2: Inside every person you know, there's a person you aren't familiar with.

Kathleen's predictions were spot on. Just after 2 and a half years, Alyssa finished her degree in fashion design at the top of her class.

It was also during these times that Kathleen gathered enough money so that they could start their very own fashion shop - Fourse.

It was named such because all four women who shared a dorm room during University had contributed to the idea of putting up a small business together. And all four had a certain force to them that no one could not notice.

Autumn - their dorm mate who studied tourism, just like Kathleen, was born into good circumstances. But not like Kathleen, she was given the freedom to choose what she likes to do, thanks to her older brother.

She asked her family to rent them the shop near the city center - and they did. At first Autumn's family - especially her mother who was fond of the girls, insisted they take it as a gift. But Alyssa and Kathleen politely said no. They were doing business. And there was no 'gifts' in actual business. This made Autumn's mother like the girls more, so she agreed to let them rent the building for its actual price, throwing in some perks here and there - which the women were happy about.

Mackenzie - their other roommate who was also studying business, had to stop school. She had to look for work to take care of her grandmother who was diagnosed with kidney failure. Unlike Autumn and Kathleen, Mackenzie wasn't born in a wealthy family. She was actually a scholar of the University but had to stop because of life's harsh circumstances.

Autumn, Kathleen and Alyssa offered their help, but Mackenzie wouldn't take any of it. She was a proud woman. Being abandoned just after being born had its effect on her personality.

Before she left University, she gave Kathleen a stack of papers. It was her research on the fashion industry. Her only request was to invite her during the opening of the store.

But Mackenzie got more than just an invite. She got an offer from Alyssa to be her secretary.

She was working as a waitress slash dishwasher in a restaurant at those times so being offered a job as a secretary was something she could only imagine.

She was hesitant, but after hearing Alyssa's explanation. She said yes.

A year later - Alyssa, Kathleen, Mackenzie and Autumn, stood in front of their brand new shop together with their family and close friends.

For the past 6 months, the business wasn't doing well. It came to the point where Gideon offered his help. He could show up in an event wearing their clothes assuring them that within 24 hours, their phones would be flying - making it hard for the four of them to handle.

Because they were new, it was only the four of them. They were just starting so they couldn't afford risking someone else's career life if they do fail.

Being proud and driven. They declined Gideon's offer and continued to look for opportunities.

Fourse's clothes were something different. They didn't have that sweet and demure look and feel to them. The clothes were cool, chic and powerful. They were the types of clothes that only those with a strong sense of confidence could pull off - maybe it was the reason why no one was taking notice of them.

They were just too charismatic for normal people to wear.

When they thought it was the end for their small business. Lady luck came bumping on their door.

Mackenzie - who was out to post some flyers, bumped into a couple who seemed to be well-off. She apologized and was about to leave when the woman called her.

"Can I see those?" She pointed at the flyers Mackenzie was holding. The latter quickly nodded, handing the woman a flyer that had the word FOURSE written on it with some of Alyssa's designs.

"How come I haven't heard of you?" The woman asked, not taking her eyes off of the piece of paper. There was a particular design that caught her eye - and she wanted it so bad. Even though she was just seeing it on paper, she knew the design would go well with the shoes her husband has recently designed for her.

"We just opened a few months ago and would probably be closing down any time soon." Mackenzie muttered sadly. If they don't get orders soon, they'd have no choice but to close down.

"We can't have that can we?" Mackenzie's head shot up. She looked at the woman's smiling mouth - wondering if what she's thinking was right. "I love your designs! Can I make a reservation latter at 3 PM?"

Mackenzie's mood lifted as she nodded her head. The couple bid their goodbyes as she quickly finished her job. She then rushed to their building to tell her friends of the great news.

About 10 minutes before 3, Tyson and Astrid entered a cool looking shop. Aside from its cool interior, no one could be seen in it - which was sad because buildings as cool as this should be known to the world!

The woman they saw earlier came rushing to them from the 2nd floor of the shop with a huge smile.

"You really came!" She said beaming. "I'm Mackenzie by the way. Welcome to Fourse."

Astrid accepted the woman's hand and gave it a shake. She then removed her sunglasses - revealing her ethereal beauty.

"Oh my god!" A voice from the second floor screeched. Astrid lifted her head to see a beautiful young woman with brownish red hair covering her mouth. "Astrid Bronwen! Kenzy! How could you not recognize Astrid Bronwen!"

Autumn rushed down to shake Astrid's hands in glee.

"Why are you shouting Autumn? The guests would arrive soon." Another woman said, emerging from a nearby door with a tray of sliced cheesecake in her hands.

"Are those for us?" Tyson asked. They had just come from a photoshoot and the food there wasn't to his and his wife's liking so they didn't eat much and were now hungry.

Kathleen - realizing who the pair were, nodded her head.

Tyson went over to her, grabbed the tray and sat comfortably at one of the couches in the room.

"I'm sorry about this." Astrid shyly said, kicking her husband's leg.

"No it's fine. Have a seat. Please feel comfortable." Kathleen said as she motioned for her friends to also sit down.

In front of them was Astrid Bronwen and Tyson Ryu - two of the most well known celebrities in their country.

What were the odds that Mackenzie would randomly bump into them?

"I'm going straight to the point." Astrid suddenly said which made the three women look at her. She took something from her bag and showed it to the girls in front of her. "I want this set so badly."

"Oh, wow." Kathleen didn't know what to say. Someone was actually saying she wanted one of their clothes - and that someone was Astrid Bronwen!

"Is it still available?" Astrid crossed her fingers. The design was to her liking - in her eyes, it was pretty much made for her. She just had to have it.

"Yes it is. Actually, it's one of the first designs that our designer actually made into clothes." Autumn said as she looked at Kathleen.

Astrid beamed hearing this. She looked at Tyson who chuckled beside her. His wife was indeed a fashion slave - well if you really think about it, fashion was one of his wife's slaves.

"But it's in the work room. And Alyssa's the only one with the key." Kathleen said in all honesty.

Alyssa has been called out to a late lunch by her brothers and knowing them, they'd probably hold onto the woman for as long as they can.

Alyssa did promise to be back at exactly 3 but the guests arrived a little earlier than expected.

"It's fine. We could wait. You serve one hell of a cheesecake by the way. Where'd you buy this?" Tyson was stuffing his face with the cheesecake served to them - he even ate Astrid's piece!

"Oh, Alyssa made them when you said you were coming. She wanted to prepare something for our very first customers." Mackenzie answered with a smile.

Alyssa would always be Alyssa for her.

"I'm getting quite intrigued about this Alyssa." Tyson smiled at them and at his wife before he continued to eat. He and his wife had also heard good things about another 'Alyssa' from a friend. Why were people named Alyssa all praiseworthy? Should he name their future child Alyssa as well?

"Devon. I said it's fine. I don't want to enter the back door okay? It's unfair." A woman's voice said as she entered the shop a few minutes later.

"What I'm saying is I want to support you. What's the use of having me and Gideon if we cant help you with simple things like wearing your brand!" A man's voice then answered.

The two didn't notice their guests and continued to bicker like they always do.

On the other hand, Astrid and Tyson were shocked to see Devon Wright in front of them - taking a woman's coat off of her body.

Autumn and her friends smiled apologetically at their guests. Embarrassed at the scene they were witnessing.

"Devon. You do wear our brand." Alyssa said as she stared her brother down.

Those eyes of hers did always work on her brothers - but not today. If the shop closes down, all his sister's efforts would go down the drain. He would allow everything but that.

"We wear it but you never allow us to say the brand name! My friends keep asking me about that coat I wore in the event last week but I couldn't tell them the brand because I know I'll die in your hands if I do!" He roared. Now he was being called a stingy ass between his friends because he didn't want to share his fashion sources with them!

"Good that you know. Now, go back home and tell Gideon not to worry. The girls and I will find a way. Don't you know me? I'm Alyssa Wright! I can do anything." She stuck out her tongue. And with just that, she won her brother over.

Devon cursed himself for being a self proclaimed sister's slave. He sighed and ruffled his sister's hair.

"Of course. My sister's the best."

"Oh! Now I get to meet the famous Wright brothers' sister." Tyson unceremoniously uttered, making Devon's head turn to his direction.

"Tyson. What the hell?" Tyson was working with Devon on a new song. They first met each other a few years back and instantly clicked so they've been friends since.

"Astrid had a chance to see Fourse's flyer and decided to drop by." He explained as he stood up and walked towards his friend and his friend's sister. "So you're the famous Alyssa."

"Hi. Nice to meet you. I'm sorry I'm late. Someone dragged lunch a little too long." Alyssa gave her brother a look which the latter answered with a scoff.

"Aly! Miss Bronwen wants to see the one in the work room." Kathleen walked towards her and told her about what they've discussed so far.

"Of course! If you would follow me." She walked towards their workroom - opening the door for their guests.

Fourse's workroom was like any other. It had huge tables, a sewing machine, shelves lined with thread, lace, cloth, jars with sequence in them and a lot more. There was a computer desk at the corner with files on it. Mannequin's were lined neatly in one corner and a rack of hangers in another.

The first thing that caught Astrid's eyes was the mannequin with clothes on. It was the same design that she fell for in the flyer but she feels more attached to it now that she saw it made.

"I want it! I'll take it. Oh my god! Please." She tugged onto Alyssa's hem which made Tyson laugh.

"How much is it?"

"It's not done yet though." Alyssa apologetically said. There were certain parts of the clothes that were not done yet. It looked done but it wasn't.

"It's fine." Astrid said beaming. Alyssa didn't say she wasn't going to sell it. She only said it wasn't finished yet. What was a few days of waiting when she could have the clothes after?

"Okay then. You can talk to Kathleen about the price. We'll have it sent to you in 3 days time." Alyssa beamed. Who knew Fourse's first patron would be someone as famous as Astrid Bronwen.

Astrid squealed as she ran towards Alyssa - hugging her.

"I'm going to tell everyone about your shop!"

"Really? Thank you so much!" Alyssa's eyes were round with shock.

If Astrid was going to promote for them, it meant a lot of people would know the brand! Astrid did have over a million followers, not to mention her friends who were also famous.

"Hey! Isn't this unfair Aly?" All eyes turned to Devon who had on a deep frown. "I can't promote for you, but Astrid can? I'm your brother!"

"I can because she isn't related to me. Understand Devon?" Astrid sassily replied. She then turned to Alyssa and the girls, asking them for a photo.

"Girls. Right?" Devon sighed. He couldn't agree with Tyson more.

~

2 months.

It took 2 months for the brand name 'Fourse' to spread throughout the country.

With the help of Astrid's promotion, a lot of orders were coming in. The shop's website which was once like a graveyard, was now bustling with orders and patrons.

The girls also hired more people for the shop.

They hired salesladies, designers, seamstresses, tailors, delivery men and many more.

The group also hired Alyssa's long time boyfriend - Hayden, as the shop's manager when he quit his job because of his colleagues' maltreatment.

The business was doing really well.

Everyone was doing really well.

5 years later, the business had more than 5 branches in the City.

Autumn volunteered to be a part-time model for the brand while being a full-time flight attendant - how she manages that, no one knew.

Mackenzie was still a secretary, but she was not Alyssa's secretary anymore. The latter asked her to assist the newbie Hayden - who was now transferred to another branch. She was also attending classes so that she could get her diploma and accept the position that her friends have long wanted to give her.

Kathleen and Alyssa were handling the main branch.

Kathleen - as bummed as she was about it, recently found out that she had an arranged marriage that couldn't be terminated.

She decided to leave home as a sort of protest and to postpone the wedding for as long as possible. She decided to live with Alyssa at the apartment they bought in case they needed to stay near the shop.

Alyssa got engaged with Hayden and their wedding was set in a week's time.

Everything was perfect.

Until Alyssa found Hayden in bed with Yna, a day before their wedding.

Alyssa never believed in superstitions. So when her mother told her that the bride and groom shouldn't meet a day before the wedding, she shrugged it off like it was nothing.

She coerced Kathleen into coming with her to surprise Hayden with his favorite bottle of wine and steak from his favorite restaurant for brunch.

When they arrived in front of the door to Hayden's apartment, Alyssa felt something off but she once again shrugged the thought away - too happy with the fact that she was marrying the man of her dreams the next day.

She punched the code in and walked towards the bedroom with the bottle of wine in hand and with Kathleen - who was holding Alyssa's personally cooked steak, in tow.

When they opened the door to Hayden's bedroom, a sound of a bottle being in contact with the floor resonated.

In bed was a naked Hayden together with an equally naked Yna - Alyssa's 2 year secretary.

Tears began to grace Alyssa's face. She couldn't believe the scene in front of her.

Hayden and her have been together for almost 10 years. How could he do something like this to her.

Kathleen was equally stunned. She suspected that something was up with Yna and Hayden since the day the latter asked Alyssa to let her come with them in one of their monthly dinners - which was reserved for only the 4 of them with one extra companion.

She just didn't dig to it any deeper because her best friend had trusted the man so much. If she did, it would mean that she didn't trust Alyssa. But seeing the scene in front of her, she regretted not doing it.

She dragged Alyssa out of the building and into her car. She took her mind off of Alyssa's tears for a few minutes as she called the latter's brothers to tell them what happened.

She wasn't telling them so that she could tattle, she told them so that they could cancel everything for the wedding and tell invited guests that it was off. She didn't care if they'd throw a fit, she just wants them to cancel everything.

Hayden would have to walk over her dead boy before he could marry Alyssa.

"That son of a-" Devon groaned as soon as Kathleen ended the call. Gideon took it on himself to call each invited guest to tell them it was cancelled. He didn't explain anything - he just told them it was cancelled.

"What's happening?" Their mother was on her way down from her room when she heard her eldest son curse someone - which he doesn't normally do.

She just finished fitting her gown for her daughter's wedding. She needed one of their house helps to help her with the strap so she went down.

"Mom! I won't accept that douchebag Hayden as my brother-in-law!" Devon had fury in his eyes.

This made Emily confused. In their family, she favored Hayden the least while both Devon and Gideon liked the man and treated him as if they were blood related brothers.

"He slept with Aly's secretary! I don't know since when but he's cheating on my sister!"

Hearing this, Emily had the intent to kill.

Their family has treated Hayden as if he was their own. She wasn't fond of him, but she treated him like a civilized person. She neither gave him criticizing looks nor did she ever say bad things about him.

Her sons' treated him as a brother and her daughter loved him dearly. She just couldn't understand why the man would cheat!

"Have you cancelled everything?" She turned to ask Gideon who was now dialing another number.

"I haven't even called half of the people invited."

"Send the less important ones emails for now and ask the girls for help. There is no way in hell would I allow my daughter to marry a man like that!"

Devon and Gideon felt bad seeing their mother furious.

They were the happiest when Alyssa told them Hayden and her were engaged. They didn't even do anything to check if Hayden was the man they thought he was. They failed entirely as brothers.

Their mother gave them a look before she walked back towards the stairs to do some cancelling herself.