Getting started

Getting started
Freya
I woke up feeling slightly better than I did yesterday. The dull ache in my side was still there, but it had softened. It was like my body had finally made peace with the pain.
The morning light slipped through the half-open blinds, bathing the room in a golden hue that made everything feel softer and calmer. I reached for the blanket, pulling it up a little. I wasn’t cold… I just needed the comfort and warmth… something to hold me since Victor wasn’t beside me. I’m sure he’d be in the kitchen making breakfast for me.
Just then, the door opened gently and the nurse stepped in, wearing a small, professional smile. I had even forgotten that I agreed to a nurse coming everyday to check on me, but I trust Victor not to ever forget.
"Good morning, Miss Freya," the nurse greeted softly, placing her bag down and walking to the side of the bed. "How did you sleep?"
I gave her a small nod. "Better than I expected."
She smiled again. "That’s good. Let’s take a look at those wounds, shall we?"
I nodded, trying not to wince as she carefully helped me sit up. She was gentle, her hands warm and practiced as she peeled the bandages away. I looked down and immediately regretted it. The sight of the stitches, the bruises… it brought everything back. Darla’s face, the knife and the coldness in her eyes when she stabbed me… and then my blood was everywhere
I closed my eyes tightly, trying to stop the scene from happening.
"You’re healing well," the nurse said after a moment, her voice kind but firm. "No sign of infection, which is excellent. You’ll need to keep resting though. I mean that, Freya. Your body is still in recovery mode. You might feel stronger today, but don’t push it. Rest, eat well, no stress, no heavy emotions. Let your body do its thing."
I nodded, swallowing hard. "I’ll try."
“I don’t want you to try, I need you to stick to these terms.” She insisted and I nodded again.
“I will, I promise. Thank you.” I replied while she packed up her things, and left quietly.
I sat there in silence for a while, letting the room fill with my thoughts which were soon disturbed by Victor’s footsteps. I didn’t even have to look, his presence already filled the room before he even said a word.
"You okay?" he asked softly as he walked in.
I turned my head to him, offering a weak smile. "As okay as I can be."
"You’re doing great, baby. I’m proud of you." He leaned down and kissed my forehead.
Then he stepped back, hands in his pockets, like he was trying to gather courage. "So… I was thinking about the wedding."
“Don’t tell me you’re having cold feet’s already!” I raised a brow while he chuckled a little, rubbing the back of his neck.
"You know that’s never going to happen, I just… you need time to rest baby, the nurse came to me and asked me to make sure you rest well. And that has hit me thinking that we should have the wedding in a month and not next week."
I sighed softly, my eyes fluttering shut. "Victor…"
“Please Freya, I want you alive and well. You really think you’ll be able to walk down an aisle in a week?" He asked, and then leaned in, kissing my knuckles.
“Please baby,” he begged. I thought about it too and reasoned with him especially because we have a baby to consider too. I'm not just being okay for myself, it's for my baby girl too. I already lost her brother, now I have to make sure she's safe...
"Two weeks," I whispered, brushing a tear away. "Let’s make it in two weeks. I don’t want to drag it. I just want to get it over with and start our life."
“Thank you baby, I love you! Let me get your breakfast real quick.” He exclaimed before leaving.
I had breakfast in bed and then went back to sleep. It was later in the day that Stacey showed up. She was holding a huge tablet and grinning like she was about to drag me into something.
"Okay!" she said as she threw her purse on the couch. "You and I have work to do."
I raised a brow. "What work?"
"Dresses, of course. I already ordered catalogs and downloaded a bunch online." She sat beside me and pulled up an app. "These are from all the major designers. Let’s start with Vera, then move to Lanvin, then we’ll check out the Lebanese designers. They’re killing it lately."
I scrolled through them slowly, nodding here and there but not really feeling anything. "They’re all beautiful," I muttered.
"But not what you want," Stacey finished for me.
I looked up at her. "How do you know?"
"Because I know your face," she smirked. "And that’s not your ‘wow’ face. That’s your ‘eh’ face."
I rolled my eyes. "Maybe I don’t have a wow face."
"You do. You had it when Victor…” she went on with the list until I stopped her.
"Okay, those were magical," I admitted, smiling.
"So we need a magical dress, which means custom. There’s this new girl. Designer. Just launched last year, but her stuff is... wow." Stacey let out and in less than a minute, she had pulled the girl’s page. I looked at the sketches and was impressed.
"She’s talented," I admitted. "But she’s new."
"So?" Stacey argued. "You were new once too. And look at you now." She went on while I glanced down at the screen again, admiring the details.
"You really think she can pull it off?"
Stacey nodded. "I think she’ll surprise you."
"Okay. Let’s talk to her." I nodded with a sigh.
Stacey didn’t waste a second, she grinned and instantly copied the girl’s info off the page, then placed a call. Her eyes sparking like she had just found buried treasure.
“You know if I didn’t know how occupied you are at the hospital, I’d have believed that this girl hired you to promote her… or maybe manage her. I like how you’re going all in for her.” I chimed in while Stacey smiled.
“She’s not paying me a dime, I just like her hardworking spirit. She’s trying to build an empire and love that for her.” She explained.
“She’s going to freak when she hears it’s you,” Stacey muttered. “God, I love when my instincts are spot on.” She added and then placed the phone.
“Are you sure we should call her like this?” I asked, my voice low.
“Too late,” Stacey grinned as the call rang and then a soft, breathless voice picked up. “Hello? Hello, this is Nia Designs.”
Stacey leaned in, her tone shifting smoothly into professional and friendly. “Hi Nia! My name is Stacey West, I’m calling on behalf of Freya Rodgers…”
The line went dead silent.
“Nia?” Stacey checked.
“I… sorry… ” the voice came back, stumbling a little. “Did you say Freya Rodgers? Like the Freya Rodgers?”
“Yes. Freya is actually right here with me,” Stacey said with a smile. “She’s getting married, and we’re looking for a custom wedding gown. Your work caught our eye, and she’d like to know if you’re available.”
There was another beat of silence. Then a small gasp.
“Oh my God. I don’t even know what to say. Freya, I’m such a huge fan. Like, huge. I’ve followed your journey since your campaign for the women’s shelter. And then the documentary on your brand last year. I was literally crying through it. You are amazing.”
My cheeks went warm. “Hi Nia,” I said, a little bashfully. “Thank you. That means a lot.”
“I… I can’t believe I’m talking to you,” Nia said again. “Wait, are you seriously asking me to design your wedding dress?”
Stacey cut in, smiling. “Yes, but let’s be clear… only if you’re up for it. It’s a tight timeline. The wedding is in two weeks.
“Two weeks?” she echoed, then paused.
“Okay… that’s intense but not impossible.
“So... you’re saying yes?” Stacey asked.
“I’m saying yes so fast I might sprain something,” Nia laughed, and there was something so genuine and excited in her voice that I couldn’t help but smile wide. “Freya, I would be honored. I’ll sketch day and night if I have to. I’ll be ready with mock-ups tomorrow. Just send me the address and what time you want me there.”
“Morning would be best,” I said softly. “Maybe ten?”
“Done. I’ll bring a few samples too, just to get a sense of texture and feel. This is going to be so special. And I promise, I won’t let you down.”
Stacey gave me a knowing look, and I could already tell what she was thinking.
“Thank you, Nia,” I said, and I meant it. “I’m really looking forward to working with you.”