thank you Mr Evans." She replied giddily.
"You'll start work right away, hope it doesn't pose any inconvenience?" He asked, his eyes still on the laptop.
"No it isn't at all." She immediately replied.
"Good, we'll assign you to a head designer then. On that note I heard Valdez requested for you." He informed
"Valdez?" She asked.
"You'll meet him in a while." He answered.
It wasn't long after he had said that when someone knocked the door.
"Come in." He replied, his eyes busily roaming the laptop Infront of him.
Alice peered at the door to see the person and to her surprise it was the man who had spoken to her earlier, on seeing her, he winked before he proceeded to Adam.
"Sir."He called.
"Valdez, I got your request, if she's willing, you both can head to work." He replied, now looking at both of them.
Alice blinked.
So this is Valdez, of course she would want to be his assistant, he is so nice and friendly, a blessing compared to her former boss.
And Why would she reject somebody who helped her out in her time of need?
Confidently, she stood up and addressed Adam.
"Yes sir, I also want to be his assistant."
"Thank you for considering me sir." She added now looking at Valdez.
Valdez smiled as Adam nodded going back to his work.
"Let's get to work then Mi amor." He whistled to which Alice smiled giddily following him closely.