Settling Details

She knew that Vin was joking but what could she say to that? Her confident response just made her laugh in response. After finishing up their banter, It didn't take long for them to jump into specifics and timeline. While Vin was definitely a free bird, she held a different side when it came to creating clothes. The passion she held for fashion design was quite evident and comforting. Just based on her attitude towards the clothing, there was a high chance she would love whatever she got. It helped calm her nerves in trying a new style, especially since she was completing winging it. She chose the creator based on her personal instincts without seeing any of her work.

She felt pretty confident that she had no misjudged her but you could never trust people too much. There was never a second where she didn't remind herself of this fact, repeating it as if it was a mantra. Her mind was always switching between reality and being lost in her memories as if she was being chased. She doubted this mentality would change any time soon, it was probably something that needed therapy. However, she would revisit that when there wasn't death flags looming over her head.

Focusing back on their conversation, she started answering more of Vin's questions regarding colour and fabric. The questions seemed endless but she knew they were to understand her style better. Most of her answers were vague since she herself was not sure, though there were fabrics she preferred better.

The store was a fairy land but to Vin's credit she had a magical storage of books and fabrics hidden. It was almost a magic trick with how she pulled them out of nowhere and with the amounts she did. There were at minimum three books of colours and shades, volumes separated by colour families. Then there were another seven books with fabric patches you could touch and feel. Which was nice until you realized there were seven books to go through and Vin was adamant on making you touch each and every piece.

She stuck it out for ten minutes before she called it quits. "You know I think I'll just leave fabric up to you."

"Is that you're way of telling me to kindly shut up?"

"Your words not mine... but no I honestly do not have a preference. Though I do enjoy softer and more durable fabrics. Colour wise and fabric wise surprise me, there's no limit just make me look good."

Vin paused her notes and leaned forward with a smile on her face. "You know, while I love that you trust me I could easily screw you over. Make sure you get other designers to show you their work first before you promise them the stars."

"I don't gamble when I can't win, don't worry. I'm not thaaat easy to fool."

"Why am I finding that hard to believe? Okay well I shall design some things up and have it prepared. When do you need them by and what is your budget?"

When it came to timeline, that was a hard answer for her. Depending on the piece and level of 'couture' she could need it in a month or three. She debated for a second before answering "Honestly as soon as I could get them, preferably within two months or three maximum. For budget, I'm flexible."

"You have to have a maximum in budget, no limit could mean millions."

"Who says I can't afford millions?" Mei Lin teased back with a smirk, after all she wasn't the one paying for it. Initially she was hesitant on a new store appearing on her credit card but this store still matched upper class tastes. She could spin a story that a friend recommended the store and since it was 'couture' the price was no issue. For everything she's been through it would be great to spend their money till they went broke.

"Okay Miss Midas, do you have a superpower where everything you touch turns into gold? Or else I'm really doubting your judgment in entrusting a stranger with millions."

"Haha, in all seriousness I'm budgeting up to a 150,000 on the dresses. So as nice and as many pieces you can do within that I am happy with. If I like them, maybe we can discuss millions then?"

"Alright, looks we have a deal. Your fairy godmother shall not disappoint." Sticking out her hand they shook hands in agreement. It took a couple more minutes for her to draft a paper regarding her wishes and sign off on the terms. They were friendly but the business transaction still had to be recorded for procedural matters.

Looking down at her watch she was surprised to see that fourty-five minutes had passed. Though she had enjoyed talking to her and sorting things out she did not expect this much time to have elapsed. Thankfully, she had gone to this store early in the day and she still had time for the rest of her plans. She would just have to be stricter in her next visits to make sure she doesn't go over.

Finishing up her greetings, they did a quick bye before she left the store. There was a small sense of accomplishment in completing one task. It was a minor win but considering the fact that it was her first new store in years and that it was for the betterment of herself, she was beyond grateful.

Wanting to keep the momentum going she faced the next three stores with the same vigour. By this time she felt like a videotape on replay with her acting the same scene over and over again. She had considered creating a new explanation but that would confuse her story if the employees were to ever talk. Her mother's birthday was her strongest alibi and she could build connections with certain employees this way. It was like having a spy in these stores or at minimum an extra privilege if she wanted to bend the rules next time.

"Jiayou Mei Lin! Three stores down, eight more to go."