C11 11

"Yes, they're going in the trash. A pile of garbage like this only serves to tarnish the name of Kay." Chloe Bishop spoke with a hint of disdain; she truly couldn't stand the sight of these dresses.

Sara Khan couldn't help but chuckle, finding this young woman quite interesting. While she didn't particularly care for the dresses herself, she hadn't gone so far as to call them garbage—after all, some level of craftsmanship was involved. But this girl talked about them as if they were toxic waste, showing a level of contempt that was almost impressive.

Perhaps born from their shared dislike for the current inventory, Sara Khan found herself instinctively believing in Chloe’s talent. On a whim, she said, "Alright then, why don't you make one for me?"

"Okay. Please wait a moment while I find a tape measure to take your dimensions." Chloe gave a small smile and turned to fetch her tools.

Bella Stark pulled on Sara Khan’s sleeve and whispered, "Sister-in-law, do you really trust her? She barely looks twenty. What if she’s just all talk?"

"We'll know once we try. It’s just one dress; it's not like I'm worried about her scamming me out of much money," Sara Khan replied.

Bella Stark figured she had a point and dropped the subject. If the girl actually produced a satisfying dress, that would be wonderful. If not, the Stark Family certainly didn't care about the cost.

Chloe returned with a tape measure, paper, and a pen, and began measuring Sara Khan. Bella Stark watched closely, noting that Chloe’s movements were practiced and professional, which gave her a bit more confidence in the girl.

"Madam, do you have any specific requirements?" Chloe asked as she noted down the measurements.

"None. I'll leave the design entirely to you," Sara Khan said.

Chloe nodded. "Understood. I’ll design a style that suits you perfectly. Please leave me your address and phone number, and I’ll deliver it to you personally once it’s finished."

Sara Khan provided her contact details and then asked, "How should I pay the deposit?"

"No need." Chloe waved her hand dismissively. "I’m not charging for this dress. Consider it a gift from me to you."

This time, it was Sara Khan’s turn to be stunned.

Bella Stark, having grown accustomed to Chloe’s eccentric nature, laughed. "The owner is certainly generous."

"I’m in a good mood today, so I’m giving back to a loyal customer. Would you like one as well, Madam? I can make them both at the same time," Chloe said cheerfully.

"I’ll pass. Every time I wear a formal dress, I feel like a hotel waitress," Bella Stark joked at her own expense.

"That’s only because you haven’t worn the right one. Everyone has a style that fits them perfectly." Chloe disagreed with Bella’s assessment. Her mother had always told her: there is no woman who doesn't look good in a traditional dress, only women who haven't found the right design.

Sara Khan froze for a moment, her eyes searching Chloe’s face with a hint of curiosity. She felt as though she had heard those exact words from the old master tailor years ago. As she looked closer at Chloe’s face, a sense of familiarity washed over her, as if she had seen this girl somewhere before.

"Alright, Mrs. Stark, I’ve noted down the address and number. I’ll finish it as soon as possible and send it over. I have to organize the shop today, so I won’t keep you any longer." After tucking her notebook away, Chloe politely asked them to leave.

Sara Khan snapped out of her thoughts, thanked her, and left with Bella Stark.

Chloe watched them walk away before picking up the empty boxes to start clearing out the shop. Her decision to make the dress for free wasn't just a random whim; it was because of what Sara Khan had said earlier. Because this woman still cherished the memory of her mother, Chloe wanted to thank her on her mother’s behalf.

________________________________________

As the two sisters-in-law walked away, Sara Khan was still trying to place where she had seen Chloe before. Seeing her so distracted, Bella Stark asked with concern, "Sister-in-law, what's on your mind?"

"I'm trying to remember where I've seen that girl. I realized I forgot to ask her name," Sara Khan said regretfully.

Bella Stark laughed at her distress. "She has to deliver the dress anyway, doesn't she? You can just ask her then. She’s quite an interesting girl."

"She is indeed," Sara Khan smiled elegantly, suddenly feeling a surge of anticipation to see the finished dress.

Chloe had no idea her "eccentric" behavior had left such a deep impression. She spent the entire day clearing out the "trash" in the shop. It was quite late by the time she finally hauled the last of the eyesores away. Holding the bolt of silk she intended to use, she locked up the shop and posted a "Temporarily Closed" sign on the door.