Love By Design

Chapter 41

The weekend came and went with not a single word from August.

Part of me had hoped he would reach out but given how things ended at Sebastian’s, I can understand why he wouldn’t. I’d been the one to stand my ground and he had been the one to walk away.

The case of the Monday blues is far too taxing as I make my way up to the secondary studio. After a Design team meeting this morning, sans Sebastian, about the next stages of the regalwear collection, I feel oddly detached.

The lift doors open and I step out into the hallway. Even though the fourth floor hardly housed anybody, it feels even emptier.

I see August’s office at the other end of the corridor, hoping to find the tiniest faint of red glow as a beacon of light, but my heart sinks in disappointment to find the entire room submerged in complete darkness.

A tiny part of me also considered knocking to confirm whether or not he’s in but I realise there’s no reason for him to be.

According to Pollux, who received the information from Ymir and Saoirse, they’ve already considered a new Director of Communications and they’re in the beginning stages of transition planning. August had been gradual with handing over his responsibilities, which everyone at Comms found strange since they were expecting to see him gone as soon as he received confirmation from Grayson a month ago.

After the Comms team received formal word from him this morning through an early conference call, it became definite.

August is officially done at Holmes.

I cast one final glance at his office, wondering if I’ll ever cross paths with him. My stomach churns and I try not to focus on the ache forming in my chest at the thought of never seeing August again.

Entering the secondary studio, an unusual emptiness invades the space. Even though I’m accustomed to working by myself, there’s something strangely hollow about being up on the fourth floor on my own.

Shaking the feeling off, I begin my morning task of going through my emails.

From: [emailprotected]

To: [emailprotected]cc: [emailprotected], [emailprotected], [emailprotected], [emailprotected]

Subject: Winter Gala Press Content and Regalwear Presentation

See attached the revised press content and official presentation for the upcoming regalwear presentation in Cionne.

For any changes, please contact me before the end of the week.

Sebastian O. HolmesCreative Director, Holmes London

[Regalwear Collection - PRESS KIT.pdf][Regalwear Collection - PRESENTATION.ppt]

Glancing over at the finished samples of the Autumn/Winter lineup of the regalwear collection on the mannequins, I feel anxious at suddenly having no excitement at reaching this stage.

Biting my lip, I begin reading through the official presentation being shown at the Winter Gala next week.

The Regalwear Collection is a collaboration between the illustrious Royals of Toussaint and the esteemed fashion house, Holmes London.

Designed by Sebastian Oliver Holmes, the exclusive collection is a seamless fusion of the cultured elegance synonymous with Toussaint and the refined sophistication characteristic of Holmes London’s designs.

Furrowing my brow, I stare at the last slide.

I quickly view the presentation again, skimming through the segments until I reach the Collection Overview. My eyes sweep over the key pieces of the Spring/Summer lineup and I blink.

There are barely any alterations from the original designs I created.

In fact, it looks exactly the same.

My fingers twitch out of anxiousness.

Clicking the PDF file of the press kit for the regalwear collection, my eyes dart along every word of information.

A lurching feeling twinges in my stomach as realisation sinks in.

My name is completely omitted.

The sound of the sliding door opening brings me out of my spiralling thoughts and I look up. A glimmer in me hoped it would be August so I deflate at the sight of Sebastian by the entryway.

“Did you receive the press kit for the Winter Gala?” He asks, stepping into the room.

“And the presentation.” I nod, hesitantly. “Some things need rectifying though. The Spring/Summer lineup still has the old design sketches and final samples I made and there are no signs of the ones you’ve been working on.”

“Oh, that wasn’t an oversight,” Sebastian replies. “It wasn’t feasible to revise the Spring/Summer lineup due to time constraints.”

I blink. “So you’re still using my samples?”

Sebastian nods. “Yes, is that a problem?”

I shake my head, the new development unsettling me. My eyes catch the Autumn/Winter lineup I’d been restlessly working on for the past two weeks and turn to Sebastian.

“What about my name?” I ask quietly. “It isn’t mentioned anywhere in the press kit or the official presentation.”

“I didn’t think it was necessary,” He answers with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulder. “Since I’ll be the one presenting at the Winter Gala.”

The lurching in my stomach worms its way up to my chest.

“I won’t be presenting with you?”

“Your attendance isn’t necessary.”

I frown. “I’m not going to Toussaint?”

“Why would you need to?” Sebastian questions.

“For the gala,” I reiterate. “As part of the regalwear collection I’ve been working on for the last few months. The one you’re using all of my samples and revisions for.”

Sebastian eyes me up and down, almost bored.

“You work at Holmes,” He says, dismissively. “Under my supervision.”

“But it’s not just your work.” I fire back at him. “It’s also my research, my ideas, my designs. Research you assigned me to do, ideas I’ve had to work on by myself and designs I had to create from scratch.”

My hands begin to tremble and I curl them into fists behind my back.

“All this talk about me, myself and I.” He tsks. “This is a collaborative effort, is it not?”

And where was your effort in this collaboration?

My vocalised thoughts cause Sebastian to narrow his eyes and I falter under his sharp gaze.

“Hallie, you’re an intern.” He states, punctuating every syllable. “I don’t expect you to understand since you’re new to the industry.”

Frustration roots itself in my chest at his reply.

“What’s not to understand? You’re taking credit for work I’ve done.” I say shakily, trying to keep my voice level.

“I’m taking credit?”

Something flickers in Sebastian’s eyes as he stares at me, glaring.

“Do you really think anyone would care about your designs if it wasn’t under my name?”

The question slaps me in the face and I feel myself physically recoil at the sharp sting of Sebastian’s words.

“Be serious now, sweetheart.” He shakes his head at me, a mocking lilt to his voice. “You’re hardly anybody in the industry.”

I find myself unable to reply, my own words lodged in my throat as his comments sucker-punch my gut.

“You might be talented,” Sebastian continues, the compliment a sugar-coated, sour-centred sentiment. “But talent hardly carries any weight in the business if you don’t have the influence. You’re a design graduate with very limited industry experience whose only claim to fashion fame is a viral re-imagining of an already existing concept.”

My left hand spasms uncomfortably.

“Virality doesn’t equate to vigour.” There’s an icy edge to his tone. “And I just don’t think you have the capacity to advance beyond those limitations. Your designs wouldn’t be able to carry itself without the label. Best not waste anyone’s time.”

Each word spoken is a weight on my chest, growing heavier and heavier in Sebastian’s presence.

“The Winter Gala is for influential individuals only, Hallie.” He continues, adding further affliction to my already heavy heart. “Know where you stand and sit this one out.”

His closing criticism is the final lumbering load and my heart crushes under the pressure as it parallels a sentiment I’m already familiar with.

Stop inserting yourself in places you don’t belong in.