Chapter One

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Unedited so ignore any mistakes

Kehlani Catalina Taylor

"You're all done. Just let me take a few pictures." I tell my client setting my design brush down on a napkin and pick up my phone.

I grab the white fur mini carpet I use for pictures and set it directly under my desk lamp. Aria already knows the deal so she sets her hands in her usual position.

I take a few pictures of her new full set I had just completed. It took me an hour and a half to complete but it was perfect so I couldn't complain too much. Also, I loved being around Aria, she was like my favorite client.

"Thank you so much, Lani!" Aria gushes as she stands up.

I pull my mask down to smile at her, "Of course girl! Thank you for letting me try something new on you!" I thank her then stand up for a hug.

Once she's gone I wipe up my work table and put up all my nails supplies in their rightful places. I grab my phone and charger before leaving out of my nail shed.

When I started doing nails a year ago my mom talked my dad into allowing me to transfer our old shed into a nail salon. One because they didn't want random people coming in and out of the main house and two because my mom got really bad headaches from the smell.

The shed was renovated to fit my needs and wants. I had a custom desk with drawers big enough for my acrylic powder collection, a shelving unit on the wall with my polishes, a display case with my decals so clients can see them, etc. It was honestly perfect for me and I was so grateful to my dad for designing it.

I make my way back into the main house through the sliding doors off the patio. I shut the door behind me and lock it then walk to the kitchen. I open the pantry and grab a bag of Hot Cheetos, I lean against the counter posting the pictures I had just taken of Aria's nails.

nailsbylanii_

Liked by noami

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Liked by noami.hazel and 567 others
nailsbylanii_: Newest set by me 🤍 click the link in bio to book 🖤
noami.hazel: Omg I need to book with you rn!
ariadabrat: I loveeee them thank you luv ❤️‍🔥

I liked both comments on my post, reposted it on my story then exit out of Instagram by going to FaceTime to call my cousin Noami.

I set the phone up on the counter and step back watching it connect to her phone, when it hangs up I gasp then set my phone down flat against the counter.

It's going on 6pm so neither one of my parents is done working yet so I had the lower level to myself as long as I don't make too much noise.

My dad was an architect at a small black owned firm, and also taught a few classes at the local college. He designed our house and the layout of my shed. He had it all built from the ground up before I was born. My mom works as local news reporter and has been since I was a kid. She and my dad met when they were 16 and had been together ever since. They achieved all their success and goals together and it made me admire them so much.

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