Across the city, in a sleek office of M Designs, Aida sifted through the newest submissions. A batch from a young, unknown designer had arrived anonymously.
And something stopped her cold.
The patterns. The lines. The curves. The eye for balance. Too familiar. Too precise. Too… Maureen White.
"Impossible," Aida whispered, scrolling through the digital portfolio. Every piece screamed of the woman she had once worked for—her former boss, the genius who had founded M Designs before disappearing.
Instinct took over. She tracked the submissions, using subtle clues: the choice of natural textures, the hints of asymmetry perfected into elegance, even the timing of uploads.
And then she found her.
A small studio, two women—one wild-eyed with forest dust still in her hair, the other small, practical, and sharp.
"Aha," Aida whispered, a smile tugging at her lips. "…You."
Mau looked up as Aida approached, startled. "Excuse me?"
"You," Aida said firmly, holding up a sketch. "Do you realize what you've been sending me? This… this is M Designs. And you—you are the designer I've been missing for years."
Mau frowned. "I… I don't understand. Who are you?"
"I'm Aida. You know… your old assistant. Your… right-hand woman." Aida's gaze softened. "And I know something else. You… you don't remember. Amnesia, yes?"
Mau froze. "…Amnesia?"
"Yes," Aida said quietly, observing her. "…And I don't care. I'll wait. I'll help. We'll rebuild M Designs together—anonymously, if you wish. And we keep it from your parents. They can't know yet. Not while the criminal who took you is still out there."
Mau's lips parted, uncertainty mingling with relief. "…You'll… help me?"
"Of course," Aida said firmly. "Because genius like yours… doesn't stay hidden. And I'll keep you safe while we make the world follow your rules—again."
A soft smile broke across Mau's face. "Awkwardly efficient, remember?"
Aida chuckled, shaking her head. "Yes, and terrifyingly brilliant. Let's get to work."