Kira
Kira Isaaks had waited for this moment her whole life, and now that it was finally happening, she could hardly believe it.
Standing on the balcony of her hotel room, she looked out into the night, taking in the breathtaking view before her. She sighed gratefully.
Dubai.
This was going to be her home now.
She closed her eyes as the warm night air brushed against her skin. Her dark complexion glowed beneath the city lights, her wild afro framing her face as her heart beat rapidly in her chest.
Of course she was nervous.
Who would have thought that a small-town girl with her background would actually make it this far? She remembered all the hours she had put in to get here,the long days, the early mornings, the sacrifices.
She wasn’t just an international supermodel anymore.
She was about to launch her own cosmetics line in partnership with one of the largest beauty companies in Dubai, Zerah Beauty Cosmetics Co. Soon, Kira Isaaks would be a prominent name in the beauty industry.
Tonight was supposed to be perfect, according to Ezmir, her manager.
The event was taking place at the Burj Al Arab, one of Dubai’s most iconic hotels, and everyone who was anyone would be there.
As excited as she was, Kira couldn’t shake the nerves.
Wealthy people made her nervous, not because she felt intimidated by them, but because her history with the wealthy during her modeling days had not exactly been pleasant.
She had never been good at pretending to be someone she wasn’t. And because she refused to tone herself down just to make other people comfortable, that stubbornness had landed her in trouble more than once.
Now, she would be spending more time in Dubai, attending exclusive events, meeting investors, and making connections with some of the city’s most influential families.
And that required her to play nice.
A soft knock came from the door. Kira turned around and walked back inside just as the door opened.
Noura, her best friend, stepped into the room wearing a stunning red dress that looked as though it had been made specifically for her. She looked like she had stepped straight out of a magazine. Her warm, golden-brown complexion glowed against the deep crimson fabric, while her dark hair cascaded softly around her shoulders, perfectly parted.
She looked Kira up and down, then raised an eyebrow.
“You’re not dressed yet? You want to give Ezmir a heart attack?” she asked in her thick accent, clearly amused.
Kira laughed and walked over to her, pulling her into a hug. She was glad Noura was here.
Noura Al Mansouri had grown up in one of Dubai’s most prestigious families, but she was nothing like the people Kira had expected to meet in those circles. She wasn’t pretentious or condescending.
They had met the previous year at a photoshoot, and somehow, what had started as a casual friendship had turned into something genuine. Kira could honestly say that Noura was her one true friend in this world.
They remained in the embrace for a few moments longer. Noura could practically feel the nerves radiating from her friend. She knew Kira was nervous, but she also knew how much this moment meant to her.
And she was damn proud of her.
“I’m proud of you,” Noura whispered, squeezing her a little tighter.
Kira smiled.
“I know.”
They finally pulled apart.
“Now, please get dressed. We’re going to be late to your own event.” Noura paused, looking at Kira’s face. “And, oooh, I love your makeup.”
“Thanks. I did it myself.”
“Of course you did.”
“Please give me a minute. Pour yourself some champagne.”
Kira skipped toward the walk-in closet.
“Let the festivities begin,” Noura announced, heading toward the drinks table.
She picked up a bottle of champagne and began pouring herself a glass.
“And anyway,” she continued, “after this launch, you are going to need a vacation.”
“I do. I’ve been working hard. What do you have in mind?”
“I have the perfect place for you. My family owns an estate outside the city, and we’re going there for our annual family gathering. I’d love for you to come.”
“Hmmm...”
Before Kira could say anything else, her phone began ringing.
She glanced at the screen.
Ezmir.
“Ezmir is calling,” Noura said, taking a sip of her champagne. “And as for that vacation invitation, you don’t have a choice.”
Kira groaned.
“Don’t remind me.”
She finished the last few touches on her makeup and stepped out of the closet. She stood in front of the full-length mirror, taking herself in.
Her emerald-green dress spilled around her legs in layers of delicate fabric, gathered elegantly over one shoulder. She adjusted one of her earrings before turning sideways to inspect the dress from another angle.
Dang. I look good.
She gave herself a little twirl.
“Okay, girl,” Noura called from behind her. “I see you!”
Kira laughed, grabbed her purse, and joined her friend.
Noura let out an appreciative whistle.
“And that is one way to launch a cosmetics line. You are going to have these men running for their money.”
Kira scoffed, picking up her phone as it began ringing again.
Ezmir.
Again.
She rolled her eyes before answering.
“Where are you? The president of...”
“We’ll be there in a minute,” Kira interrupted.
She hung up before Ezmir could finish. Noura laughed.
“Come on.”
The two women grabbed their things and finally left the room, heading toward what was supposed to be the most important night of Kira Isaaks’s career.
