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LILA'S POV

The first thing I felt when I opened my eyes was peace. No alarm blaring, no rush of exhaustion weighing me down. Just a quiet, refreshing stillness that settled deep into my bones. Today was different. Today, I started fresh.

I stretched, my fingers brushing against the soft fabric of my sheets, before I pushed myself upright. Sunlight peeked through the thin curtains, casting warm streaks across my bedroom walls. KAI-Apparel. My new workplace. My new title—store manager. The words still felt foreign, like they didn’t belong to me.

Swinging my legs off the bed, I padded toward the bathroom. A quick shower washed away any lingering nerves. As the water ran down my skin, I thought about how far I’d come. Not long ago, I had been stuck in a retail job at a small boutique off the Strip, watching high-end fashion roll past me like an untouchable dream. But now, I was stepping into one of the biggest fashion houses in the city.

I dressed in a fitted blazer and tailored slacks, opting for a neutral tone that struck the balance between elegance and authority. My reflection in the mirror stared back, confidence growing in the lines of my face. No breakfast today. I could grab something on my way—maybe a croissant and coffee from the small bed-and-breakfast store near the station.

Stepping out of my apartment, I inhaled the crisp morning air. The city was already alive, humming with movement. School buses rolled down the streets, their bright yellow frames standing out against the muted tones of the buildings. Parents hurried their children along sidewalks, briefcases in one hand, coffee cups in the other. The usual honking, chatter, and occasional bursts of laughter blended into a familiar melody.

By the time I reached the bus stop, my thoughts were already drifting to the life I was stepping into.

The bus arrived, and I took a seat by the window, watching as the small city roads blurred past. Each turn brought something new—the quiet residential streets shifting into more congested lanes. The scenery changed rapidly, from modest houses and mom-and-pop stores to an entirely different world.

The highway opened up before us, leading straight into the heart of Las Vegas. Towering skyscrapers lined the roads, their reflective glass windows catching the early morning sun. Flashy billboards advertised luxury brands, high-end nightclubs, and upcoming events. Ferraris and Lamborghinis weaved through the traffic, a stark contrast to the older sedans and public buses filling the lanes.

It was a world that had once felt so distant from mine. A world that had belonged to people of high status.

Instead, I focused on the journey. Alice, my neighbor, had been the one to push me toward this opportunity. She had come across the opening at KAI-Apparel and practically forced me to apply. At the time, I had laughed it off, thinking I had no shot. The call had shocked me. The interview had terrified me. But here I was.

The bus slowed as we neared the designated stop. I exhaled, smoothing my blazer. This was it.

Stepping off the bus, I joined the stream of people crossing the intersection. The city buzzed with energy—heels clicking against pavement, the murmur of conversations blending with the distant sound of a saxophonist playing on the corner. The scent of coffee and freshly baked pastries filled the air, mingling with the crispness of the morning.

And then, I saw it.

KAI-APPAREL.

The name was displayed boldly across the massive building, the sleek glass panels reflecting the city around it. The complex was modern and expansive, stretching upward with a design that screamed luxury.

I swallowed hard.

Standing here, in front of this towering structure, made it all real. This wasn’t just a fleeting dream. This was happening. I was about to step into a world I had spent years admiring from afar.

I took one last deep breath and walked forward.

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"And now henceforth, this store is to be managed by you, and we expect nothing but excellence from you. Welcome onboard to KAI-Apparel."

The words rang in my head as I stared at the keys in my palm, feeling the weight of the moment settle in. The complex manager, Mr. Harris, had given me a firm handshake before leaving, his smile genuine but laced with expectation.

I took a breath and turned toward the entrance of the store, my store. The glass doors reflected my image—a young woman standing at the threshold of something bigger than she had ever imagined. With a deep breath, I stepped inside.

The scent of luxury met me immediately, a mix of expensive fabric, faint vanilla, and the crisp freshness of something new. Floor-to-ceiling racks lined the space, each section meticulously arranged. The women’s section boasted mannequins draped in the latest designs, while the men’s section mirrored the same sophistication. The lighting was warm, highlighting the intricate details of every piece. Everything about this store was a statement.

My heels clicked against the polished marble floor as I moved toward the back, where my office was located. Just as I was about to step inside, a wave of chatter drifted in from the entrance, followed by the soft chime of the doorbell.

I turned, catching sight of four young employees walking in. Their energy was contagious, their conversation animated until they noticed me standing there. Silence fell over them for a second before one of the girls, a brunette with a confident stance, stepped forward.

"Hi! You must be the new manager," she said, her voice smooth.

I nodded. "That’s me. Lila Grayson."

The others exchanged quick glances before stepping forward to introduce themselves.

"I’m Mia," the brunette said, offering a friendly smile. "Women’s wear specialist. Well, hopefully."

The boy beside her, with wavy blond hair and an easygoing expression, gave a small salute. "Name’s Ethan. I guess that makes me the guy for men’s fashion."

The next one, a tall, dark-haired guy with sharp eyes and a more reserved demeanor, nodded. "I’m Jordan. I was assigned to checkout."

And lastly, a petite girl with curly hair, bouncing on the heels of her feet, waved enthusiastically. "I’m Sophie! I’ll be at the welcoming desk."

I crossed my arms, looking at the four of them. They were young, maybe around my age or slightly younger, but eager. I liked that.

"Alright," I said, nodding. "I’ll keep this short. I’m Lila, your store manager. We’re a team now, and my goal is to make sure this store runs smoothly. I expect professionalism, punctuality, and dedication from all of you. But at the same time, I want us to enjoy working together. So, let’s get this started, yeah?"

A chorus of agreement followed.

I gestured toward the store layout. "I’ve already reviewed your roles, so here’s the plan. Mia, you’ll handle the women’s section and assist customers with fittings. Ethan, you’ve got the men’s section and changing rooms. Jordan, you’ll be at checkout, ensuring everything runs smoothly. And Sophie, you’re our first point of contact—make sure every customer feels welcomed the moment they step in."

Sophie gave a mock salute. "On it, boss."

Jordan smirked. "Sounds good to me."

Mia and Ethan nodded, their excitement visible.

I glanced at my watch. "We officially open in fifteen minutes. Let’s make it count."

They dispersed to their stations, and I took one last scan of the store before making my way behind the counter to check the system. Everything was in place—the inventory list, the sales tracker, the employee schedule.

A deep breath settled in my chest.

I was ready.

The chime of the doorbell interrupted my thoughts. The first customer had arrived.

Sophie straightened at her desk, offering a bright smile. "Welcome to KAI-Apparel!".

And just like that, we were in business.

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