Anya was devastated about what happened. All the other clients left also backed down. And some of the clients which are woman would tell her that there are bad reviews about her project and that professionals from her field does not recommend her or say that she has a bad record.
Her abrupt resignation from the Davids was also thrown at her. Some said she was actually thrown out, for who would be in their right mind to let go of such a company like the Davids,
While others, which are men, would say there was an architect that they also considered, and receiving a much more satisfying and greater offer, they chose the other one than Anya.
With just that, the clients that she had were gone as fast as they came.
The following misfortunes did not stop Anya. She was frustrated about the loss of clients that she had, but this only invoked her to take her career to the next level.
Instead, she thought of opening up her very own design studio. It is a very big risk, but she thought having her studio would give her more credibility as a designer and could easily be discovered by people. She could garner more clients this way.
She had earned an ample amount of money, and she planned to invest it. She was not a high-maintenance girl, and aside from her grandmother’s hospital bills, she didn’t spend her money that much. She saves her money in her bank account and lets it grow.
But the amounts of clients and the salary that she received in the past month was quite hefty. Thus she felt like she could do this. It was enough for her to open a small studio.
When she decided this, she immediately took action. She bought a studio in a nearby city. She chose not to have it close to Andrei or even in her current environment, as she felt that her place was full of corruption and malice. So, she chose a warm and developing city to open up her studio.
She renovated the studio, which she designed herself.
She chose a minimalist and elegant design. The studio had a small waiting area that she made comfy and cozy to stay on. Within the room, her desk and shelves were also placed, and she arranged them neatly and organized.
The studio was small, so in just a couple of days, it was already done. Anya roamed her eyes free in the clean and beautiful room and felt extremely satisfied. Her heart felt proud it what she had achieved in just a short amount of time. And she felt very excited about the journey she would be undertaking starting this day.
Anya then moved into her new studio and opened it. Reignya.
This is what she named her studio. Terra for land. Anya for beautiful. It could mean land or place so beautiful. Which mirrors her vision and what she wants to offer her clients. She aims to give them beauty and comfort that suits their taste, not just a meager building that is standing in plain land, but a place they could be proud of and call their home.
Her days of working then began.
When she started, it was only her doing the work. She put up posters and leaflets outside the studio. Also, promoting the studio to social media platforms.
It was not easy, but Anya felt accomplished and delighted by all of her achievements so far.
And all her actions did not bypass Damon Castellano.
When he heard Anya open up a studio in a nearby city, he was amazed. For just a short time, this woman had achieved a lot. He can’t help his interest perking up more.
He also got wind of the clients she had been losing. He found it suspicious since all her designs were satisfactory, and a lot of clients were looking and willing to invest in her talents.
Why did it suddenly change?
Damon pondered over this but only got to the conclusion that this is the reality of business. Sometimes you are on top, and some days you are down. There are competitions everywhere, and one needs strong backing to step up and gain attention.
Talent is not the only important thing in business, but also connection.
He clearly knows that starting a business is not easy, so he decided to help a bit. He picked up his phone and dialed a number.
“Hey, bro, what’s up?” Brandon greeted, a president of a construction company and a friend of Damon, answered. They had been friends since college and later became business associates. His construction company was also a successful one, and this man is also one of the best in his field.
“There is a designer I want to suggest to you.” Damon started. He chose Brandon to turn to first because he knew this man and knew he could be trusted and was a professional in terms of business. Second, as he said, he was one of the best in his field, which is also close to Anya’s profession. He could greatly assist and benefit Anya if she could have his approval.
“Oh? Really? From what company?” Brandon asked naturally. Damon pursed his lips, and he replied.
“Well, she just put up a studio recently,” his voice was nonchalant, trying to lessen the weight of his words.
Brandon, who was listening in the other line, raised a brow. A newbie, not from their great circle of tycoons? Yet he is recommending her now? He seemed to be interested more. Who is this newbie that could make Damon Castellano suggest to him personally?
“Hmm, I’m listening,” Brandon responded.
Damon knew his friend was already sensing something, but still, he continued. “You could just act and pretend to drop by her studio. Test her design yourself.” Brandon chuckled as he answered.
“Oh, we’re playing it like this? Okay, where? Is she pretty?” Brandon asked playfully.
“You better be straightening your actions towards her, Mr. Smith,” Damon said coldly, completely warning Brandon. He knows his friend is not some asshole, but he can’t help being possessive in his thoughts.
Brandon heard this and was surprised. Wow, this man is really serious. Just what kind of girl is this?
He sighed and raised his hands in defense.
“Fine, fine, I won’t touch your woman. Send me the details, and I will check it over,” He answered.
Damon was satisfied and sent him the complete details.
Anya was sitting in her studio when she heard her door chain clink, a sign that someone was entering. She raised his head and saw a man dressed in formal clothes entering her studio.
He had a clean-cut, neat appearance and a rich and noble aura around him. “Welcome,” She smiled. She stood up and offered her hand.
“I am Anya Collins. What could I help you with, sir?” She asked politely.
The man received his hand and shook her hand firmly. There was an expensive watch on his wrist, and he had a business stance in him.
The tall and exquisite man also returned her greeting. “I am Brandon Smith.”
He looked around the studio, seemingly surveying the place. Then he turned to her.
“I would want to renovate a villa, and I am looking for designs. I was hoping you could provide some for me?” He said.
Anya’s eyes brightened, and she accommodated and answered. “Sure, please sit down, sir.”
He first told her about the history of the villa as well as its current condition. He explained other details such as the environment, place, and the lot it is standing in.
Anya listened carefully, and from what she heard, she was already building and creating ideas in her head.
Both of them talked about the details. Then Anya brought out some plates and offered suggestions to the client. The client accepted and also contributed his own suggestions. The two of them planned and coordinated for a while, and they finally arrived in a consensus.
They then stood up from their seat and shook hands with each other. Anya showed the man out of the studio, and when he left, a bright smile and encouraged emotion filled Anya.
Anya immediately started working on the design drafts. She combined the client’s preferences and her own aesthetics and designs into the draft.
After she made the initial draft, she sent it to the client. The client was satisfied, and after she asked him for additional suggestions and modifications, she followed it all and polished the design. The final draft was then sent to the client, and he accepted and praised it with pleasure.
Shortly enough, the project started.
Anya first visited the site to suit it and base it on her design. After altering some structures and measurements, she passed the blueprints to the construction.
Anya meticulously handled the project and was very hands-on. From the very small details to the measurement and quality of the material, she makes sure everything was perfect.
Although Anya was busy, she still made time to visit her Nana. She would buy her food and fruits, and they would talk and chat about each other’s day.
In the hospital, she would give her details about her new studio and share her happiness with the old woman.
Grandma Collins was just as happy as her. She was so proud of Anya.
“Sweetheart, I am so happy for you. You are really your grandmother’s granddaughter.” Grandma Collins joked cheekily. Anya laughed happily.
“Of course! Now, Nana, you need to gain strength and recuperate so that you can visit and see the studio. After that, I would build you your dream house, like the countryside and garden you always liked.” Anya happily dreamed.
When Grandma heard this, she smiled happily and playfully scolded her granddaughter for still wasting money on her.
Anya smiled and promised her Nana that someday, she would make this all happen.
She would be able to stand with her chin up and face those who downed her in an equal stance.
Grandma nodded as she dreamed and yearned for that day to come.
When the project was finally done, her client, Mr. Smith, was very satisfied.
The villa sat majestically in the green land. The design was exquisite, and the quality was high standard. The proportions and even the color were very pleasing to the eye that even someone who is not knowledgeable in design would appreciate the art.
He praised and admired Anya greatly.
“It is perfect. It is exactly like we imagined and visioned it to be!” He appreciatingly said as he surveyed and eyed the villa. He was just planning to test her by dropping some
random project to her. But he did not expect that he would be taken aback by surprise by her beautiful work. He suddenly wants to live in this villa than give it away.
After he saw her design, he suddenly revealed it to her.
“Actually, I am a president of a construction company. And I have a lot of clients looking for designers. Your designs and work are very high standard and satisfying. If you like, I could recommend you to them.” he said. Anya was taken back by surprise. She couldn’t believe she had grabbed such an opportunity.
Anya happily and enthusiastically agreed.
“Really, Sir? That would be such an honor! Thank you very much for the opportunity!” She said.
She thanked Mr. Smith greatly, and the man thanked her as well. He asked for her other contact information and business card, and Anya happily gave it.
She smiled as she felt that this event would be a great turning point in her career. Such an opportunity, she would take it and do her best!
Later that day, she received her final pay from Mr. Brandon Smith. The amount eased her heart and the regret she had from losing clients. Opening a studio drilled a big hole in her pocket, and seeing a great amount enter once again, she became at ease in the action she took. Her remaining doubt about her chosen path gradually disappeared.
In his office, Brandon sat in his seat and was dialing in his phone. When it was picked up, he immediately started.
“She is as great as you said,” Brandon said to the other line. Brandon especially liked exquisite and high-quality designs and outcomes, but what he liked the most was diligence and hard work. He saw how Anya meticulously and faithfully did her work, not just for the money but for the sake of art and her profession. Brandon couldn’t agree more with this attitude. He believes in this value and business practice more than ever.
Damon heard this and was extremely satisfied as well.
“My eyes never lie and could not be wrong,” He answered as Anya’s face popped into his mind. He felt more and more attracted to this strong and smart woman.
Brandon heard the lovestruck words of his friend and burst out laughing. This was the first time Damon had acted this way, and he was at ease that he chose a wonderful woman like Anya, so they got his full support.
And so Mr. Brandon Smith started to recommend Anya to his colleagues and business clients.
“I highly recommend Ms. Anya Collins. She designed my villa, which was recently featured in Forbes. What do you think of that?” He said with pride to the businessman around him. He was currently in a banquet, a perfect place to gain investors and clients.
“That villa? I saw it in a magazine the other day, oh, it was breathtaking!” A businessman answered. As a big figure in the construction and real estate industry, Brandon had a great influence, and his name and action would always ring a bell. The media got wind of a villa he recently renovated, and the breathtaking villa got in Forbes magazine.
When this was mentioned, the people around were now intrigued about this highly recommended designer by Mr. Smith.
Mr. Smith gladly gave them Anya’s contact information, and many clients who want to gain attention with the use of their assets or just want to gain a lovely and exquisite home gladly took Mr. Smith’s words into consideration.
The people were enthusiastic about the topic, but somewhere in the banquet, a man with a wine glass in his hands was listening to the topic.
The hand that was holding the wine glass tightened as he gazed intensely at Brandon Smith.
He scoffed. Is this the new man, his ex-wife, was currently sleeping with?
Andrei could hardly contain his anger as he thought of this. She was such an unsatiable woman, bedding all businessmen she met. After what he and Vivi did sabotage her career, she opted just to sell her body in order to gain clients. Was she this desperate? He laughed mockingly and in anger.
Andrei gritted his teeth as he clenched his fists.