Chapter 26
GAbrIELA
I had hoped that by keeping my head down, things would eventually blow over. But this week has proven the opposite to be true.
We’re now in the muslin development portion of the semester, and it seems I’m being sabotaged at every turn.
On Monday, I was horrified to find that some of the pattern pieces I’d hung on the wall had been swapped.
I didn’t realize it until the waist seam refused to line up and the entire muslin draped wrong.
I spent the rest of that night trying to correct it, only to discover someone also shifted a dart point and erased my balance marks.
The next day, my favorite pair of shears and my tracing wheel disappeared when I stepped out to use the restroom. When I returned, I discovered too late that someone had cranked the top tension on my sewing machine to the maximum, ruining my new seams and puckering the muslin beyond saving.
It wasn’t hard to guess that it was probably Bethany and her gaggle of friends, but I refused to let them see how upset I was.
I explained the situation to Eros, and instead of downplaying it like most of the men in my life would, he asked what he could do to help.
I thought the offer was sweet, but I told him I just needed to hyper focus on this project until I fixed it. I asked if we could plan on seeing each other next week, and he agreed.
He’s also kept me fed with regular food deliveries, and oddly enough, that was the thing that tipped me over the edge and made me cry.
When he makes those gestures, it stirs uncomfortable emotions inside me, and I don’t know how to handle them.
I told myself I couldn’t feel anything for him, but my denial can only go so far.
Fortunately for me, Riccardo’s reign of terror is on hold. He texted to let me know something came up and I wouldn’t see him until this weekend.
In the interim, I’ve thought a lot about my practice session with Eros and everything that brought up.
I’ve let everyone else dictate my life because that’s what was expected of me, but I don’t want to be a passenger on my own journey anymore.
I may not bloom overnight, but I want to decide which direction I grow.
It won’t be easy, and I have no idea how it will unfold, but I don’t have to do it alone.
In the past, I’ve struggled to ask anyone for help because I didn’t want to be a burden. But if there’s one thing I can say about my friends, it’s that we always have each other’s backs. So I’m going to step outside my comfort zone and call in a favor.
By Thursday, I’m feeling more confident about everything, but it doesn’t last long. In the middle of studio, Professor Harlow approaches me with a concerned expression, and my stomach drops.
“Gabi, I need you to come with me to the dean’s office. You aren’t in trouble, but let’s step outside, and I’ll explain.”
My heart picks up speed as catastrophic thoughts cascade into a doom spiral.
I move on autopilot, grabbing my things before my gaze drifts to my prototype.
“I know you’ve been having some trouble on campus,” Professor Harlow says. “I’ve already asked my TA and the studio tech to keep an eye on your work.”
“Thank you.” I nod.
At least that’s one less thing to worry about.
We step out of the studio, and Julian joins us with a silent nod. Professor Harlow waits until we’re at the end of the hallway to fill me in.
“Gabi, some concerns have been raised within the department that you may have been impacted by allegations connected to an ongoing investigation. The police are here, and they’d like to speak with you.”
A sick feeling crawls up my throat, and Beppe pops his head out of his tote to comfort me.
Professor Harlow senses my impending distress and rushes to reassure me.
“I want you to be aware that you’re not obligated to talk to anyone if you don’t want to. And if you’d like, I can sit in the meeting with you as a support person.”
I nod, too choked up to speak, and she offers me a gentle smile.
We exit the building and walk across campus while a million different thoughts volley through my mind. I should probably call someone. If I reached out to any of the Aegis contacts, they’d be here in a heartbeat to help. But right now, it’s all I can do to put one foot in front of the other.
In the Cosa Nostra, it’s drilled into us from a young age that we never talk to the police. I’m not about to start now, but I haven’t had enough time to mentally prepare myself for what I should say in this situation either.
By the time we reach the dean’s office, I’m no closer to figuring it out. But when Professor Harlow opens the door to the private meeting room, and I see Abella and Mariella waiting for me, a tidal wave of relief crashes over me.
Before I can say anything, another woman steps forward, and I recognize her as one of our trusted contacts in the Aegis network. Her name is Cecilia Whitmore, and she’s an attorney.
“If you’ll excuse us, I’d like to have a word with my client before we start,” she says.
“It looks like you have some support,” Professor Harlow observes. “I’ll wait in the hall while you speak with your legal counsel.”
I thank her, and everyone else files out of the room, leaving me with Abella, Mariella, and Cecilia.
“Gabi, you remember Cecilia, right?” Mariella asks.
“Yes, hello,” I answer awkwardly.
“She’s here to represent you.”
“How did you even know this was happening?” I ask them.
Mariella and Abella exchange a look before Abella answers. “I’ll fill you in on that later.”
“Shall we begin?” Cecilia offers me a warm smile.
I nod in response, and she gets right to the point.
“First, it’s important you understand that you aren’t obligated to disclose any details to me, the police, or the administration unless you choose to. You don’t have to confirm whether you are a victim, and you don’t have to file a police report. I’m here to help you assert your rights.”
She gives me a subtle look, indicating she’s aware of the position I’m in.
She’s a member of The Society, and she’s familiar with the unwritten rules we live by in the Cosa Nostra.
But she isn’t here for their benefit. This is how our sisterhood works, and Cecilia has already helped countless women in the Aegis network. I trust her completely.
“I would prefer not to say anything.”
She nods. “I understand you’re being harassed on campus as well. Do you feel comfortable here, or would you prefer to complete your studies remotely?”
“Can I actually do that?”
“Yes. Universities are legally obligated to protect students from foreseeable harm or hostile environments. There are also some avenues I can pursue, given our…connections.”
The heavy weight on my chest seems to dissolve as I process that information. I know it won’t be easy, considering I don’t have everything I need to complete my collection at the penthouse, but I would rather find a way to make it work than ever set foot on campus again.
“In that case, I would like to complete my studies remotely.”
“Okay. I’ll speak to the dean and get that process started. Your professor should be able to answer any questions you have about completing your program remotely. I’d advise you to go collect your things now so you don’t have to return.”
It almost seems too good to be true, and I’m not sure how or why this happened, but I’m grateful that it did.
Cecilia opens the door and steps aside as the rest of us filter out.
“Gentlemen, my client is invoking her right to remain silent,” she informs the detectives before turning her attention to the dean. “May I speak with you privately, Dean Markham?”
“Yes, of course.”
He gestures her back into the meeting room as I glance at my professor.
“Professor Harlow, I need to gather my things and ask you a few questions about completing my collection remotely.”
“Of course. Let’s walk, shall we?”
Abella, Mariella, and our guards join us for the walk back to the studio, and Professor Harlow gives me a brief rundown of how remote studies work.
She explains that the infrastructure is already well established, and I can submit my pattern reviews digitally and participate in virtual critique sessions.
The entire collection can be produced off-site, and Professor Harlow will be available for feedback, check-ins, and guidance.
Before we enter the studio, she pauses outside the door.
“I’ll miss having you in class, Gabi, but I think you’re really going to thrive in your own environment. I look forward to seeing your finished collection.”
“Thank you, Professor Harlow. I think I’ll do much better working with you one-on-one.”
She nods and opens the door, and we leave Julian to gather things from my cubby as the rest of us enter the studio.
The class has already ended, but there are a few lingering strays still tinkering with their projects.
Professor Harlow and the TA slip out of the room to have a discussion, leaving us to pack up everything from my workstation.
With Abella and Mariella’s help, it doesn’t take long.
I take one last look around, making sure I have everything, and then we head for the door. While Professor Harlow is distracted helping another student, Bethany and her friends don’t miss the opportunity to snicker as we pass by.
“Leaving so soon?” Bethany taunts. “It’s probably for the best. Some people just don’t have what it takes to be a designer.”
Both Abella and Mariella come to a screeching halt beside their table, and by default, I do too. Abella looks at me, clearly debating whether she should step in, but I keep thinking back on my conversation with Eros about speaking up in the moment.
I might not have a profound or witty rebuttal, but I still want to say something.