They say the first one thousand followers are always the hardest, similar to making your first one million dollars. Then getting from one thousand to ten thousand is easier than getting from zero to one thousand, similar to making five million dollars starting from one million is easier than making the first million.

That was definitely true for Shira. Her account has taken off, now her followers grow in tens or even hundreds every day.

Zack is still the loyalest to Shira, being her photographer. He constantly experiments with new techniques and invests in better equipment, even if it means stretching his own limited budget. He spends hours editing each picture, ensuring that every detail highlights Shira's best features. He wakes up early on weekends to scout new locations for their daily photoshoots. For Zack, seeing Shira in pretty clothes is his biggest source of satisfactionm. He feels Shira's sucess is his own success.

When Shira reached ten thousand followers, she got a message from Instagram creator center. It's reads:

Dear Shira,

Wow! You've just hit a fantastic milestone of 10,000 followers on Instagram. Your journey and creativity are truly inspiring. To celebrate this achievement, we're thrilled to invite you to an exclusive influencer retreat in the beautiful Napa Valley. This is your chance to connect with fellow creators, share your experiences, and learn from each other in a stunning setting. Please let us know if you can join us, and we'll take care of the rest. Congratulations once again, and keep shining!

Best,

The Instagram Team

Shira had seen photos and heard stories online of these influencer retreats, opulent gatherings where the the fancy girls on social media mingled. But it nevered occured to her that she'd actually be invited to one. The excitement bubbled up inside her like champagne. She dashed downstairs, nearly tripping over the last step in her haste, and burst into the kitchen where her mom was preparing dinner.

"Mom, you won't believe it!" Shira exclaimed, waving the email in the air like a victory flag.

Her mom, wiped her hands on her apron with a gloomy look as usual.

"An influencer retreat, in Napa Valley," Shira breathlessly explained.

Her mom, looking confused, asked, "And you're sure this isn't some kind of scam?

Shira wasn't defeated by her mother's lack of enthusiasm. She layed herself down the couch, started reading the email again slowly, word by word. Her heart pumped faster as she absorbed each word, letting the reality sink in like the setting sun through the broken blinds, casting long shadows around her. This was her moment, her vindication. In the end of the email, there was also mention that Shira can bring a guest or staff member to the retreat.

Her mind raced. Should she bring Zack, her loyal architect behind the lens? Or maybe even her mother, to show her that dreams do come true even in northern Miami?

Shira found her thoughts swiftly swerving back to the more pressing matter at hand - what make up and shoes should she bring.

Other than the endless photoshoots that had become the backbone of their days, Shira and Zack's date night happens on the first week every month. On these occasions, Zack would insist the old fashions, wine and dine his girlfriend. They would find themselves in a crowded Italian restaurant, an oasis of dim lights and murmured conversations. In other diners eyes, their relationship was a myth. Shira, statuesque at 5'7'', glimmered under the ambient lighting, a sight to behold. Her attire, although bearing the label of Zara, suits her great and speaks fashion. Zack, for his part, played his role with an earnest clumsiness, his oversized white shirt and leather shoes that ran large.

Zack attempted to navigate his meatball and dropped a piece to the floor. "Oh shoot."

"Oh it's ok honey." Shira put on a sweet smile, ignoring the ketchup sause on the white table cloth. "Guest what?"

"Wha..." Zack also got excited, instantly.

"They invited me to the Instagram influencer party at Napa!"

"Oh...uh... that's great!" Zack hadn't expected things to go so well for Shira. He adjusted his glasses and then covered his nose with his hands.

Shira saw that Zack was lost in thought, her fork pausing mid-air as she delicately picked at her salad. She glanced her cellphone and checked notification. The Italian restaurant, with its soft background music and occasional clinks of glassware, seemed to encapsulate their bubble of existence. A few minutes stretched out, Zack shook off his contemplation and his face cleared.

He looked up and saw Shira was looking at her. Zack gave her a 'don't worry' smile.

They then reverted to being an unlikely couple in Trattoria Casa Mia.

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