Christian's Yearning

CH07: ~ Ana discovered ~

~ Ana discovered ~

Once Ethan and Ana arrive in New York, they are ushered to a white sedan and escorted to Trump International's private apartments. There, Franco and Milo are discussing last minutes arrangements and changes with a team of people.

Franco is as flamboyant as Ana described him and instantly puts Ethan at ease. The apartment is fantastic, luxurious and leaves Ethan and Ana speechless. It is furnished eclectically and extravagantly with animal print rugs, and antiques; nothing matches, but nothing clashes either. Everything goes together as if someone considered the last detail and it has evolved through the years. The views are incredible; she sees the tree tops and the city skyscrapers just beyond. The sky is cloudless and baby blue with a few white streaks of white as if a toddler streaked it across a blue canvas.

To Ana, the apartment is the opposite of Christian's. Instead of white, minimalist, and modern, Franco and Milo's home is full of color and furnishings. There are live plants and a dog is resting comfortably in the middle of the room. Duke is the dog's name; a beautiful fluffy creamed colored poodle that probably has had a haircut more expensive that hers.

There is a home office which is full of people talking, arguing, and nosily moving about.

There Ethan meets Franco's nice Lisa Benetton. She must be in her mid-30s; she is beautiful and elegant, wears her blonde hair up in a bun, and has green soft eyes. She heads the advertisement department for the Benetton Company and has a friendly demeanor. Ethan, however, gets the feeling she must be a fierce business woman whom should not be crossed.

“Ana, dear, I am so happy that you made it!” Lisa and Ana greet each other as old friends – it is obvious they have a good rapport.

The apartment is full of life. In no time, Ana and Ethan are settled in the guest quarters where is quiet; after a while, they decide to walk around the city. The first thing that Ana notices is the noise of the city. New York is crowded, lively, busy and noisy, people move about going from one place to another. The next thing she notices is how everything is twice as much as it is back in Seattle.

For the show, Milo offered Ana one of his designs. Ana was going to refuse but she knew he would take offense, so, she accepted without much fuzz. It is a simple emerald and silver cocktail dress. The show itself is something Ethan and Ana will not forget. The show seems so organized and the girls so confident; Milo's styles are fresh and classic with a touch of the unexpected. The theme is black and white: all the clothes are either black or white or a combination of the two; all the models are also either black or white.

The next day, while they are having brunch; people keep interrupting to congratulate Milo, however, a few seem interested in Ana and they give her business cards.

"Congratulations Milo!"

A woman that looks like a California surfer girl approaches; she has straight long blond hair and big boobs. The woman has a tan that is too dark for her. She is impeccably dressed and very elegant; it is an odd combination.

"Thank you, Lana."

"Why on earth didn't you use her last night?" The woman, Lana, turns and introduces herself "Hi, I'm Lana from VNY." The woman gives Ana yet another business card.

"Ana Steele and this is Ethan Kavanagh my friend." Ana simply says, not knowing what the right thing to do is; she wants to divert some of the attention from herself - it is making her uncomfortable.

"Yes, yes, hello…" Lana answers not looking anywhere else but at Ana. "I don't know if you have signed, but come and see me anyway!" Then she says her goodbyes and leaves.