Listening to my boss chat my ear off about my behaviour at the last event wasn't really how I imagined my morning going. I woke up to my dog licking my face which honestly didn't start my day off too nicely.
Don't get me wrong, the little shit is the cutest thing on this earth but when it decided to lick my face it's the nastiest thing. I showered quickly and got dressed ready for work. The buzz around last months event literally just cooling down which made my job slightly easier.
As head of design I do a lot of work for the company that isn't seen but Jake my boss has decided that he wants me going to events to meet with people and make myself known in the industry. This I am incredibly thankful for.
But turns out it isn't such a good idea. Since some amateur designer thought they vocally spout some lies and random accusation about me. It was known that I don't come out to these events because honestly, I don't have the patience to deal with these idiots.
But she didn't know that I would show up that night. Safe to say I didn't take the comments well since she even had the audacity to make racial comments about my main model for the line. Say shit about me but talk absolute crap about my models or anyone who's working for me and I will willingly spill my drink all over her cheap dress.
That's exactly what I did. Didn't she deserve it as well?
"no, not a fucking chance Jake," I say slamming the door shut, I walked out of his office grabbing my bag already needing that lunch break. Unfortunately, I heard the faint sign of Jake walking up to my office.
"Selene, it's a business event I really need to go to this one you're making a speech" Jake decides to spill on me. I couldn't have spun my head around any faster than I did. Could he not have told me this earlier.
He winced at the look I was giving him. Good. Even though he is my boss I know I've got that effect on him. That's what happens when you practically helped build this company up to the standard it is at now.
"a speech? what the fuck do they want me to say I just design clothes for peat sake" I could tell Jake with annoyed with my voice. He rubbed his eyes before settling himself on my table.
This is a common scene with me and him. Nothing out of the ordinary. "you're a college dropout turned international designer this is what everyone wants to hear" yeah, of course, they want to hear how I failed at school. Yes, I get that I made it somewhere on my own but c'mon a speech.
Now I was the one rubbing my eyes, well not as rough since I have mascara on and I don't really want to be looking like a raccoon.
"fine, but I'm only doing this because I've got nothing planned tonight," I tell him checking through my emails quickly before I head out. I drain Jake's voice out as he begins to thank me.
Once I'm satisfied that my task for the day is done I start to exit my office. "see you after lunch jakey" I holler quickly linking my arms with Lucy as we make our way to the nearest sushi bar in the city.
Jake knows that I won't be coming back into the office until tomorrow. Only now did I realize that I need a new dress for tonight's event.
"I don't understand why you can't wear your own dresses," Lucy says holding the door open for me as we walk into the restaurant.
I hold up two fingers before following the waiter to our table. " because that's just obnoxious of me and plus I actually love other clothes from other designers" I shrug. I only ever wear my own dresses to promote. Either that or wear other designers dresses to events.
My love for fashion started years before I created my first line so I guess I never stopped.
"that makes sense, but if you're not gonna wear them at least give them to me," she says a mischievous smile on my face. I raise my eyebrow at her. "didn't you wear my dress the other night when you went on that hot date"
It was a question but I already knew the answer to it. She smiles down into the menu. The little whore is probably remembering the events of that night.
" If the dress is ruined I will castrate you"
"Alright ladies, what can I get for ya," the waiter says standing beside our table. He was young and cute looking and definitely new on the job. I only know that because I've been here quite a few times.
We tell him our order, eager for our food. Chinese takeaway is great but a real Chinese meal cooked from fresh by a Chinese chef that is known across London beats it.
Once our food was here we began to eat like the starving pigs that we are.
" I need your support tonight luce, can't you just ditch him tonight" I beg her once hearing that she's not coming but instead she is off to see her boyfriend up in Surrey. Fuck right off I can't do this shitty event alone.
"Sorry babe, you're a strong woman and plus jake is there you'll be fine" I swear she said the same thing before my last event and look what happened there.
From the look she was giving me she knew exactly what I was thinking I didn't need to spell it out for her. She takes a sip of her drink before focusing on me.
"Look, babe, that event was nothing compared to tonight. This one is full of elite businessmen and woman who envy your hard work and talent. These are your type of people and you will be just fine okay" her words were comforting but it didn't stop me from feeling anxious about tonight.
" I just can't help it, you know how anxious events get me" she nods her head in understanding. I wanted nothing more than to have her there tonight but I wasn't going to get in the way of her relationship. Shes finally found a man that she likes and I'm happy for her.
We ended spending a whole two hours in the restaurant. Lucy went back to the office whilst I caught a ride back to the city.
"Thanks, Ben, I'll call you when I'm done," I tell the driver as I step out of the car. I swear if I don't find a good dress today I'm going to be pissed. I ended up going from one shop to another not finding a dress that meets my liking.
I stop for a coffee maybe caffeine will give a boost of confidence. Scrolling through Instagram I found this post from another designer. She was in the middle of creating her line too. I like the picture and commented.
New Project? I'm already in love
It wasn't long before I got an instant reply.
Wanna check it out?
I smiled into my phone and I instantly had a message come through. She had sent me an address with a wink face. With that in mind, I finished my coffee and headed out. Ben was here in 5 minutes. He had a frown on his face when he realised I had no shopping.
" don't give up on me yet benny, take me to this address will you?" I ask him shoving my phone into his face. He purses his lips slightly probably figuring out where this address actually is.
"sure," he says already pulling out onto the main road. Ben is honestly the best driver you could have. His father worked for my uncle and now ben works for me ever since I moved out to London that is.
Ben and I have a unique working relationship. I use ben for work-related journeys but for my own leisure and weekends, I drive myself. I made the mistake of forcing ben down to Coventry to take me to my parent's house.
My parents weren't too happy and sent ben on his way with some food of course and money for fuel. I remember seeing the disapproving look they sent me.
Once arriving I told him to head home. Once I entered the building amy met with me. She had jeans on with a simple vest top and she looked exhausted.
" well you look like shit" I comment walking further and wrapping my arms around her. She laughs into my shoulder.
" I haven't been home in three days selly cut me some slack" she whacked me on the arm. I loved this girl. We worked on a collab about a year ago and have been good friends since.
" heard that you've been around the city looking for a dress," she says pulling me towards another room. Her building looked similar to mine but she had fewer people working here so she didn't need all the space.
"how did you know, what it that obvious" I laugh wondering what's being said about me now. Fashion designer shopping for a dress, what a weird concept.
She practically drags me into a room smiling. I was too busy watching my steps that when I lifted my head I was in awe. The room was transformed into a woman's dreams. There were mannequins covered in beautiful gowns from simple to complex. Pretty to sexy.