Ch 12- as perfect as your...

With that she made her way to the mall.

One good thing you get from being an assistant is know all good malls and sure clothing plug. Thankfully one of Roxanne's favourite mall was at the corner so she made her way to the mall.

Even though she knew that Devon had decided to stock up her wardrobe, she still wanted to get something for herself. There was nothing more satisfying than spending money you worked hard for on yourself.

"Good day Miss, what can I do for you?" The mall attendant greeted with a smile as Gisele walked in.

"I'm looking to buy a few dresses" she answered.

"okay do you have a brand in mind?"

Gisele shook her head "I don't, is it okay if I take a look around first?"

"sure you're free to take a look, you can try any dress you like at the wardrobe department and come pay for it, if you like it."

Gisele nodded, thanked the girl and walked into the mall. She didn't know what she was looking for, she has never had the chance to actually visit the mall, even when she was Roxanne's assistant, Roxanne felt she was too big of a disgrace so she was bound from following her around unless when she needed her help. She would only hear her and her celebrity friends discuss about their shopping so she didn't even know which brand was which and what was what. All she knew was that a dress could either be fine or ugly, cheap or expensive and nothing else.

She took time browsing through lots and lots of cloth collections and brands. Reluctant to pick an outfit before seeing them, she continued strolling round the mall. She strolled past a certain brand stand and just when she was going to pass, her eyes caught one of the clothes worn on the mannequin.

This...

What does this looks familiar? or was she mistaken?

How could a dress she had casually drawn be hanging on a brand's mannequin?

Could it be...

...

Five years ago

In a little town somewhere at the countryside, secluded from the busily life of the city, stood a smart apartment. It looked small and probably inconvenient, could also be mistaken to be owned by peasants but one who had eyes could see that this little apartment and it's courtyard would cost more than even the finest mansions in the city.

Solid walls from rare marble stones, a floor tarred with beautiful yet expensive white, grey and pink granite. A little garden with black rose that could probably only be found in one place on Earth, a little lake of it's own with clear waters that flowed into the woods directly at the back of the house. An outhouse right at the back of the house that faced the woods and allowed one to enjoy the evening scent of the sun setting on trees. It was a house money could probably not afford.

In the small wooden Outhouse, on the floor, beside a smiling old man, a little girl sprawled herself on the floor and earnestly scribbled away on the drawing book in front of her. As she drew, she tried her best to cover up the drawing book from the Old man with her little hands.

Old Man Alexander smiled so affectionately as he watched little Gisele hide her drawings from him. He wasn't going to bother her, neither would he try to pry into her work. She always had the habit of wanting her designs to be a surprise for him.

"Little G! Where is my little princess?!" An energetic voice rang out from the entrance of the house.

Gisele sprang up her head excited totally forgetting she was meant to be shrouding her designs.

The voice rang out again "Little G where are you?!"

"Uncle Dan I'm right at the back!" The little girl yelled at the top of her voice.

It didn't take long, as man dressed in suit walked to the backyard. He was young and quite handsome, No doubt jovial too, he had that playful looks in his eyes and that demeanor that showed he had enough joy to go around.

"Uncle Dan!" She sprinted up and rushed to his arms.

"There you are! My little G!" He embraced her and turned her around to get a good look at her. The girl had grown more than he could remember. His eyes showed content and satisfaction seeing her look even more beautiful than he last saw her

He commented "Sigh I barely recognize my little G anymore, you have grown so much, more than I could remember"

"That's because you haven't come since last year. You missed my birthday again Uncle Dan" She pouted, clearly complaining.

"I know and to apologise I got you somethings in return" He pinched her cheeks. She giggled and looked expectantly even when she had an idea what he had brought.

"Ta da!" He exclaimed as he drew out the gift from the gift bag.

Yet another Sketching book and drawing equipment.

Yeah so predictable.

"Happy Birthday G" He pecked her forehead and her cheek playfully. The girl giggled softly.

She has received this for ten years straight, still she was happy to receive yet another one. "Thank You uncle Dan!"

As if it was planned, Uncle Dan always came around when she was done sketching on the previous drawing book he gave her. She was done yet again finishing the 24 pages Sketch book she had collected just the last year. Now she was eager to start her sketches again on this new drawing book.

"Did you come to slave away my granddaughter or did you come to visit us?" Grandfather Alexander questioned irritated.

Dan gave a guilty laugh and went ahead to greet the old man. His father was always grumpy when it comes to this niece of his so he understood why he looked irritated. Plus he knows the old man might have seen through his intentions of coming so he flashed a bright smile and tried placating.

"How could I not have come to see Father? I have missed father a lot!"

There was no way the Old man would be placated by his bootlicking. He knew exactly what his sons motive was for coming here. "yet you come only when it is that time of the year. Do you come to see me or did you come to see your next big project?"

How could He answer such an obvious question?

Dan immediately changed the topic "Father why don't you come to the city, everyone misses your presence"

"No need, I'll stay here away from all the drama with my granddaughter. If coming to take me away is also your mission. Then you can go back right now" Grandfather Alexander said grumpily. The idea of leaving this Serene and peaceful environment was definitely not to his liking.

Dan shook his head, he expected that would be the reply. He was going to say something else when his eyes caught the still open Sketch book on the floor. His eyes sparkled like he had found gold.

"Is this what you're working on?" He picked it up and began to look at it. Delight and satisfaction in his eyes.

Gisele nodded then pouted. "I'm not done yet, just some finishing touches left but that was supposed to be a surprise for Grandpa"

"My darling, it is a surprise indeed. I'm glad to see how much you're improving. You might just become as perfect as your..." Old man Alexander broke his words with a sigh. The glow in his eyes dimmed and a sad expression appeared on his face.

"As my what? Like you grandpa?" Gisele asked.

He forced a smile and nodded "yes yes my darling, as your grandpa"

"That is why you should keep practicing with new styles everyday" Dan chirped in "Uncle Dan would make sure a beautiful dress is made from all your designs. Like this one" he pointed to the dress she had just finished drawing.

The little girl gasped in excitement "You'll make all my designs real dresses?"

"mmhmm" Dan nodded "let me tell you a secret, every design you've ever drawn has really become a dress. A very beautiful dress and people love it!"

"Then I'll keep drawing so that all those people don't get disappointed" the girl giggled happily, albeit she didn't believe him. What did it mean to make a dress, even as young as she was, she knew her uncle could never afford to make a dress of his own, especially a dress that became popular.

Her uncle never came home except for once a year cause he was always busy running around trying to earn money. Her grandfather also didn't work, he only helped some few people settle their business issues. So how could any of them have the capability to produce clothes that wowed the public?

Her Uncle was probably just making an excuse for collecting all her previous sketches. So she thought even still she was encouraged by his words. It didn't hurt to keep giving him her idle sketches as long as it made him happy and gave him something to remember home of.