Fashioned For Sin

Chapter 3

It's been three weeks since the whole thing started, the alarm blaring, yanking me out of sleep, and I smack it off, burying my face in the pillow.

I want five more minutes, but I know that’s not happening. Today’s packed, and I can’t afford to drag my feet.

Rolling out of bed, I walk across the cold floor and into the bathroom. The mirror isn’t kind this morning—dark circles, tangled hair; I look like I’ve been in a fight with the dinosaurs from Jurassic Park.

I splash some cold water on my face, brush my teeth, and pull my hair into a messy bun. I grab a pair of loose work trousers and a bustier leather lace top.

I'm not a whore, I just like my body and showing it off is great, it reminds me of how single I am.

While I eat breakfast, I scroll through emails. Leonardo’s name pops up, reminding me of his dumbass and how I have to put up with him until I succeed.

Working with him on this gala is pushing me to my limit, but if this partnership can save my studio, I’ve got no choice but to make it work.

I check the time and realize I’m cutting it close for my meeting with Karissa. She’s waiting for me at a café near NYU, where she’s in the middle of midterms and somehow still manages to offer her help.

When I get to the café, it’s packed with people since it's a very popular café, and the smell of coffee is heavy in the air. I spot Karissa in a corner, waving me over.

“Blair! Over here!” she calls, smiling like she hasn’t been cramming for days.

I grin and slide into the seat across from her. “Hey, girl. Surviving lifr?”

She sighs, rolling her eyes. “Barely. But forget that—how’s the gala planning going? Here, it's still warm” She says, handing me a coffee which she bought for me beforehand.

I groan, taking a sip of my coffee. “Don’t even get me started. Leonardo is...I don’t know, impossible. Everything I suggest, he just shoots down.”

Karissa raises an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at her lips. “Maybe he’s not as bad as you think. Or maybe...he’s just trying to get under your skin.”

“Trust me, he’s way too good at that,” I mutter, rolling my eyes.

She laughs. “Come on, Blair. Maybe there’s more to him than the ‘arrogant boss-man’ vibe. You two are working together, right? Maybe try to find some common ground.”

“Yeah, maybe. He just...ugh, he gets on my nerves,” I say, leaning back. But I know she’s got a point; fighting him on every little thing is exhausting.

We start bouncing around ideas for the gala, and Karissa’s creativity pulls me out of my frustration. After an hour, I feel a bit more hopeful.

Just as we’re wrapping up, the café door swings open, and in walks Leonardo. Great. I duck, but Karissa sees him first.

“Oh my god, Blair—he’s hot! Why didn’t you tell me?” she whispers, half-grinning.

“Not the point, Karissa,” I mutter, but he’s already spotted us and heads over.

“Blair, didn't plan on seeing you here” he says, nodding. His eyes shift to Karissa, and he raises an eyebrow. “And who’s your friend?”

I introduce them. “Leonardo, this is Karissa Bailey Moreau. Karissa, Leonardo.”

He gives her a polite nod and actually cracks a smile—something rare for him. “Nice to meet you, Karissa.”

She grins back. “Nice to meet you too. Blair’s been, uh, telling me about the gala.”