C8 Eight

Nicole Vargas

I was so stressed and frustrated. Today I was going to meet a designer and I didn't have a single piece of clothing to wear. I groaned internally and stomped out of my room. For some reason, I was very moody since yesterday.

Now I know that Ethan is definitely dating Veronika Morozov. She called him yesterday and his angry mood immediately changed. From afar I could hear them talking. He sounded so happy, peaceful, and nice. A side he will never show me.

I walked into the kitchen and Ethan was having breakfast. He looked up from his laptop and mumbled a good morning. I ignored it and sat down next to him. "I don't have anything to wear. How am I going to meet the designer?"

"What do you mean, you don't have anything to wear? You brought clothes didn't you?" He asked, looking up from behind his laptop.

"Yes, I did. But I brought the wrong suitcase. The one I brought only has last season clothes." I let out a deep sigh and rested my head on my hand.

"It doesn't matter what season clothes you wear. Important part is that you need to be presentable," he said focusing back on his laptop.

"It matters! What the hell! I can't meet a designer wearing last season clothes. That's so unfashionable." I scrunched up my nose at the thought of wearing last season clothes. "I rarely wear last season clothes. And by rarely I mean never!"

Ethan just ignored me and continued with his work. This is what annoys me. When people ignore me. I hate it! "Don't ignore me! Do something!"

"What the hell should I do? You have so many clothes, don't throw a tantrum about clothes!" He closed his laptop and angrily walked out of the kitchen. "If you're not finished in thirty minutes, I'll just leave you and you can forget that you'll ever be a fashion designer!"

"What!" I yelled out. Thirty minutes? Who does he think I am? The Flash? I can never get ready in thirty minutes. He's the boyfriend of the Russian model, Veronika, he should have known. It takes at least two hours to get ready. "That's not enough time! You should know since you're dating Veronika."

He turned around and glared at me. "Veronika is nothing like you!" he snapped. "She's mature. She can cook without burning the kitchen down and there are more important things in her life than clothes. You, on the other hand, I cannot say the same!"

I angrily stomped out of the kitchen. "Why do you need to insult me like that?!" I was so mad. Furious. No one ever insulted me like that. I ran back upstairs to my room.

I entered my room and closed the door with a loud bang. I was so mad. This is not good. It's not good for my skin. I calmed my breathing and tried to meditate to calm my soul down. I need to be calm. Stress can make you age faster.

When I finally calmed down, I went through my clothes to see if there was something to wear that wasn't really out of the season yet. I decided to go for a pair of denim jeans, a white shirt, and a blazer that should save the outfit. Denim never gets old, a white shirt is always a go-to. I always have a white shirt in my bag, because most of the time it can save an outfit. The blazer, on the other hand, I wore it twice last year. I never wear my clothes more than two times. But this is an emergency situation.

I applied a minimum of makeup and curled my hair. I slipped into a pair of five-inch stilettos, grabbed my bag and made my way downstairs.

Ethan was already waiting at the door, impatiently tapping with his shoe on the white tiled floor. "You're five minutes late!" He hissed and opened the door so I could pass.

I just rolled my eyes. "It's called fashionably late Ethan."

I stepped in the car and Ethan sat next to me. This time we didn't have a driver. "Who's going to dri---," I stopped halfway because Ethan took a seat behind the steering wheel. "Oh."

"I drive the Bentley and the Lamborghini, I only have a driver for the Rolls Royce. That's the car I use when I need to transport my visitors," he said when he saw the confused expression on my face.

"Oh." was all I could say.

Ethan turned on the engine and we drove away. "You'll get a car too. I don't want you to be dependent on me."

"Which one will I get?" I asked curiously.

"Probably a Porsche. I hope you know how to drive." he gave me a side glance and I just rolled my eyes. I may not know how to cook, but I know how to drive.

"I don't want a Porsche. I want a Jeep." I said, I don't like the Porsche. I'm just being honest. If he buys something for me, he better make sure I like it.

"It's not what you want, It's what you need," Ethan replied through gritted teeth.

"I need a Jeep."

Ethan let out an annoyed groan. "I'm so tired of your attitude. Can't you change it a slight bit?"

I huffed. "Why should I need to change my attitude for you? You're not that important."

"You're living in my house," he stated.

"Oh and? You suggested it to my father. I only came because this is the only way for me to see the world." I stared out the window and watch the skyscrapers pass. I don't think I'll ever get enough of New York.

"We're here," Ethan said curtly as he parked the car. "If you're done, give me a call."

I stepped out of the car and eyed the big glass building. I confidently walked inside and was greeted by a beautiful red-haired girl. "Good morning, you must be Miss Vargas. Mrs. Athena is waiting for you inside." She accompanied me to Mrs. Athena's office and knocked twice before opening the door. "Mrs Athena, Miss Vargas has arrived."

I entered the office and a woman with silver-gray hair and kind eyes greeted me. "Welcome Miss Vargas, please take a seat."

I took a seat in front of her desk. "Thank you for having me today Mrs. Athena."

"Oh it's a pleasure," she said. "Mr. Gray is a very good friend of mine and he told me that you are a very great and dedicated fashion designer."

"He did?" I asked surprised. I can't believe Ethan did that for me.

"Well yeah and seeing you here I'm pretty sure you'll be the next Versace or Tommy Hilfiger."

I laughed. "I hope so. That's the goal."

"Great! I love people who set high goals for themselves. It makes you work harder." Mrs. Athena opened her top drawer and placed a dossier on the table. "I'll help you to become well-known in New York. We will start here and if the sales here are successful we can expand to other countries."

My heart makes a joyful dance. "That's exactly what I want Mrs. Athena."

She smiled kindly at me. "Great! Do you have your sketches? Ideas on what you want to design?"

I pulled out my sketchbook out of my bag and showed it to her. "These are some sketches I made. I also wrote next to it what kind of color and texture I want it to be."

"Amazing!" She exclaimed. "In no time you'll have your own boutique here, Miss Vargas. Your sketches are wonderful. The only things we need are seamstresses and a place to open your new boutique."

My eyes widened. "Is it that easy?"

Mrs. Athena chuckled. "Of course not, You'll need the money and good advertisement. But don't worry, for now, I'll arrange that. Later you can pay me back. I know you will be very successful."

I was about to say something when there was a soft knock on the door. The door opened and Ethan entered the office.

What the hell was he doing here?

"Good morning Rose," He greeted Mrs. Athena and walked up to her to hug her. "How are you?"

"I'm doing very well, Ethan." She said. "I must say, your girlfriend here is very talented. She will become the next Tommy Hilfiger."

I cleared my throat. "I---uhmm I am not his girl---,"

Ethan interrupted me and smiled warmly at me. "I know, Rose. She's very talented. I'm blessed to have her in my life."

My eyes widened. What the hell?