04

And there it is. The doe-eyed look I was expecting. I sit forward, crossing my hands over my knees.

« Am I right ? »

« No, he-he didn’t dump me. »

« Oh, he didn’t ? »

« No, he was upset but we’re still together. »

Oh, I don’t even have the patience for this. I roll my eyes, pursing my lips contemplatively.

« Alright, look… I could honestly give two shits about whether or not you leave him. But what you did puts me in a difficult predicament, you see ? I was looking to make you Vice President of my company- that opportunity is gone, Gwyneth. »

She stares and I watch her eye twitch. « I’ve worked for you for-« 

« Five years, known me for six and I’ve trusted you with everything. And now you’ve broken that trust… I’m demoting you, Gwyneth. »

She stands in a rush. « What ? »

« Did you honestly think I was going to just let this go ? Considering also the fact that you’re slacking ? » I pick up the floral dress that Oli had dropped off to my office high in the air. « This stitch work is appalling. »

She grabs it from my hands, turning it inside out with her fingers. « This was one mistake ! »

« Well, you’ve technically made two. One’s a little more significant than the other but nevertheless Gwyneth, I do not want to just throw you out- although that’s probably what I should do. You will still be in the design department but Oli will take your place as Key Designer. »

« No, Iris. You can’t do this ! »

« I already have, » I murmur, standing. « See Viktor after this for the contract. Of course, you have the choice to leave if you’d like. It’s your choice. »

« I made a mistake, Iris ! I’m your best friend. We love each other. »

I turn at the door, pointing at her. « No, I loved you before ! Now, you’re nothing but a homewrecking liar who somehow managed to sleep her way to the bottom. »

I open the door with an angry pull and Viktor looks up from the ground, his back against the wall. He’s already got the contract in hand. I look at him and then to my employees, hoping they understand that I didn’t get to where I am being nice- by letting people trample over me.

I nod at Viktor, giving him the signal to go in before I make my exit.

« Well, you definitely pissed her off, » Viktor murmurs, chuckling as he struts into my office. « She quit, turned down the offer. »

I look up from the burgundy satin, a pin between my lips. « Yeah, I expected that. I got a little carried away. »

« Just a bit… Slept her way to the bottom. That was a nice one, I have to say. »

I roll my eyes, sticking the pin between the folded skirts.

« The office is scared of you now too. »

« As they should be, » I murmur, standing up in nude stilettos. « This show has to be perfect. »

« It will be, babe. Everything is ready- and you have me in it now. I got my measurements while you were in the meeting. »

« Your excitement for this has me nervous. »

« I’m not going anywhere, well- for now. I just hope I don’t trip. »

« You’re beautiful, Vik. I don’t think people would even care- well, apart from me. I’d kill you. »

« You love me too much. »

I smile wide, sighing. « It’s been such an eventful couple of days. »

« I know. Kicking your beau out, firing your right hand, pinning for a hot, homeless guy… Busy couple of days. »

« Alright, first thing wrong with that sentence is you’re my right hand. » He smiles, obviously pleased. « And secondly, I’m not pinning for Stellan. »

« Oh yeah ? Then why are you going there again today ? »

I freeze. « Who told you that ? »

« Eric. »

Making a silent memo to kill him.

« … I’m going to just make sure he’s okay. I don’t know why but I feel bad for him. »

« Yeah, he’s homeless. It’s sad but what are you expecting to do ? Feed him ? Get him a hotel room ? »

« I don’t know. I just know I want to maybe find out his story- help him if I can. Not just anyone would stand up for someone they don’t know. »

« … Alright, well let me know if he’s gay. »

I chuckle, gasping. « Jesus, Viktor. »

…

I pull down on my black dress as I exit the limo, nervous as I cross the sidewalk towards the laundry mat. Stellan is not at the bench, nor nowhere in site. I deflate in disappointment, placing my hands on my hips.

Dammit.

Maybe he moved somewhere else ? I turn to look at Eric, who’s exiting the SUV when I suddenly see him. I smile wide, finding Stellan across the street, helping a man unload crated vegetables for the corner market.

I lift my hand to block the sunlight from my eyes, surprised at the build of his torso. I hadn’t seen it before with the large jacket… He’s only in a t-shirt and jeans and I’m stuck staring. He looks up from one of the crates, freezing when his eyes meet mine.