Hey everyone!

Enjoy this chapter of The 7th MDBC. We really are getting to the end of this story, and my plan is to write five or six more chapters to amount to about 10,000 words for this story so that its word count is similar to a proper novella.

Megan

The music blares from the speakers, a remix of some pop song with a catchy beat and a toe-tapping melody.

The girls are all backstage for the beginning of the show, and I can't be more excited.

Wolfgang took me around the audience to meet a whole bunch of designers, models, and prospective buyers who were invited to the show.

I think at this point I've gotten more business cards than surprised faces, especially since Flash has been helping me a lot with getting more visibility in the industry.

Being under the age of 25 is always hard when it comes to fashion, and while I've experienced a lot of unexpected success, it still seems surreal to meet designers that I've really only seen in magazines.

Wolfgang drags me over to a table in the audience and begins to talk in rapid French with one of the people at the table.

I can't understand a thing he's saying, but I try to look professional and interested.

"So you're Megan Wong? The famous, young designer for Bebe Soleil, Flashlite. I've heard a lot about you, ma cherie. Wolfgang has raved about your designs to just about everyone!"

A woman wearing thick glasses and a cream colored gown glances at the portfolio Wolfgang hands her. He smiles at me and nods encouragingly.

Taking a deep breath, I face the woman. "Yeah, that's me!" For once, I have no idea who this person is, let alone what brand she runs.

"You have an impressive portfolio, Miss Wong. There aren't many of your generation that can say they've sold their designs to an up and coming fashion company as well as an established magazine. Next, you'll be having your own fashion show!"

She laughs at her own joke, and I smile too. The woman seems really nice, and it's a welcoming change from the usually inexpressive rigid-like-boards people that Wolfgang has introduced me to.

I mean, I can agree that fashion is a business, but it's also about passion and dedication, not just money.

"Tell me a little about your brand, Miss Wong. What inspires you? What motivates you? What do you think will come back in style?"

I nod, launching into an entirely fashion filled conversation.

"Well, a lot of my designs for the collection that I will be showcasing tonight are more on the elegant side, with inspiration drawn from various floral designs and the Chanel spring collection. I've also tried to incorporate some earthy, boho-chic type designs. For the most part, this show will be showcasing the formal outfits, but I've also drawn inspiration from classic Californian clothing, especially the more casual kimonos and shorts."

"Oh, California inspired? That's definitely something that's new, especially for the U.S. East Coast and foreign customers. You have a lot of potential in that market," she says.

"That's what I'm hoping for! I guess for things that I want to come back in style, older 50's fashion would be great. I tried to incorporate a bit of a 50's feel for my summer collection, actually. All of the pretty figures and bright colors."

The woman nods, and adjusts her dress. I glance at it for a moment, confused at the bunched fabric around her ankles.

Her dress seems oddly familiar. It's an off the shoulder floor length dress, with a ruffled hemline and artful draping at her feet.

I can tell she put a lot of thought into how she was going to style the handbag, and I applaud her choice of a simple black clutch. Her entire outfit is very put together and flows really well.

I can see her five-inch, nude heels peeking out from under the dress.

My fingers itch for my sketchbook so I can take note of her outfit, but Wolfgang taps me on the shoulder to get my attention.

I stare at the dress for a moment longer, thinking. Maybe I've drawn it before or seen it in a magazine?

"That's a beautiful dress, darling! Wherever did you get it?" He winks at me and motions towards the lady's dress again.

I frown, wondering what exactly he wants me to say, until I see the fabric change from the cream color to a burgundy red.

She smiles. "Oh, my father loves this piece so much. It's quite popular with people who are shopping for formal dresses in the area."

"No way. Is that the color-changing dress I designed for Multitude last year?"

Wolfgang nods, looking pleased with himself. "The one and only."

No wonder I didn't recognize it, because when I designed it the fabric was still being formulated.

"This is actually Alexander's daughter, Valeria." Wolfgang motions to the young woman.

Alexander is the man who first asked me to design for Multitude, and my smile becomes even wider as I recall the memory.

"It is a beautiful dress." Valeria smiles at me, and her perfectly manicured fingers whip out a business card.

I glance it, remembering the Multitude logo. "I designed this forever ago, I can't believe they still were making them!"

Valeria nods. "We weren't sure how people were going to react to the color-changing, but it turns out they love it. The cream and burgundy are both very versatile colors, and a lot of customers appreciate the night to day color change."

I glance to my left, and see the sun beginning to set. The dress was right on time, I guess.

"The fabric innovation is getting crazy," I say. "It'll be so exciting to work with the new creations."

"Of course, cherie. I'm sure my father would love to collaborate with you again sometime."

Wolfgang, Valeria, and I exchange a few more words before the manager of the program calls me over for some last minute adjustments to the outfits.

I head backstage, excited to see my creations come to life.

As soon as I walk in, I see Emma in the makeup room, getting her hair and makeup done. She looks gorgeous tonight, with thick, hazel colored extensions in her hair.

They go perfectly with the sunny yellow empire waist styled dress she's wearing, and I smile at the sight of the robin's egg colored shoes she's wearing.

"Looking good, Ems!" I shout as I pass by her.

She gives me a thumbs up back and giggles as a blush brush flits across her face.

She's going to be modeling first, and her outfit is the first one from my spring collection. There's a lot riding on her performance, because a lot of buyers here will decide whether the outfits will be good within the first few models.

I have full trust in Emma though, and I make sure to tell her as much as she leaps out of her chair to get the final adjustments to her dress.

"Alright, remember, head up and keep your strides long and elegant. Arms can swing lightly, and make sure you smile the whole way down. Stop at the end of the runway and strike your pose, wait five seconds and then turn around. Own the outfit, Emma!"

Our stage intern, Will, gives Emma one last pep talk before dashing off to tell the tech crew when to dim the lights and start the music.

Emma heads towards me, smiling. "The rest of the girls are still getting ready." She takes a deep breath in. "I'm going to go first, I guess. It's really nerve wracking!"

"You're going to do absolutely great. I'm sure tons of people will want to buy your outfit!"

Both of us wave as Jess comes over, dressed in a gorgeous, midnight-blue gown that goes to her feet.

She looks like a princess, with her hair up in milkmaid braids, and she handles her heels like a pro.

"How do I look?" she asks me, twirling around in delight.

"You look fabulous," I say, quoting Wolfgang.

The strapless dress looks great on her, and she heads over to the makeup room to get her makeup done.

"What happened to Cassidy and Becca?"

"There was a little outfit mishap," says Emma. "They mixed up outfits or something like that. I think Will said that he fixed it."

I nod, relieved that Will could fix the situation. "Are they going to be heading out soon? The show starts in around two hours, but we might have to start it sooner."

"Yeah," Emma says, scanning the room for the two girls. "There they are!"

I laugh as the two of them walk out, in white robes and wet hair.

"What happened to you guys?" I exclaim, giggling as the water drips down their faces.

"We just took showers," Cassidy grumbles. "Someone was stupid and set off the sprinklers in the back, and Becca and I got soaked with gross sprinkler water. Our outfits got soaked too."

"They got the extras that I made, right? Please tell me that they got the extras!"

Cassidy grimaces. "They managed to get my dress dried, and it's fine now. But..."

She pauses for a moment, looking hesitant.

Becca sighs, and finishes her sentence. "My dress can't be fixed, and they can't find the extra."

"That is not possible," I say, my words tumbling out of my mouth, "Your dress was supposed to be the introduction to the summer collection, Becca. We can't have the introduction gone!"

Becca nods. "I don't know, according to Will, the extra wasn't brought on the plane. I think it's still in Concord!"

I call over Will, my face getting more worried by the second. "Will! I need you to help me with something!"

He rushes over, panting slightly. "Yeah, what can I help you with?"

"I need you to get a few things for me. And fast," I add, checking my phone for the time. "Like thirty minutes fast."

I rattle off a list of items for Will to get, and tell him exactly what stores will have what. "Also, ask Gigi for the fabric. That's it, thanks. Now go!"

He hurries off, and I rush to find my sketchbook.

I flip through the pages, and settle on one water colored design. Yep, I'm going to redo Becca's dress from scratch, all in the span of less than two hours.

Thirty minutes later, Will comes back with four different bags of various fabrics, a sewing machine, and the plethora of other items I need to make this dress.

Gigi comes over to help me, and I begin to tediously measure out the fabric. I can't help but think, the last time I made this dress it took me around ten hours to complete.

"How will I be able to do this?" I moan, as I stare out at the mass of fabric in front of me.

Gigi smiles. "My brave granddaughter can do anything, and that includes making a dress in an hour. Plus, you've made it twice already, Megan. One more time should be no trouble."

I nod, my hands already at work with the sewing machine. Gigi works quietly alongside me, and slowly, the dress begins to take shape.

"Is the hemline folded? Ruffled?" Gigi asks as she grabs the bottom area of the dress.

"Folded," I say as I cut more fabric. "And, we're cutting the extra ruffle and the wrap around in the back in exchange for simpler buttons."

"That will speed up the time," Gigi says. "Are we still going to keep it floor length?"

"Yeah. I think we'll have enough fabric to let it drape a little bit."

"How's the waistline doing now?"

Gigi holds up her handiwork, and I smile at the result. "That's perfect. Basque was just what I was going for."

"How about sleeves?"

"Sleeveless. One inch to two inch straps."

"Neckline?"

"Bateau. Nice and boat like."

Our conversation pretty much continues like that for about an hour, and Gigi and I single-handedly finish the dress to nearly the exact specifications from my previous design.

"Alright, let's go through the checklist."

"Floor length?"

"Check."

"Bateau neckline?"

"Check."

"Basque waistline?"

"Check."

"Sleeveless?"

"Check."

"Folded hemline?"

"Check."

"Buttons in the back?

"Check."

"And artfully draped ruffles?"

"Check."

I breathe a sigh of relief. We should be good.

"Becca! Here's your dress, fresh off the press!"

Becca rushes off to get changed, as the show is starting in around twenty minutes.

Obviously, our final product isn't as elaborate as my old design was, mostly due to a lack of materials and time, but I'm pretty happy with the dress once we're finished.

"We're ready in ten," Will calls out, and I take my place backstage. I can't wait for the show to start.

Yes yes yes! That was 2100 words of pure excitement right there!

If you review, tell me... (along with the usual good stuff)

1. Would you like an epilogue/closing thing that occurs after the novella ends?

2. Suggest couples for Candy Hearts!

Once I am finished with this story, I will probably devote a lot of time to getting Candy Hearts where I want it, and then we'll talk about the Dess novella.

Thanks for reading!

Britt :)