Day of the Conference
December 24th.

Wynter

Today was Christmas Eve and more importantly the day of my important announcement for Nubia Cosmetics. It had reached the billion dollar threshold and a few investors had thought it wise to go public.
I wasn't for the idea at first but after a few talks with Lizabeth and my trustees, I was on board.

I had been prepping all month for this conference, practicing my main talking points and running over a mental checklist.
Nails?
Hair?
Outfit?
Notecards?

All that was left was the announcement.

I was in my dressing room, pacing against the bright carpeted floor and reviewing my notecards.
"We grossed over 3million in sales in 19 months and.. and"

"And 5 million in product retail." I hear Drew's voice behind me and smile.
"Drew!" I ran over to hug him. Lizabeth was beside him smiling.

"I knew he would make you calm so I invited him" Lizabeth smiled sheepishly.

"I would have brought Jingles but you know." He whispers so only we could hear.

I giggled and searched behind him.
I guess some part of me was hoping Nick would follow in behind him.

Lizabeth saw my disappointment and quickly tried to change the subject.

"Drew why don't you help Wynter go over the main talking points?"

"Ohh! Is that a Muffin basket!" Drew pushed me to the side and ran to search it's contents. He took a blueberry muffin at the top and bit into it ravenously.

"You would think he never has a muffin or something?" Elizabeth frowned, looking in awe as he devoured the pastry.

I smirked, understanding the truth in her innocent statement and looked down at my notecards again.

"You'll do fine Wyn" Elizabeth smiles, holding my wrist.

"Thanks." I try to force a smile, trying to look as calm as possible even though I was the furthest from it.

"You're good, right?" Elizabeth looks up to meet my eyes.

"Yea? I'm fine! This is fine!! Eveything is fine" I sounded so unconvincing. I knew she could hear it but knowing Elizabeth, she would ignore it.

"Wynter. I know you're always on but it's okay to be vulnerable once in a while."

"Thanks Liz but I'm fine. I'm fine!" I walk over to the mirror, dropping the notecards to the desk.

I hated how sad I had been lately since I had officially broke things off with Nick. I didn't care how much I loved him, I could never be with a man who refused to tell me his true feelings.

Nick loved me and instead of taking his L and admitting he broke his promise, he would rather lie.
Nick and I were just not compatible.

"Wynter? They're ready for you in 20" Lizabeth announced, tapping the left side of her ear piece.
"Okay. Yea. Mmm" She whispered a few more things before yanking Drew from the muffin basket and pushing him out the room.

"Good luck Wyn!!" He yells, his mouth stuffed  still with food.

——

My breath hitched as I saw the vast array of faces in the crowd. I knew I wouldn't have peaked behind the curtains but I couldn't help it.

"And now? I introduce to you, President and Ceo of Nubia Cosmetics. Wynter Rider"

Applause

"Hello everyone and welcome to Nubia Cosmetics's annual conference."

More applause rang through.

"Nubia cosmetics started as a vision.
A Dream."

Nick

I walk past the shiny glass doors of the arena.
Where was Mitch and the Mattel executives? Drew said they would meet me here at the entrance.

I was dressed in a tailored black tux, ready for this conference. I pulled out my phone again but am met with no notifications.

Where was everyone?

My best bet was too move inside and try to scope the area for them.
I head through the front doors, passing through the turnstiles on my way to search.

My attention turned to a voice in the distance. It was one that sounded so familiar. So warm.

"Nubia cosmetics started as a vision.
A Dream"

Wynter? That was Wynter! But what was she doing here?

My feet hasten as I move to meet her voice. I guess she had a conference in the building too?
I push past a few people, trying to find a tv monitor to see her clearly. The auditorium was filled to the brim with photographs, reporters, and news cameras.
It must have been a very important announcement.

My eyes snapped to her features as the camera zoomed in. I couldn't help but smile as she spoke with such passion and vigor but behind her eyes there was a smidgen of sadness; dismay.
It was as if she was robotic? Delivering her lines as if was her duty, not her passion.

"Today will mark a new season. Nubia cosmetics will be on the map."

"She looks beautiful in red. Don't you think?" Drew whispers behind me. I snap my head to face him and frown.

"Drew what are you doing here?" I seethed. I signal him out the auditorium so we could talk more freely.

"Okay. Tell me what is going on!"

Drew shrugged, tossing a muffin in the air. I didn't care to ask where we got it from.

"So I'm guessing there is no meeting with Mattel?"

"Took you long enough!" Drew teased.

"Okay! What's up. Why did you bring me here to see..her"

Drew pulled out a small red box, opening the top to show off the ring. It was the one I had given to Wynter last year.

"Come on Nick. This is the perfect time!"

"No. No way" I frowned. I was in love with Wynter but proposing to her here? At her conference. She would never say yes.
She hated me and with good reason. I basically told her I didn't love her.

"You love and love hard Nick but your heart is stubborn."

"Drew I didn't know the first rule about proposing. I told her ...I didn't love her."

"And why would you do a silly thing like that?"

"Fear.
Pride. My own insecurities."

"So you're a coward."

"I was protecting her!" I return. Drew rolls his eyes and closes the top of the ring box.

"Wynter didn't ask for protection Nick.
She didn't ask for your insecurities or your pride.
She asked you one thing.
Do you love her?"

I was quiet.

"Im not Wynter. Tell me. Do you lover her? Come on! Say it out loud!" Drew pushed my chest, forcing me to admit my feelings.

"Say it!" He pushed me againX

"Fine!" I shouted, "fine! I love her okay! I love Wynter Rider!"

A slow smile creeped against Drew's lips. "We knew it" Drew smirked, tossing the box between his palms.

"We?"

"Jingles and I. We placed bets yesterday to see if you would admit it out loud or not" Drew took the small ring box  and placed it into my palm.

"Make her your Mrs Claus.
You lost her once bro.
Don't loose her again."

Applause