"I won't know until after I get sales feedback from Gwen's team. For all I know, my designs won't sell and they won't order again from me. I'm still keeping my eyes open for job opportunities, but the pressure is off for the time being. Right now, I'll have my hands full in fulfilling all the orders, including your dress, which should be ready for your first fitting in two weeks."
"Oh, I'm so excited, Ari! By the way, can I order lingerie direct from you? I want them for my honeymoon."
"Sure," she replied, her lips curling. She'd already planned to give Jasmine her sexiest, most expensive sets as wedding presents.
"How's your nephew?" Jasmine asked out of the blue.
She sighed. "He's good, thanks. My sister is taking him for the fitting of a new prosthetic leg. We're hoping we could get him one that's perfect for a runner. He has dreams of becoming a Paralympian, you see," she said with a wistful smile.
"Wow, that's great. Your sister must be thrilled with your good news, too."
"Yes, although it won't mean much until we see the cash come in. Nothing is guaranteed until I keep selling stuff." She paused before continuing in a sincere, grateful voice. "Jaz, the money you're loaning me not only helps buy the materials and pay my seamstress. It also helps me keep my head above water and get Kenny that prosthesis until I get paid by Gwen's company."
"Oh Ari. Is it that bad?" Jasmine asked with concern.
She shook her head and waved her hand. "It will get better. I just need to keep the faith."
"If you need to borrow more..."
"It's fine, Jaz. Thank you," she replied, reaching out for Jasmine's hand and squeezing it in gratitude.
"Anytime, Ari."
She cleared her throat. "Ah, Jaz, one other thing. I suppose you will tell Kane about this, right?"
"Yes. Is that a problem? We share this kind of thing with each other. But if you prefer that I don't …"
"No, it's fine. But could you not tell Dylan? And please ask Kane not to mention it to him?" she asked in a small voice.
"Okay," Jasmine replied cautiously. "I'm glad you brought Dylan up, Ari. I've wanted to talk you about him."
Ari chewed her bottom lip. She didn't want to meet Jasmine's eyes, so she played with the straw in her smoothie glass instead.
"What happened between the two of you? Dylan's been down in the dumps lately. Even Kane said he hadn't seen him like that before. But when we asked him, he didn't want to talk about it."
Ari swallowed, not trusting herself to speak. What could she say? That Dylan thought she was just after his money? In all fairness, she couldn't divulge that fact without also mentioning why Dylan was so suspicious. After his lengthy explanation, she could understand why he harboured doubts about her motives for being with him.
"I know I'm in a funny position, because you're my friend and he's my future brother-in-law," Jasmine said softly. "But you could still talk to me. There may be something I can help with?"
Ari took a deep breath. "I miss him, Jaz," she admitted. "But there are some things that are just not meant to be, I think."
"How can you tell if it's meant to be, or not?"
She shrugged. "We just don't fit, Jaz."
"You miss him, he misses you; what doesn't fit?"
"I just don't see myself being comfortable enough to share all my problems with him. If I couldn't do that, what kind of relationship would we have?"
"What's in the way of you sharing your problems with him?"
She shook her head, not knowing how to put it in words.
"You think he won't be supportive of you?" Jasmine asked.
"No, it's not that. I think that if he tries to be supportive—if he tries to support me, I will always question what he thinks of me."
"What do you mean?" Jasmine asked with a frown.
"As long as I'm in this financial squeeze, I don't think I'll ever get it out of my head that he might think I'm just after his money—even if he's nice about it."
"Ari! How could you think that?"
She gave Jasmine a sad smile. "Let's just say I have issues around it."
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Dylan watched as uncertainty played on Jasmine's face as she considered his request.
"Please, Jaz. I know you're her friend and you want to keep her confidence, but all I want to know is what she's said to you that would give me an idea on how to mend things with her. I know I stuffed up big time. I need your help, please."
"What exactly have you done to piss her off, Dyl?" Kane asked as he refilled their wine glasses.
Dylan filled his lungs to full capacity before exhaling loudly. "I inadvertently led her to believe I suspected her of being a gold digger."
Jasmine gasped. "Dylan! How could you! Ari's not like that at all!"
"I know, Jaz. I told you I stuffed up."
"Why the hell did you even think it, bro?" Kane asked in disbelief.
"Because five years ago, I got my heart broken by a woman who tried to scam me by transferring money from my bank account to hers. I know it's crazy to let some old experience mess up my present, but I didn't realise how much I was letting my past get in the way until Ari dumped me."
"You never told me about that," Kane frowned.
"No. It was something I didn't want anyone to know. I was ashamed about the whole thing."
"You said this woman 'tried' to scam you. So she didn't succeed?"
"No. I caught her before she was able to do it," he answered impatiently. "Look, I'll tell you all about it later, if you want, but can we talk about Ari and how I can get her back? You of all people should know what it feels like, Kane. You've been here before, when Jazzie broke up with you that one time."
"Yeah, it hurt like hell," Kane acknowledged, glancing at Jasmine, who gave him a reassuring peck on the lips.
Dylan sighed. If only Ari would talk to him again, maybe they'd find their way like Kane and Jasmine had.
God, he missed her so damn much that here he was at his brother's home, pleading for help just so she would let him see her again. Anyone who knew what he was like with women would be shocked by this action.
"You must be in love with her then, to compare what you're going through with what I went through," Kane observed.
Dylan looked straight into his brother's eyes. "Yes, I think I am."
"Ari said she wouldn't be comfortable sharing her problems with you," Jasmine said quietly after a brief silence.
"Problems? Does it have something to do with her sister and nephew? I know she gives them some financial support."
"Yes. I guess she's scared that if she did, you'll just think she's fishing for sympathy and money."
Dylan buried his face in his hands. It was what he had suspected. "But I don't think that anymore," he said in a strangled voice. "I don't even care if she is after my money. I want to give her everything she needs and wants. Anything. I just want her back."
"Ari goes out of her way to ensure she doesn't owe anyone, Dyl," Jasmine said. "She is so proud and so stubborn about it that even I want to slap her sometimes. When she offered to pay me interest for the money she borrowed from me, I had to accept or she would just ask someone else."
"She had to borrow money from you?" Dylan asked in shock.
Jasmine blushed. "I wasn't supposed to tell you that."
"If she needed help, why didn't she come to me?" he asked, irritation and anguish whirling within him. He was her boyfriend, for heaven's sake.
"You know the answer to that, Dyl."
He raked his hair in frustration. "She was scared I'd think she was being a gold digger. How can I undo all this?"
Kane and Jasmine shot him sympathetic looks.
"She did say she missed you," Jasmine volunteered.
"She did?" he asked, his eyes widening with hope.
"Yes. But unfortunately, that doesn't change the fact that she still doesn't want to open up to you. Even if she did, I don't think she'd accept any financial assistance from you."
Dylan scowled as unexpected anger flared within him.
This was ridiculous. He loved Ari and he wanted to look after her. She needed help and he was damn well going to give it to her, even if she didn't like the way he went about it. Her stubborn pride could go to hell.
"Jaz, please tell me about her financial problems."
*******
"She's going to kill me for this, Dyl. But I don't care. You're doing the right thing," Jasmine declared as they got out of the taxi in front of an unassuming apartment block.
Dylan grinned. "Glad you approve, Jazzie. I'm sorry I won't be around to plead for your life. Ari would kill me first before she hunts you down."
"Well, let's hope Sylvie doesn't turn us away."
"That's why you're here. Less chance of that happening," he responded lightly. "Thank you for coming with me, Jaz," he added sincerely.
"No problem. I'm more than happy to do this with you."
They climbed the stairs to the second floor and knocked on the door of unit eight.
A woman whose resemblance to Ari was unmistakable opened the door and greeted them with a friendly smile. "Hi. You must be Jasmine."
"Yes. How are you, Sylvie?" Jasmine asked, reaching out to hug Ari's sister.
"Fine, thank you," Sylvie replied, returning Jasmine's hug warmly. "I've heard so much about you, Jasmine. Ari talks very fondly of you."
"Thank you," Jasmine replied.
Sylvie turned to Dylan. "And you are Kane? Jasmine's fiancée?" she asked.
"No. I'm Dylan," he replied with a smile. At Sylvie's blank look, he added, "I'm Kane's brother."
"Oh, okay. Good to meet you, Dylan," Sylvie said without recognition. "Please, come on in."
Dylan lost his smile as they followed Sylvie inside her small but tidy apartment. So Ari had spoken to Sylvie about Jasmine, and even Kane. But clearly, she had never brought him up—not even once—for Sylvie to recognise his name.
Apprehension rained on him. Was he that unimportant to Ari? Was that why she could handle not seeing or talking to him, while he was going out of his mind from not being with her? Perhaps he had exaggerated Ari's feelings for him from wishful thinking?
His heart grew heavy as sadness saddled it.
"I'm really curious about this surprise to Ari you mentioned over the phone, Jasmine," Sylvie said as she motioned for them to take a seat. "Well, curious is probably too tame a word. I'm actually dying to know."
"I think I'll let Dylan talk about it," Jasmine said with a glance at him.
He nodded and forced a smile to his lips.
"Okay, I can't wait," Sylvie replied, looking intrigued. "But first, can I offer you tea or coffee?"
*******
"We were wondering, would you and Kenny like to take a trip to Sydney as a surprise to Ari for her birthday next week?" Dylan asked Sylvie.
Sylvie gave him an indulgent smile. "That's a nice thought, Dylan. But I'm afraid it's not something I can afford. Things are pretty tough for us at the moment."
"Oh, you don't need to worry about the expenses. I'll take care of them for you. Where is Kenny, by the way?"
"He's at little athletics. I'm picking him up in an hour," Sylvie replied, disbelief frozen in her face. "Did you say you'll take care of our expenses if we travel to Sydney next week for Ari's birthday?"
"Yes."
"Oh...why, may I ask?"
Dylan pressed his lips together as he considered his answer. His mind was whirling and his heart was aching. He had assumed that Sylvie knew that he was Ari's ex-boyfriend. He had intended to divulge to Sylvie that he was planning to get her sister back, and that the Sydney trip and the other offer he hasn't mentioned yet was part of his plan to show Ari how much she meant to him.
But doubts assailed him when he realised Ari had not breathed a word about him to his sister. What if Ari didn't care anymore? Was it fair to drag Sylvie and Kenny to his whole drama if Ari was only going to reject him again? It would merely serve to make Sylvie and Kenny feel bad, to say the least.
He nodded to himself, reaching a decision.
"A friend of mine, who wishes to remain anonymous, wanted to give away part of his Lotto winnings to some deserving person," he said, glancing at a startled Jasmine. He gave her a look that conveyed 'follow my lead'.
"He asked me for suggestions on whom he could donate the money to," he continued. "I remembered Jasmine mentioning Kenny and his dream of becoming a Paralympic athlete. I thought Kenny would be a deserving recipient of my friend's generosity. Fortunately, my friend thought so, too. He also agreed that you and Ari deserve some of that gift, for your love and dedication to Kenny's future.
Sylvie gaped at him, her mouth forming a perfect O.
He took a deep breath, saying a little prayer that this last-minute fabrication sounded believable enough.
"The main intention is for you to get Kenny the best prosthesis you can get him," he continued. "The trip to Sydney, plus some left-over cash for whatever else you and Ari may need right now, are just little add-ons."
Sylvie remained motionless for long seconds before tears flowed down her face. "I don't think I heard you right."
"I think you did," he chuckled.
"But why? It's so generous," Sylvie whispered, shock etched on her face.
"Hey, why do some people win Lotto?" he replied lightly.
"Are you sure about this, Dylan?"
"One hundred percent."
"What if your friend changes his mind? He doesn't even know us," Sylvie worried.
"He won't. He already gave me the money for safekeeping. It's all yours, Ari's, and Kenny's now."
"Oh my God," Sylvie cried, her shock transforming to excitement. "Does Ari know? She would be so excited."
"She doesn't know yet. You're going to Sydney as a surprise, remember? You can tell her all about it when you're there. But my friend has one stipulation, Sylvie."
"What's that?"
"He is strongly against anyone knowing about his charitable act. It might create jealousy and envy among his circle, you see. Some would question why he chose you, and not others. Since Ari knows me, and she knows that friend, it's best that you don't mention to Ari that I'm involved with this—just so you can protect the identity of my friend."
Sylvie frowned. "Okay, I get that. But Ari is discreet. She won't tell anyone. And I'm sure she would love to thank you and your friend for this."
"I'm sure Ari could be trusted not to tell anyone. But this is what my friend wants. That is his stipulation. In gratitude to him, that's all he asks of you. Keep this to yourself."
"Okay, I understand. But what do I tell Ari?"
He shrugged. "Can you tell her you won Lotto? Unfortunately, it's not first prize."
Sylvie laughed. "Yes. I guess I can tell her that. But how much exactly have I won? She'll want to know."
Dylan gave her an amount that would be enough to cover Kenny's needs for the time being, plus a little bit more to ease the cash flow for her and Ari. He didn't want to appear over the top, in case Sylvie thought it too generous and refused it. He'd just have to watch over them and concoct a new story when they required some top-up funds.
Sylvie slumped on the sofa, silently sobbing with...gratitude? Surprise? Relief? Disbelief? He couldn't tell.
"That's good," Sylvie hiccupped. "I can give Ari back the money she'd saved to start up her business."
Dylan felt happy about that. It helped mask the ache in his chest.
*******
"Why didn't you tell Sylvie the truth, Dyl?" Jasmine asked as they left Sylvie's apartment. "I thought you wanted Ari to know how much you care about her, and to enlist Sylvie to show her how ridiculous it is to hang on to her 'gold digger' issues?"
He smiled despondently. "I just realised I'm not important enough in her life, Jaz. She hadn't mentioned me once to Sylvie."
"But she has feelings for you," Jasmine insisted.
"Not enough to want me in her life."
Jasmine stared at
him. "So, what now?"
He shrugged. "At least I know she and her family will be fine. Jaz, it's probably for the best that she doesn't know what I'm doing. This way, she wouldn't have the opportunity to decline my help."
"I don't think she'd decline if it's for Kenny."
"No, but she'd refuse it for herself if she knows it's from me."
"So you're not going to chase after her anymore?" Jasmine asked with surprise and consternation.
He felt his eyes sting and glanced away from Jasmine. Ari didn't want him. It would be better for her if he stayed away.
"No, Jaz. I'm not going to chase after her anymore."
CHAPTER NINETEEN
"Oh, this fits perfectly again, Ari. Thank you so much!"
"My pleasure, Linda," Ari said, running a critical eye over the dress she'd made for Dylan's mother to wear to Jasmine's wedding.
"By the way, I have a couple of phone numbers for you," Linda said. "I had a few women commenting on the dress I wore to Faye's wedding. I told them it was custom-made and two of my friends want to talk to you. They have events coming up."
"Oh, thank you, Linda. I really appreciate that."
"Don't mention it. You're very talented. You make beautiful clothes. You should set up your own shop one day."
Ari blushed as she graciously accepted Linda's praise.
"Well, I'll be off now," she said to Linda. "I'll see you at Kane and Jaz's wedding in three weeks."
"Please, stay for dinner, Ari. Jasmine and Kane are arriving soon."
"Um." She should decline. She didn't want to bump into Dylan, in case he was going to be there tonight.
"Thank you. I'd love to stay," she answered.
Shit. The part of her that missed him like crazy had managed to speak first.
"Great. I have to start preparing dinner. Feel free to watch some TV or something while we wait for the others."
"Can I help in the kitchen?"
"Sure, if you want to."
"Who else is coming tonight?" she asked casually.
"Just Kane, Jasmine and Dylan. It will feel strange not having all of my kids here tonight, but the twins can't make it and, of course, Faye and Ray are on their honeymoon."
Secret Designs Page 13