BEFORE

CHAPTER 1

THEN

“I am expecting all your second drafts of your portfolios by the end of this week. I am a bit disappointed. Some of you have not consulted after I specifically left critical comments on your first drafts. I don’t know how you will make corrections if you don’t come to me. But I guess you don’t need my help. Class dismissed.” Everyone stands up and leave while I remain seated on my chair. “Miss Craig.” Fuck. And here I was trying to remain invisible.

“Yes professor.” I stand up and walk towards him.

“I am concerned about you. I saw your first draft. Your designs were impeccable and a true work of art. You have a unique potential which is very different from what your classmates have. I am also impressed on your methods of tackling fabric manipulation. I am worried though. I wrote you an email, wanting to consult but you never got back to me. Two of your designs were too complicated for me to understand. That’s why I wanted us to meet up.  I need you to explain some things to Me.” Sighing, I glance at my watch. It looks like I have 45 minutes to spare which I had allocated to catching up on some of the work on menswear pattern making. I know I have to meet up with a tutor in 20 minutes, so I guess I can sit down with the professor.

“I am available now. We can talk.”

He smiles and gestures that I sit on the chair next to his desk. The next 30 minutes are spent with him literally tutoring me and me asking some important questions. At the end of our session, I am pleased that I know more and I can’t wait to implement the methods he has taught me. I do a rain check on my tutor as I rush back to my room.

Both my parents are deceased, so my studies are funded by Monalisa. Most students here at Design Academy of Fashion are funded by retailers and have an opportunity for a paid internship after graduation. I am doing my final year in the Diploma of fashion and I am glad that my bursary haven’t pulled out and they covered my first year tuition.

“We are going out tonight. I heard that it is happening at Jades. There are going to be real money spenders. All we have to do is get there, spend a hundred bucks on a single cocktail and the rest will follow.” My roommate bombards me with news before I have even put my bag down. I huff.

“I have some work to catch up on with FBY (Fashion Buying Principles) so maybe another time.”

Halley scoffs. “No. not another time. We are going out tonight. Do you know how many rich people are going to be there? You need the money, Fiona. You will be moving overseas soon and you know your bursary isn’t going to cover your living or traveling costs. A girl has got to fend for herself. I am trying here. Meet me halfway.” I roll my eyes and she smiles widely because she knows I have carved in.

…

Dressed in mini dresses, we slide onto a cab that gets us to Jade Champagne Bar in no time. Haley flirts her way out of paying as she promises the driver a night of his life later on. The stupid man is drooling, he doesn’t even realize that my manipulative friend has given him a wrong number. Stepping inside Jades, we strut to the bar and order an affordable bottle of champagne.

“How are you going to get us to the VIP?” I ask and Haley rolls her eyes at my ignorance.

“You know the drill. What’s wrong with you today? Did you fall and hit your head?” I turn my eyes to the flute I am carrying. I take a light sip and I am a bit startled by my friend’s mini squeal. “They are here. But don’t look. They are doing that thing of scanning the crowd and just testing how they are being received.” I know she is talking about the high rollers, or big spenders according to her. Shutting the champagne bottle with the cork, I stand and head to the dance floor with my flute in my hand.

As the song beams through the speakers, I move my none-existent curves from side to side, just enjoying myself and hoping a bit that one of the high spenders will notice me but I am not being obvious with that. Some guy dances his way to me with a smirk. God, you can just see that this one is a struggling student who lives off with a bursary.

“A dance with the beautiful lady.” At least his voice is not bad but his cologne is the worst. It’s nauseating and makes me wanna puke everything I have eating since the sun rose today.

“Not interested. Move along.” I dismiss him politely and I see his confident mask slipping off. Looks like someone is not used to rejection.

“Just a dance. It’s not like I am going to fuck you at the end of the night or something.”

I chortle and shake my head. “That’s good to know. Now can I please dance in peace? There are a few dozen women in this dance floor. Pick one and go with the flow.” My feet lead me to the other end of the dance floor which is close to the staircase that leads to the VIP section. When the song finally ends, I look up and start walking to the bar. Getting there, I am shocked that our bottle is no longer where it was.

“Sorry for the confusion, Fiona.” The bartender quickly speaks before I can say anything. “You guys have been upgraded to VIP table number 3. Your friend is already there waiting for you.”

Why am I not surprised? “Well, thanks, I guess.” Haley doesn’t have time to waste shame. I catwalk to the VIP section and spot my friend seated with three guys. They are all chatting like old friends and I catch Haley brushing one of their laps as he makes a joke about something before they all break into laughter.

“Five is a crowd, don’t you think? How about we have our own fun and leave them alone?” a voice drawls from behind me. I frown and turn around. My God. I wish I hadn’t done that.

Standing before me is a beautiful, hear me out, not handsome but beautiful man who is wearing a navy short sleeved t-shirt with cargo pants and combat boots. There is a single silver chain around his neck. He is giving me serious Jason Statham vibes except he is not bald and way taller than him. He has nice black shiny hair which is styled with the latest haircut. I have no choice but to decline his offer because I don’t think I can say no to anything this guy is going to ask me to do once I have agreed to a dance with him.

“I will take my chances.” I respond, making my way to the table and I hear his chuckle behind me.

“Fee.” Haley smiles when she sees me. I settle on the single seater couch. I didn’t even realize there is so much booze in the table. Taking the bottle that we ordered when we got here, I empty it on my flute and then take a sip just to get a grip on my feels.

“I am Fiona. Sorry for being rude.” I mutter an apology to the gentlemen who don’t seem one bit offended.

“We don’t mind. I am Barren by the way and these are my friends, Allen and Thato but we call him Tats.” The guy who is sitting so close to Haley speaks up. I know that any minute from now they are going to disappear to the restroom just to shag one another because I sense too much sexual chemistry between them.

“Nice to meet you all.” I know I have to memorize their names only for tonight because they won’t be relevant tomorrow morning.

“And that bouncer looking dude you met is Wesley.” Barren continues.

“Just because some of us chooses to work hard on staying fit doesn’t mean we wanna end up looking like bouncers.” The guy responds as he settles on the armchair of the couch I am sitting in. he winks at me. I guess I don’t have any chance of getting a grip of my feels. Not when his intoxicating cologne is clouding my judgment.

“I disagree. You just want to scare people off and I guess it worked with the young lady. If not, she would be dancing with you right now.” Tats chirps in and his friends laugh while Wesley chuckles.

“Have it your way then, Tats but I know this one is going to be mine from this day on. Right, my lady?” Wesley asks looking at me and I look away.

“Just admit it man, you’re scaring her.” Allen adds and his friends continue laughing.