CHAPTER 39 – THE CITY TAKES NOTICE
The bell over the boutique door had barely stopped chiming all morning.
It was as though the whole city had decided today was the day to shop for perfumes.
I smiled as I handed a carefully wrapped candle to a customer. "Thank you," I said warmly. "This one burns for over fifty hours, so don't forget to trim the wick each time you light it."
The young woman grinned. "It smells like summer evenings," she said. "Like when the windows are open and the breeze comes in."
"That's exactly what I wanted it to feel like," I replied.
When she left, I took a quick sip of water, then turned back to the shelves only to find two more customers waiting.
By mid-afternoon, I'd sold out of three of my best-sellers. I stood behind the counter, staring at the nearly empty display table, a strange mix of pride and panic fluttering in my chest.
Good news everything was flying off the shelves. Bad news I needed to restock faster than I had planned.
My phone buzzed just as I was updating my inventory list.
"Ms. Hale," said the investor's voice, warm and pleased. "We've been tracking your progress. You've exceeded projections for this quarter."
I smiled faintly. "That's good to hear."
"We'd like to schedule a sit-down next week," he continued. "The board is considering funding a second location perhaps closer to the fashion district, where foot traffic is high."
For a moment, my breath caught.
A second boutique.
I had only just gotten used to the idea that my first one was thriving.
"That would be… incredible," I said carefully. "Let me look at my production schedule, but yes, I'd like to discuss it."
The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur.
As the last customer left, I locked the door and leaned against the counter, letting out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.
This was bigger than I ever expected.
One month ago, I had been afraid no one would even find my little shop. Now, there was talk of a second one.
That evening, I sat on the floor of the living room while the girls played.
"Mama," Lila said, holding up a crayon drawing of what looked like a crooked little shop. "This is your boutique!"
I laughed softly, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "It's perfect. Even the window is in the right place."
"Are you gonna make more perfumes tomorrow?" Isla asked, her big curious eyes looking exactly like mine and yet, sometimes, so much like someone else's it made my chest ache.
"Yes," I said softly. "I have to make a lot more. People keep buying them faster than I can make them."
The girls giggled at that, as if the idea of their mama's work being popular was the funniest thing ever.
Later that night, after the twins were asleep, I sat with Liora at the kitchen table.
"You look exhausted," she said, sipping tea.
"I am," I admitted. "But it's a good kind of exhaustion. We might be opening a second location."
Her brows shot up. "That's huge, Rina. You know what this means, right?"
I nodded. "It means I might need to hire someone. An assistant, at least. I can't do production, sales, marketing, and bookkeeping alone anymore."
Liora smiled softly. "I'm proud of you. I hope you know that."
I blinked back the sudden burn in my eyes. "Thank you," I said.
The next morning, I got up earlier than usual, my mind buzzing with plans.
If there was going to be a second boutique, I wanted to make sure it reflected everything I'd built so far maybe even better.
I spent hours sketching new layouts, writing lists of suppliers, planning how to train whoever I eventually hired.
At some point, I realized the shop was due for a deep clean before the Gala display.
I rolled up my sleeves, tied my hair back, and set to work, scrubbing shelves until they gleamed, polishing glass bottles until they shone like jewels.
By the time I was done, the boutique felt new again ready for whatever came next.
The Art Gala was only a few weeks away now, and the weight of it sat in my stomach like a stone.
This wasn't just a networking event.
This was the kind of night that could put me permanently on the map.
I would need the perfect outfit, the perfect speech, and of course the perfect scent.
I dipped a strip into my latest formula and closed my eyes, breathing it in.
Almost there.
A few more tweaks, and it would be ready.
When I finally went home that evening, the city was painted gold by the setting sun.
I glanced up at the skyline as I walked, feeling that strange pull as though the city was watching me, waiting to see what I would do next.
Past five years ago, I had left Arden City in pieces.
Now, I was coming back stronger than ever.
And something told me that soon, very soon, my past would come knocking on my door.