"Twenty thousand dollars?". Janet stared at her laptop screen, her mouth wide open. She quickly typed a message to the client, her fingers flying over the. keyboard. This was going to be her first big client ever since her graduation. Given the amount of the offer they had made, she was expecting a heap of strict instructions she would have to abide by. "Excuse me. May I know whether you are a gentleman or a lady?”. This website played as a bridge between clients and freelance designers. The clients had the option to use their real names or remain anonymous, but most of them didn’t really bother setting up a. profile. Most of the profiles in the listings were nothing more than the default gray icon, with no way to tell the client's gender. "Male," came the client's reply. "I see. Do you have specific requirements regarding the design, sir?". Janet leaned forward and propped her chin on one hand, bracing herself for a long list of demands. It didn’t take long for the client to write back. "I have seen the designs you posted on the website. They are very good. You may have free rein in designing my suit. ! will. provide you with the necessary feedback once you have given me your first draft. Janet wasted no time and began drawing a prototype according to the client’s measurements. Meanwhile, the company had recently asked them for tentative designs meant for a regular, pre-selection process. That meant that none of her work would go to waste in the end. Apart for a few hours’ sleep, Janet spent all of her time poring over her digital panels. Three days later, she was finally able to send a final design to the client. The bespoke ensemble comprised of a double-breasted, gray jacket with matching trousers, an immaculate white dress shirt,. and a skinny black tie. Asilver tie clip completed the outfit. Over the course of her work, Janet had presumed that this client must be young, probably around her age or so

After all, her designs did not appeal to the more mature demographics, but young professionals who liked to look smart and. fashionable at the same time. She was also e xpecting a com plete overhaul. In this field, the fi rst drafts almost alw ays needed revisions. If the client was willing to pay such an exorbitant amount of money, and for a rook ie’s design, no less, then the preliminary . rejectio n was in evitable. And so, Janet was utterly su rprised when the client inst antly approved of her design. "This is bril liant!" . "Do you need me to polis h anything?” . Janet typed with some trepidation. Despite her good fortune, she was feeling a little guilty about how smooth the transac tion was going. It shouldn't be this easy to . earn twenty t housand dolla rs, should it? . “Not for the time being. I will contact you if there's anything I want to change in the future. Don’t worry, this price is reasonable . enough. I’m paying for t he uniqueness and origi nality of your design. It seemed that the client had seen throu gh Janet’s nervousness, hence his words of reassurance. She was about to type her . thanks when a paymen t notification popped up on her dashboard. The client had confirmed their business deal on the website and wired the money to her account. Janet clutched her laptop in both hands and stared at the f igure displayed on her screen. She felt immensely proud an d gratified, and it showed in the twinkle of her eyes. Another messag e popped up fr om the client. "If you’re interested, we can talk about a lo ng-term collaboration. Really? Janet pictur ed fireworks going o ff in the background. “Of course !"she typed hurriedly. "I_am. l h ave plenty of time!" . The man then gave her sev eral more orders, all wit h some minor instructions

He seemed to be very fond of suits, though he wasn’t in any hurry to have them made. He advised Janet to take her time with h er designs, and even reminded her to tak e a break every now and then "Oh, my God, . Janet! You just made a fortune!" . Overjoyed, Janet got to her feet and bounced on h er bed like a little kid. All at once, there w as an urgent knocking at her bedroom door. Ethan had proba bly heard her s queal just now. He entered the room wi thout waiting for her to ask what he wanted. "Did something happen?"he as ked, frowning. “Ethan! We finally have mon ey!"Janet exclaimed as she r esumed her festive bouncing. Her long hair danced around her flushed cheeks, and her eyes were clear and bright. The next thing they knew, she h ad jumped off the bed and was t hrowing herself in Ethan’s arms. He instinctive ly reached out to catch her. After making sure that s he was all right, he pro mptly froze on the spot. Janet was still so engrossed in her r ecent milestone to notice anything ami ss. She pulled back and grinned at him. "Do you k now what it means?” . "W ha t?" . Ethan's smile was tender, not that he was aware of it-His smile caught her attention , and this time, she was the one who froze. Only then did she realize wha t she had done. Janet abruptly pushed aga inst Ethan’s chest and to ok a couple of steps back. Her face turned red with embarr assment even as she averted her eyes and tidied her messy hair. "I didn’t mean anything by. Well, I was just so happy that I lost se nse of what I was doing. I’m sorry. After saying that, Janet cleared he r throat and changed the subject as if nothing significant had happened. "Why did y ou come, b y the way?” . "Ah, I heard you yel ling and thought som ething bad happened. Ethan bit his lower li p and put his hands in to his trouser pockets. Traces of their brief embrace still lingere d in his person-the warmth of her chest, th e scent of her hair. If he could, he would . have held Janet i n his arms and la id in bed all day