No Time For Love

Chapter 1 - Prologue

My name is Vienne Chendler. I went to Parsons on a scholarship, graduated top of my class. And I am going to be fucking brilliant.

This is what I said in my job interview. It got me into Mavimara, the top company in fashion since ten years ago. Twenty, if you count the years Rossalyn was in Lilien. The interviewer looked me in the eye, as if to see if I would look away. When I didn't, he laughed and told me I was hired. That I was one in seven hundred applicants. Five years from then, I was the most famous designer in New York, and Mavimara's sales had doubled.

Another ten years later, I'm thirty-eight and sitting in my studio-slash-office, glaring down at my sketch of a Queen Anne dress. It's beautiful. Also bland and boring. I've been ridiculously unproductive lately. I can't seem to focus on anything at all. I don't think i've been this unable to work in years.

"Vi?"

I look up and find that Alex is standing in front of my desk. I raise an eyebrow at him. He sighs.

"As I said a second ago," He says, raising his own pierced eyebrow. I roll my eyes at him. He should have known better than to tell me something while I'm concentrating.

"Renate wants that sketch completed and on her desk 'till monday."

"Then tell her it's not possible." I answer, even though I know Alex wouldn't have come to me before telling Renate just that. He doesn't say anything, his silence telling those exact words.

I sigh, relenting. "I'll go see her."

He nods. I lower my head to re-start the staring match with the dress, signaling him to leave. He doesn't.

"What?" I say without looking up.

"You need to get out."

I put down my pencil, exasperated. I know what he's saying. He's been saying the same thing for years.

"I do get out of my studio - or house - despite what you seem to think, Alexander."

"Yes, Vienne, I didn't know that you go home." He matches my sarcasm.

"I do not think sex is a vital element in my life, as I have repeatedly told you,"

"Have you even tried?" His question isn't posed like one.

"Do you want me to list the names?"

"No, Vi, I do not mean those people you fucked to prove a point to their girlfriends. I'm asking you if you ever tried to enjoy it."

"Do I have to? And what does this have to do with anything?"

"It has to do with the fact that the state of your mind affects the sales, Vienne."

That's actually a valid reason.

"You're... right."

He glares at me. "You don't have to sound so surprised."

"I will find a way to finish this sketch until Monday, whether or not my methods involve sexual interaction."

I smirk at how Alex's expression contorts almost comically. He looks like he wants to yell at me.

"Now get out so I can concentrate."

Alex spins on his heel and does just that.