*Peeks around corner and slides chapter into view*
Here you go, friends. Sorry it took me a hot second. Like the last chapter, I made this one longer to make up for the delay. Again, I'm working on multiple projects and that probably isn't good but that's how things go… so. Enjoy the chapter and thanks for sticking around!
Elaine changed her outfit six times before work Wednesday morning. After discarding the fifth outfit, she curled her hair while in her dress slip with bunny slippers on her feet and less than an hour to go. Once her hair was curled, she decided it looked horrendous, so she straightened it, then curled it again, then took pity on her fried hair and just rolled her poor tresses into a low chignon she prayed wouldn't immediately unravel.
Running back into her room, Elaine looked between her knockoff Chanel pantsuit and a plain black dress. She quickly zipped herself into the little black dress, tossing the Chanel imitation on the chair next to her.
"That wouldn't go well, at all," Elaine mumbled to herself, eyeing the pantsuit. She loved that suit with all her heart, but the elite company she would be in today probably wouldn't like it as much as she did.
Once she fastened the clasp at the top of the zipper, Elaine stepped into her old black strappy heels she knew she would regret in an hour and ran as well as she could into the kitchen. Her toast popped up the same moment a knock came at her door.
Running to the entrance, she opened the door to find the cabbie. Perks of working for Savile Row included fancy chauffeurs that came to your door, apparently.
"I am so sorry, but I'll be out in a minute," Elaine rushed.
"Just fine, miss," the chauffeur nodded before turning and walking back to the cab.
Elaine grabbed her camel coat, ran back into her kitchen to get the toast, then shouldered her bag with the lipstick she would try to apply in the cab. When she walked out, the cabbie was already opening the door for her.
"You could've just honked, you know," Elaine said as she descended her steps and adjusted her purse on her shoulder.
"A gentleman never honks at anyone, especially a lady," he said, still holding the door open for her.
"Of course," Elaine agreed with a disbelieving smile, wondering what the hell she did to deserve being surrounded by gentlemen as she slid into the back of the cab. Once the door was closed and they were en route to the trade show, Elaine took a bite of what would have to be her breakfast.
Once the cab pulled up in front of the hall, Elaine wiped the remnants of her toast away from her chest and checked her lipstick in the camera of her phone. It was at this point she remembered the left heel had a tendency to unbuckle at the ankle and the lipstick she brought stuck to her front teeth more than others.
"I'm just a hot mess aren't I?" Elaine sighed, trying her best to control the situation.
Double checking the left buckle at her ankle and smoothing down her dress, Elaine slid out of the cab once the door was open only to find Mr. Brown was the man to open it.
"Goodmorning, Miss Elaine," he greeted.
Elaine smiled once she was out, smoothing out her dress nervously again.
"So sorry for being late, Wardrobe malfunction this morning," she explained as if not knowing what to wear counted as a malfunction.
"No worries, dear." Mr. Brown patted her arm once she laced it through his extended one. Walking up the steps side-by-side, Elaine could feel the ankle buckle on her left foot loosen just a smidge; which she ignored.
"So, I was hoping to talk to you and now seems as good a time as any," Elaine started, going through all the ways she didn't deserve what she was going to ask for.
Mr. Brown nodded for her to continue.
"My best friend is getting married next month and her bachelorette party is this weekend," Elaine said. "She also wants me to tailor her dress, which is insanity because her wedding is in three weeks and… well, I've told her I'll be there. For everything."
"And you want time off," Mr. Brown stated more than asked.
Elaine squirmed a little out of guilt.
"I know I've only been back for two days and I've just barely started remembering things and it'll be ten steps backward if I went. I feel horrible even asking you and it's fine if you say no. I understand," Elaine rushed, already feeling selfish for asking. But as soon as she was done with her frantic request, the smile she received calmed her nerves.
"Nonsense, dear," Mr. Brown said. "Of course you should go back. In fact, it might do you some good. No sense in jumping right from the therapy center to the job. I think it fine that you relax a bit."
Elaine's chest let go of its heavy weight; the plane ticket she bought last night didn't seem so outlandish now.
"Thank you so much!" Elaine said, leaning in to place a kiss on Mr. Brown's cheek.
He chuckled under his breath.
"No need to be so American about it," Mr. Brown said as he patted her arm, unable to hide his smile. At that point, both he and Elaine were entering the convention hall and Elaine was so thrilled with the turn of events that she walked right past Eggsy, beaming as she went.
Little did she know that Eggsy saw her, much less that he was was even there. And of course, Eggsy's eyes being so attuned to Elaine's smile, he couldn't take his eyes off her. She wore a black dress that flattered her perfectly, businesslike, yet flirty and her hair was beginning to slip out in little stands the fell around her face. Eggsy reminded himself multiple times that he needed to pay attention to the convention around him and Elaine, but Elaine was like the sun; there was no way he could avoid feeling the glow of her around him.
Walking over to Mr. Brown in an attempt to ground himself, Eggsy still kept Elaine in his sights; purely for security reasons.
"I think she's doing a fine job, yeah?" Eggsy said, watching as Elaine shook hands with a textile retailer. Everywhere she went, every person she shook hands with, Elaine carried herself like a queen. This job was effortless for her; exactly what the Kingsmen needed.
"Superb," Mr. Brown said, nodding with pride. "This organization needs people like her; she holds up the act without a thought."
Eggsy scoffed.
"We need more like her then. Can't tell you how tired I am of talking 'bout fabric and patterns I don't care about."
Mr. Brown nodded then turned slightly away from any guest. Eggsy did the same, yet still kept his eyes scanning the people surrounding Elaine.
"All the more reason to keep her with us; though I fear she has other plans. She's
traveling back to Minneapolis this weekend."
"What?" Eggsy asked, snapping his head to the man beside him and then back again to Elaine. "Why? It'll only make things more dangerous for her."
"She doesn't know that. And it's for her best friend's wedding," he explained. "She needs some portion of her life back, Eggsy."
He sobered, nodding in agreement.
"I wonder if this could ever be her life," Eggsy said, looking over at Elaine. He saw her laughing with a designer over a portfolio across the room.
"No harm in trying to convince her once this is all over," Mr. Brown said.
Eggsy shook his head, watching dejectedly as Elaine met his eyes from across the room. Holding his gaze for a moment, her eyes narrowed in confusion before turning back to the designer by her side. He sighed and looked away.
"When this is all over, she'll run as fast as she can away from us."
Elaine was tired of this place.
Maybe not so much this place, but of the people inside of it. She had met her fair share of fashion snobs at University, but she'd forgotten how tedious they were. Nevertheless, she put on her best smile, straightened her shoulders, and tried to fake it until she made it. She laughed and made jokes and named dropped professors from university and it all seemed to work reasonably well, but she was still an outsider; a beginner.
Weaving her way between the crowd, Elaine tried to pick out a familiar face for her to stand by, but of course, no one was familiar and she didn't know if it was just because of her amnesia or because she was an outsider. She'd had a few good conversations with people, but she wanted a friend to lean on. Of course, Mr. Brown and Gary stood by the entrance, but she tried not to pay attention to them, Gary in particular.
She was walking to gaze out the window when the left strap at her heel finally snapped. Pausing after stumbling a bit, Elaine cursed her decision to wear these shoes. Her dress was too short to bend over a fix it, but there was no one standing by the eaves of the window so she decided to make her way over there.
Looking back at the door her Savile Row co-workers were previously standing at, she only saw Mr. Brown.
"Way to make this more complicated," Elaine mumbled.
Hobbling as inconspicuous as she could to the wall, she wasn't expecting a hand to fall on her shoulder. She jumped in surprise.
"You alright?"
Gary stood beside her, his eyes running over her. She didn't know why he was so worried, though. What's the worst thing that could happen at a fashion trade show? She just straightened her shoulders and started hobbling to the window like she's planned.
"Fine. It's just my shoe; the strap broke at my ankle," Elaine explained, annoyed at herself more than anything. Her annoyance turned to surprise when Gary blocked her path to the window and bent down to grab her left foot. "What the hell are you doing?"
"Just checking it out," Gary said, his hand firmly wrapped around her ankle and his other hand inspecting the broken buckle.
"Well, I'm fine, let me go," Elaine said quietly, looking around to make sure no one was staring at them. A little unbalanced on just one foot, she gave in and put her hand on his shoulder.
Gary ignored her and Elaine thanked her past self for remembering to shave.
"It's not broken, the buckle is just loose," he said, taking it upon himself to fix it. Once he stood up, the place where his hand had been tingled; like all of her concentration was on that one ankle.
Clearing her throat to mask how flustered she was, Elaine looked around again, but no one was paying them any attention.
"Thanks," Elaine said, unsure of what else to say.
"Yeah, no problem," Gary nodded.
After an awkward moment of Gary maybe about to say something, he closed his mouth in a hard line and walked away. With him gone, Elaine was able to breathe again, though her heart still fluttered and her left ankle still tingled.
Elaine didn't have much time to dwell on the encounter as a man and a woman approached her.
"Who was that delicious slice of British hunk?" The first man asked in a heavy Italian accent, watching Gary leave. The first strike against the man was that he wore a Dolce and Gabbana button down and his hair was slicked back into a toned-down recreation of Elvis.
"And how do we get his number?" The woman beside him asked. She looked very similar to the man beside her and spoke in the same heavy accent.
Two pairs of eyes turned to her and stared her down. Elaine cleared her throat.
"I don't know, we're not really friends," Elaine shrugged, feeling awkward as they pinned her down with narrow eyes.
"What a bore," Dolce and Gabbana Elvis rolled his eyes.
"Who are you?" The woman ordered rather than asked. While the woman didn't wear Dolce and Gabbana (thus earning more respect in Elaine's eyes), she was wearing practically the exact same outfit Elaine wore; plain black dress and strappy stiletto heels. The difference was that her dress had the faint Gucci brand on it, her shoes were Louboutins, and dangling from each ear were teardrop diamonds Elaine was convinced were worth more than her entire college tuition.
Same outfit, completely different price points.
"Elaine Daniella," she greeted, she reached her hand out to shake, but the two people in front of her didn't move. She brought her hand back to her side. "Right. I'm kinda new to this, I just started at Savile Row a few weeks ago, well, more than a few weeks, but that's complicated. But I-"
"Tip," Dolce and Gabbana Elvis interrupted. "Don't word vomit and you'll do fine here. And admitting you're new? Not a good look."
The woman next to him laughed.
"But you're doing better than some," She slinked back her hair. "Look at that idiot over there with the imitation Chanel."
Elaine followed his gaze to see a nice looking woman wearing the exact same imitation Chanel suit she almost wore. Needless to say, Elaine thanked whatever fashion angels steered her away from that disaster.
"Oh, god," the man rolled his eyes again. Soon, both pairs of judgemental eyes settled on her again and Elaine fought the instinct to shrink in on herself. Instead, she pulled up her shoulders again and raised her chin a bit to fight her self-consciousness.
"Obviously you're poor," the woman started.
"Poor?" Elaine interrupted, looking down at her dress as her confidence faltered for a moment.
"But you've got the wits to own it," Dolce and Gabbana said with a surprising amount of admiration in his voice.
Elaine just closed her mouth and pretended to smile. No sense in making a fool of herself or creating enemies.
"Thanks," Elaine nodded stiffly.
Too focused on not messing up in front of the hungry fashion sharks circling her, Elaine didn't notice a second woman approaching. Dolce and Gabbana and the woman seemed to notice, however.
"Elaine?"
Elaine turned to find a woman who looked much nicer than the two sharks in front of her.
Long brunette hair and wide eyes, there was something familiar about her and Elaine didn't know if it was a good or bad familiarity.
"Hi, it's… it's good to see you," Elaine said, giving the newcomer an uncomfortable smile. She glanced over at Dolce and Gabbana and the expensive version of herself; they both were looking away from the newcomer.
The woman gave a stiff smile, her gaze jumping from Elaine to the two other convention-goers.
"You as well," she said. "I have a portfolio I want to show you, do you have a moment?" She gestured to one of the tables by the windows on the other side of the hall.
"Of course," Elaine nodded, noticing how the sharks averted their eyes again once they caught the woman's pointed look. Happy to be rid of the other two, Elaine didn't hesitate in following.
"I'm surprised to see you rubbing shoulders with the Spada twins," she said as they weaved through the crowd. Elaine caught the eye of Gary across the room; his eyes always seemed to be following her, but she quickly turned away and ignored how the tingling in her ankle came back.
"I didn't really know who they were," Elaine shrugged. They stopped at a table, but nothing stood out to her. "Where's the portfolio?"
The woman chuckled and sat down, Elaine followed her lead.
"I just thought you might want to get away. I've had multiple run-ins with them and they've never brought to best out of me."
Elaine relaxed, a genuine smile forming on her lips.
"Yeah, the first red flag was that guy's shirt," she said.
The woman laughed, shaking her head and looking back at the twins.
"He doesn't wear anything if it isn't screaming that horrid brand. Honestly, it's just tiring at this point."
Elaine nodded, already getting along miles ahead of how she got along with the Spadas. There was a pause between them in which the woman was deciding whether or not to say something.
"I'll just cut to the point. Vafara is interested in you. I know you didn't actually have an interview, but she's researched your history and she's impressed," she tapped her nails on the table, looking down. "I've been trying to contact you for an interview with her, but it seems you've gone incognito."
Elaine shook her head at the information. Sitting there with no recollection of their history, or even the woman's name who sat in front of her, Elaine felt even more out of place than she did before if that was even possible.
"I'm sorry, what?" she asked, her nervous energy making her foot tap on the metallic chair's leg.
The woman bristled, then gave Elaine a small smile.
"You bolted before the interview but Vafara is interested in meeting you. Honestly, looking at the work you've done at Parsons and the internships you've done, you've got more than a fair shot at getting the position," she said, looking up and waiting for Elaine's response.
Elaine blamed what she said next on the confusion and fog of amnesia. Logic was slow to work when her new world was so confusing.
"I'm sorry, I don't know what you're talking about. And who are you?"
There was a pause, then a clear veil of insult crossed over the woman's face.
"Excuse me? Are you serious? You run out of a meeting I made for you with Vafara and now that she's trying to hire you, you do this?" The woman laughed without a trace of humor and stood. "Nevermind, this was a mistake."
Before she could walk away, Elaine jumped up and grabbed her arm.
"I can explain," Elaine said quickly, walking in front of her to block her path.
"No, I don't have time for this." She yanked her arm out of Elaine's grasp. "I'll tell Vafara you're no longer interested."
Before Elaine could get a word in edgewise, the woman left along with any chance of salvaging her dream job. It was then that Elaine remembered her name was Stacia. Watching from the tables, too confused as to what to do, Elaine saw Gary stop Stacia and pull her aside.
In a flash, the conference hall became too crowded. The people and the conversations around her pushed in and Elaine couldn't think straight. Her mind was tugging her in 7 different directions and each tug was challenging her sanity.
Escaping as casually as she could, Elaine found a balcony across the hall.
"Things could be worse," Elaine mumbled to herself. This wasn't really the trade show she was expecting, wasn't the career she was expecting either, but everyone had to climb the ladder but unfortunately, her ladder was tipped over and it was all her doing. Ignoring the way the conversation with Stacia screamed at her, Elaine walked out onto the lonely balcony. Closing the door behind her, she took a break and enjoyed what isolation she managed to find.
Someone must have just been there because a cigarette was crushed and smoldering in the glass ashtray on the metal table, wisps of vapor dancing up. Trying to ignore the smell of nicotine, Elaine brushed off the metal-wire chair by the table and sat. She kicked the stone balcony parapet with her toe but the only thing that achieved was scuffing her cheap, bargain shoes.
Ever since she woke up from the coma, her life seemed off; like she'd woken up in someone else's shoes. Why would she accept a job at a tailoring company, but not at a gown company? What was she doing? And the boxes! It was such a small detail, but Elaine was a meticulous organizer. If she was in the middle of a move, she would label her boxes. And she had a cat; she knew it with all her heart.
But now, she was working for a tailor shop, moving with unlabeled boxes, and remembering fragments of a life that weren't true.
Something wasn't adding up… something was a lie.
To add to the growing unease in her life, just when Elaine thought she found a moment of calm, the balcony door opened and Gary found her hiding spot. She kept her eyes forwards, though, ignoring him as he quietly shut the balcony door behind him.
Determined not to speak first, Elaine sat in silence, and so did Gary.
"When were you going to tell me you're goin' back to Minneapolis?" he asked.
Elaine scoffed, shaking her head but deciding to indulge him.
"I really only found out myself this morning that I'm going," she said, picking at a stuck leaf in the metal balcony. She turned to him before continuing. "Why does it matter to you?"
"It does and I don't think you should go," he said like the matter was already settled.
"Sorry?" Elaine asked, standing up and crossing her arms. "I didn't realize I had to go through you for days off. Mr. Brown already approved and it's for my best friend's wedding."
Gary grimaced and racked a hand through his hair. Elaine tried harder than she thought she needed to look past his blue eyes and tense shoulders. It wasn't just the attraction she fought, but out of all the people she met today (including Mr. Brown), Gary was the person she felt most safe with, the most comfortable. Walking to the museum, sitting on her kitchen counter eating popcorn with him, just being close to him, he fit into her life perfectly like he'd been there all along. If she was feeling that (and Elaine wasn't one to fall into romances) then he must be feeling it too. He had to.
Despite his mishaps and annoyances, deep down there was a ribbon tying the two of them to each other and she didn't know how to escape it. Or even if she wanted to.
"Look, you only just got back, yeah?" Gary reasoned. "This is your career and… I just… you need to stay here. In London," he said without any further explanation. The grimace had left his face and Elaine couldn't quite read his expression.
Ignoring those piercing blue eyes, Elaine turned away and finally understood. Without turning back, she spoke again.
"You're one of those guys," Elaine said, nodding as everything fell into place.
"Huh?" Gary stepped towards her and put a hand on the balcony railing.
"I'm so sick of guys like you," Elaine snapped, turning towards him. "I ask you out and you're too insecure to be pursued so you push me away but the second I'm over you, you want me. How did I seriously not see this earlier? I can't believe I gave you the time of day, I mean, what the hell am I doing?" Elaine laughed at herself, turning away because if she looked at Gary any longer, she'd slap him.
Maybe, Elaine thought to herself, that wasn't the case. But Gary was causing her a lot of trouble and heartache so she deserved to give him some trouble back. But if his manipulation of her was true and there was a ribbon tying to two of them together, cutting it was the only sensible thing to do.
"No, come on, Elaine, you know I'm not like that," he extended a hand towards her shoulder.
She couldn't think through all the possibilities with him being so near, she was tempted to forgive him and let everything go for him, but she wasn't that type of person. She needed to be free of his influence.
"Stop!" Elaine shouted, stepping back. "Enough already! I'm going back to Minneapolis and I'm not changing my plans for you. Quit the mind games, okay?"
Gary stepped back, his fingers raking through his hair again.
"Look, I'm just trying to lead you down the right path," he said.
Elaine's mouth gaped. She let out something that resembled a laugh but it quickly turned into an angry huff.
"The right path?" she repeated. "Did you seriously just say that? How big does your ego have to be to say something like that?"
The ribbon between them got thinner and weaker. She could tell Gary felt that, too.
"No, I didn't mean it like that, come on, listen-"
"You don't want to know how close I am to slapping you right now," Elaine said, closing her eyes and bringing her hands up to her chest instead of lashing out.
"Elaine," Gary said, but he didn't sound like he had any more arguments or games within him. For the second time, Elaine looked at Gary and instead of any fire, she just saw tired eyes and the bags beneath them. What was odd was that seeing him like that made Elaine's heart hurt; she wanted to calm him, wrap her arms around his shoulders and kiss his cheek. It must have just been his mind games and it was all the more horrendous because of it; he was playing off a love that she was just remembering and it felt true- truer than anything she had felt lately.
But what the hell did she know anyway? All her memories of him got knocked out of her along with her common sense.
"Just stay away from me, Gary," Elaine said, choosing the safest option. Without looking back, she opened the door that led back into the hall and tried to leave her feelings out on the balcony.
It didn't work.
Once back in the midst of the conference she no longer felt any energy to engage in, Elaine thought about telling Mr. Brown that she'd gotten a migraine and skip the rest, but after asking for so many days off, it felt unethical and downright rude. So, she mustered all of her composure and resigned herself to getting through the rest of the conference.
Elaine was walking towards one of the fabric tables when a shoulder bumped into hers and a drink splashed down the front of her dress.
"Are you serious?" Elaine gasped, pulling the now alcohol-soaked fabric away from her skin.
"I am so sorry, please forgive me," A man said before lunging over to the nearest table and grabbing a handful of napkins. "I wasn't looking."
Giving her the napkins, Elaine took them and dapped at the mess.
"It's okay," Elaine sighed, trying not to have an all-out meltdown in front of everyone. She counted to ten and reminded herself if she started sobbing, no one would give her a job. "I'm wearing black so I guess that's a saving grace."
"I really am so sorry, miss," the man said, grabbing more napkins although Elaine was pretty sure she was just making more of a mess trying to clean up than not.
Looking up, her annoyance was soothed just a few notches seeing as how the drink-spiller wasn't completely unattractive. The exact opposite, really. Tall, dark, and handsome with broad shoulders and a jawline that would make Brad Pitt envious, Elaine unconsciously bit her lip and her stress about her current situation eased considerably.
"Again, it's a black dress, so not a lot of damage." This time Elaine spoke in a lighter tone. She added in a little smile for good measure.
"Allow me to pay for dry cleaning. It's the least I can do," he said, reaching out and putting a hand on her arm.
"You don't have to, really, it's fine," Elaine waved his offer away.
"I insist," he said, pulling out his wallet. "I'm leaving for the States tomorrow and I never travel with bad karma over my head."
"Which state?" Elaine asked in lieu of responding to his offer.
"Minnesota," he said, still digging in his wallet. He pulled out some money and handed it to her, but she didn't move to accept.
"Funny, I'm going to Minnesota this weekend, as well," Elaine said. "Minneapolis."
He raised an eyebrow, lowering his extended hand.
"I'll be in Roseville," he said, smiling.
"All the way from London to little Roseville? That's quite a trip."
"Yes, I know," he nodded. "There is a milliner there that A.P.C. is collaborating with."
"Karen Morris?" Elaine asked, surprised.
"The very one, you know her?" he asked back.
"Not personally, but I did buy one of her hats in college. Not couture, but ready-to-wear. She's an amazing milliner and she deserves all the collaborations she can handle."
He paused for a moment, debating whether to say something, only he closed his mouth and smiled.
"What is your name?" he asked.
"Elaine Daniella," she gave, enjoying how he asked with that mysterious smile.
"William Myrtle." He extended his hand which Elaine accepted. "Miss Daniella, I cannot in good conscience leave you today without paying for the damage I've dealt you." Still firmly holding her hand in his.
The thought of admitting any damage dealt from him would be readily forgiven because of his gorgeous green eyes and kissable lips slipped past her mind, but that would be giving too much away.
"How about you buy me dinner in Minneapolis?" Elaine asked. "I'll consider that even and you won't have any bad karma while you travel."
He paused to consider; a sly smile forming on his lips.
"And better yet, something to look forward to," he said, smiling that devilish smile.
When William gave Elaine his phone, she plugged in her information and lingered there for a moment longer, to which William also lingered. Laughing at herself, she walked away but turned only to see him also turning to watch her walk away.
"I can't believe this," Elaine said, her heart pounding at the encounter and blush creeping up her cheeks. Determined to walk away without turning back again, she found Mr. Brown to use her perfectly valid excuse to leave early.
"Pardon my boldness, miss Daniella, but you reek of alcohol," Mr. Brown said when she approached him.
"Yeah, what the hell happened?" Gary asked, looking her up and down.
Ignoring Gary, Elaine directed all her attention of the older tailor.
"I had a run-in with someone, just a spilt drink," Elaine said, her chest lighting up at the idiotic coincidence of it all. Biting her lip to stop a giggle, Elaine looked down to hide her sudden infatuation. She thought she was successful, but she didn't notice Gary narrow his eyes at Elaine with an uncomfortable look to his face.
"Where is this bloke?" Gary said, searching the room, grimacing.
"No, it's really funny actually," Elaine said, kicking herself for not ignoring Gary. "Turns out we'll both be in Minneapolis next week and he's… oh my gosh, he was so charming," Elaine giggled, this time she didn't even bother to hide it. "He's going to take me out to dinner as an apology."
Gary's grimace grew even more pronounced when she giggled but hearing that a date was planned made his stomach heavy.
"Really? Are you sure that's a good idea? You've only just met the guy," he said, trying his best to be nonchalant about it but the pointed look from Mr. Brown tipped him off that he wasn't doing such a great job at it.
Once again ignoring him, Elaine tried not to reveal too much in his pain.
"Seeing as how I'm soaked with alcohol, could I be excused from the conference?" Elaine asked Mr. Brown, lightly pulling the wet fabric from her skin again to elaborate.
"I was going to suggest the same thing, miss Daniella."
"I'll drive you home," Gary spoke up, already opening the door to the hall for her.
"I'd rather gouge my eyes out with a rusty spoon, but thanks," Elaine snapped. It might have been too harsh, especially seeing as Mr. Brown was listening, but Gary was lucky he hadn't been slapped yet.
Mr. Brown, taking in her glare at Gary and Gary's sheepish expression, stepped between them and played mediator.
"You can take the cab. Richard parked down the street, but I'll call and tell him to pick you up out front," Mr. Brown said, looking at Gary after he spoke.
Elaine nodded. Without another word to either man, she walked out of the conference hall with a soaked dress and a handsome date waiting for her in the States.
Putting Wednesday behind her, Elaine woke up the next morning ready for an easy work day and a long flight when she got off; she would have about an hour after work to run back to her apartment, grab her luggage and book it to the airport. Mr. Brown was kind enough to lend her the cab to the airport and even managed to book her on one of Savile Row's private jets. Too amazed to decline, Elaine chalked it all up to perks of a luxury job and accepted.
Running through her mental checklist of her luggage, she knew she'd need to physically go through her bag before she left, but she only had one bag.
Elaine paused, she looked at the duffle she'd packed and thrown in the corner of her living room, the one that she'd embroidered flowers on. The last time she'd seen that bag, it was with Gary at the therapy center. Her heart fluttered for a moment, but she chastised herself for it. Silly to think she'd actually thought he was in love with her.
But then again, there were these maybe-memories of him and his intense blue eyes focusing in on her, maybe-memories of his touch running up her arms, down her neck. All of them were warm and safe and gentle. She didn't remember much of anything this past year, but these faded maybe-memories of Gary were the closest Elaine got to real memories, stronger than anything she felt even before the crash.
Tearing herself away from the possibility of a forgotten, manipulated love, Elaine finished getting ready and left for work.
Elaine rode in the back left seat of the cab that morning, as usual. This was only the 5th day of work she actually remembered, but she figured if Savile Row's policy was to pick up employees in fancy cabs (which she still couldn't believe) then she had made a habit of it.
Staring out the window, Elaine watched the London streets go by as a newscaster on the radio gabbered on. The station was one of those morning talk shows that got calls from new moms with advice on how to potty train and encourage kindness or girlfriends calling in to gab about how they think their boyfriends were cheating. It was all run-of-the-mill radio talk, but the discussion turned from relationship advice to the space mission Elaine kept hearing about everywhere.
"Could you turn up the radio, please?" Elaine asked the cabbie, scooting forward in her seat. He said nothing but obliged.
The radio host continued.
"The International Space Station has seen exciting news over the weekend. Just yesterday, they put out an announcement. While the space agencies involved with the mission have not released any findings or recordings, The UKSA has stated that a new species of bacteria may have been discovered."
Another broadcaster reacted.
"Well, that's exciting! I don't know what it means, but I'm sure people all over the world are expecting a lot from the mission," She said.
"Well, not everyone is excited about this. Since the announcement yesterday, Callisto has practically threatened WW3."
The name caught Elaine's attention and something in her chest dropped. Elaine leaned forwards in her seat to talk to the driver.
"Why is Calisto concerned about Space stuff? Seems weird." In afterthought, Elaine felt silly asking about it when she could have just Googled it, but a gentleman would never begrudge or ridicule a question.
The driver shrugged, keeping his eyes on the road.
"No idea. Seems nowadays they'll fight anything," he said. "But they've never taken a fancy to space exploration for some reason."
Elaine sat back again, her mind reeling over the name. She continued listening to the radio, but as the drive went on, her mind wanted to take her elsewhere.
"No rhyme or reason to anything they do, is there?" Elaine mumbled, a memory tugging at her brain. At that moment, Evie popped into her mind.
Taking out her phone, Elaine looked through her recent in her calls. No calls from Evie, no texts in months.
Looking back up at the driver, then to the radio with its news of threats that didn't really involve her, Elaine brought up her sister's number.
I know we haven't talked for a while, but I miss you. You don't need to have a conversation with me, I just want to know you're alright.
She sent the message before she had the chance to second guess herself. If she didn't respond in a day, then she would try calling her.
Eggsy was debating what to do when Roxy came into the conference room.
"So you really botched that up, didn't you?" Roxy said, sitting down next to him.
"You were listening?" Eggsy asked.
"You forgot to take off your glasses," Roxy said, crossing her arms.
Eggsy nodded, internally kicking himself for how horrendous the talk with Elaine went at the trade show. She didn't deserve all that and she was right, he's thrown her into a mind game.
"It came out all wrong," Eggsy said through gritted teeth; he really did botch everything up. The fire in Elaine's eyes was still burning him. He thought about her cat currently seeking refuge in his apartment. When she moved to Kensington, he'd give her Herschel. Maybe he might even tell her the truth about everything. Unlikely, but a nice thought. All of the lies and the mind games kept adding to the warping of Elaine's reality, telling her the truth now might confuse her even more. But maybe the truth was better than lying and digging a bigger hole.
"What's next now?" Roxy asked.
Eggsy sighed, knowing what he needed to do.
"I'll follow her across the pond," he said.
"She's not going to like it."
"Doesn't matter. I'll try to stay in the shadows but even if I don't, it makes no difference. She already hates me and she'll hate me even more once she finds out everything I've lied about. No need to worry about fucking everything up further."
"Eggsy," Roxy started.
"No," Eggsy cut off. "It's fine. I've given up on us; which is probably better for her. But I won't give up on keeping her alive."
Elaine was just finishing up for the day when a woman walked through the door. She still had a half an hour of work left so she had taken to tidying up the fabric bolts but as the woman walked in, Elaine turned as Mr. Brown was greeting her.
"Stacia?" Elaine asked, walking out into the main entrance.
The woman looked startled by her name being called and cast her inquisitive eyes on Elaine. If she was there for Savile Row business, then it was unfortunate that she caught Elaine just as she was getting ready to go. The possibility of Stacia seeking Elaine out hadn't crossed her mind, though.
"You know my name?" she asked, surprised.
Both Elaine and Stacia gave a wary glance to Mr. Brown who gratefully took the hint and left the room.
"I, uh… I remembered just as you were walking away the other day," Elaine explained, still sheepish about their conversation. "What brings you here?"
Stacia gave Elaine an unsure smile.
"You, actually." She shifted, playing with the chains of her purse and the silk scarf she had tied to it. "Can we sit and talk?"
Elaine agreed and they both sat down on the bench by the desk.
"Mr. Unwin told me about everything. About the accident, that is. I'm so sorry, I had no idea," Stacia said.
"Things are coming back to me piece by piece, but I still basically have no memory of the past year. If I dwell on it I'll go crazy," Elaine said with a shrug. She hesitated before speaking again. "But I've been bothered by what you said. Could you tell me what happened?"
"Of course," Stacia nodded. "A few months ago, I noticed you admiring Vafara's dresses so I dragged you inside one day. I discovered that you were a designer and Vafara was looking for new help so I thought I would set up an interview right then and there." She hesitated. "You dashed out before I brought Vafara out."
Elaine's cheeks tinged in embarrassment.
"I can't believe I was so stu-"
"I've been thinking about it, though," Stacia said, cutting Elaine off. "I ambushed you and you were in your greenhouse clothes and you didn't have your portfolio with you. It was a complete blindside on my end and unfair. I didn't even consider that it probably wasn't the right time for you to interview."
Elaine's embarrassment eased up a little. Both she and Stacia sat looking shameful for their own reasons. Finally, Stacia spoke up.
"You never told me you won the Young Vogue Couture Competition," Stacia said.
"That was years ago," Elaine shrugged.
"Three years ago, not that long. To add to that, you also got a full scholarship to Parsons and studied abroad in Antwerp, Belgium."
"Just for a term," Elaine said. She looked over at Mr. Brown who was respectfully keeping his eyes on his work, but she knew he was listening closely. "And the scholarship was mainly because my family is dirt poor."
Stacia frowned. She also shot a look at Mr. Brown.
"Vafara is very interested in you," Stacia said, a little quieter than before. "You shouldn't be working as a tailor,"
"Fabric purchaser," Elaine corrected.
Stacia rolled her eyes.
"You're a dressmaker. Vafara's atelier is where you'll shine. I've seen your work."
Elaine paused, tempted by the offer. As messed up as it seemed, the reason Elaine hesitated at the offer was Gary. If she left, she wouldn't see him and she couldn't imagine not seeing him every day even if he drove her crazy. What a thought, right?
"I'm happy here," Elaine said without thinking, To hell with common sense. "Tell Vafara that I'm flattered and maybe I'll look into a job with her down the line, but for now, I'm staying at Savile Row."
Elaine said her words loud enough so Mr. Brown would hear. He glanced up, but Elaine didn't look at him, instead, she kept her eyes on a disappointed Stacia.
"Alright," Stacia said, standing up. "Just think about it, though. Here's my number."
Elaine took the business card from her, running her finger over the number before tucking it in her pocket.
"Thank you," Elaine said, standing up as well. "I mean it."
Stacia looked back at Elaine as she opened the front door. She just smiled, then left. Her business card sat heavily in Elaine's pocket.
When Eggsy and Roxy came through the Tailor shop, Mr. Brown stopped them.
"A woman came in before closing. She talked to Elaine."
"Anything we should be suspicious of?" Roxy asked before Eggsy got the chance. She leaned her umbrella against the front desk.
"No. I've already looked into her. Elaine met her before about working for Vafara Tulle."
Eggsy nodded, worry knotting in his stomach.
"Elaine's been pining over that job since high school," he explained to which Mr. Brown nodded.
"The woman, Stacia Brenton, offered her a job. Sounds as if Vafara is very eager to have Elaine join her designers."
Immediately, all the security threats and dangers of Elaine not working in a place surrounded by Kingsmen bombarded him.
"We can't let that happen," Eggsy said. "Elaine and the people working at Vafara's would be in the line of fire and she wouldn't be attacked here. Even if Callisto did attack this shop, this place is a bloody fortress."
Mr. Brown nodded.
"Elaine turned her down but since Stacia offered her a job that is more in her intended field, there is a chance she'll leave. Talk to her, Galahad."
He scoffed, hopelessness falling over him.
"She won't listen to me. If I tried to talk to her again, she'd probably slap me."
"Yeah, I don't think there's any way you can come back from that argument," Roxy said sympathetically.
"It wasn't so much an argument as it was me acting like a grade-A asshole and Elaine calling me out on it," Eggsy said, kicking the foot of the chair.
Elaine waited for her ride to the airport. She sat on the chair by the door with her floral duffle at her feet and a gentleman's jacket on her lap.
It was his, she didn't have any doubts in her mind.
She just wanted to jump, arms wide as she fell. Gary was a trap she wanted to be captured by but she couldn't think why. Elaine knew herself; she was stable and level-headed and never once fell for the bad boy.
"Bad boy," Elaine scoffed, turning the jacket around in her hands. Bad boy and Gary didn't belong in the same sentence together. He was honest and sweet and protective but nothing that Elaine saw was evidence of that. She had friends that folded to guys like Gary as if it were nothing; dirtbags who manipulated, tainted, who told their girlfriends what clothes to wear, promised to always care and forbade them to see their other friends. Gary was a trap, but everything was telling her to fall in.
Grabbing her phone and the business card in her pocket, Elaine dialed the number and waited.
"Hi," Elaine started when the woman on the other end picked up. "Stacia?" There was an affirmative. "I've thought about it and I would love to work for Vafara's atelier… Really? I'm glad, I was worried the offer had passed. Yes… okay. Well, the soonest I can work is the 28th… yeah… I'm going back to the states for a friend's wedding."
She paused as she listened to Stacia, her heart feeling lighter. She got the job she'd always dreamed of and she was stepping out of the bonds she'd stupidly walked into.