Disclaimer: i do not own anyting bar my oc's that includes the designers who are also real designers. I make no profit.

Chapter 7

The next day Elaina and Beth headed out to fashion week. Elaina was dressed in a chequered blue, tan and black dress which she had designed and made herself. The straps around her neck were braided in the three colours; the bodice was structured and had a flared skirt. Beth was dressed in a dark green baby doll dress and black ankle boots.

Beth noticed as Elaina drove she was distracted but when she questioned her, Elaina had remained silent. Beth figured she was just nervous and left her to it.

Elaina was thinking about her conversation with Hueilen the other day. Hueilen had said that she would know when she knew if she wanted to move forward with Josef or to move forward alone. It wasn't the easy answer or the one Elaina had wanted to hear but she knew it was the right one.

For now though, she needed to focus on fashion week.

Arriving at the venue, they parked in the main car park and headed in. Taking their seats near the front of the runway, the lights dimmed and the first designer walked out.

"My name is Tigi Khan" said the designer. She was a short, skinny Asian woman with purple hair. The purple hair reminded Elaina of Lorenza and she made a mental note to visit her friend when she got back to America. "My influence for this collection was the changes in the world at sunrise and sunset. The purples, the blues, the yellows, oranges and reds...they're just incredible. Anyway here is my collection and i hope you like it"

The music started and the models walked down the runway pouting and posing. The collection was very good, Elaina was very impressed by the way the colours were whipped together, flawless harnessing of nature's work.

When the collection ended the next designer came out. Elaina's eyes lit up. The designer was Mychael Knight, one of Elaina's favourites. He took the mike and began to speak "what is up London?!?!?! Please take my collection for your viewing. It started with mediation on the search for a vision, the safari through life and this is the result. Enjoy!"

Once again the collection came out models pouting and posing. It was more animal print orientated but Elaina loved it none the less. She was beginning to feel cheered up.

As the collection ended, two more designers showed their collections and then there was an intermission.

"What did you think?" Beth asked as they sipped champagne.

"i loved it. To think these designers are al so new too! I am feeling so inspired can't wait to start sketching!" Elaina replied.

Beth smiled. Elaina was definitely in a better mood than she had been on the drive in earlier. Beth was glad. She wanted to tell her friend the news of what she and Mick had decided. She hoped Elaina would be pleased.

Beth was about to begin when she saw Gaston making his way through the crowd towards them.

"Gaston" Beth called, waving. Elaina's smile faltered and her newly acquired good mood disappeared.

Gaston reached them and placed an old world kiss on Beth's hand and smiled up at her. "You two are looking lovely today" he complimented.

"Do you like Elaina's dress? Her own design" Beth said, turning so they both faced Elaina.

"Beautiful, absolutely stunning my dear" Gaston stepped forward and taking Elaina's hand, bestowed a kiss upon it, winking as he stood up. "i thought you ladies may like a little guarding while you say what our beautiful city had to offer".

Beth smiled and the two of them struck up a chat about the musicals "we're hoping to see one of them so we need one everyone will enjoy. Any suggestions? Lorna suggested wicked"

Gaston began to talk them through the different musicals which were on, their strengths and weaknesses. Beth listened raptly, asking questions and nodding. Elaina tried to join in at first but eventually excused herself to get some air.

As she left, Gaston frowned "is she okay? She's so quiet"

Beth shook her head "she won't tell me. She's been weird all day"

"I'll try talk to her" Gaston said "maybe its news from back home...guardian stuff"

Beth nodded, it was a possible reason. Gaston strolled outside to where Elaina was. She was pacing up and down like a caged animal, opening and closing her phone.

"Elaina" he said "how are you? Bad news back home?"

Elaina looked up "no...no...Back home is good. I'd hope it wouldn't fall apart in a few days...goodness what kind of guardian would i be?"

"well" he said sidling closer "i think your an amazing vampire...or should i say vampiress" he moved to hand to her chin and caught her lips with his.

Elaina broke away horrified. "Where the hell do you get off!?!" she hissed vamping out

"b-bb-but i thought..." Gaston trailed off at her angry, shocked face.

"You thought wrong. I am with Josef. I love Josef" she continued to hiss.

Gaston snorted "Josef? Really? He didn't seem all that worried the other night when i had my arms around you. And besides if you two were together why is it not something known? Elders talk...guardians talk..."

Elaina's anger flared "the reason no one knows is because i was a new guardian when we got together. We simply kept private what didn't need to shared. The last thing i needed was to bring the council and particularly one elder, Kai, down on me. Josef is a good vampire"

Gaston shook his head "so you're telling me he loves you so much he didn't share what you two supposedly have with the world? And lets other vampires put their arms around you? Sounds like a great love" he spoke sarcastically.

Elaina growled "i do not need to stand here and justify what i feel to you. i love Josef no matter what"

The last words stuck in Elaina's head...no matter what. The words were true, even in the face of the arguments of the last few days; she would love him no matter what. She needed to tell him, to be sorry for ever doubting him.

Dashing through the doors she grabbed Beth "i have to go" she told her breathlessly "pick a musical for tonight, whatever you want"

"Okay..."Beth trailed off as Elaina dashed for the door. She walked outside to where Gaston remained standing. He was looking down at the ground. Beth touched his arm worried at the behaviour of both guardians.

He sighed and looked at her sadly. Beth did not need to ask what had happened. She knew the look of rejection, human or vamps, when she saw it.

***

Josef was just finishing up an interview with his new managing director. A human but an ambitious up and comer. Josef liked to encourage young raw talent and that is exactly what this young woman possessed. Hopefully if Edward helped remove the red political tape, London could be a power house of his empire in the future.

As the young woman left and Josef was settling into his chair to continue to clear the mountain of work which had been left by the ex- managing director, he sensed Elaina in the air.

Moments later, she came through the door. He recognised the dress she was wearing as one he had seen in her design book a few months ago. It looked even better on her than it had in the book.

Using her vampire speed she was upon him before he could move and straddled him in the chair.

"Elaina-" Josef began before she effectively silenced him with her lips. She bit her lower lip, demanding entrance which he freely gave. He could feel her elongated fangs against his tongue and his lengthened in response.

Their teeth clashed and tongues meshed as Elaina put every ounce of herself into the kiss. She would never tell Josef what she had thought on that ride home in the car. It would hurt him and she didn't want that. All she wanted was for him to know she loved him and she was very very sorry.