The Coincidence

Chapter 16 - The public TV confession

It was a pleasant evening actually. I got to talk to a lot of well known people in the industry and I learnt a lot. However, there was still some people chattering and pointing here and there but not as much as I thought. Also the golden question of the night! "How can a magnificent young lady like you is still single?" or "How lucky is Mr. Switzer to have such a wonderful lady by his side?!"  Thank god, I knew how to lead conversations to where I wanted it to go. Adam was no where to be seen, as he was obviously at the backstage or going around talking to people. Jessica and Martin we're enjoying themselves so much that I didn't want to be a third wheel. Once the show started I took a chair at the back. I love watching runways from the back. That way I could see who was talking to who, what do they think and no one would notice I was even there. And honestly, I really didn't want to be that much noticed tonight.

Truth to be said, as a professional and a woman, Adam knows how to do this. The shoes were breathtaking. They were so elegant and so simple. How couldn't I notice that brand before? As I was so focusing on the shoes I turned to my right where Jessica was sitting. "Wow, Jess. I bet your wedding shoes are like Cinderella's or something. I mean look at those pairs!"
"Thank you! It's an honor to hear that from you Miss. Dylan." That was not Jessica's voice.. I cleared my throat and looked in his direction, he was trying so hard not to laugh at my expression as I am sure my face was just so red. "You look cute when you're embarrassed." I hit him softly and Adam laughed quietly.
"What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be at the front?" I started trying to move him from the chair but he won't move.
"I traded chairs. So this is my chair." He explained.
 Jessica is a dead woman. I sighed.
"Well, you like the shoes but you don't like the one who made them?" He looked a little upset.
"No. No. It's not that!" I hurried to explain.
"So you like me?" He smiling at me with bright eyes. 
"Adam!"
"What?!" He was still having fun.
"Adam, it's your event! You have to be at the front not here. Please go, or else I will feel guilty for keeping you here if anything wrong happened." I was serious but soft. Man, why was he acting like a kid? He sighed.
"Alright. I will go." He stood up.
"Oh! And bring Jessica too back here." She was a dead dead woman. He looked at me for a moment.
"For her safety, I better not." He mocked and left. 

The show was over and Adam came by to introduce me to other people in the sector. Apparently, people here are not only into Adam's shoes but also our new collection. Danny would be so happy and proud to talk about it better than me if he was here. It was going good until that old guy came by. I even left without knowing his name.
"So, who is the beautiful young lady you have tonight?" He asked and Adam glanced at me before answering.
"This is Mandy Dylan, From The White Tulip and my-"
"A family friend." I smiled, while Adam didn't look happy about it. He stopped for a moment.
"If you will excuse us?" He excused us and he dragged me to get away.
"What are you doing?" He was kind of mad.
"What?" I was not sure what to say. Honestly, what was I doing? I mean I made a decision why am I still that scared to admit that I love him. It was that simple. His mouth's corner lifted a little and started looking everywhere but my eyes. He was mad.
"I thought- I thought I was clear earlier and I thought you were too." He was serious.
"I know. I know, but don't you think it's still early to tell people?" I was not convincing, I knew it.
"Why? Why is it early? Tell me one reason. One reason." He was waiting for an answer. I had none. I was scared but why? I let out a sigh. He did too as he knew what was going on in my mind. He pulled his hand over his hair and then on my shoulder.
"Mandy, I am willing to tell the whole world about us and I cannot see one reason not too. Yet, I am not sure we are on the same page. So, when you find the reason, or get out of that glass house of yours, find me." I was about to talk, to defend myself when my phone's screen showed a message from Emily:
"BIG NEWS! You are to have an interview with the top fashion show interviewer, Erica Ford!"

He saw me reading the message and dropped his hands of my shoulder. "I will tell my driver escort you home." He left without a chance that to say one more word. He looked lost, and heart broken. So did I and honestly, I don't know why I just did that. I looked at my phone again and hit reply.

"Email me the details." I replied. I might regret this later, but that was the only way I can make up for it. I called Danny.
"Hey, meet me at that coffee shop by my house?" I said right way as he picked up the phone.
"What's up, M? Emergency mochaccino that late?"
"You will know when you get there." I hung up.

"YOU WANT TO WHAT?!" Danny almost spilled his frappuccino. "Mandy George Edward, are you out of your mind?" I kept on drinking my ice mocha, not daring to look at him. He took my drink away so I could answer him. He was serious and worried. I looked at him for a brief moment before I give up and started looking around. He sighed and lost hope too. "You sure about that? On TV? Don't you think that's a little.." his voice started going squeaky.
"Crazy? The worst idea ever? How much of a normal life do I have anyway? At least this time I am the one who is making it crazy. Maybe it's a little more than crazy even." He eyed me and I changed my words " too crazy. However, I've risked my life for many times now, my career, my name. But I don't want to risk my friends. That's why I am telling you Danny. If you support me on this. Then I will do it, if not I will find another way." He leaned forward and rested his chin on his hand.
"Ummm.. and what other way do you have in mind?" He asked.
"I don't know yet but I will find one eventually." He shrugged and took my ice mocha back. He kept thinking for a while, then he slammed the table with his palm.
"Okay then! Let's go crazy! I am with you! You are my best friend and I would do anything for you."
"Really! Danny! You are the best!" I got up to hug him, but he stopped me and raised one finger in my face.

"One, you will have to do your job first out there." Then showed two fingers. "And two, you have to promise me that whatever happens, you will never regret doing this and you are not allowed to have second thoughts." I nod with a wide smile and he kept looking at me for a moment. "Seriously, you can hug me now, M!" I laughed and hugged him. Danny was always like my living teddy bear. Once again I am thankful for having him in my life.
"Thank you." I whispered and I knew he was smiling over my shoulder.

For god's sake enough of the make up already I feel like I have a face over mine. "All good, Miss. Dylan." The studio's make up artists beamed in my direction and I tried to not to suffocate on all the make I have on my face now. I work in fashion, true, but somehow I am not a model after all, so professional make up or thousands of dollars dresses are like something that's on my job description. I do it when I have to do it. On a normal day, I dress and do make up all by myself, as simple and practical as it could be. So, today it was on my job description. Although, I might not follow the rules of my job anymore. I remembered Danny's words and I knew that I couldn't cave after I came this far. I did a lot on my own and this one was like all the things I have accomplished so far. It was going to turn well, fingers crossed.

"Ladies and gentlemen, today we have a special guest. A rising star in the international world of fashion. From Manhattan, Miss. Mandy Dylan of The White Tulip Fashion House." The hostess introduced me and a round of applause burst from the guests. I smiled politely at her and the cameras.
"Thank you, Erica. It's a pleasure being here tonight." I smiled back at her and the audience.
"So! Going international! How impressive?! Tell us more about the behind the scenes." She asked.
"Oh, boy. It was really stressful. We faced many setbacks, many hardships. Yet, everything turned out better than we expected actually." I giggled, so did she.
"Speaking of stressful." She paused for a moment and looked at the screen that showed me and Adam next to each other on the stage of the runway. "How stressful was that?" Another round of laughs went on. "However, it was well-handled by Mr. Switzer. Could we consider that a public love confession?" The guests started oh-ing. I knew she was not going to follow the script anyhow. Unfortunate for her, I am not either. So the scandal is by me this time, Erica. Sorry. However, I am sure the rates will break the ceiling after this. All eyes on me now. That was my chance. That was my only chance to say sorry to Adam. That was my only chance to make things clear once and for all. I plucked my courage, took a deep breath and looked straight in the camera's direction. 

"Yes, Adam and I started dating for a short time now."