Meanwhile, Vanessa's house in Asokoro was calm and peaceful. Asokoro was one of Abuja's quiet, exclusive districts, set apart from the noise and traffic of the city. Through her wide windows, she could still see Abuja's lively skyline beyond her serene neighbourhood. Inside, her home was filled with fine art and modern furniture, showing her success and style. A gentle buzz of movement followed her as she walked around her large walk-in closet, choosing the right clothes for her upcoming show in London. The quiet activity in her home matched the busyness of her thoughts.
She paused for a moment, her gaze lingering on a framed picture of Erimma, her young daughter, on a shelf nearby. It was one of the rare photos that captured Erimma's wide smile, her little hand holding a crayon, lost in her own world. Vanessa's chest tightened slightly as she looked at it, but she quickly pushed the feeling aside. There was no time for sentimentality now.
Her phone buzzed, and Vanessa glanced down, seeing a notification from her PR team. The details of the evening's event filled her screen. The excitement of the upcoming show and the thrill of the runway took over. She tapped the screen absentmindedly, scanning the information while adjusting the contents of her suitcase.
Vanessa was the CEO of Vanessa Couture, a prestigious global luxury fashion brand—a billion-dollar empire renowned for its haute couture designs, exclusive collections, and celebrity clientele. Her name had become synonymous with elegance, power, and influence in the fashion world. Through relentless drive and the right connections, she had transformed Vanessa Couture into a household name. From attending meetings with high-profile designers to managing international events, she had solidified her place as one of the most sought-after fashion moguls.
The bags were packed, and her driver, Charles, was already waiting by the car, ready to whisk her away to the airport. Vanessa was always one to move with precision, everything in its place, every step calculated. She had long accepted that her career had to come first, even when it meant making difficult decisions. Erimma would understand. Vanessa had told herself this countless times, and she believed it.
At the airport, she moved with practiced ease, from first-class check-in to priority boarding and a polite nod to the flight attendants. Soon, she was seated by the window, her silk scarf neatly draped, sunglasses perched high on her head.
The engines roared to life. As the plane climbed steadily into the sky, Vanessa watched Abuja begin to shrink below, the city blurring into soft grey and green patches. The clouds welcomed her, and sunlight sparkled briefly on the metal wing as they levelled into cruising altitude.
Once the in-flight Wi-Fi kicked in, she opened Instagram, scrolled through her feed, then uploaded a photo from her last shoot. It was a stunning silhouette against gold lighting, a perfect moment curated for her millions of followers.
The runway was calling. The magazines were waiting. And she was ready to shine even brighter.
As for Family Day, that was no longer in her thoughts. She'd make a post later, perhaps, just to maintain the image. After all, it was all part of the brand.
A faint smile tugged at her lips as she leaned back, her mind already consumed by the next show, the next opportunity.
***