Chapter 36
ELIZABETH
Annika had commandeered a beautiful room. I didn’t know how they managed to just take over these places, but I was glad they did. It paid to be rich. It opened doors that would never be opened to someone like me.
I looked around the room. It was filled with dress forms, bolts of fabric in sapphire, emerald, and burgundy, and two industrial sewing machines that looked hilariously out of place against the gilded walls.
“Okay,” Annika said, spreading my sketches across a table. “Three dresses, two days. It’s ambitious but doable. Tell me your vision for each one.”
I walked her through the designs Adrian and I had created together. The few minor tweaks I made would be easy to implement.
“These are bold,” Annika said, approval clear in her voice.
“Adrian helped me see that I was playing it safe. Designing for other people’s sensibilities instead of my own.” I touched the sapphire fabric, feeling its weight. “These are me. The real me.”
“Then let’s bring them to life.” Annika was already pulling out her measuring tape. “We’ll start with the emerald since it’s the least complex construction. Get the basic shape right, then work our way up to the burgundy beast.”
What followed was hours of intense focus.
It had been so long since I actually sewed anything.
I loved the process. We were cutting fabric, pinning pieces together, testing drape and movement.
The emerald dress came together surprisingly quickly.
It was a relatively simple design, which was the goal.
“Try it on,” Annika instructed, handing me the partially completed piece. “I need to see how it moves on a body.”
“I’m not exactly the size of the models,” I joked.
She waved a hand. “Close enough.”
I slipped into it carefully, and Annika circled me like a fashion shark, pinning and adjusting. “The cutouts need to be a quarter inch lower. I’m afraid we might be flashing bits that shouldn’t be flashed.”
I laughed. “We don’t want another Sebastian-style show.”
“Definitely not. When you move, it should move with you.”
“When I move? I’m not wearing this.”
“Not you specifically. But we need to fit it to someone’s body, and you’re here.” She made a note on her pad. “Besides, you’re closer in size to our models than most people. Makes you a good test dummy.”
“I think that’s a compliment.”
She winked and went back to work. She transformed the dress from good to exceptional.
I found myself thinking about Adrian. About last night’s almost-confession under the streetlamp.
I saw it in his eyes. I knew there was more but I just couldn’t get him to say it and I didn’t want to be the one to say it first.
I felt like it was obvious I would fall for him. It wasn’t so obvious he would want me. He had everything and I had nothing. To say I was punching above my weight was an understatement.
I wasn’t even sure he was interested in trying to have a relationship with anyone. He told me he didn’t have time. If he had time for a relationship, he wouldn’t have needed me to pretend to be his fiancée.
“You’re thinking about him,” Annika said without looking up from where she was pinning the hem.
“What?”
“Adrian. You have that expression, the one you get whenever he’s mentioned. Like you’re trying to solve a complicated equation.”
I felt my cheeks heat. “Is it that obvious?”
“Only to anyone with eyes.” She sat back on her heels, studying her work. “So what’s going on? And don’t say ‘nothing’ because I’ve been watching you two and something is definitely going on.”
I hesitated, then decided I needed to talk to someone.
“Sometimes it’s so easy to forget it’s all fake.
That this is just an arrangement, just business.
He’s so convincing, you know? The way he looks at me, the things he says all confuse me.
One minute I think things might actually be real and then the next minute it’s all cold and distant.
I just wish I could ask. It feels so real. Is he really that good of an actor?”
“Maybe because it’s not fake for him either.”
“Or maybe he’s just really good at his job.
” I looked down at the emerald fabric. “Adrian was known for being casual before, right? Not committing, keeping things light. What’s to say I’m any different?
What if this is just how he operates? Intense while it lasts, then done when the arrangement ends? ”
Annika was quiet for a moment, making a final adjustment before helping me out of the dress. “I understand why you would feel that way,” she said. “He hasn’t had a real relationship. I’ve never known him to have a girlfriend.”
“Which makes me think he’s not interested in anything real.”
“Adrian got really serious after his father died,” Annika said with a hint of sadness.
“All the brothers changed a little. Sebastian became more reckless, Briggs more controlled, Dash more detached. But Adrian? He stopped smiling. Stopped enjoying things. It was like he decided he had to carry the entire company on his shoulders, even though they all run it together.”
“That sounds exhausting.”
“It was. It is. He’s been running on duty and responsibility for a year, barely letting himself feel anything else.” She hung the emerald dress carefully. “But ever since you showed up, he’s different. Lighter. He smiles more, laughs more. He’s present in a way he hasn’t been since Buck died.”
“That could just be the distraction.”
“Elizabeth.” Annika turned to face me fully.
“I’ve known Adrian for fifteen years. I’ve seen him with other women, seen him in relationships—if you can call them that.
This is different. The way he looks at you and the way he talks about you when you’re not around?
I can’t promise it’s real love, but you’ve definitely helped him come back to life. And that has to mean something.”
I wanted to believe her. Wanted to think that what I felt was reciprocated, that we were on the same page. But the fear was still there, whispering doubts.
“Let’s focus on the dresses,” I said, deflecting. “I can control those at least.”
We moved on to the next gown, which was significantly more complex. The internal structure required boning to create the dramatic movement Adrian and I had envisioned.
“This is going to be stunning,” Annika said as we worked on the bodice. “But it’s going to take all night to get it right.”
“I don’t mind. I want it perfect.”
“I think that could be an issue.” Annika laughed.
I groaned. “Oh yeah.”
I was so absorbed in what I was doing, I completely forgot the fact we had a show in a few hours.
While we worked, Annika told me stories about past shows. She had some pretty wild stories about models who had meltdowns and the many tantrums. I found myself laughing, relaxing, enjoying the simple pleasure of creating something with my hands.
“This is going to photograph incredibly,” Annika said when we finished the second gown. “Very high fashion.”
“You think so?”
“I know so. These aren’t safe little dresses that will sell well to middle America. These are statement pieces. The kind that make people remember your name.” She pinned a section. “Your mother is going to hate them.”
“Yeah. She probably will.”
“Are you going to show her? After Milan?”
I thought about this morning’s phone call, the crying, the guilt.
“I don’t know. Part of me wants to prove to her that I can do this, that my dreams are valid.
But another part of me thinks why bother?
She’s never going to approve. Never going to be proud.
So why keep trying? I don’t need the headache or the drama. ”
“Because you’re still hoping she’ll change,” Annika said gently. “That one day she’ll see you and love what she sees instead of trying to change it.”
“That’s pathetic.”
“That’s human, Elizabeth. You can either live your life or live your mother’s life. But you can’t do both. At some point, you have to make a choice.”
“I know that. I do. But—”
“But it’s hard to let go of wanting their approval.
I get it. My parents wanted me to be a doctor.
Stable career, good money, respectable. Instead I became a seamstress for a fashion house.
” She smiled. “They didn’t speak to me for two years.
But eventually they came around when they realized I was happy, successful, doing exactly what I was meant to do. ”
“What if mine don’t come around?”
“Then you build a family out of people who see you for who you are.” She gestured around us. “You’ve got Adrian, the brothers, me. People who value your talent and support your dreams. That’s not nothing. I personally believe the family you choose is an extremely important part of anyone’s life.”
Tears pricked my eyes. “When did things get so complicated? Two weeks ago I was just waiting tables and applying for jobs. Now I’m making dresses for Milan Fashion Week, fake-engaged to a billionaire, and having an existential crisis about my mother in Versailles.”
Annika laughed. “Welcome to the world of fashion, darling. Nothing is ever simple, everyone is slightly crazy, and somehow it all works out in the end.”
“Does it though?”
“Usually. Not always. But usually.” She handed me the burgundy fabric. “Come on. Let’s finish this dress. Then you can go get ready for tonight’s show. I’m personally looking forward to it. I love seeing the personality of the boys in their art.”
“Me too,” I smiled. “I love how they all hold on to their father’s vision while putting their own little twist.”
“Hold this fabric steady while I pin. We’ve got about six more hours of work before these are ready for the final fitting.”
We worked through the evening, barely noticing as the light outside the windows shifted from afternoon to dusk. The burgundy dress slowly took shape, each piece fitting together like a puzzle.
By the time we finished the basic construction on all three pieces, it was six o’clock. The show would be starting soon and I had to hunt down my dress still. I knew Adrian had it delivered, but given the size of the place, it could be anywhere.
“Go,” Annika said, shooing me away. “Get dressed, do your hair, be Adrian’s gorgeous fiancée for the night. I’ll finish the detail work and have these ready for the final fitting tomorrow morning.”
“Are you sure? I can stay.”
“Elizabeth. Go. Enjoy the show. Enjoy Adrian. Worry about the dresses tomorrow.” She smiled. “Tonight, just let yourself be happy. God knows you’ve earned it.”
I hugged her impulsively. “Thank you. For everything. For helping with the dresses, for listening, for being a friend.”
“That’s what friends do.” She hugged me back. “Now go. And Elizabeth? Whatever Adrian tells you tonight, listen with your heart, not your fear.”
I nodded, not trusting my voice, and headed back through the lavish corridors of Versailles.
“There you are,” Adrian said, nearly running me over when we met at an intersection of hallways.
“I was just coming to get you. Did you finish?”
“Almost,” I replied. “I figured I better get dressed. I don’t think my jeans and hoodie are fashion show attire.”
He chuckled. “I certainly don’t mind, but I want to see you in that gown.” He took my hand, kissed me and then guided me to the room where we would both get ready for the night.
As I did my makeup, I realized the dream was almost over. I felt like Cinderella watching the clock inch closer to midnight. Soon, I’d be back to my old self and my prince would be back in his castle.