The Brutal Truth

by Lee Winter

  “Oh yeah.” Maddie grinned, the vision of a shocked Elena floating in her mind.

  Natalii led her to a now deserted backstage changing area that had been allocated to the missing star of the show, Anastazie. She pushed Maddie onto a stool before a well-lit mirror. Nimble fingers began undoing her corset, and Maddie’s mind wandered back to Elena’s reaction—until she met Natalii’s knowing gaze in the glass.

  “Uh-huh! I knew it.” Natalii’s eyes contained a triumphant gleam. “I am looking very much forward to this story.”

  Natalii pulled the ties through the eyelets which dotted down the back of her dress, as Maddie recounted what had happened. “I went through the curtain. I was thinking, eyes fixed on a spot at the end, heel, toe, lean back, not too far, just like you said, but a little way, nice and relaxed. I didn’t fall; thank God for those low heels.”

  Natalii nodded as she worked.

  “Then I reached the end. I saw her. Well, felt might be a better word.” Maddie paused as she remembered the feeling. It was as if everything came down to the two of them. Elena’s eyes had swept over her like a caress. Elation filled Maddie, as she remembered the admiring glance.

  “And then?” Natalii asked.

  “And then…” Maddie frowned. “It was weird. I heard Felicity groan like a distressed cow. I’d recognise her voice anywhere. I wasn’t sure if it was seeing me or some stupid mistake she thought I’d made. It wasn’t just her, though.”

  “Ah, oui, I heard the gasps. What did you do to provoke this, hmm?”

  “Not a clue.”

  “Well, then, perhaps you should ask her.” Natalii glanced to the left in the mirror. “Madame Bartell.” She stepped back from the chair and gave Maddie a small, reassuring smile. “I will leave you to discuss things.”

  Maddie opened her mouth to reply, but she’d already turned and was headed for the door.

  Elena stepped into view, her gaze ghosting across Maddie’s bared back.

  Maddie blushed, feeling as if she were naked.

  “Sorry if I’m intruding,” Elena said, not sounding remotely apologetic. Her eyes found Maddie’s in the mirror.

  “Did you enjoy the show?” Maddie asked, clasping her fidgeting fingers together.

  “Very much,” came Elena’s soft, low reply. “Possibly Véronique’s finest offering in many years. And her best show ever,” Elena’s voice became a purr, “for a variety of reasons.”

  “Really? Well, that’s good.” She tapered off, unsure what to say in the face of Elena’s intense stare. “How’s work?” she asked, before cursing herself for the lame small talk.

  Elena cocked an eyebrow at the topic choice and took a step closer. “Incompetence surrounds me. So—it’s much the same.” Her fingers lifted to settle on the back of Maddie’s neck. “This gown looked exquisite on you,” she said, although she was only touching skin.

  The fine hairs on Maddie’s neck snapped to attention.

  A trailing touch, faint as it was, drifted slightly lower, down the bumps of her spine and stopped between her shoulder blades. “The designer had the bodice so perfectly constructed and balanced that only someone with measurements like yours could have worn the garment and done it any justice.”

  The fingers at her back were placed exactly behind the bodice “measurements” at the front that Elena had just alluded to—a fact Maddie was only too well aware of. “Oh,” she whispered.

  “Mm, yes.” Elena’s fingers did a small, careless twirl. “So how is it you were selected for this task? I seem to remember you telling me more than once that you’re a reporter and nothing else.”

  “Ah,” Maddie said, relieved to have a safe topic to discuss. “Véronique couldn’t find any model in Sydney as big as me with no notice.” She glanced down and gave a self-deprecating laugh. “Even now, I’m not sure I’ve done this beautiful dress justice.”

  Elena’s eyes bored into Maddie’s in the mirror. “You’re perfectly proportioned. Which is why you and this dress were meant to be. However, modelling and you…” Her lips twitched. “Well, let’s just say you may have to work on that neutral face.”

  “My what?” Maddie lost her train of thought, as Elena’s gaze, yet again, detoured across her bare back before darting back up to meet her own.

  “You smiled. At the end of the runway, you struck your pose and then beamed like the headlights on my Lexus.”

  Maddie froze. She’d what? The memories flooded her of her walk and the heady rush of emotions and how great she’d felt and how she’d just… Oh. Oh! That’s what the gasps had been about? She’d made a fool of herself. The entire room had been laughing at her. She gave a soft, pitiful moan.

  “I did not say I disapproved.”

  Elena’s tone was gentle, but Maddie couldn’t meet her eyes. She’d had one damned job. And she couldn’t even walk thirty feet, turn, and walk back without messing up.

  “In fact it was refreshing,” Elena continued. “I rather enjoyed the change from sour-faced, industry-standard models. I have no doubt Véronique is out there right now spinning it as some genius marketing ploy. Accessible fashion or some such thing.”

  That was definitely the kindest interpretation anyone could put on it. “Why are you being so nice to me?” Maddie asked, feeling dazed.

  “Actually, I was being truthful. In case it’s escaped your notice, this is the last day of my part of the truth bet.”

  It is? Maddie mentally flipped through her calendar. While she’d only had to be honest for a day, Elena had agreed to a full week. And she was right with her sums. “Okay.” Maddie deflated again.

  “You preferred the idea I was just being nice to you?” Elena regarded her with a curious expression.

  “Maybe. I… Yes.”

  “Well, we both know how out of character that would be.” She looked amused.

  “I guess so. You’d never do nice, right?” Maddie left enough teasing in it so it would sound like a joke, but she wasn’t so sure of anything anymore. Her ground seemed to keep shifting around this woman.

  “I’m glad we agree.” Elena tilted her head. “Look at you.” The backs of her fingers lifted to Maddie’s cheekbones. “The contours of your face have perfect symmetry. You could be an artist’s model. A muse to inspire and study.”

  Maddie swallowed. “Is that what I am to you? Someone you like to study?”

  “Yes.” Elena’s expression contained nothing but sincerity. “I do like to watch you.”

  “I like looking at you too,” Maddie said, voice a whisper. “I’ve really missed you.”

  “It’s only been a week.” The words were light, but Elena’s eyes were intense.

  “A long one.” Maddie glanced at Elena’s sleek black dress. “You look stunning, by the way. I know that goes without saying—you always do. But I felt you watching me from the runway. You have this…presence.”

  “Then perhaps you should see me first thing in the morning. Not quite so impressive.”

  “I have seen you first thing in the morning,” Maddie said with a small smile. “Also in the middle of the night. Even with the worst pressures and the tightest deadline for my story, you’re always so focused. I’ve never met anyone like you. I think you’re an amazing woman.”

  “Not everyone would share that view, I can assure you.” Elena straightened. “Speaking of your story, the Australasian Legends of Publishing ball is the first on our list that you’d accompany me to. It’s on the twentieth. See if you can find something to wear like this. The bodice really does suit your figure. I’ll send Perry your way to help fit you.”

  Elena brushed the side of Maddie’s dress, only barely dusting her ribs, just a little too close to her breasts for Maddie not to hold her breath. She glanced at Elena, uncertain, and was struck yet again by how naked her roving gaze was. How it felt like stroking fingers, the way her eyes lingered. Wait, was Elena holding her breath too?

  “Ahh! My remarquable, magnifique célébrité!” A high French voice cut t
hrough the room, and Elena and Maddie started as Véronique swept in.

  A rapid wash of cool air accompanied Elena stepping back.

  Véronique rushed to Maddie and kissed her on both cheeks, then gave her left cheek a final fond squeeze. Turning, she faced Elena with a chillier expression. “Madame Bartell?” It almost sounded like an accusation.

  “Oui,” Elena replied, before rattling off an entire greeting in the designer’s native language. She sounded confident and fluent.

  Maddie picked up something about the show being excellent. Or possibly something about monkeys?

  Monkeys? Oh, the trapeze lady.

  Véronique looked impressed in spite of herself. She responded in French, and Maddie let her thoughts drift, content to watch two powerhouse, fashion-focused women have a summit that was long overdue.

  She fiddled with the hairpins on the counter in front of her. Read the brands of the hairsprays, marvelled at the vast array of make-up products. Her mind, though, was a dizzying blur. Her former boss had practically caressed her. Elena had slipped and skidded those long, sensual fingers all over Maddie’s skin and set it on fire. And the look on her face, the burning of her deep eyes, was hypnotic. Maddie would have given every cent she owned to know what Elena had been thinking. Was it desire? Or teasing? What did she want from her?

  She froze when she heard the word amour. Trying not to be obvious, she glanced back to the mirror to find Elena looking a little surprised. And then her cool gaze slid over to Maddie’s.

  Over Elena’s shoulder, Véronique smirked.

  Maddie started to panic. What had the bloody woman told Elena? She shot the designer a part mutinous, part terrified glare, which made her laugh heartily.

  “I think a celebration is in order, oui? You will come to the afterparty? Both of you?” Véronique’s gaze moved from Maddie to Elena and back again, and Maddie could see mischief brewing in those dancing eyes.

  “Now, I will take this stunned silence as agreement, for who could say no to such an exclusive invitation? Mm?” Véronique asked. “An event the cafards have never before been invited to. So, of course, you are both thinking ‘Oui, Véronique! We will be there!’ And now…” She threw her head back dramatically and roared, “Pascal!”

  Her assistant scurried in.

  “I need cigarettes. And champagne. Because tonight…” She clapped a firm hand on both women’s shoulders, startling Elena so much Maddie felt her jump a little beside her. “We party!”

  Pascal scuttled from the room in search of his boss’s requests.

  Véronique darted out after him, without another word, bellowing for Natalii.

  “So, we’re going to a party?” Maddie fiddled with the hair-colour canister.

  “So it seems.” Elena sounded distracted.

  Maddie looked up to see those clear, blue eyes lingering, once more, on her bare back.

  “I’ll let you get changed,” Elena continued, her voice huskier than usual. “See you at the…monkeys.”

  “The monkeys?” Maddie tried not to laugh. Because that was definitely not a thing she’d ever expected Elena to utter in her lifetime.

  “Véronique informs me there will be monkeys at the afterparty. Didn’t you know?”

  “Oh.” Well that explained the zoo van. “The monkeys it is.”

  CHAPTER 28

  Just Business

  The afterparty was in full swing, with a riot of jungle-themed decor in the adjacent tent. Four African drummers in traditional, colourful dress were setting an earthy rhythm, while the monitors ringing the area showed a video of monkeys at the zoo going about their day.

  Maddie had been trying to get close to Véronique to find out what she had discussed with Elena. But the normally reclusive fashion star was the centre of attention among a throng of admiring, fellow designers, fawning fashionistas, and industry associates. Natalii was there, too, sticking to her side like the security blanket Maddie knew she was.

  Scouring the crowd, Maddie tried to spot Elena. She’d caught glimpses of Perry’s gleaming, bald head and knew that his boss wouldn’t be far away. But so far, she was proving elusive.

  “Well, look who it is. The star of the whole damn universe.”

  Maddie turned to find Felicity, hands on hips, shooting her a look that was nine parts jealousy, one part Felicity. Or was it the other way around? With Felicity it was hard to tell.

  “Hey.” Maddie wondered if this would be a long conversation about all her failings on the catwalk, or whether she’d get a chance to try those cute, melty, jungle cheese balls before they got cold.

  “Don’t even think about it!” Felicity followed her gaze to the passing platter of balls. “I’ve seen your eyes molesting those things, and they are pure fat. Don’t do it.”

  “They look great.” Maddie gave a wistful sigh.

  “Don’t they, though?” Felicity looked at them as if they were a new-line Versace handbag. She turned back from the parade of food trays and gave Maddie a slap on the arm. “And that’s for before.”

  “Hey! What’d I do?”

  “Everything!” Felicity scowled. “Nothing! I don’t know—how is it you just waltz into the story of the decade, get the dress of the century to wear at the best show at fashion week, and then get invited to the world’s most exclusive afterparty? An afterparty, I might add, that Perry and I couldn’t get into until we said who we were friends with.”

  “Well, Elena’s name does open every door.”

  “Not this tent flap,” Felicity said with a disagreeable look. “Perry had to say we knew you. Sure enough the Duchamps had left some spare tickets under your name. I suppose your head is the size a bus right now.” She snatched a passing flute of champagne. “Although, I know what you’ll say.”

  “Really?” Maddie plucked a glass of orange juice off the tray. “What will I say?”

  “Well, you’ll look at me all doe-eyed with that aw-shucks Australian innocence and explain it all just happened, somehow. That you got lucky.” She threw her hand up. “I worked my ass off to get a tenth as lucky as you in life. I swear, if I didn’t somewhat like you and find you a damned good PA—although I will kill you if you tell a soul I just said that—I would poke your eyes out with a cheese knife. Well, I would, if cheese knives weren’t so bloody close to the cheese platter.”

  Maddie shook her head. “Seriously? I have no idea, any more than you do, why any of this is turning out the way it is. But I know you’d sleep a hell of a lot better if you focused more on your own career than mine. Except you don’t even like your own career, do you? Why are you a chief of staff anyway? You’re a fashion worshipper.” She thought about that and laughed. “My God, it’s catching isn’t it? You and Elena? Neither of you are doing what would make you happiest.”

  Felicity peered at her. “What would you know about what makes her happy? You’ve only known her for five minutes. I’ve known her years. She relies on me. Me!” She swayed a little, and Maddie realised the chief of staff had probably been indulging somewhat more than she should. That explained this more uncensored spray than usual.

  “Felicity…” she began.

  “No! You can’t make this all right with your charms. That reminds me—did you have to smile like a hyena at the end of the catwalk? I almost threw myself under my seat in embarrassment.”

  A rising blush made Maddie grateful for the darkness.

  Felicity took another huge gulp of champagne.

  Was she deliberately getting sloshed?

  “Elena liked my smile.” Maddie hoped her blush wasn’t obvious.

  “Of course she damn well did. Everything you do now is somehow beatified. Hell, you even ruined her marriage, and you’re still the second coming. If I ruined her marriage, she’d politely ask her driver to reverse over my still-twitching corpse a few times, and then she’d fire me posthumously.”

  “Richard ruined their marriage. We both know she deserves better than that sleazy bastard. I was just the one who told h
er about him.”

  “You are so…” Felicity shook her head and sounded defeated. “Bah! I need to get properly drunk and laid. And you—stay out of my sight until I can process how you keep scooping the lottery instead of getting shredded by shark teeth.”

  Maddie studied the confusion in her eyes. Felicity actually had a good point. Her luck had been insane of late. She was just superstitious enough to wonder when it would turn.

  There was a screech as a microphone was turned on, and they both looked towards the stage to see a punkish, blue-haired woman wearing dark, ripped jeans and a green tank top.

  Maddie squinted. If she didn’t know any better, she’d swear the woman looked like Natalii’s girlfriend, Adèle. The same one who had been squinting at her down a webcam only days ago, accusing her of sleeping with her lover. And now she was suddenly on one knee before the hushed room, speaking rapidly in French, offering a ring to Natalii.

  Oh wow. A proposal?

  She tried to make out the words, but they were speaking too fast. Then kissing. And hugging. And crying. And waving, as the crowd cheered.

  “Well fuck,” Felicity said, eyes narrowing, “that works out for you, too, doesn’t it? Do you ever have any bad days that aren’t wardrobe related?”

  “What?” Maddie frowned. “How does their engagement have anything to do with me?”

  “Well, now the press will stop implying you got your scoop by sleeping with her.” Her finger jabbed in Natalii’s direction.

  “Honestly, Felicity, why do you even care if I get a few good breaks? I don’t even work with you anymore.”

  “I don’t care. But Elena does. And I just don’t get it. She was in such a foul mood when she thought you were…dining out on French. Oh, that reminds me!” Her tone turned all officious. “The twentieth? That publishers ball you’re going to with Elena? See Perry. Elena apparently has all these ideas for what you’re wearing.”

  “She does?” Just an hour ago, Elena had expressed only a vague and passing interest in her outfit for the event. Where had “all these ideas” come from?