“Not anymore.” She says absently stroking my hair.
“Sabrina can I ask you something?” I say resting my head on her shoulder as she plays with my hair.
“Anything.”
“Today you were cold towards me. I know that we have to be careful around the office, but we were alone with the door closed.”
She sighs pulling away from me. I feel my heart stutter in my chest. I am being clingy we haven’t even defined what we are to each other yet.
“Honey, I warned you I am not good with relationships, in fact I don’t think I have ever had a real relationship with a woman. It is going to take time for me to adjust to the idea.”
My heart starts beating in my chest. “You mean you want to have a relationship with me?”
She cups my face “You are so sweet; I love that about you. Yes, I want to try. I am not going to guarantee that I will be able to do it. I have never tried before. You are the first person I have ever given a key to the elevator to. I didn’t even give one to Jenny.” She stops talking and looks at me for a moment.
“No one has ever made me want to try. You make me want to try.” She whispers softly pressing a kiss to my lips.
I lose myself in the kiss and feel the rest of my heart that I have been guarding fall at her feet. I know now is not the time to tell her that I love her. She is like a skittish deer; I am going to have to coax her into it.
Chapter 15:
Sabrina
The sound of humming greets my ears as I roll over to turn of the alarm. It is a sound that I could get used to. Isobel is an earlier riser and I love that she feels comfortable enough in my place to follow her normal routine.
I grab my robe off the back of the door and walk out to see her. It gives me a strange feeling in my chest to see her sitting at my table in the morning.
I lean over to see what she is drawing and lose my breath. The drawing is of me. I am laying on my side a sheet barely covering me a bare hip exposed, the slope of my breast. My face looks relaxed, happy I don’t think I have ever seen it looks this way.
Is this what she sees when she looks at me? There is love in every line and shade of that drawing. I back away she hasn’t seen me yet, I sneak away to the bathroom and splash water on my face.
I don’t know that I am ready for this. She is a forever type of girl; I am a party girl. She is stable and white picket fence; I have a reputation for breaking hearts.
I look at myself in the mirror and think of what it would be like if I tell her to go, if I break it off now before I fall anymore in love with her. I hear the hoarse chuckle and realize it is me. Tears spring to my eyes I grip the sink and face the truth. It is too late I am already in love with her. I love how she sings in the morning while she draws, I love how her eyes light up when she sees me, I love her enthusiasm for life, her luscious curves and the feel of her mouth on me. I have never felt this way for someone, and it is scaring the crap out of me. So, I do what I do when things are scary, I bury it past a smile on my face and walk back out to the kitchen to greet my lover.
Things are too good I am just waiting for the other shoe to drop because in my experience life doesn’t let you be happy for long.
Chapter 16:
Isobel
The design team is meeting today to show me the first mock ups of the clothes that were sewn from my sketches. It feels so odd to not have sewn them myself. I had begged Sabrina to let me do some of the sewing, but she had put her foot down. There were seamstresses for a reason did I want to take the job away from someone that needed it.
I admit I pouted but I finally came around to what she was telling me. The time where I had to be everything designer, seamstress, marketing for my designs was over. I was with a big house I need to learn that my role had changed.
I walked into the room and sat down at the table. No one looked at me they just continued to chat. There were people from marketing, the other designers, Layla Sabrina’s sister also her partner, as well as someone from one of the big magazines. They were doing a story on each of the new spring lines from the big houses. No spoilers just a sneak peak of each line.
She was beautiful with long flowing brunette hair, her curvy body in a snug suit that managed to look businesslike and sexy at the same time, to top off she was wearing glasses which gave her that intelligent air. I wondered if she needed them or if they were for affect. Either way she looked amazing and scared the crap out of me. She had the ability to break my career before it had even started.
“Hey, you must be Isobel, Sabrina has told me a lot about you.”
I pull myself from my thoughts and smile at Layla. “I want her to like me not just because she was kind of my boss as a partner in the company but because she was my girlfriend’s sister.
“I hope it was all good.” I say timidly. I need to watch what I say.
She winks at me “It was.” She leans next to me and in a low voice “She invited me to dinner tonight so we can get to know each other better.”
I just smile trying not to freak out. A major reveal of my designs and the first dinner with Layla all in one day.
Sabrina strides into the room and I have to look at the table to hide my smile. Anytime we are in a room together I just want to smile.
She sits down and briefly meets my eyes. A small private smile graces her mouth just for me. It makes the butterflies in my stomach flutter. She is trying even though we are work she is trying.
“I want to thank you all for coming. I don’t think I need to say that what you see in this room is confidential. No pictures can leave this room. No emails, nothing. This is top secret except for the small sneak peek that Miss. Monroe is going to do for her magazine is that understood?”
Everyone around the table nods this is standard for this kind of reveal.
She smiles widely “I am very proud of this collection. Isobel was a great find and I think she is going to be a breath of fresh air to this company.
Sabrina taps out a text on her phone and looks at the door expectantly. I feel my stomach clench as the first model walks in. There is gasps around the table. My eyes are glued to Miss Monroe’s face. Her eyebrows go up and a slow smile crosses her face. I hope that is good.
I move my gaze to the designs critiquing each one, making little notes on the small changes I want to make now that they are on a body and not on a drawing on a page.
The final model comes in and I feel my shoulders slump in relief. I know I designed them, but they were beautiful. When the evening gown concept came out people even clapped. I want to hold this feeling to my chest for the rest of my life.
“The new spring collection Isobel by Bell Flore’.” Sabrina says standing and clapping, everyone stands and joins. It is all I can do to keep the tears from sliding down my face.
“Miss Isobel, I just want to say how very impressed I am by this collection. I have a feeling that you are going to be in high demand this season.” Miss Monroe says shutting her notebook and following Sabrina out of the room.
I want to cheer and dance around this room my fist thrown in the air.
A couple of the other designers stop and congratulate me, tell me that I have a rare talent and they can’t wait to see what I come up with next.
“It was ok, you still have a lot of learning to do.” One of the designer’s says as she walks by me. Not even his snide comment can dull my shine.
Chapter 17:
Sabrina
“Reservation for Sabrina Wellman please.” I say to the concierge. It is New York fashion week and I can’t wait to show Isobel off to the community. Her designs are divine, she is going to be a star I know it.
“Enjoy your stay at the Plaza Miss Wellman.” He says handing me two key cards. I give one to Isobel and she grins We took our relationship public two weeks ago and I have never been happier. I am worried about Jenny it is customary for all of the big houses to attend each other shows. French Boutique is one of my biggest competitors, but Elena and I are
friendly. I am a bit miffed that she allowed Jenny to come to her with designs that she knew to be mine, but fashion is a cutthroat business and I am not all that surprised.
“I can’t believe we are staying at the plaza.” Isobel whispers excitedly her eyes large as she looks around. The event is in New York I usually stay at home, but I wanted to give her something extra to dazzle her. It is her debut and she deserve the best of everything. We both will be wearing gowns she designed for us tonight to Jenny’s show and Penny has already told me there is buzz around my new relationship.
I will handle Jenny, tonight will be the test of Clarrissa’s loyalty as well. I know I should have told Isobel what I did but I couldn’t. I know that she will think of it a betrayal despite that we didn’t use those designs. I know they are part of the evolution of her becoming what she is now, but I need to know if I have a spy. It is a ruthless way to find out, but I am not all roses and sunshine.
I shake the thought out of my mind I want to enjoy this time with Isobel. I can’t wait to see her in her gown.
When they delivered mine to the house and I opened it I cried. The dress was proof that she loved me that she knew me inside out. It showed both sides of me the soft loving side that I only let her see, and the hard side that I show everyone else.
It is a long gown fitted tightly from my breasts all the way to my ankles. I slit on one side reaches all the way up to my hip and the scalloped neckline shows my breasts to perfection. Each time I take a step the soft pink lining of the dress shows a little peek into the softer side of me. The dress has a sheen to it not quite a sparkle. It is elegant and sophisticated. I am in love with it.
“I can’t wait for you to wear your dress. I am so glad you are pleased with it.” She says to me as I swipe my card over the door of our suite.
“It is amazing love you are so talented.” I say walking into the suite and back to the bedroom to make sure that our bags have arrived and the gowns we need for the different events are hung up and pressed.
I come back out and she is standing their tears streaming from her eyes. I run to her wrap her in my arms.
“What happened?” I ask she doesn’t say anything just sobs into my arm. I hold her wracking my brain to what could have upset her while I was gone that short time.
She finally lifts her head her blue eyes drenched in tears.
“It finally feels real. All the work the prep, fittings the sketching and working with the seamstresses it didn’t feel real but not standing her with you in this fabulous hotel room I realize I have made it. I am a designer Sabrina I have a line with one of the most prestigious fashion houses in New York. People are going to wear me.
There are ladies that will walk down the red carpet and when they are asked who they are wearing they will say Isobel by Bella Flore’. I only wish my parents could be here to see it.
“I do to love, and I know this is all so overwhelming, but we have to get ready for the first show.”
She wipes her eyes and nods. I kiss her softly. You have first shower the hair and makeup team will be here shortly.
She pouts at me “I was hoping to have you in the shower.”
My eyes heat as I think of all the times she has “had me” in the past weeks.
“After the show I am all yours.”
I watch her walk into the bathroom, the feelings I have for her bursting in my chest. I am going to tell her I love her after her show. It will be the perfect cap to the evening, but tonight I have to focus on Jenny. I heard that when she found out I was dating someone she flew into a rage. I know there will be fireworks tonight. I have warned Isobel but even though she says she is prepared I don’t think she realizes what Jenny is capable of.
*****
I smooth my hand down my dress as we walk into the large room. It is filled with people in formalwear chatting and laughing as they wait for the show to start.
“Darling you look fabulous there is time to step behind the stage for a quickie.” My hackles rise at the sound of that smoky voice. I turn and see Jenny standing behind me malice sparkling in her eyes.
She looks gorgeous the short sparkly dress she wears hugs all of her curves. I look her up and down and give her a feral grin. I don’t feel anything when I look at her except for pity.
“I think I’ll pass. How are things at French Boutique.”
Anger flares in her eyes. I am not rising to her bait and it makes her furious.
“It is amazing. Elena treats me with the respect that I deserve. She doesn’t micromanage my designs she lets my true artist come out.”
“Well since the collection that you are about to debut is one that we developed together I am not sure how much of your creative side you have had to use.” I say watching her face.
A smile curves her blood red lips. “Oh, I have a surprise for you Sabrina. I am going to crush that little company of yours and the heart of your poor little new girl.”
She looks over at where Isobel is laughing and talking with head of another fashion house. She has charmed everyone we have run into in the short time we have been in the room.
“Does she know what you are really like Sabrina? Does she embrace the vindictive bad girl that you really are or are you just showing her the sanitized version?”
I scowl at her because she had hit one of my buttons. I am afraid that the version of myself I am when I am with Isobel is fake that I am deluding myself into thinking I can have a relationship with someone as pure of heart as she is.
“She loves me for all the parts of me.”
The lights in the room flash.
“We better take our seats your show is about to start.”
Jenny flounces off but not before she shoots a glare in Isobel’s direction. I feel a knot form in my stomach. I hope that Clarissa hasn’t stolen the designs. The new ones were unveiled to a select group with an ironclad NDA. Clarissa was not invited to that meeting. In fact, she wasn’t in the office I sent her to California for the last few weeks to help revamp one of our stores. I flattered her told her she was the only one I could trust to do it. She had taken the bait and had been on the next plane to California. I just hope that she was the mole and not one of the others. The people that had been in that room were ones I trusted implicitly. If one of them is leaking information to Jenny I will be gutted.
Miss Monroe was the only one not in my inner circle that had been present, but she had a sterling reputation and had never leaked any design in all the years she had worked for the magazine.
I sat next to Isobel as the light dimmed the spotlight came on. I felt like I was going to be sick it was the moment of truth I would find out if I had traitor and possibly lose my girlfriend all in the same moment.
Chapter 18:
Isobel
The first model walked out on the stage and I felt my stomach drop into my shoes. It felt as if she was moving in slow motion the closer, she got to me. My hands were shaking she was wearing one of my designs.
It is just a coincidence I tell myself as the model turns and walks back down the runway. The next one comes down and then the next I feel light headed.
“Sabrina those are my designs.” I whisper fiercely.
“They are the ones that you rejected.” I say as if she needs reminding.
Her lips purse.
“How did she get my designs?” I ask. It feels as if I have been gut punched.
“Clarissa.” She says her voice artic cold.
“How did Clarissa get my designs.”
She looks at me and I barely recognize the woman staring back at me.
“I did.”
“You what?” I feel my heart sink to my toes.
“She said things that made me suspicious and I needed to know. I gave her the designs and told her I wanted her to develop a complimentary line of shoes and bags. She gave them to Jenny so that we would crash and burn. She knew that Jenny’s show was first and if her designs were identical to ours, we wouldn’t be able to put out a sprin
g line. There is really no way to show that we had the designs first. I didn’t register them. I needed to know if Clarissa was leaking things out of my company and now, I know.” She turns back forward.
I feel the blood drain out my face as I sit woodenly beside her. The rumors were true she used me for what she wanted and now she will get revenge on her ex, as well as she has ferreted out her spy. She took something personal and precious to me and wielded it like a tool. Those designs were part of me, they marked my journey in becoming the designer I was meant to be, and she used them for her own purposes without even talking to me about it.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask my voice clogging with tears.
“I didn’t need to ask you. My employee my asset it is in your contract.” She didn’t even look at me. I couldn’t sit here one moment longer and watch as my designs strolled down the runway. All I saw were the flaws in them she didn’t even have the decency to change them.
I stood and ran out of the room passing a triumphant Jenny on the way by.
“Now you know who she really is sweetie sorry about your career.” She snidely yells after me as I run out of the room.
She assumes that Sabrina doesn’t care enough to comfort me, that she is trying to save face in front of the other designers. She will soon find out that Sabrina sold her out too. She will feel like a fool when she comes to my show and sees my realized vision.
“I run out of the venue and hail a cab. I am sobbing so hard that the cabby can barely here my address. Why do I let her do this to me? This is the second time I have been in a cab sobbing because of something hurtful Sabrina did. I have to realize that she is not the woman I thought she was. That she is not my forever woman. That hurts more than seeing my designs walk the stage. More than being humiliated that people are seeing and judging the rough draft of my work. It will come out that she stole my designs I will have to explain that they were not fully realized. I just hope my show is good enough, wows them enough to blow over the humiliation to come.
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