Secret Designs (6 page)

Ari stared at Penny as she digested her words. She couldn't quite believe what she was hearing. She and everyone else in the room would be made redundant and they'd be out of a job in two weeks.
Two weeks.

"Before the end of the day, you will all receive a letter detailing the redundancy packages that you will receive," Penny continued. "You are also offered the services of a career counsellor, should you want one."

Their CEO sighed and swept her gaze around the room, making eye contact with each one of them. "I'm sorry about all this. The next few weeks will be incredibly busy for me, so please let me take this opportunity to wish you all successful careers after Eros."

*******

Ari stared in dismay at the letter she had in her hand.

Four weeks worth of salary. That was all she would be getting.

As she hadn't been with Eros for one whole year, she was not entitled to any redundancy money. All she had was the two weeks leave she'd accumulated and the monetary equivalent of another two weeks, which admittedly was generous, as she didn't think she was eligible for that at all.

Her eyes moistened. By her calculations, her cash would only last a couple of months tops, with her current regular expenses and financial obligations.

She buried her face in her hands, the feeling of helplessness threatening to engulf her. Earlier that day, she'd taken an extended lunch break and spent two hours calling people non-stop. She rang her previous employers, industry contacts, and even cold-called other fashion houses to see if they had any job openings for designers. No luck, not even a promise of "We'll check." She also got in touch with a handful of recruitment agents, who advised that they didn't have a single job listed for a senior designer position. There were some roles at a more junior level, but she was told she wouldn't be considered for those, as she was much too qualified.

Just the week before, the story of one big couture house folding and another one on the brink of collapse had hit the news. Finding another job for someone at her level in this economic climate would be extremely difficult. While she had an enviable reputation in the industry, current conditions had companies consolidating, rather than expanding. Senior design jobs were few and far between.

She looked around her living room. Maybe she should move to a one-bedroom place, even a studio, to lower the cost of her rent. If she had to take a role that paid below what she was used to getting, she would need to make some sacrifices here and there. One thing that wasn't an option was to pull back on her financial support to her older sister Sylvie and her nephew Kenny.

The musical ringtone of her phone startled her.

"Hi, Jaz," she said, injecting some life in her voice.

"Hi, Ari. Are you busy tonight?"

"Um, not really. Why?"

"Do you want to have dinner with me somewhere near your place? Kane has a dinner meeting with a client tonight and I thought I'd drive there. We could start discussing my wedding dress or just hang out together."

"Okay, sure," she answered, not really feeling like socialising, but thinking it would do her good to talk to her friend.

"Great! See you soon!"

"See you, Jaz."

Ari hang up the phone dejectedly. Darn, she would need to ask Jasmine for some money up-front so she could buy the materials for her wedding dress. She didn't like the thought of that. She hated asking friends for money.

She took a shower while she waited for Jasmine, ruminating on her sudden change in fortune. At this point, she could only hope and pray she'd have a new job—any job—to move to as soon as she finished up with Eros. God knew she, Sylvie, and Kenny needed it.

*******

"Ah, Jaz..." Ari started nervously as she took Jasmine's measurements.

Jasmine looked at her worriedly. "I haven't put on a lot of weight, have I?"

She laughed. "Your measurements haven't changed, Jasmine. No, um, I wanted to ask you something."

"Sure," Jasmine answered with relief.

"I was wondering if you wouldn't mind putting in a deposit for your dress?" she asked in a small voice. "It's just that I have to order your materials straight away and —"

"Of course, Ari," Jasmine cried. "Please, please, please stop feeling guilty about asking people to pay you! Why do you feel like that?"

"Because you're my friend, that's why."

"So? Just because I am doesn't mean I can't be your customer."

"But I don't have a business yet."

"Are you going to be less of a professional in making my dress just because you're not in business yet?"

Ari gasped in horror. "Of course not, Jaz. I'll make damn sure you have a stunning wedding dress fit for someone as gorgeous as you!"

"Well, then, you have to charge me as if you were already in business."

Ari sighed with relief. The money would sure come in handy.

"So how much would you charge me for this dress?" Jasmine asked.

She told her.

Jasmine stared at her as if she'd lost her mind.

"If you think that's too much, we can negotiate," she said hurriedly.

"Oh, God, Ari. You're crazy! You'll never make it in business if you keep on thinking like that! I've had a look around to get ideas of designs I would like and the price you want for this is, like, a quarter or what other couturiers charge. I don't mind you treating me like a VIP, but Ari, I bet that's only what the materials cost."

"But, Jaz, you're my friend!"

"If you didn't know who I was and I was in your shop right now, how much would you quote me?"

She inhaled deeply and reluctantly quoted Jasmine a figure that a creation such as her wedding dress was worth.

Jasmine nodded delightedly. "I knew I was getting a dress that was special. I'm happy to pay that price. Actually, my parents insist on paying for it."

"Okay," she relented. "But I'm giving you a twenty percent discount because you're my friend and I love you."

Jasmine hugged her tight. "Thank you. I appreciate that. Now, how much deposit do you need? If you give me your bank account details, I'll ask my mum to transfer the money straight away."

Ari felt much lighter as they discussed the payment plan.

*******

Ari shook her head with fondness as Jasmine made phone calls to her sister Jessa and her mother. After hearing about her redundancy, Jasmine had jubilantly asked her to also design her bridesmaid dresses. Apparently, Jasmine had always wanted her to make them, but had been worried that she might be too busy to take them on. Since Ari was almost certain she wouldn't have a job lined up after Eros, she would have all the time in the world to work on Jasmine's orders.

"Now I have to convince Sam and Kris to come back here for a fitting. Or maybe we could go to Melbourne," Jasmine mused.

"Maybe we could Skype with them and they could take each other's measurements while I watch," Ari suggested, not liking the idea of flying to Melbourne. That would be shelling out money she might need for something else.

"Oh, that's not a bad idea! I'll ask the girls what they think about that," Jasmine responded. "My mum said she would also appreciate a new dress for her to wear on my wedding and she's considering getting you to make one. Maybe Kane's mum would want one too."

"Jaz!" she said laughingly. "Maybe you should be my marketing manager."

"I already am, honey," Jasmine said with a smug smile. "At least these orders should tide you over until you find yourself another job."

Ari couldn't help it. She just couldn't. They were in a busy restaurant and she just started sobbing. She was grateful for Jasmine's support, and at the same time overwhelmed by worry about the future—not hers, but her nephew's.

"Oh, geez, Ari. I'm sorry. I'm sure you'll find a new job very soon. How could you not?" Jasmine said worriedly, giving her a serviette and patting her gently on the back.

"I might not get another one for weeks, even months, unless I get a job stacking shelves at the supermarket," she joked tearfully.

"Don't be ridiculous. You've been in the fashion industry for years. Lots of people know you. I'm sure they'll be tripping all over themselves to hire you."

"I already made plenty of calls, Jaz. Nothing."

"Oh, Ari," Jasmine said with compassion. "Well, maybe this is an opportunity for you to start your own business."

She sniffed. "I'm afraid I don't have the capital for that, or a savings cushion if it doesn't take off. Plus, at this point in time, I need something secure. I haven't told you this but I'm financially supporting my sister and my nephew. They need me."

"I didn't know that. Tell me about them," Jasmine encouraged.

She sighed deeply. "A year and a half ago, my nephew Kenny was riding his bike downhill on a steep street. He lost control and hit a pile of bricks that were stacked in someone's driveway. The bricks toppled on him, fortunately not on his body but on his left leg. But unfortunately...they had to amputate that leg. He was only five years old then."

Jasmine gasped in horror.

"Sylvie is a single mother," she continued. "Her husband died three years ago from a heart attack and she was left with some debts. She was a stay-at-home mum when her husband died and was lucky enough to get a receptionist job even though she lacked experience. She was coping okay until Kenny's accident.

"Fortunately, I had enough savings then to help pay Kenny's large medical and rehabilitation bills. But they have ongoing needs that Sylvie simply can't afford with just her salary, so I help them out."

"Oh, Ari, I'm so sorry to hear that. How can I help?" Jasmine asked.

"You already are, Jaz," she said with a sincere smile. "You giving me business is helping me."

"And to think you didn't want to charge the right price for it," Jasmine admonished.

"Kenny isn't your responsibility, Jaz. And for the umpteenth time, you're my friend."

Jasmine rolled her eyes. "But we're got that sorted now, haven't we? You are going to accept the fair amount for all the dresses we order from you?"

"Yes, thank you," she responded humbly.

Ari felt so much lighter after opening up to her friend. She needed emotional support just as much as she needed a new job.

Her phone rang and she fished it out of her bag. Her heart pounded madly as she gazed at the screen. "Do you mind if I get this?"

"Go ahead," Jasmine replied.

"Hi," she said a tad shyly to the caller.

"Hey, gorgeous. Are you at home?"

Just hearing Dylan on the other end of the line was enough to give her weak knees. Heavens above. What on earth was the matter with her?

"No. I'm out having dinner," she answered him.

"Oh right. I think I left my wallet at your place."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I didn't have a need for it all day so it's only now that I noticed I don't have it. I'm pretty sure it's still at your place."

"Do you remember where you might have left it?"

"Well, I remember tossing everything I was holding in my hand somewhere in your living room when we got busy undressing each other. I retrieved my keys but I didn't check if I had my wallet with me before I left your apartment this morning."

"It must still be somewhere there then. Are you coming to get it? We're still waiting for our food so I won't be home for a while," she said, blushing a little.

"Not tonight. I'm meeting someone for dinner. I'll have to beg her for a free meal," he chuckled. "I was wondering if I could pass by your office tomorrow and I'll pick it up then?"

"Okay."

"Great. Could you text me your office address? I'll see you tomorrow around twelve."

"Sure. Bye."

"Another bad news?" Jasmine asked, her face a picture of concern.

Ari looked at Jasmine in surprise. "No. Not at all."

"Phew. I'm glad. It was just that you were pouting and frowning."

"Oh." Ari felt her face burn. The fact that Dylan was having dinner with a woman
felt
like bad news. But she kept her mouth shut about that. She didn't want to give Jasmine additional reason to feel sorry for her.

"Hi, Dylan!"

Dylan turned with a smile and kissed Ari on the cheek. "Hey. Thanks for coming down."

"No problem. Here it is." Ari handed him his wallet.

"Where was it?" he asked.

"On the floor near the coffee table."

"Ah, right." He stared at her. Well, it was more like he couldn't help but stare at her. She really was incredibly attractive. He frowned as he noticed the dark bags under her eyes.

"Do you want to have lunch with me?" he asked. What better way to develop their friendship than buy her lunch?

"Sure. Let me get my purse."

"You don't have to. My treat. I have my wallet back," he grinned.

"Okay, thanks. Just something light would be good."

"The Japanese at the corner okay?"

"Yes. Perfect," Ari said with a smile that was a little too forced for his liking. She didn't seem happy today. He took her hand as he led her across the road.

"Busy day at work?" he asked.

"Not really," she answered.

"Then why aren't you your usual cheery self?" he pressed, peering at her.

"It's just one of those days," she said with a heavy sigh.

He was about to prod deeper, keen to know what was bothering her, when he heard his name being called. They both turned and saw Trey waving at them.

"Fancy seeing you guys here," Trey said although his full attention was on Ari. "Ari, it's great to see you again." Trey hugged and kissed her as if she was a long-lost friend.

"Uh, hi …" Ari said tentatively.

Dylan hid a smile. She probably couldn't remember Trey's name, and he wasn't about to volunteer the information.

"Remember me?" Trey asked.

"Um, I remember your face but not your name. Sorry," Ari replied sheepishly.

"It's Trey Andrews. Where are you guys off to?"

"I'm taking Ari to lunch," Dylan answered in a tone that he hoped conveyed to Trey he didn't want him hanging around with them. He wanted to be alone with Ari.

"Where?" Trey asked.