Solicitude

Chapter One

"Have you forgotten about the charity auction tonight? Kathleen, you must be there, other business rivals will question yor absence. It will be your first since you're the new CEO. You can't ignore the ball." Why did my P.A. not remind me of this! I'm so busy in selecting the models for the winter issue that the event for tomorrow slipped out of my mind. My father is surely disappointed.

"I have canceled my meetings and conferences for tomorrow night, dad. I can make it." I hope a simple lie will ease his bad temper. Our company is not having any good reports this month, my dad and his committee have been stressing about it for the whole week.

"Canceled? I already told your P.A. to cancel them for you. Christ! Kathleen. Let me remind you, you're not a senior manager anymore, snap out of it! You better make an appearance tomorrow." Before my dad bursts his anger in the conference room, I already left. I hate it when he's in his 'work mode' whenever he's talking to me. He sure doesn't treat me like his daughter whenever he's in the office.

I hate charity auctions. Why do I have to go to the stupid ball? I don't even have a gown for that one. "Amanda, I expect you to inform me any big events at least a week ahead. Cancel all my meetings for today. Tell Austin that I'll be down in five minutes." I rushed back to my office and finished all the pending works that I needed to comply. I grabbed my purse and headed out of the office.

"To the Designer Loft, Austin." When I sat down on the car, I opened my phone and saw seven missed calls and eleven messages from Christina, my best friend. Then I realized, I totally forgot about our breakfast today so I gave her a call.

"Thank you for ditching me this morning, bitch!" She yelled.

"Well, hello to you too, Christina. My apologies." I haven't seen Christina in the past two months. As soon as I got elected as CEO, my life focused on work. Personally, I wanted to be a lawyer but my mother wanted me as a model for our company. She said that I am always perfect for it so I did join the company but instead of modeling, I took part in management.

"Why so formal, Ms. Bellisima?" Now, she's teasing me. I don't like it when the people close to me call me by my professional name. It's just a little bit weird.

"I'm gonna make it up to you. Meet me in the designer loft, I'm buying a gown." I am kind of hoping that she declines. Having her makes me get less of the job done but at the same time, I want her company.

"Would you believe that! The CEO of the top modeling company is asking me to help her pick a gown. Well, it's my pleasure!" I hung up.

I opened my tablet and reviewed some of the reports on our agency. Honestly, 7% decrease in this month's profits did not even hurt the company. As usual, my dad is too worried. He is trying to take it too far. Our company is stable independently but he wants a partnership with a publishing company. That way, we take care of the models. The publishing does the magazines. Personally, I disagree with it but if the management agrees with it, I'll be dealing with the contract signing. Great! right?

After a few minutes, we arrived at the loft. Luckily, there are only about two customers inside. I really don't need any attention right now. I hate it when I come across a newspaper tabloid with my face in it. Publicity is one thing that discourages me from being a model or an actress like my mother.

"What brings the most beautiful woman in New York City to my store today?" Asked a woman that looks like the owner. Before I could answer it, I heard someone speak,

"She needs the most beautiful evening gown for tomorrow night and I'm here to help her!" Sometimes I wonder if Christina is my age. We both went to high school and college together and she never grew up. The same freshman giggly and loud Christina I know. I turned around and gave her an embrace. I really did miss her presence.