Your suitcase was full and the office was empty, Valentina had been waiting by the front door with her keys in hand. She kept wiggling the keys in her hand to remind you that you had to hurry- you were hurrying but the keys were just annoying you, "Valentina.." She stopped and glanced at you when her phone was in front of her, "Stop."

She stopped, grinned and dangled the keys higher as pieces of clothing and papers were thrown around the desk by your hands. The suitcase was full and you ran through the office, past her and to the elevator when she didn't even realise you were done, a shocked look grew on her face, "W-wait for me!" She had yelled in disbelief, you couldn't help but laugh and let the elevator close when she was still locking the door.

The door man held the door open for you with a smile, tilted his head when you smiled back at him, unlocking your door to your luxurious black car, you had stuffed the suitcase in and then stepped around to the drivers side, getting in with a smirk when you saw a huffing Valentina run through and almost crash into the door, "What the hell is wrong with you!"

Laughing, you had switched on the car when she planted her ass in the seat and situated herself, pulling down the mirror from above as the cream leather seats rubbed against her leather leggings, "Oh would you relax, it's just a little fun before everything gets crazy later."

She scoffed and flicked her hair away from her shoulder, grabbing her dark purple matte lipstick to reapply, the one that went beautifully with her natural tanned skin- damn Italians, "Pfft, it's your show- not mine."

"And that's how I like it." The tires began turning and the car zoomed into the street and in the corner of your eye, you noticed her rolling her eyes causing that smile to grow on your face when she kept quiet after that, the music playing that was connected to your car through your phone via Bluetooth was loud, the edges of the car were shaking with the bass and Valentina attempted to sing along with the english lyrics- she never really bothered to learn such a crucial language whilst being in the modelling industry and being the directors/founders right hand man.

The music stopped, making you look away from the road when a voice came through making Valentina jump when she immediately turned the volume down, "Hello? (Name)?"

"Carissa? What's wrong?"

The girl; one of your mains from your shows had chuckled nervously and stuttered with a high voice, she sounded choked up, "(Name) the show is happening in an hour, isn't it?"

"Yeah honey, why aren't you resting?"

"I just wanted to apologise again, I'm getting better but I can't- I'm just- I-"

"Hey, Carissa, slow down." Valentina had been watching you and the way you handled the girl that had to bail on the show because of a really bad fever, "I'm just really sorry for disappointing you."

A gentle smile grew and Valentina couldn't help watching your lips when they moved, "It's alright because you have the best replacement!" Valentina's face contorted in shock and Carissa went dead silent, "I-uh.. That sounded better in my head.. Carissa?"

"... Yes?"

"I'm your replacement."

"O-oh, Okay, I feel a bit relieved now- I'll get going then, good luck president."

"Bye bye!"

The music was back on, the volume low and Valentina hadn't uttered a word, "Please don't say anything." Your eyes were back to focusing on the road as you still had to drive for another twenty or so minutes to the location of the catwalk event that would be on live television with modelling agencies from England to America and France and everywhere in between. Moving up and building in this industry meant a lot of competition but it was used for your creativity every other day.

After twenty five minutes, you had parked around in the VIP area and waved at the paparazzi, wearing clothing that was designed, made and sewed by yourself. The camera flashes were something that you were already used to and Valentina took her time behind you to make herself noticed. People called out your name and a there was a huge purple glowing sign hanging above the entrance of the door to the building.

'(Lastname) Modelling Agency' was glowing with bright light bulbs around the sides, it flashed and sparkled and the smile on your face was captured by hundreds of cameras when you were then hurried inside to tend to the models under your care. In the back, the hairdressers were working on you as you told them how to style your hair and then how to style other girls hair. The make up artists; including yourself, were surrounded by concealers, foundations, blushes and bronzers to match with the season and the clothing to be fitted with.

"We ready?"

'Ready' was exclaimed one by one until all twenty seven models were looking absolutely in their outfits. Backups were kept within the dressing rooms; only thirteen of them, and the ringing had gone indicating it was time. As this wasn't your first time, you were there to both make sure the girls outfits were perfectly worn and secured; as was your own too, and to also make sure they were in the right mind set.

They all took their jobs seriously and were concentrating with your favourite facial expression that was both serious and dominating, it was almost as if they were more superior than the people watching and it was also a means of seduction- to draw the people, the fans, the investors in and cause them to fall into a trance.

The lights were shining, whites combining with the blacks in the shadows and you caught a glance of Valentina watching in the audience, she gave you a thumbs up to which you smiled gratefully and one by one, the ladies and yourself strutted along the catwalk as if you owned it.

After a successful show, many directors of other modelling agencies came to congratulate you with a glass of champagne in their grasp, everyone appeared luxurious with shining jewelry and perfect make up. Tuxedo's and extravagant dresses and your mind was buzzing with adrenaline about more ideas just from watching these people and also thinking about your decision to go to Russia. You had initially planned to finish this show and bring everything you needed with you to leave and get ready to begin making their designs for their performances.

It wasn't your first time making a sports clothing line because you had done just about everything, for everyone of all ages (you had been told to take your time but you had gotten too excited to wait and ended up doing everything right away.) No one knew about this and you'd still have to explain it to Valentina and Piero along with everyone in your department.

The President of this event had approached you, a wide smile gracing her face as her white hair was pulled back with hairspray and glitter, you smiled back and felt a little nervous when being spoken to by a woman with such a high social status- she practically owned you, she kissed your cheek and then the other and opened her mouth that was painted with a dull red lipstick,"(Name), darling- Such an extravagant show! I loved the girls, you looked dazzling up there."

Waving your hands dismissively, you chuckled at the compliment, holding her hand as you connected immediately, "Oh my, thank you so much- but I think you look spectacular tonight- not that you don't everytime we have a show!"

She laughed and you figured that both her and you knew that you were sucking up but she loved it, you loved doing it too, it was fun and she had grown to be someone like a motherly figure to you.

"Darling, I'm already excited to see what you've got next. Oh yes, and the location for our next event will be emailed in about a weeks time- surprise me~"

It was like there was an underlying message whenever she said that, to surprise her- to make sure you didn't disappoint her and to absolutely make sure you never, ever make a decision that could bruise her reputation. You always thought you'd need to do something a lot bigger than a little mistake in a show to damage her reputation but she seemed to have a lot of faith in you.

Valentina was at your side after the President turned away with a phone in hand, "Piero, for you." Her voice held a little bit of malice but you weren't sure if it was seriousness or actually anger, you grabbed the phone and thanked her as she stood by your side, "Hello, Pier?"

"Mama~"

"(Na-Name)! When are you coming home?" The screaming over the phone, it sounded as if they were both fighting for the phone, you couldn't help but laugh, "I'll be home in a little while, okay? Let's all go on the couch and watch a movie." Valentina saw the small smile on your face, glancing away when she noticed how your eyes lit up at the sound of Piero's voice, "Yeah! Yes, yes- that sounds amazing, how was the show?"

"Oh, it was wonderful, I loved it- as always, But- oh Piero, we have to discuss something later, okay?"

"Discuss? That sound's serious- what's this about?"

Sighing, you had muttered a word under your breath but the Italian girl next to you heard it, after a few more whispers, you had hung up and placed the phone in your pocket to go back to the dressing room to collect your belongings, you knew Valentina was following and she shut the door behind you, "Russia? What's this about Russia?"

You flinched and took off your heels, sighing once again through your nose, "I'm going to Russia to design some clothing for close people I know."

You weren't exactly keen on discussion it here but Valentina seemed to insist with that serious look on her face, she was biting the inside of her cheeks with a hand on her hip, "Why didn't you say anything? Who knows? Who're you going with?"

"I didn't know my mum was here?"

Valentina did what she does best, and rolled her eyes making you smile lazily, shrugging your shoulders, "I was going to tell everyone in the office tomorrow or something like that.. I'm going to talk to Piero about it tonight and I'm taking my baby Vitali with me- if all goes well like I hope it does, we'll be staying with my parents in St. Petersburg."

"Wha- what about the agency? The next seasons clothing line? It's a while away but you should still be finishing things earlier rather than later." She was walking closer to unzip your shirt and help with the skirt as well, all of them falling as you hung them on a hanger in the room, you put on your sweat pants and a plain black shirt, undoing your hair as it fell a little- still holding itself up due to the hair product in it, "That's all settled and I'll still be working on it in Russia too."

"Who-" She was scared to ask, her heart beating at the thought of it really happening, her time to shine and prove herself or for nothing to happen her way at all, "Who will be in charge of the agency..?

Grabbing the bags around your shoulder, you grabbed another for Valentina to carry but she put it down immediately, forcing you to answer or else she wouldn't take it, "I think I'll get Antoni to do it, he seems reliable."

Her heart skipped a beat, she had deflated because she recognised the name, "Antoni?! THE DOORMAN?!"

A laugh bubbled up your throat and Valentina had a death glare aimed towards you, she was shaking in rage but it suddenly went away when she got a good look at your smile, your laugh and the way your eyes crinkled in the corners from your melodious laughter, "Of course not honey, it's obviously you- did you really have to ask?"

"..No, but I wanted you to say it."

'Yakov, This is (Name).

I never knew you'd be so formal in a letter to someone you once knew so well,

I would be delighted come back home and design the skaters costumes- it sounds like a lot of fun.

I just finished another show and my clothing line for this season is almost ready to be distributed across the world so I'll be all yours when I reach Russia.

See you soon,

(Name) (Lastname).'