Chapter 141

Christina's POV I sent Ysolde a message, my fingers hovering nervously over the screen. "Thinking about starting my own studio. Thoughts?" Her reply came almost instantly, "Finally! I've been waiting for you to leave Nyx Collective. Since Octavia tagged you last month, word is several brands have been keeping an eye on you." I typed back quickly. "All small brands. None compare to Nyx." "That's exactly why you should do what you want. Find somewhere to grow instead of rotting in that depressing office." My phone lit up with her incoming call. "I'm free this week," she announced without preamble. "Bored out of my mind. Let's go look at spaces." We met that afternoon, and by the next day, we'd found the perfect spot. It was just around the corner from Nyx, nestled between a tea shop and a massage parlor with darkened windows. The space had been a flower shop, but the owner was relocating and desperate to sell. A wide, clean glass storefront let sunlight pour in evenly. The walls were a s