The Test of Time

99 ~ May

"Savannah!" Eric's whiny voice hits me as soon as I step out of the elevator, "Where the hell have you been?" He snaps.

Where have I been? Attempting to find some clothes that look vaguely acceptable to wear to work, endeavoring to shower in a tiny, mouldy cubicle, and then trying to wrestle over to work from the other side of the city.

"Not now Eric!" I retort, keeping my head down as I walk towards my office, him following close behind.

"You're late."

"I don't care." I mutter, striding into my office and dropping my phone onto the desk.

"What kind of an attitude is that?" Eric scoffs as I sit down, "And what are you wearing?"

"The kind of attitude you have when your apartment burns down with everything you own." I retort, watching as his eyes widen.

"W-well, I am sorry to hear that."

"Sav!" Lucy flies into the office, blonde curls bouncing on top of her head as she spots me, "Are you okay?" She exclaims, "I saw your apartment block on the news! Is Brett okay?"

"Brett?" Eric repeats, nose wrinkling in confusion. Ah, that's right. There's no way Savannah would ever have a boy at her house.

"Yes, he's fine. Thanks Lucy." I smile at her and she visibly relaxes, shooting me a grin.

"Let me know if there's anything I can do!" She smiles and I nod.

"Brett Winters?" Eric mutters as Lucy leaves, "That was your apartment?" He exclaims, realization setting in as his eyebrows shoot up.

"Yes Eric." I confirm, grabbing hold of my mail.

"Why was Brett Winters with you?"

"Eric I need to..."

"Why?" He cuts me off and I grimace, slamming the paper back down onto the desk.

"Because I'm in a relationship with him." I snap, the expression on his face making me fear that he is about to faint in the middle of my office.

"You're what?" He exclaims, "This is fantastic!"

"No it isn't."

"It is!" Eric claps his hands, "This is big for us, an in with the Winters family!" He begins to pace the length of my office as I sit back, lips pursed. I really cannot deal with this today. "We must get you in front of a camera."

"No."

"What?"

"No." I repeat, looking back up at him, "Can I do my job now?"

"Savannah, darling!" Eric says, clapping his hands once more as he stops in front of me, "Tommy will be so happy to hear about Brett."

"What?" I snap, sitting back in my chair and looking up at him. What the hell kind of comment is that? Why do I give a shit about Tommy Ross?

"Do you think we can get him in here?" Eric asks, eyes blazing with excitement.

"We make women's clothes." I reply bluntly, crossing my arms. There is absolutely no point Brett being here apart from the fact that they want publicity.

"So? Publish a few pictures of him and women will be clambering to wear our designs." Eric smirks.

"No." I shake my head.

"Why not?"

"He doesn't want to be in the public eye." I say, looking down at the letter I've finally managed to open and scanning the words, something to do with the templates I provided last week not being sophisticated enough. For fuck sake!