The soft chime of the shop's bell rang, but Amara didn't look up immediately.
Her hands stayed steady, guiding a needle through soft fabric. The late afternoon light slanted gently across the worktable as she finished a clean seam, tying it off with quick precision.
The footsteps that followed were familiar enough.
When she finally glanced toward the door, she found Xavier watching her, his expression calm, his posture as steady as ever.
Amara gave a simple nod. "You're here."
Xavier offered a small, polite smile. "Just wanted to see how it's coming along."
Amara wiped her hands on a soft cloth, then motioned toward the mannequin where the wedding dress hung carefully.
"I've finished adding the roses to the bottom—like your fiancée suggested."
Her tone was smooth, her words straightforward.
She moved to the dress, fingers brushing lightly over the fabric near the hem. The roses curved along the base, stitched in soft, clean detail, right where they were asked to be.
"They sit low enough that they won't steal attention from the rest of the dress," she added.
Xavier's gaze followed her hand, taking in the neat design.
"They're perfect. It's exactly what she wanted."
Amara stepped back, adjusting a slight fold near the waistline, then turning to her worktable to note a few adjustments.
"Everything else is on schedule," she said simply. "There'll be another fitting soon."
Hopefully the last one Amara thought to herself.
Xavier lingered quietly for a moment. His presence wasn't heavy, but Amara noticed he didn't leave right away.
She kept her focus on the fabric in her hands.
Trying to focus but her mind till drifting unto why he hasn't gone yet.
When he finally spoke, his voice was light, almost passing. "Next time, I'll bring my "fiancée."
She should see it before it's finished."
Amara's answer came easily. "Alright."
She said hoping he will go away soon.
There was nothing else to say.
He left with a quiet nod, the door swinging softly behind him as the bell gave a brief chime.
Breathing a sigh of relief.
Amara returned to her seat, picking up where she had stopped, sliding the needle effortlessly through fabric.
When her mind drifted to "Lillian's last visit", where she was acting weird around her, looking to see if she's was a threat.
She sighed thinking of how she was going to relieve that moment.
I need to get this dress done with and fast.
Her mind didn't pause on her thoughts.
It didn't need to.
There were still stitches to finish, measurements to adjust, orders to complete.
The work moved forward, as always.