Hype-woman

After letting Maria in on all what she had done that morning and showing her the purchases she had done, Maria was thoroughly impressed. "I had been wondering when you would decide to leave that place. I thought you would stay there forever. You had always told me about your dreams of doing something in fashion for yourself but year after year I saw you continue to go to the job you interned at. Thinking that you might have given up on that dream. Something that would be such a waste considering I know how talented you are. So, I think it is wonderful that you have decided to take this step. I am very proud and I look forward to see what you will create."

Laila chuckled and was happy that Maria had the excited response she had been hoping for. This might be why she told Maria before she had told Noah. Though she had of course told him in the past that she was considering this and he had voiced his support. Better yet, he had suggested her getting started on her own company while being at home because of her pregnancy himself, not too long ago. But no one could match the excitement that Maria showed. She had always been her hype-woman and a big advocate for independence and following a dream. Now that she had taken a step towards both, while taking a small leap of faith on the first, it was clear that Maria couldn't be happier for her.

"Thanks. This was just the reaction I needed and had been looking for. I don't know why, since we have discussed this before and we are in no way, shape or form dependent on my pay-check, I am feeling a bit nervous to tell Noah that I quit my job today. Though he supports me starting a company of my own, not sure he is very happy with me quitting while I was on paid leave. But I just felt that now was the time and getting paid, while I am working on my way out, just didn't feel right. I had been playing with the thought of quitting for some time now. Especially with what I have accomplished in my previous life. But to actually do it was a different matter. However this morning, when I woke up with the guys and sat down with them at breakfast, hearing them talk about the company, seeing that passion for what they do, it made something click for me. I felt a surge of wanting to do the same. So, when they headed out, and I was left alone with my thoughts in a room still filled with their energy, I decided to take action and I did."

Maria was still smiling, looking as happy as if it was her starting this beautiful but tough journey of starting a company of your own. After hearing Laila's words, she said, "Oh right. That is true. I sure am curious about how you were in your previous life. Aside from that guy who shall not be named, that life of yours sounds amazing. Your very own designer company. Successful and in no need of a man to provide for you and looking classy while doing it all. I am excited to see how things will turn out in this life. Just know that I that I am happy to help whenever you need me. Say the word and I will come running."

Laila chuckled again and said, "That is good to know. With all your different jobs, both now and in the past, I am sure you will be a wonderful addition to my team. Better yet, with you in it, it will become a dream team." As she looked at her closest friend with a gentle smile, Laila said with a bit of melancholy, "Too bad I am not successful now. Otherwise I would have hired you in a heartbeat."

Maria smiled back and said in a warm voice, "I am looking forward to it.", before she asked, "Was I a part of your team in your previous life?"

Laila was a bit surprised by Maria's question and wasn't sure how to answer it. The simple answer was 'no' but there was a lot more to it. Because although she had not expected this question, she had meant her earlier words of wanting to hire her if she could. This had been the case in her previous life and those feelings hadn't changed for the Maria in this life. The reason for this was simple, she did not like Maria having to work multiple jobs just to afford a simple life. She had been no stranger to poverty and she didn't like her friend having to deal with the struggles that came with a life like that.

Maria was so talented, so kind and her number one fan, maybe being second only to Noah in this life. But somehow, in both lives, she lived a tough life. Though in many ways Maria couldn't complain. Maria was blessed with plenty of things. The skills to do all those jobs, looks that would make a model jealous, having a house of her own and food on the table every day. There are plenty of people who can't say the same. But Laila herself wanted more for her friend. But when she had been in the position to help out in the past, Maria didn't want it. She didn't want to make Laila mix business with family and rejected any offers to be on her team. Telling her that being her friend and her sister from another mister, were the only roles she wanted to play in her life. Her not getting along with Jake, did not help her feeling of not wanting to be a part of Laila's company which was run mostly from her home. However in this life, things seemed to be different.