Dear Journal,

Do you remember Murphy's Law?

Good, because it's true.

Today was a disaster, to say the least. The bottle of bourbon that I downed has taken the edge off but not the sting.

I woke up to the news that my latest designs had been leaked online. Months of work, creativity, and planning were exposed to the world prematurely.

The shock was like a punch to the gut, and the implications hit me immediately—I now have only two months to create an entirely new portfolio.

Fuck. My. Life.

Do you have any idea what it takes to make a collection of clothes? Do you know the countless meetings with clients and shareholders? Do you know how many details there are to design a single piece?

No. Nobody does. They just see a flawless and finished product on the runway, and take it for granted.

Fashion is both art and business. And now the business part won't stop calling my phone.

I locked myself away, calling in sick as I tried to figure out who could have betrayed me. Carla has called my phone several times but my voice isn't working right now.

My mind spiralled back through the list of people who had let me down throughout my life, from my mother's neglect during my childhood to Emily's constant manipulations. Each betrayal felt like a fresh wound reopening, and it was hard not to be consumed by bitterness and suspicion.

Amid my despair and self-imposed exile, I forced myself to think of those who have supported me, those who have shown me kindness and loyalty. Carla's unwavering encouragement, my team's hard work, and the few friends who have stood by me through thick and thin. And most strangely, May's. Her face came to mind.

Someone she has been a beacon of strength and inspiration, a reminder that not everyone is out to hurt me.

As Madonna said, life is a mystery.

Just as my thoughts started to settle, the doorbell rang. I opened the door to find May standing there, a comforting presence amidst the chaos. She wasn't holding her designs as I had expected. Instead, she had brought my favourite food and a bottle of wine that Carla must have told her I liked.

I didn't have the heart to tell her that I already took a bottle to drown out my anger.

Allow me to set the scene, I'm getting rather good at it.

"May, you're not supposed to be here—" I began, but she gently placed a finger on my lips, her eyes full of understanding.

"Not now," she said softly. "Let's just take a break."

She took my hand, squeezing it. I must've still been drunk because my heart skipped a beat in my chest.

We settled in the living room, the aroma of the food mingling with the soft glow of the evening light. She didn't push me to talk or offer solutions. She simply provided comfort and silence, allowing me to process the day's events at my own pace.

It was exactly what I needed.

(Note to self, give Carla an early Christmas bonus.)

As we shared the meal and sipped the wine, a sense of calm slowly returned. May's presence was a balm to my frayed nerves, her quiet support speaking volumes. She didn't need to say anything; just being there was enough.

I was still terribly drunk though.

After a while, she looked at me and smiled. "You're stronger than you think, Alexander. You'll get through this. And I'll be here to help if you need me."

Her words were simple but profound. It's easy to forget that I wasn't alone, that I had people who believed in me. The betrayals and disappointments seemed to pale in comparison to the genuine connections I had formed.

I'm better than this.

I'm Alexander Lyon.

May truly is a spectacular being! A few words from her and a glass of my favourite wine, I'm as good as new.

What magic is this?

As the night drew on, I felt a renewed sense of determination. The road ahead would be tough, but with support like May's, I knew I could face it. She had given me the space to regroup and the strength to move forward.

Before she left, I grabbed her hands, holding onto the warmth that she brought. I thanked her. "You don't know how much this means to me, May."

She smiled, a gentle twinkle in her eyes. "I think I do. And remember, you're not alone."

As I watched her walk away, I felt a mix of gratitude...and something deeper.

Yeah, there's no going back. My plan is about to get a whole lot more complicated.

May had become more than just a muse or a friend; she was a source of light in my life. With her support and the strength of those who believed in me, I was ready to take on the challenge of creating a new portfolio. I would rise above this setback, and I would do it with the help of those who truly mattered.

I would do it with May by my side.

Much to do,

- Alexander