Someone Competent

Chapter 5: Spring Collection

After Cruella's lovely interference, the Baroness' patience has become nonexistent. She'll snap at anyone who breathes in her direction. She even lashed out at you for fidgeting with your sleeve on the ride back to Hellman Hall.

The Baroness instructed all of her designers to gather on the work floor. You moved her design board before she descended the stairs. She rests her glasses on the bridge of her nose to scan a newspaper.

The Baroness' heels click across the tile floor. "We have no signature piece." she starts, disappointed. "And this Cruella person is everywhere.". She folds the newspaper in half and uses her hands to gesture exasperatedly. She flings it toward you. You quickly bend your knees to pick up the discarded newspaper. She glances at you, regretting throwing the paper.

"I want ideas. Estella, what've you got?". She pulls her eyes from your face. She holds out her left hand and places her right on her hip. The woman with the unkempt red hair looks up from her drawing pad. She walks to the Baroness and awkwardly angles the pad to fit in her hand. The Baroness snatches the book and flips through the pages.

Estella hesitates for a moment before making a statement. "You seem upset."

The Baroness begins to explain. "My dogs are missing, my necklace has been stolen, and this Cruella creature is...". She clears her throat to avoid finishing her sentence. "This show has to be the best.".

"Can I get you some cucumber? Thinly sliced." Estella asks. The Baroness flips all of the pages back, irritated by Estella. She glares at Estella disapprovingly. She yanks her glasses off her face. "Go," she speaks bluntly. "And get your dried-up, desiccated little brain working.". Estella thanks her in an attempt to provoke the Baroness further. She scowls at her. Estella goes back to her workstation.

The Baroness sighs and turns away from the corkboard. "Get to work, all of you. Y/N, come with me.".

In the design room, the Baroness is leaning against the window that overlooks the work floor. She watches her employees leave for their lunch break. She hums to herself and reveals her secret cameras.

She delicately places her glasses on her face and surveys the alleyway that her cameras monitor. Estella is sitting by herself, eating an apple, and designing a dress. The Baroness smirks to herself before calling for John. When he comes into the room, she points to Estella on the screen. "Bring her to me.".

You brush past John as you enter the design room, and he exits. The Baroness' sweet perfume fills the air. You inhale deeply before closing the doors behind you. The Baroness is standing behind her desk, drumming her fingers against the back of her chair.

"Ah, Y/N. There you are. Take a seat.". She motions to the plush chair in front of her. You hesitantly step forward. The only time the Baroness tells someone to sit down is when she wants to intimidate them. You would normally find it cute, but not when you're the one she's threatening.

She hesitates before speaking, opening and closing her mouth multiple times like a gaping fish.

"I'd like to...apologise for how poorly I have been treating you.".

Now you're the one with a mouth gaping like a fish. Your eyes are as wide as saucers. The Baroness apologizing? To you?

You've been stunned into silence. You don't even acknowledge the Baroness' attempt at an apology until her eyes narrow. You quickly pick your jaw off the floor and dismiss the Baroness' apology.

The quietness of the room becomes awkward. You're looking everywhere except at the Baroness, avoiding eye contact.

Luckily John and a few other guards drag Estella into the room, breaking the tension. Estella fights against their grips before they let her free. John takes Estella's design pad and drops it on the Baroness' desk right in front of you.