Brooklyn

Chapter Eight - Arielle

The next morning Arielle got up and showered quite early. She went to work, leaving Zac sleeping on the couch with a note reminding him that she was in work until one. She worked with three customers (one new customer) and for the first time in a long time, she had a genuine smile on her face and her heart felt so much lighter. She wondered whether it was the letter from Jaxon that brought reassurance and love, whether it was Zac who was safe in person or whether it was the knowledge that her ambitions were finally taking off. Maybe it was all three. She didn't know but it was nice to not feel stressed out and scared for once.

At one on the dot, Arielle clocked off and left the store. Zac met her outside of the store and they went for a coffee and pastry. Once that was finished with, they hurried back to the apartment so she could change. This time, she wore a design she had made herself. A blue knee-length dress with a white hem of clouds. This too had pockets so she tucked Jaxon's letter into a pocket and wore her charm bracelet for extra luck. In a shoulder bag, she put in all her essentials and carried her sketching pad.

"Are you nervous?" Zac asked once she had finished calling a cab.

"A bit." Zac followed her out of the apartment and outside to wait for the cab. She was shivering a bit so he rubbed her arms, trying to keep her warm with the friction. She smiled gratefully, because even though the friction didn't do much, it was heart warming to have him be so caring and to be there for her when Jaxon couldn't be.

"What's this about exactly?" He asked.

"Well the deal is done but there's some paperwork I need to sign off and we need to talk about the store exactly."

"It'll go great," He said this just as the cab pulled up. "Good luck." He kissed her cheek which took Arielle very much by surprise. She was still stunned as she got into the back of the cab and drove off to the restaurant.

Arielle did not have much time to dwell on Zac because she was kept busy the second she was led to the reserved table where Marianne sat. They ordered a bottle of a posh white wine and business started. Marianne and Arielle debated names, talked about using brands as well as own designs and even looking at bridal designs. Marianne did not write it down, she had a girl with her who looked no older than eighteen years old writing it all down on a notepad. Arielle felt slightly put out by this but the girl never looked up and was always scribbling furiously.

Arielle had a salad with Marianne (the girl refused but was asked) as the conversation came over to where this store would be based. They didn't have dessert but they did have coffee once the wine was finished with. At this point, Marianne asked the girl to go over everything they had discussed. She pointed out each point and Marianne nodded vaguely at each one.

"Is there anything else you would like to add?"

"No. Thank you." They both stood up and shook hands.

"I'll send the contract through your e-mail. Just sign it and send it back if you agree with it. If I've missed anything or want to change anything, just call me on this number," She took out a card with her details from her handbag. "And I'll get my lawyer to change it. Good day, Miss Cole."

"Goodbye." Arielle nodded. Marianne left with her girl and Arielle called a cab on her cell. She thought about the meeting on the way back home. Marianne wanted them to start the store in Brooklyn but not so near to Manhattan. There was a lot of competition in Manhattan and they wanted to be large but in a small area. This would require moving house. Marianne was willing to help with housing, land for the store and everything but for one compromise. That Arielle allowed for some of Marianne's clothes to be promoted as well as Arielle's. Arielle agreed, it was the least she could do for so much kindness. Once Brooklyn's store took off, they would consider expanding to other states and choosing maybe one state store for a Head Department.