January 5, 2001.
Milan, Italy.
The delicate scent of wealth and cinnamon saturated the air as finely dressed spectators conversed with each other in their seats; waiting for the show to begin.
In the meantime, as seats were being filled, mellow jazz music played, featuring a familiar melody that danced across the room.
The exclusive event attracted a range of high-profile people including celebrities, buyers, professional photographers, and critics who sat in the front row of the glossy, marble tile platform, stretching twenty-eight feet long and eight feet high.
The guests continued chatting with each other until the lights dimmed and the music ceased, stirring up anticipation in the room.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, what we've all been waiting for, I would like to present to you, the only Miss Lisa Marie Turtle," a man with a deep, silky voice announced on the sound speaker, and an upbeat saxophone started playing.
The centerstage spotlight came on as a pair of thick purple curtains opened, appearing a fully adult woman wearing a navy blue jumpsuit and a cape that dragged behind her with crystal sequences on the sweetheart bodice and lining of the fabric.
Her voluminous dark brown hair was brushed back in a layered style cut, showing off her hazelnut highlights and medium-long length. She wore 90s glam makeup, diamond drop earrings, and black pumps, and despite still being short with them on, she had the confidence of a giant.
A standing ovation burst from the audience as Lisa cat-walked to the end of the runway with a fearless look on her face.
Once the noise faded, Lisa used the opportunity to begin her presentation.
"Welcome to the first fashion of the new year. I'm your host, executive designer, and chairwoman of Lisa Marie," she introduced herself into her headset microphone.
"What I present to you is a new collection called Audacious Allurethat features unique attires for glamourous occasions such as walking the red carpet, a night at a ball, a luxurious wedding, a charity gala, and many more."
Lisa talked about a few other things until it was time to conclude.
"Now before we get started, I'd like to thank all of you for coming and supporting my fashion show. I'd also like to thank my team and those who sponsored this event, thank you," she concluded and exited through the back as the audience clapped in the background.
Within seconds, techno music played, and the models strutted out in their designed garments.
Lisa shuffled past a few people in the audience to sit in her reserved seat and watch the performance.
As if she wasn't the visionary behind it, admiring her work was nothing new for Lisa.
She knew she deserved credit for how hard she worked and how far she had come.
Looking back to how hopeless things were in her life, Lisa believed she would've never made it but she did, and watching her shows reminded her of how better things had gotten; boosting her with a sense of accomplishment.
She knew she would've gone nowhere if it wasn't for that city trip on her nineteenth birthday.
After that night in the Big Apple, Lisa felt more motivated and determined than ever to get her life together.
She first began attending all of her classes, completing her assigned work, and preparing for exams which helped her grades improve tremendously compared to the last semester. She also got involved in a few clubs, met some new faces, and even participated in highly competitive fashion shows that FIT held. Her passion for fashion returned as if it never left but with a particular fire to it, the same fire that got her discovered by the Managing Director of the luxurious brand Luxe Threads when they attended one of the college's shows. Lisa received an exclusive internship at the company and a guaranteed full-time job after she finished school with an Associate's degree. After working there for months as a junior designer, a sense of unfulfillment and dissatisfaction swept over her. She felt like she wasn't reaching her full potential there, and instead, was interested in starting her own company. Lisa took it upon herself to conduct a handful of research, attend workshops, and eventually quit her job to enroll back into school on a one-year Associate's degree program in Fashion Business Management. Once she finished, she went through months' worth of planning, registering, financing, and getting a license all to make her business dreams come true.
Opening up a fashion company at her age wasn't easy or for the faint of heart. There were times when she felt like giving up and going back to Luxe Threads but she knew she couldn't and continued pushing through in spite of those helpless feelings. Lisa started working in her studio apartment, selling handmade garments to neighbors, acquaintances, and community members until she received an opportunity to showcase her work at a local fashion show, which attracted wealthy customers who couldn't get enough of her impeccable creativity. Through networking and revisiting past connections, Lisa was able to connect with a couple of investors to invest in her company, thus receiving loans to open a store inside Columbus Circle Mall. From there on, her innovative and fashionable designs and capabilities captured everyone's attention including world-renowned celebrities. Within a short amount of time, her business exploded and she gained popularity as a young, black, and successful fashion designer and entrepreneur. She hired a creative, marketing, and PR team, appeared on cover magazines such as Essence and Vogue, was invited to talk shows, and had her designs walk the runway by Yasmeen Ghauri, Shalom Harlow, and Naomi Campbell.
With business booming and expanding the way it was (not only selling clothing anymore), Lisa was able to live a luxurious lifestyle. She traveled extensively, wore designer clothing, lived in a penthouse on the Upper East Side, drove a black Cadillac Escalade, attended lavish parties, ate at five-star restaurants, and in the midst of all that, she wrote a book about her accomplishments.
Lisa had it all: the money, the success, the fame, but once the glitz and glamor faded, she felt empty and lonely inside. What was missing from the forgotten picture was family, companionship, and love; people to share her wealth and prosperity with. Sure she had acquaintances and a huge following, but people only liked the idea of her and the position she held, not for who she truly was. The love she received from others was superficial and fake, which made her feel more lonely than ever, and that loneliness only led her heart to become cold. As years passed, the twenty-seven-year-old managed to despise everyone around her, transforming her into a mean, bitter woman.
…
A week after the successful fashion show in Milan, Italy, Lisa went back to work at Lisa Marie's headquarters with floors dedicated to different departments.
Carrying a cerulean designer bag in her arm, and an espresso in her hand, Lisa exited the elevator on the top floor to get to the room her office was located in.
Before opening the white, almost see-through doors, she heard chatter and laughter happening from inside.
Her employees were clearly having a blast that she was gone for a while, but now she was back.
Displaying a no-nonsense attitude on her face, Lisa walked in as if she owned the place, which she did.
Once the clicking of her heels was heard and her presence felt, the room sank into a dreadful silence.
The only time her employees talked was about business and in a professional kind of way too.
She could sense the fear and tension as she steadily and calmly moved across the room like a leopard stalking its prey.
It was no secret that her staff hated and feared her, but that never bothered her.
As long as they were completing their work, Lisa didn't care, but that was as long as they were doing what they were supposed to be doing.
When it came to her precious business that she dedicated all of her time, blood, sweat, and tears into, being feared was what kept the efficiency of work going, not being loved.
It was a sacrifice that needed to be made, but there were times, though, she felt the need to be loved, but then again, fear produces power.
Lisa took a sharp turn at the corner where her beautiful office stood, and as she approached it, the sound of someone crying came from her secretary's desk a few feet away.
She looked to the left of her and saw a few employees comforting a blonde, white woman who was bawling her eyes out while having mascara trickling down her face.
"I can't believe he would cheat on me after all these years together! I loved him and I know he loved me back, I just don't know what went wrong." The woman blew her nose into a tissue someone handed her.
"He proposed to me months ago and told me how he wanted us to spend the rest of our lives together, but then he goes on a 'Boy's Trip' and ends up sleeping with some skanky model!" she buried her face in her hands and sobbed.
Her colleagues sympathized with her troubling feelings and offered her with kind words and encouragement.
Overhearing the outburst, Lisa walked over to the little group.
"Um, excuse me, but I don't remember it being anyone's break right now," she hissed with attitude.
The employees froze after hearing her intimidating voice.
"I'm sorry, Ms. Turtle, I just found out last night that my EX-FIANCÉ cheated on me, and I'm just a little emotional right now-"
"Well, this isn't the time and place to be a little emotional Stacey!" Lisa snapped.
"I know, I just- I'm sorry," she sniffled as she lowered her head.
"Hey, look at me. This…" Lisa pointed around.
"Is an office. Personal feelings and private matters don't belong here. You just wasted valuable time crying over someone who sounds like a complete loser. Time is money, and when money is being lost, I get angry! Incompetency is not allowed at this workplace! So if you want to keep your job, don't do this again!" Her nostrils flared.
"And the same goes out for the rest of you." She pointed at the other staff.
They nodded and quickly went back to their desks.
Turning back to her secretary, Lisa calmed herself down.
"I want you to go to the bathroom, wash your face, and come back ready to work," she ordered, and Stacey did what she was told.
Lisa finally went into her office and sat down in her Italian leather chair, slowly inhaling and exhaling what happened a moment ago.
Though it was harsh, that was the way things were done there.
…
Later on that day, Lisa visited a five-star, Mexican restaurant with the intention of seeing someone rather than eating.
Walking up to the hostess stand, Lisa faked a smile.
"Hi, is there by any chance I can see the sous chef?" she asked, innocently batting her lashes.
The women nodded and pulled a young waiter aside, speaking to them in Spanish.
Not long after, a man with dark brown hair and green eyes appeared in front of her.
"You must be Dean." She flashed a sarcastic smile.
"Do I know you?" he asked, confused.
"Well, you will soon, but first walk with me," her voice insisted.
He looked reluctant at first but quickly became intrigued by her confidence, and the two left the restaurant.
"So, did I catch you at a good time?" Lisa initiated the conversation as they walked half a block.
"Yeah, I was on my break…but who are you though?" he asked again, a bit more impatient.
Lisa stopped and her face contorted.
"Your worst nightmare." Her eyes shot darts at him as a vein popped out of her neck.
"What?!"
She grabbed his collar in a flash.
"I'm your finacée's boss and she was very upset today, so upset that it interfered with her work. Now, I don't tolerate emotions when on the clock because that leads to problems and problems lead to getting fired, and I don't want to have to do that. Stacey's the best secretary I've ever worked with and it would be a shame to let her go all because of a little boy that couldn't control himself. She's a good person and any guy would be lucky to have her. So if you don't want to have any problems with me, I suggest you go to Stacey's apartment after work and make things right with her. Do I make myself clear?" Lisa leaned close to his face as she threatened him.
He gulped and quickly nodded his head.
"Glad we have an understanding." Lisa released him from her tight grasp and walked away as if nothing happened.
…
After returning from an early meeting on the lower floor, Lisa was looking forward to heading back to her office and getting some work done.
Just before entering the room with her hand on the handle, she noticed her secretary talking on the phone in a bubbly manner.
"I know right?! He brought me roses and everything, telling me how sorry he was and how much it was a mistake, and guess what, he even got on his knees and re-proposed to me! It was so sweet and romantic, I had to say yes!" she gushed over the phone like a teenage girl.
Since she technically wasn't on duty yet, the boss lady wasn't upset or annoyed that Stacey was taking advantage of her leisure time.
Stacey always clocked in an hour early to plan, file, and even clean her desk which Lisa appreciated.
As she walked into her room, a tiny smile spread across Lisa's face.
She was satisfied with the outcome of her work.
…
Sitting in her lovely dining room with a chandelier hanging over the rectangular glass table adorned with rose-gold edging, cream vinyl chairs that sat 8 people, including her, and a modern painting mounted on the beige-golden wall.
Lisa was enjoying a fine-course meal of brown rice, steamed vegetables, and roasted chicken on an expensive porcelain plate imported from China.
Normally, she would have her maid cook dinner before leaving but tonight, she decided to take on that task.
Once in a while, she would cook just to prove to herself that she still got it despite having a maid and eating at five-star restaurants, but none of that could beat a freshly home-cooked meal from the one and only.
As she scooped up a considerable amount of rice with her fork, Lisa thought about her successful intervention after having a 'talk' with Dean.
Having been full of energy all day, Stacey worked twice as effectively as she was yesterday, and Lisa couldn't be any happier.
Her mind started to daydream about them having a beautiful wedding, raising a family together, and being happy till the end.
A soft smile spread across her gentle and relaxed face, but as she surveyed her surroundings, realizing how empty the chairs were at the table, her smile disappeared.
Those chairs have always been empty.
From the moment she bought the place, she had always eaten alone.
A bitter chuckle escaped her lips as she recalled how everyone wanted to tour her luxurious penthouse but never wanted to stay long enough to have dinner with her, not even her family.
Lisa also never dated guys for that long to invite them to her crib.
After the first date, she would call it quits, and not because there was something wrong with the men she saw; they were just her type, but she couldn't seem to connect with any of them.
The realization had her often wondering what was wrong with her until she concluded that she was incapable of falling in love which meant no boyfriend or husband.
Lisa had no one, and it hurt her.
That's why she wrapped herself so much in her work because, without it, she would have to confront the void that was eating inside her.
It wasn't fair.
She had everything but at the same time, it seemed like she had nothing.
Feeling frustrated by her situation, Lisa closed her eyes and inhaled a deep breath, hoping to release the tension in her neck and frown lines, but seconds after she opened her pupils, she forcefully flung the expensive porcelain onto the wooden floor and hurled her glass mug at the innocent wall, letting it shatter to pieces as anger penetrated her face.
She quickly rose from her seat and calmly walked to the cordless phone in the lounge room, dialing her maid's number.
"Paloma, I need you to come right now, a mess has been made and needs to be cleaned up. I'm going to bed," Lisa said in an eerie but calm voice.
After hanging up the phone, she calmly made her way to the spiral stairs, pretending as if she hadn't just had a dramatic outburst moment before.
That was how things usually went down.
…
It was an early Saturday afternoon, and the princess herself, wearing loungewear clothing was sitting on a foam-padded mesh recliner reading the New York Times.
Weekends were usually Lisa's off days, so she took full advantage of them to get her nails done, her hair blown out, shop for new clothes, work out, etc, and if she wasn't out receiving self-treatment, she would be home working to keep herself busy.
Her maid, Paloma, did work weekends, but only in the mornings and late evenings, which meant Lisa had the place to herself for the entire afternoon.
In the meantime, she was studying an interesting article on the future of fashion when her apartment buzzer rang.
Feeling slightly annoyed that she had to get up from her cozy position, Lisa went to find out who disrupted her peace.
"Hello, who am I speaking with?" Lisa tapped a white button.
"Hi, this is Leslie Brooks, is it okay if I come up," the woman said, struggling to catch her breath.
Being the wife of a politician and secretary for the Women of NY elite group (which Lisa was involuntarily inducted into), Leslie was best known for hosting the most popular events in the city.
She was only a couple of years older than Lisa and had the sweetest personality anyone ever had.
Lisa was sure they could've been great friends but due to her husband's controlling nature, their 'friendship' was limited to just planning partners.
"Yeah, that's fine," Lisa responded before heading back to her previous position.
Seconds passed, and the elevator doors opened, appearing a black woman with a thick tote bag, a stroller, and a car seat carrier with a baby inside it.
Lisa lowered her newspaper and blinked a couple of times at the sight before her.
"What is this?" She took off her reading glasses as her feet touched the ground.
"This is Gabriel, you remember him, right?" She smiled at her eight-month-old baby before glancing at Lisa.
The first and last time she saw Leslie's baby was when she was over at her house planning a vintage clothing auction.
"Sure, but what is he doing here, along with this other stuff?" Lisa interrogated as her forehead furrowed.
"I need you to help me out," Leslie revealed with no hesitation.
"There's this family emergency I have to tend to and I have no one to watch him," she explained.
"And you want me to…babysit?" Lisa struggled to get the word out.
Leslie ferociously nodded, surprising Lisa even more with how serious she was.
"I would only be gone for a few hours-"
"I don't think so," Lisa shook her head as she went to sit back on her recliner.
"Oh please, Lisa, there's nobody else who can do it right now. The nanny quit last minute, my husband's at work, and you live the closest to me, please reconsider," she desperately pleaded.
Sighing, Lisa looked at the baby and then at Leslie's anxious face before making her decision.
"Okay, but only for a few hours-"
"Oh, bless your heart!" Leslie quickly dropped the bag and stroller on the floor, and placed Gabriel on the couch, facing his new sitter.
"Thank you so much again! Everything you need is in his bag, and if you need any assistance, just give me a call, thank you." She hugged her before rushing to the elevator.
"You better be back in a few hours or I won't hesitate to drop him off at Child Protective Services for parental neglect," Lisa announced, slightly serious.
"You're such a kidder," Leslie laughed as the doors closed.
There she was, with a baby in her living room, on her couch.
She stared at him and he stared back.
"What are you looking at?" Lisa narrowed her eyes as her lips pouted.
There was always a first time for everything, and babysitting was certainly hers.
Lisa didn't know how or where to start when it came to taking care of a baby.
The only baby she ever 'took care of' was a baby doll in home economics, and although she was aware of the crying, burping, pooping, and throwing up, she wasn't exactly prepared for that in real life.
During the first hour and a half there, Gabriel was a living nightmare.
He refused to eat, had a smelly diaper, threw up a couple of times, and worst of all, he wouldn't. stop. crying.
It hadn't even been that long since his mother left and Lisa was already starting to feel exhausted and upset with Leslie.
How could she just abandon her child with someone with no expertise in taking care of a small and needy living being?
Slouching on the couch with her head laid back, Lisa began regretting her life decisions as Gabriel screamed in her ears next to her.
"What do you want from me!" she yelled, losing her temper and making him cry even louder.
Lisa released a frustrated sigh and buried her face in her hands.
"You're giving me a headache, kid," she bitterly pouted as she removed her hands from her face and took him out of his seat.
All of a sudden, after holding him in her arms, Gabriel stopped crying.
It was as if a switch was turned off from inside of him.
His little brown eyes lit up and a smile appeared on his face.
Lisa was confused by the sudden switch in emotion but relieved that he had quieted down.
"Hey, you finally zipped your little mouth," she teased with a small smirk on her face.
He began laughing and smiling as if he understood what she said, confusing her even more.
Then, out of nowhere, Gabriel reached out, wrapping his tiny fist firmly around her index finger.
Lisa was surprised, but her eyes softened as she was overwhelmed with a sense of warmth and affection.
She thought he hated her, but he was only misunderstood.
He wanted to feel loved, just like her, and cradling him in her arms made him experience that.
Something about the way he held onto her finger and smiled at her with innocence in his eyes melted Lisa's heart.
She felt a real, genuine connection, one she hadn't experienced for a long time, and it was with a baby.
For the rest of the day, they played with his toys, watched cartoons, danced to some oldies from her antique record player, ate dinner together, and finally fell asleep on the couch.
There was something special about spending time with Gabriel that Lisa had never expected.
It was the first time in a long time she shared her company with someone who wasn't her maid or a bunch of snobby freeloaders, and that made her feel good inside.
Eventually, the apartment buzzer rang, waking Lisa up from her nap.
She looked at Gabriel, coddled between her breasts, and gently placed him back into his carrier seat.
Then, she allowed his mother to come up and began packing his belongings in the meantime.
After they left with Leslie thanking her again, Lisa headed upstairs to her bedroom and got dressed in the silk pajama set she brought as a gift to herself from Italy.
Babysitting Gabriel opened her eyes, overwhelming her with the desire to have a baby of her own.
She had been lonely for so long and craved the company of someone true, someone who was like her.
Wrapping her hair in a scarf and applying an exfoliating, cleansing mask on her face, Lisa was about ready for bed until the wireless phone on her nightstand rang.
"Hello," she picked up, wondering who was on the other line.
"Lisa! I'm so glad you picked up!" a woman's voice screamed with excitement, causing damage to her eardrum.
Lisa's face cringed as she looked at the unrecognizable number on her phone.
"Who is this?" she asked, defensively.
"Seriously? It's Jessie, you silly."
For a moment, Lisa's heart and breathing stopped.
She couldn't believe it.
"Jessica Spanno?!" she blurted out.
"Duhhh…" Jessie teased, followed by a snicker.
Lisa seriously couldn't believe it!
The last time she and Jessie talked was when business started to boom and Jessie went to law school, and that was years ago.
They had lost contact ever since.
"It's been so long, how are you?" Lisa beamed as a genuine smile stretched across her face.
She would be lying if she said she didn't miss hearing the sound of Jessie's voice.
"Great! Life is just great! How about you? I know you must be really happy since you're living quite large yourself." Jessie chuckled in her ears.
Despite 'laughing' with her, Lisa's eyes told a different story.
"Yeah," she lied through her teeth.
She knew she couldn't dump her problems onto Jessie like that, not after all those years apart.
The last thing Lisa wanted to do was be a pathetic burden on someone else's shoulder, especially the one shoulder that believed in her.
It would've been awful if she let her down.
"I'm so glad to hear that!" Jessie cheered, causing her to feel guilty.
"So listen, the reason why I called was because I'm having a birthday party and I would love it if you could be there," she said, cutting right to the chase.
"Oh, I don't know, I'm usually busy and-" Lisa stuttered.
"Oh come on, Lisa, it's really REALLY important that you be there. You're a very special part of my life and…I also want to show you off to the rest of the guests, since you're famous and all," she quipped.
Lisa lightly chuckled as she shook her head.
She didn't even know why she was being stubborn, after all, it was her former best friend that helped her get to where she was today.
Plus, it wouldn't hurt to be in the company of an old friend.
"Okay," Lisa gave in.
Jessie squealed on the other end.
"Great! I'll give you the details tomorrow, but I have to go now so have a good night!" she said.
"You too," Lisa replied and hung up.
Ever since she returned from Milan, Lisa had one heck of an eventful and busy week, but things could have been worse, and with that thought in mind, the princess drifted off to sleep.
Author's Note: Lisa…is something else.