My Boss's Hidden Heir (Elara and Marcus) novel Chapter 181

Chapter 181

Elara’s POV

The boutique was chaos in the best possible way.

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Elara had expected maybe thirty people to show up for the grand opening. She’d prepared champagne for fifty just to be safe, thinking that was wildly optimistic.

There were at least two hundred people crammed into the space.

Fashion editors from Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar examining the curated racks with critical eyes. Socialites trying on statement pieces in the fitting rooms. Influencers taking photos in front of the custom wallpaper Elara had agonized over for weeks. And somehow, impossibly, three actual celebrities browsing the accessories like this was a normal Tuesday.

“This is insane,” Mimi said, appearing at Elara’s elbow with a champagne flute. “Do you know who just walked in? That actress from the Netflix show everyone’s obsessed with. She’s looking at your evening wear.”

“Stop. I can’t think about that right now or I’ll have a panic attack.”

“Too late. She’s coming over.”

The actress approached with one of Elara’s designs draped over her arm, a midnight blue gown with hand- beaded details that had taken Elara three weeks to source. “Is the designer here? I’d love to talk about a custom piece for the Emmys.”

Elara’s brain short-circuited. The Emmys. This woman wanted to wear Elara’s design to the actual Emmys that would be broadcast to millions of people.

“I’m the designer,” she managed to say. “Elara Thorne.”

“Your work is stunning. Really. I’ve been looking for something that feels elegant without being boring and this is exactly it.” The actress gestured to the gown. “Can we talk about measurements and timeline?”

Mimi physically pushed Elara forward. “Yes, she’d love to. Let’s go to the consultation area.”

The next hour passed in a blur. Elara took measurements, sketched ideas, discussed fabric options and bead placements while some part of her brain screamed that this couldn’t actually be happening. She was designing a gown for an Emmy nominee. Her boutique had been open for ninety minutes and she already had a commission that could launch her entire career.

When the actress finally left with promises to follow up, Elara collapsed into one of the velvet chairs in the fitting area.

“I need a minute,” she told Mimi. “Just one minute to,process whatever just happened.”

“No time. There’s a woman from Town & Country asking about a feature. And someone from the Times wants an interview. And I think that’s Anna Wintour’s assistant taking photos.”

“You’re joking.”

17:10 Mon, May 11

Chapter 181

Elara kissed him, quick and soft, then pulled back before she got distracted. “I should get back to it. Can you handle the twins a bit longer?”

“We’re fine. Go be brilliant.”

She worked the room for another two hours, talking to potential clients and press and other boutique owners who’d come to check out the competition. By the time the crowd started thinning Elara’s face hurt from smiling and her feet were screaming in the heels she’d chosen for height over comfort.

But every muscle ache was worth it when she looked at the order forms her assistant had been collecting all evening. Dozens of custom requests. Interest from buyers who wanted to carry her designs in their stores. Invitations to show at fashion week events.

Three months ago she’d been a wife and mother with dreams she’d pushed to the side. Now she was a designer with a successful boutique and more opportunities than she knew how to handle.

“You should eat something,” Marcus said, appearing with a plate of canapes from the catering table. “You’ve been running on adrenaline and champagne for five hours.”

“Has it been five hours?”

“The grand opening was supposed to end at seven. It’s now almost nine and people are still shopping.”

17:10 Mon, May 11 M