by Dayo Benson
The Skye Bar wasn’t huge, but it was big enough not to feel crowded. Dan and I were at a table for two, which was good. I didn’t have to make small talk with rich strangers all evening. We were also near the middle of the room, which meant we’d have a pretty good view of whatever was going on tonight.
People kept stopping at our table to say hi to Dan and some to ask after his parents. By the time the lights dimmed for the commencement of the show, my cheeks were hurting. All that fake smiling and laughing was taking its toll.
Alessandro’s MC was a clean-cut Italian guy who spoke perfect English with a thick Italian accent, lending a certain panache to the event.
He announced the agenda for the evening: light refreshment, exhibition one, main course, exhibition two, dessert, exhibition three, and then a final word from Mr. Felice himself. Our chef for the night was Ilario Alessi.
I grinned at Dan, “I didn’t know we were getting fed too.”
“And by Ilario.”
“Is he supposed to be really good?”
“He’s one of the best for Italian food.” He reached for the bottle of wine on the table and raised an eyebrow. I shook my head. He filled his own glass. “Do you want me to get you some water?”
“That’d be nice.”
“Sparkling or still?”
“Still.”
Dan rose from the table and went to the bar. I watched him. His suit was really nice. But then, anyone could wear a nice suit; you still had to have the body and the looks to make it work. Dan definitely had both. He was like male art, very hot.
“Guess who’s here,” Dan said when he returned to the table. He set down the jug of water and a glass.
“Who?”
“Carl.”
I looked around. Carl couldn’t be here. “You mean Carl?”
“Yeah, your boyfriend.”
“Oh, great! Where is he?”
“The table by the bar.”
I looked over, but I couldn’t see because of the other tables between us. This was not good.
“What’s the deal with you and Carl anyway? You don’t seem to spend much time together.”
“We do.”
“But you’re always in your room, so when do you see him?”
“I haven’t seen him much this week, but we do see each other,” I defended. Carl and I were just fine. We may not be after tonight though. I knew I would be mad if the situation was reversed.
“How long have you been together?” Dan asked.
“Why are you so interested?”
“Because your relationship is strange.”
“We dated in high school?”
“So you’re high school sweethearts.” Dan grinned.
“We broke up for a couple months, though. We got back together when we met again on campus.”
Dan poured my water for me. “Maybe you just wanted security. You were all alone on a big scary campus and, and then suddenly, a familiar face.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, psychoanalyst.”
Waiters bustled around the room serving soup and Italian bread. I spotted Alessandro Felice moving from table to table welcoming his guests and playing the cordial host.
A waiter placed a bowl of soup in front of me. I wiped my spoon with the napkin. I couldn’t live in this circle. Everything was a façade. You didn’t get invited to gatherings like this because you were truly important or nice, but because you had money and people were hoping you’d spend it.
“How’s the soup?” Dan asked.
I tried a little. “Nice.”
“What are you thinking?”
“Nothing.”
“Then talk to me.”
I smiled. “Where about in Europe are your parents?”
“Venice. They go every year.”
“How come you didn’t go?”
“Why would I want to go on vacation with my mom and dad?”
“Why not?” I wished I still had a dad.
“Here’s Carl,” Dan said.
“Are you kidding?”
“No.”
I looked up as Carl approached. I managed a guilty smile. “Hey, Carl.”
He walked past our table to the table of blond-haired socialites behind us. There was a chorus of “Hey, gorgeous,” when Carl joined them.
“Did he just blank me?” I asked Dan.
“Yeah.”
“Did he see me?”
“Of course, he saw you.”
This was not good.
A few minutes later, the music changed. I pushed Carl out of my mind. I’d deal with him later. I looked toward the runway as the first model stepped out. I tried to enjoy it, but all I could think was it could have been me. I clapped when they finished. Okay, it had been good. Rather than sitting there hating, I could watch these models and try to learn something. There had to be a reason Alessandro had selected them.
The waiters came out again and served the main course. Carl went back to his table, and Alessandro Felice came over to greet the couple at the table next to us. After leaving them, he moved to us, or to Dan I should say.
“How are you, Daniel? I hope you are enjoying the dinner.”
Dan stood and shook his hand. “Yes, Alessandro. And that was an excellent exhibition. I look forward to the others.”
Alessandro looked at me. “What a beauty she is.” He winked at me. “Make sure he buys you something nice to adorn that lovely body of yours, my sweetheart.”
I laughed. “Thank you, Mr. Felice.”
He exchanged a few more pleasantries with Dan, asked after his parents, and then moved on to the socialites behind us.
“Did you hear that Dan? You’ve got to buy me something.”
Dan topped his glass of wine for the second time. “I brought my wallet. I didn’t think bringing you here was going to be free, or cheap.”
“I’m only joking.”
“Well, I’m not. I already know what I’m getting you, but I’ll wait until I see the other exhibitions first.”
“Dan, if I see something I want, I’ll buy it myself. Okay?”
He didn’t answer.
I looked over at Carl’s table. He was watching me. He turned away. I should really go over and explain, but I knew it looked bad. I’d explain later, when we weren’t in public.
I enjoyed exhibition two. It was elegant evening wear, and the models were slow and measured, displaying each dress to the maximum and no doubt watering the appetites of most of the women in the room.
The room started buzzing when Bette Wiens came out in a deep violet silk piece. It was beautiful, and she was amazing. I’d never been a real fan of hers because Shola Cardoso was my absolute idol, but Bette Wiens was a legend in her own right, too.
“You’re prettier than her,” Dan said, when the second show was over and the dessert was served.
“You’re so good for my ego.” I picked up my drink for a sip, only to discover that it was Dan’s drink. I stared at him, torn. I couldn’t swallow it, but I couldn’t spit it out.
He laughed uproariously. “Swallow it, Lexi. It’s not gonna kill you. A little wine will do your heart good actually.”
I swallowed. “Ugh. How on earth did I mistake your wine for my water? I must be losing it.” I pushed his glass away.
“Are you sure you don’t want some wine?”
“Yes.”
“Go on. It’ll put hairs on your chest.”
“Is that supposed to make me want it?”
The final exhibition started after dessert. It was sharp and edgy, and the models walked with such attitude that it was almost gangster. I loved it, although the clothes from exhibition two were nicer.
Bette Wiens did her thing again, and at the end, all the models came out as usual. Alessandro waited until the runway was empty before he came on for his closing speech.
The waiters moved around the room silently as he spoke, handing out complimentary Felice gift packages. We had until
Monday to order any design we’d seen tonight. After Monday, he wouldn’t be able to guarantee that the garment we were interested in would be available. Each garment we’d seen tonight was one of a kind. No duplicates were going to be made.
Dan’s arm circled my shoulders as we walked out of the bar. He wasn’t staying to mingle, which was fine by me. A black limo pulled up, and Dan opened the door. “Is this for us? What about your car?”
“I can’t drive. I was drinking.”
The photographers were still on duty, and a few cameras were aimed our way. “But is this limo for someone else?”
“No, I had it arranged, because I knew I wouldn’t be able to drive after.”
I slid into the limo, and Dan slid in after me. The limo moved off. Dan wrapped his arms around me, and I snuggled in close to his chest. His hand moved over my back in small circular motions. “You scare me, Lexi.”
“Why?”
“You saw your boyfriend while you were out with another guy, and you totally didn’t care.”
I did care, but what could I do. I knew how it must look. And Carl had blanked me anyway.
“I would ask you to be my girlfriend, but I’m scared you’re gonna treat me the way you treat Carl. Then one night, you’ll be out with someone else, and my heart will be broken, but you won’t even care.”
I giggled. “Shut up, Dan.”
He laughed, too, and then tilted my chin. He brushed his lips gently over mine.
“Is this the alcohol, or do you know what you’re doing?” I asked.
“It’s definitely the alcohol.”
“Would you admit it if it wasn’t?”
“No.”
I wiped off my lipgloss and leaned in to him. I was going to regret this kiss, but I’d deal with that later.
Chapter 45
I ran into Carl on my way to the student center convenience store after my Thursday morning class. I was with Emily Whittle, and she was almost as bad as I was for constant snacking and junk food. I thought he was going to ignore me like last night, so I didn’t stop.
“Lexi.” Carl held out a hand and caught my arm.
“Hey, Carl.”
Emily gave us a little distance.
“What’s going on with you and him?” Carl’s blue eyes were deep pools of pain and concern.
I felt like a criminal. “Nothing.” It was true. We’d kissed, but nothing was actually going on. In fact, the kiss had been on the way home. At the time Carl had seen us, there had been absolutely nothing going on.
“I know you’ll always have guy friends,” Carl said. “And I don’t want to be this mad jealous boyfriend, but I can only trust you if you’re honest with me.”
Carl’s obvious hurt threw me off balance. Anger I could deal with. Jealousy I could cope with. But his pleading eyes and quiet tone paralyzed me.
“I have a class now, but can we talk later?” Carl asked. “I’m away until Saturday on a two-day accounting seminar, but we can talk tonight before I leave.”
“What time do you leave?”
“Seven.”
“Okay.”
Carl walked away, and I grimaced at Emily. “Sorry, Em.”
“Is that your boyfriend?”
“Yeah.”
We bought supplies for our afternoon class and then made our way back to the lecture room. I let Emily lead the way because I still didn’t know my way around properly. We were about half an hour early for the class, but Emily was a bit of a geek and liked it that way.
After the class, a girl sitting in front of us turned to Emily. “Are you still coming tonight?”
Emily packed her colored pens and highlighters back into her pencil case. “No, I’m thinking I need to study tonight.”
The semester had just started. I couldn’t believe she was already studying so rigidly.
“You can study tomorrow. Fashion week ain’t every day.”
“Sorry, Jen,” Emily said. “I can’t go.”
“But I’ve got your ticket.”
“I’ll still pay you for it.”
“What show is it for?” I asked.
“Some fashion designer,” Emily said, like it was the most boring thing in the world.
Her friend Jen smiled at me. “We try to get Emily to come out with us, and she never does. You know what they say all work and no play does to Jack.”
“Well, I’m not Jack,” Emily said with a frown.
“Yeah, and you know jack about fashion.”
“I’m not going.”
“Well,” I said. “I love fashion. Can I have your ticket, Emily?”
Jen grinned. “Sure. Sorry, what’s your name?”
“Lexi.”
“I’m Jen. I stay next door to Emily. I love her, but she hates me.”
“So where’s the ticket?” I asked.
“In my room. I live in Castle Hall. I’m just going to get ready now for the show. I’ll round all the girls up, and we’ll meet you outside the library at six.”
“Six it is. Are we driving?”
“No, we’ll share taxis. That way we can really have a good night.”
I grinned like I was down with the whole let’s hit the town and drink ourselves into a stupor thing. “I better go get ready then.”
I dashed across campus to my block and hurried up to my room. I didn’t know what the other girls were wearing. I put on my deep blue Vivienne Westwood minidress that faded into black at the bottom. My hair was still straight from yesterday, which was a huge time saver. All I needed was makeup and perfume.
Carl called as I was leaving. I switched the phone onto vibrate; I couldn’t have it shrilling out in the middle of the fashion show. I’d forgotten he wanted to meet up and talk. We’d have to talk some other time. I sent him a text saying I was going out with girlfriends.
I walked across campus to the library, no mean feat in my heels. There were about twenty girls waiting when I got there. This was going to be some night.
Jen waved at me. “Okay, I’m starting ticket distribution,” she shouted above the chatter. “You’re all responsible for your own ticket. If you lose it, you lose it.”
It took five taxis to get us to our venue. Jen was the organizer, and she seemed to be able to keep everything and everyone under control. The fashion show was for a very interesting and colorful knitwear collection. After the show, we went on to a bar. On our way, I saw Dan with a group of guys. I waved, and he came over. I cringed momentarily, remembering our kiss last night, but he didn’t bring it up.
“You look like you’re having fun,” he said.
“So do you.” He was wearing jeans and a white shirt, and for some reason, the simplicity of it made him even more appealing.
“C’mon, Lexi,” Jen yelled. “You can pick up guys when we get into the bar. It’s cold out here.”
I laughed. “See ya, Dan.”
I got home at three. Dan emerged from his room as I unlocked my door. “Is that you, Lexi?”
“Yeah.”
He stared at me bleary eyed. “I’m never waiting up for you again. Three a.m. on a school night?”
“We had to wait for taxis.” I reached out and rubbed his cheek. “Did you really wait up for me?”
“Only because I got home half an hour ago, and I thought you would already be home.”
“And you thought I’d been kidnapped?”
Dan yawned. “I have a nine o’ clock. Later.”
***
Vinnie Hoffman on Tuesday night went well. He was a bag of nerves, and he shouted a lot backstage. But after it was all over he was all smiles.
I was looking forward to Nia Golden on Friday. I’d had two fittings in August, and I thought she was amazing. If I ever became wealthy I’d have her design every outfit I wore in public.
It was Wednesday night, and I was in the student center with Jen and some of her friends. Guys were playing pool and a big screen TV was blaring from behind us. I looked at my watch. It was nearly eight o’clock.
<
br /> “Are you leaving?” Jen asked.
“Yeah.” Tomorrow was another full day of classes. I walked home in the dark. The college really needed to get more street lights. I pulled my jacket closer. I was making coffee once I got in. Then I was going to force myself to go over today’s class handouts. Then I was going to do some online research for my political communication assignment. Then I was going to bed.
“Lexi,” Dan purred when I walked into the kitchen to use the coffee machine. He was in the living room area with some of our other house mates. “Aren’t we looking ravishing today?”
“Come and help me with this.”
Dan came and made my coffee. “I just saw Carl at the student union.”
I hadn’t spoken to Carl for a couple days now. I felt too guilty to even look at him because Dan was getting under my skin, and I needed to sort my feelings out. “Nice.”
“It wasn’t nice. You’d think I’d stolen his girlfriend, the way he was shouting.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Him and his friends. They were drunk though.”
“At eight o’ clock on a Wednesday?”
“Seven thirty.”
“Pathetic.”
“When he sobers up, tell him to stay out of my way.”
“Ooh, scary.” I picked up my coffee and went to my room.
Chapter 46
Nia Golden was picky—real picky. She fussed over our dresses, pinning things and adjusting things as we waited in line backstage. “Watch how you walk in that,” she snapped at me. “The skirt is narrow. You’ll have to take small steps, but make sure it still looks good.”
“Okay.” I’d already noticed how narrow the skirt was, and I’d practiced. I knew what I was doing. I had a new plan of action to help me secure more bookings: make each designer I worked for notice me. I had to stand out, for the right reasons of course. That way, I would stick in their mind, and the next time they had an event, they’d call on me.
I stepped onto the runway when it was my turn and fluttered the fan I’d been given as a prop. I walked as best as I could in the dress, taking my time and moving in such a way as to really show it off. That was what designers were about: their clothes. They didn’t care about you unless you could make their clothes look good.
