17. Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Seventeen
I’d been right.
Sleep was just about impossible that night so I sat by the tiny window and sketched out my last red carpet creation then went the workshop at the first touch of purple in the sky to get to work.
My sketch was a simple but elegant gown dripping with that Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis sleek minimalist but always chic couture.
Given Oleg Cassini had created clothes for her of course her look would be divine.
I’d settled on a classic color block gown with a black square nec-neck top, a sweeping rose tone ball skirt, and a rich satin bow at the waist. White bicep-high opera gloves, a small ebony purse.
Pearls only on the neck and ears as well as being the strap for the tiny purse.
I’d chosen pale pink Mikado satin for the skirt for it would hold the structure of the skirt better while still showing its beauty.
The black satin top would provide a lovely sheen under the lights at night while offering a sleek finish. Simple yet refined.
The other guys arrived around eight. I’d already cut out my pattern and was halfway through pinning it to the chosen materials. I’d wasted a whole day yesterday. Time was not my friend but if I buckled down I could do it. I had to do it. There was no but. Do or do not as Yoda famously said.
“Christ, you’re up with the bloody birds,” Mickey said as he moved to his table.
“Yeah, I had a revelation last night,” I announced, Enzo tossing me a look that screamed ‘No one cares so fuck off’ which was on track for him. I glanced around Mickey. “No Zara?”
“We passed her outside. She said she wanted to talk to the producers about something,” Mickey explained as he laid out his work for the day while yawning widely. “I’ll be so glad to be home. This show has kicked my arse.”
“Amen,” I whispered then set my focus on creating.
An hour or so passed in silence. The door opened again.
Assuming it would be sewists arriving for their shift which started around ten or the ever present cameras I paid it no mind.
As I slid a pin into my Mikado satin the aura in the room shifted, growing still as a bog, the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end.
I glanced up from my pattern to see Soline advancing on me, her hair and makeup undone. Zara crept through the door.
“Kinder, may I speak with you privately please,” Soline said. Not asked. Said.
“Sure, yeah.”
I removed my pin cushion from my wrist as I shot Mickey a confused look he returned.
Soline spun on her flat little heel, still in her old worn jeans and a baggy sweater, and I fell in behind her just like one of the little ducks she always claimed we were.
She led me to the fitting room with the velvet cushions.
My guts were tightening up with worry as I spied Xavier seated on a chair chewing his thumbnail.
“I’m sorry to pull you from your work but we’ve been dealing with a situation for the past two hours.
Please, sit, we have something of import to ask you.
” Soline waved at one of the plush seats.
I shot Xavier a worried look as I placed my ass on the edge of a chair.
Soline took a seat on a chaise, her hands fiddling nervously in her lap.
“I’m not sure what I did but I’ve been really careful about following the rules. I don’t have any kind of dressmaking tools in my room or—”
Soline shook her head. “No, duckling, it is nothing like that.” She blew out a breath. “Kinder, it has been brought to our attention that you and Claude are involved in a romantic relationship.”
I couldn’t draw in any air for the longest time. “I…what? I…who would say that?”
“Darling, we are not accusing you of anything unsavory but Claude has verified the accusation. No, shit, accusation is not the right word. He has verified the situation.”
I wanted to puke. What? Why? This made no sense. What?!
“We never had sex,” I blurted out. Xavier began to massage his temples while muttering what I had to guess were curses in French.
Soline, bless her kind soul, left the chaise to come to my seat.
She kneeled, took my now shaking hands, and gazed at me with such tenderness that tears welled in my eyes.
“Never. We kissed a few times, and held hands, but Claude wouldn’t let it go any further. ”
“Foolish old man,” Xavier growled.
Soline threw him a look which made him physically drawback. “Be silent! Love is never foolish!” She glowered a moment more before returning her now softened attention back to me. “Claude has made clear any blame for the budding sentiments between you and he are to be placed at his feet.”
“No, no, that’s not right. That’s not it at all. We both—”
“Yes, duckling, you both have strong feelings but Claude is older. He explained this all to us when he removed himself from the competition and has stepped down from the school board this morning.”
My whole world tipped precariously. I’d never fainted but at that moment I was sure I was about to fall over.
“No, no, why would he do that?! He’s not a judge. It’s not like he had any input or…or any kind of sway with how the judging went. He was our advisor. That’s it. Why would he leave?” My voice was thick with emotion.
“He felt, and Xavier and I agreed, that him removing himself from the show before the final judging was a good idea. He is fine, truly, Kinder, he is taking a leave of absence from the academie to spend time at his country house to distance himself from you and any possible scandal.”
I blinked back tears. How was this happening? He’d just left me alone to face all of this? How could he do that?
“I just…he should have stayed,” I weakly coughed, gripping her tiny hands far too hard. She never once tried to pull away.
“No, Kinder, he did the right thing. With his absence there can be no scandal about influence on the judges for the winner, not he ever asked for any kind of special treatment for you. Not once. He would not do a thing such as that.”
Shit. Yeah, okay, she was right. As much as I hated it him removing himself was sensible. Shitty to the max but sensible. Whoever turned us in now couldn’t claim any kind of favoritism at the final.
“Who turned us in?” I asked, the shock still thick but now with a tinge of anger appearing.
She blinked at my tone. “Sorry. But I want to know who ratted us out. We didn’t do anything but sit and talk about our pasts.
We only wanted to get to know each other better.
We talked about clothes, shoes, TV shows, movies, books. Just everyday things that…that…”
“That people falling in love talk of,” she finished in a knowing whisper.
I nodded. “We cannot tell you who brought the news to us but rest assured we have discussed it with Claude, the network, and the those who sit on the board of the academie. This was an amiable agreement for all. You may return to the workroom when you’re composed to finish your last red carpet look. ”
“Sure, whatever.” Stunned and sick at heart I didn’t give two shits about anything other than how my desires had probably ruined Claude’s life.
If I had just kept my hands to myself he would still be here.
“Can I sit here for a few minutes. I don’t want the others to see me upset because they’ll think I’m ashamed and I’m not.
What Claude and I have between us is nothing shameful. ”
“No, sweet, love is never a thing to be ashamed of. Rest here for a bit. We will work on a small announcement to explain why Claude is not here for the final show then release a short note to the press with our explanation.” She rose from her knees to kiss my cheeks.
“Stand strong, duckling. Claude’s respite will do him good.
The sights at his little country maisonnette at 1489 Rue du Mistral Caché, Trones-sur-Gard are exquisite. ”
“Thank you,” I murmured wondering why she had been giving me something like GPS coordinates at a time like this.
“It will all be wonderful, duckling, you’ll see,” she told me.
Nodding dully I sat there with my sight locked on my sneakers until the door clicked. So many emotions bubbled up in my breast I couldn’t name them all. Melancholy, loneliness, anger, loss, fear. The longer I sat the more refined the whirling feelings became until only a scant few remained.
Disbelief, hurt, and anger. Blinking rapidly to clear my hazy eyes the ire rose up to overcome the other sentiments.
Raw hot anger at the one person who had the most to gain by hopefully having me tossed out and Claude sent packing to the countryside.
Enzo Piras. Overcome with blinding rage I stormed from the fitting room, stomping past crew members in a red fury.
I heard someone shouting, “Stay with him!” behind me but I gave zero fucks right now if what took place was filmed or not.
Let the world see. I blew through the doors to the work room like a typhoon.
Sewists and contestants looked at me as I made a beeline to Enzo who was watching me swoop down on him like a chicken watching a hawk.
His eyes went wide. He tried to get around his work table but I was too mad, too fast, and too lost in emotions to let him get away.
I fisted his shirt then jacked him against the wall.
Claude’s employees gasped in shock. Pretty sure this was the first time they’d seen some dude throttle another dude among the fine silks and taffetas. Bolts of fabric hit the floor.
“You miserable fuck,” I snarled into Enzo’s face while I drew back a fist.