Love By Design

Chapter 26

The news of Sebastian’s return to Holmes travelled fast in the company and it quickly became public knowledge soon after. It seemed like every single employee had something to say, receiving a variety of reactions from everyone at the studio.

Naturally, August’s position as Director of Communications heightened the gossip. Given their rocky relationship, it sparked debate about the potential challenges that could arise and people were more than skeptical with the idea of Sebastian reclaiming his position as Creative Director and Senior Designer. By lunchtime, word circulated that the previously missing-in-action son of the late CEO was officially accounted for, turning the on-site cafeteria into a buzzing hub of gossip.

“Two neurotic nepo babies under one fashion roof?” Ymir quips as we queue up for lunch. “This is a fashion disaster waiting to happen.”

She grabs a platter of sushi and I opt for my usual salmon poke bowl. Despite returning to the Design department, I still have lunch with Ymir and Saoirse whenever our schedules align.

“They can’t be that bad, right?” I ask curiously, picking up a bottle of coconut water.

“Individually, maybe not,” Ymir replies. “But together?”

“Way worse,” Saoirse comments, joining Ymir and I in the queue as she grabs a salad from the counter. “You saw them at the dinner.”

Considering all that transpired at Holmes since I started working here, the studio’s reaction is hardly a surprise.

“It’s one struggle after another in this company,” Ymir shakes her head as we walk towards our usual table.

“We need you back in Comms, Hallie.” Saoirse sighs, taking a seat opposite me. “We’re going through new hires like mad. We’ve had half a dozen interns come in and quit in just under two weeks.”

My eyes widen at the numbers.

“August is impossible to impress.” Ymir shakes her head, echoing Estelle’s words. “And so particular.”

“His daily in-person meetings can be a little intimidating.” I nod in agreement.

Saoirse frowns. “Daily meetings?”

“The end of day face-to-face updates?” I clarify. “They sometimes clashed with our meetings. Detailing how every hour of my day is blocked was intense.”

Ymir and Saoirse share a confused look.

“He doesn’t… He doesn’t do that with you?” I question.

They both shake their heads.

“We email him updates and have a catch-up meeting every Friday morning,” Saoirse elaborates. “But other than that, nothing so intense as an hour-by-hour run down of tasks every single day.”

“That’s brutal,” Ymir remarks. “No wonder the interns are all quitting.”

“It’s impossible to pass his infamous Tinker Test,” Saoirse says.

I choke on my coconut water. “His what?”

“Thinker. Tinker. We have no idea.” Ymir shrugs. “We overheard him talking to someone on the phone about it. He gives the new interns a few days and if he doesn’t think they’re the right fit…”

“Faith, trust and pixie dust right out of the studio,” Saoirse finishes.

A grimace forms on Ymir’s face. “The legal team is on standby as we speak.”

“I’m surprised HR hasn’t mentioned anything about any of them wanting to sue,” I add quietly.

“Yet.”

I look up to find Pollux making an appearance, sitting down next to me with a tray of fish and chips.

“It’s official,” He groans, picking at his food. “We’re back in Herringbone hell.”

None of us need to ask further about what, or rather who, Pollux is referring to. The entire office hasn’t stopped talking about the highly anticipated comeback of the designer.

“I take it you’re excited,” I comment.

“Bursting at the seams,” He deadpans.

I recall the few and far between interactions I’ve had with Sebastian– the dinner, the after-party. He’d been tolerable enough alone in my presence but things always seem to go south whenever August is involved.

Their altercation from that morning replays in my mind. Some of the things Sebastian said were provoking to August, almost like he knew how to get under his skin.

“Sebastian is a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” Pollux discloses. “A fantastic designer, don’t get me wrong. The man is talented, like his father, naturally.”

“But?” I question.

“He can be a sadistic fucking sociopath,” He stresses. “I was working as a junior designer for over a year when he just started as a senior and when it’s going good? It’s great.”

“And when it’s bad?” I ask.

“Herringbone hell,” He states. “Sebastian is hot and cold. Even before he started working at Holmes, he was already unpredictable. I mean, our Dandy Designer essentially grew up with the Peroxide Prince in the industry. ”

Everyone at the table winces.

“In fairness,” Ymir begins. “Baby Vante isn’t actually that bad. Definitely cleaned up his act from his playboy faring days.”

“I wonder how the two are going to get on,” Saoirse comments, voicing the thought in my head.

Like a fashion house on fire, I bet.

I bite my lip to keep myself from saying anything, knowing better than to indulge in gossip. With so much news regarding August’s past and Sebastian’s future, it was hard to keep up with it all. At present, a lot of it is lost in translation.

“They might be caught in the same net of nepotism but they’re hardly cut from the same cloth,” Pollux says. “And you know what the bible says about mixing fabrics.”

We turn towards him, curious.

“Thou shall not wear leather and lace, ladies.”

“Isn’t it wool and linen?” I blink.

Ymir turns to Pollux. “I thought you were an atheist.”

“When did you become religious?” Saoirse shakes her head, trying to suppress her laughter.

“Since I saw God in August Vante,” Pollux replies, seriously. “Speaking of divinity himself.”

He motions towards the entrance of the canteen and our heads turn collectively.

It’s the first time I see August in over two weeks.

Wearing a dark plum suit with his usual black turtleneck underneath, August strides effortlessly inside the canteen. His hair is a little longer, styled in its usual tamely tousled, slightly slicked-back look with the undercut peering through.

Just like everyone else at the table, I openly admire his appearance.

“He’s been doing nonstop overtime for Holmes and Grayson,” Ymir reveals.

His signature Peroxide Prince glower sits prettily on his face as he peruses the selection of drinks in the beverage area.

“We think he’s planning on moving to New York once Holmes finds a permanent DOC,” Saoirse adds.

My gaze drifts to the half-eaten poke bowl in front of me and I begin to prod it mindlessly.

It’s not surprising that August would be leaving soon, his role as Director of Communications here at Holmes is only temporary. Everyone expected it. But still, my heart couldn’t help but sink to the bottom of my stomach at the news.

A slight commotion erupts around the table and I frown in confusion at everyone trying to look inconspicuous. Feeling a set of eyes on me, I look up to find August staring in my direction.

Our eyes meet and I watch as the dip between his eyebrows softens slightly. He gives me a small nod of acknowledgement and, without thinking, my hands twitch up into an awkward wave. He pauses for a moment before the side of his mouth quirks up slightly.

“What was that?” Pollux interjects, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

I blink. “What was what?”

“That.” His tone is teasing as he nods towards August, now exiting the canteen.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Uh-huh,” He eyes me knowingly. “That has your Hartt-eyes written all over it.”

I turn to him, perplexed. “My what eyes?”

“This thing you do where you stare at something like you’re head over heels in love with it,” Pollux reveals. “You look at toile de jouy fabrics in exactly the same way.”

A noise of collective agreement ripples around the table and I flush in embarrassment.

“The print is pretty.” I reason, continuing to stab at my poke bowl, a little more purposefully now.

Pollux snorts and gestures towards August’s departing silhouette.

“And so is that upholstery fabric of a man.”

The entire table frowns in confusion at Pollux’s endless fashion euphemisms.

“You know, because he’s a little rigid but durable and comes in surprisingly different patterns,” He explains. “Plus, you can sit on him.”

I gasp as Ymir shakes her head and Saoirse throws a napkin in his direction.

“Pollux!”

He meets our incredulous stares with a pointed look.

“What? We were all thinking it!”