CHAPTER 36
Marlene, Rebecca and Tanja spent much of the morning interviewing the three, finalist that Rebecca had chosen from the list of assistants. They conversed over coffee, "Did Abby, bring you a copy of the updated budget?" Tanja asked unsure if Marlene had taken a look at it. "She did and I met with her and I told her there wasn't an allotment for new props and accessories," She had a look of aggravation. "Yes the majority of the funding went to hiring models and an assistant for Emily," Marlene rolled her eyes in a blank stare, "Tanja need I remind you we've hired a new designer and this is her debut for LCL, this fashion show means everything, the spring collection a future in the lingerie world, I'm not clear on your thinking." Rebecca said nothing for once she listened to Marlene. "You'll have to make do any more budget issues puts a strain on other needed things in other departments," Tanja replied with a frown of discontent. "I hope you'll reconsider we haven't a lot of time." Marlene added. "Then I suggest you get busy and use your imagination to come up with something." Tanja ordered.
Rebecca looked sternly at the both of them, Marlene stood up from the table in a huff of anger. "I have an appointment to attend, I'll be back after lunch." She remarked walking out. Tanja quickly looked to Rebecca, "Which of the assistants do you favor?" She questioned bluntly, "Really Tanja, props? Accessories? Since when did you have so much concern over a budget? We're talking a few thousand dollars not breaking the bank." Rebecca asked in a needling way, "There are other things to consider here Rebecca and this time Sebastian and Elisabeth have put constraints on what we're spending, it cost a little more for the Berlin remodel not to mention giving Katherine a raise and the stipulation that she take the assistant she's been working with." Tanja tried to offer up and excuse but Rebecca wasn't buying it, "Talk to Sebastian and Elisabeth surely you can come up with some way to purchase the things we need after all this is an LCL fashion show and Marlene's right we have a new designer," Rebecca stated placing the resumes back in order. Tanja sighed rubbing her jaw line the twinkle in her bright blue eyes seemed sullen. "I'll see what I can do but I can't promise anything." She picked up the resumes and reviewed the one Rebecca had placed on the top she flipped through the pages quickly and then sat it back down.
With a point of her finger Tanja relayed to Rebecca, "The one on top is my choice, you?" Rebecca nodded her head, "Call her back in and lets discuss a salary with her the sooner we get her in the quicker we can get started on finishing this fashion show." She left Rebecca sitting at the table. "Yes, Miss Miller, Rebecca Von Lahnstein, could you come in this afternoon say three o'clock for another interview?" The arrangement was made leaving Rebecca with a sense of confidence she returned to the designing area.
Emily worked at a steady pace pinning the sequences on a jacket that highlighted a sleeveless shirt and matching slacks, "We really should discuss a name for your collection," Rebecca mused. "Haven't an idea," Emily spoke not stopping her pace, "It's driving me to sleepless nights," She added placing the last sequin in place. Rebecca twitched her upper lip, "Paris affair," She offered, Emily lowered her shoulders placing her hands atop the mannequin, "Paris affair," She chimed turning towards Rebecca with a smile, "I love it!" She exclaimed. "It's perfect Rebecca, Paris affair, really a nice ring." She gabbed loudly. "Good then we have a solution, I'll run it by Tanja, now once your finished pinning that jacket get it to the seamstress," Rebecca directed as she walked away texting Marlene.
Rebecca returned to her office and hadn't heard from Marlene curious about the Doctors appointment she attempted to call her. "Where are you?" She exclaimed out loud a knock came to her door. "Come in," She responded hanging up her phone, "Tristan, what brings you here?" She walked over to him with a smile. "I have a lunch date," He replied, "Ah, Emily," She crossed her arms giving him the Lahnstein look, "I not hoping for anything," He seemed somewhat on edge, "Come now Tristan it was she who asked about you first not the other way around." Her voice reassuring to him, he hesitated, "Still I keep waiting for a bomb to drop," He rubbed his forehead with the palm of his hand. "Stop being so nervous it will show do you want her to feel uncomfortable?" She embraced him, "She dotes on me," He admitted with a nervous laugh. Rebecca raised her brow, "Go, I'm sure she's wondering where you are, don't be late you don't want to set a negative example do you?" She questioned realistically. Without a word he kissed Rebecca's cheek and dashed out she giggled under her breath retrieving her cell phone from her desk and texting Marlene a second time.
Marlene walked back into to LCL, "There you are," Rebecca spoke with worry in her voice, "Sorry, I had some stops to make on the way back from the Doctor's office. Rebecca clutched her shoulders, "I tried texting, calling but you didn't answer is everything alright?" Marlene reached into her purse pulling out some more brochures, Rebecca took them from her they walked to her office, "My Doctor seems to think everything is good, I stopped by the sperm bank," She rolled her eyes in a head shake, "Somewhat overwhelming," She admitted. Marlene sat down, "Rebecca I've been thinking and before you say anything hear me out," She now had her full attention, "What if we don't use the sperm bank, what if we use someone we know and can trust, I've ran this through my mind and these men at the sperm bank, we don't know them personally, we don't really know anything about them at all." Rebecca caressed the side of her face, "I thought that was the idea, I mean knowing the father doesn't really matter to me and it's an option we haven't really taken the time to discuss," She reminded her. Marlene clinched her jaw tightly, "I have someone in mind," She blurted the words out catching Rebecca off guard, "Who?" She was quick to ask, Marlene stared, "Ollie," Rebecca thought for a moment she arched her brow, "Ollie," She mused, "Ok and how did you come up with him?" She asked taking a seat in the chair next to Marlene.
Marlene took in a deep breath, "You have to admit we both know him, he's kind, intelligent, not to mention handsome," Rebecca nodded with affirmation. "Ok are you sure? Because asking him is a big step and knowing him will most likely mean he will be involved in our child's life in some way, can you live with that possibility?" Marlene, perplexed place her index finger against her lips in thought she closed her eyes, "I don't have a problem with it, would you?" She asked her candidly, Rebecca stood up, "I don't know, yes all the things you said about him are true, at least he has a moral conscience and he's definitely not an angry person but asking him and if he's willing is another matter." She versed truthfully. "Should I arrange a meeting with him?" Marlene asked and then continued, "I want you to be on board with this, we have to make a decision together and if you feel he's not the right person, then," She was quickly cut off by Rebecca. "I haven't had a chance to give it a thought but I love you and I want you to be happy." Rebecca eyed her with admiration, "I should have told you the moment I began to think about him," She retorted. "Nonsense we would have discussed it before approaching him, why don't you call him and see if he's available for dinner, we can talk about it then." She smiled giving Marlene a hand up from the chair, "I love you," Marlene stared into Rebecca's brown eyes she was mesmerized by them they called to her in a haunting way, "Unfortunately I have work to finish," Rebecca grinned her hand touching the lapel of Marlene's collar. Marlene chuckled slightly, "You always know what I'm thinking," She spoke in a sexual overtone. "I do when it comes to sex," Rebecca answered in a moan. Marlene without hesitation grasped her firmly drawing her closely into her. "I can't," She attempted to pull away, "No," Marlene ordered her hands placed tightly around Rebecca's waist.
"You always want your way," Rebecca whispered, Marlene said nothing she kissed her fully on the lips her tongue penetrating Rebecca's mouth exploring the sweetness it offered. They kissed barely taking a breath, "Marlene," Rebecca made her stop, "I have some things to finish," Her tone more curt she slipped to the side of her, Marlene grinned crossing her arms, "I'll go call Ollie," She remarked leaving Rebecca's office. Rebecca looked at her watch noticing it was close to three o'clock she picked up a note pad from her desk and existed her office finding the young and eager, future assistant waiting patiently at the coffee bar. "Miss Miller," Rebecca motioned with her hand. They walked into to Tanja's office where she was given a second interview.
"Welcome to LCL, Natasha, I'm sure your anxious to meet the designer you'll be working with," Tanja remarked turning to Rebecca. "If you'll come with me," Rebecca added walking out of Tanja's office and heading up the stairs.
Natasha Miller was small yet well built in stature her long brown hair had a curl to it her hazel colored eyes highlighted her high cheekbones, her lips curvy, her skin evenly tanned she had a radiant smile, attractive with dimples completing her facial expression. Rebecca introduced her to Emily, "I presume you'll want to start as soon as possible?" Rebecca questioned, Natasha picked up the patterns that Emily was cutting out she began to place them side by side a quick squint of the eye and she and Emily conversed pointing out which pattern complemented the other. "If you don't mind Ms. Von Lahnstein, I'd like to start now." Rebecca smiled, "As you wish." Emily felt comfortable as did Natasha, Rebecca watched as they began to piece the material together, "Emily, when your done see me, I'm leaving early this evening and I'd like to start preparing for the backdrops and props with Marlene." Emily nodded as she and Natasha continued to work.
Rebecca quietly opened the door to Marlene's office she hadn't noticed as she was busy printing out paperwork for the fashion show, "Now where were we?" She grabbed her from behind, "Oh, you scared me," Marlene flinched resting her head and shoulders against Rebecca's chest. Rebecca's lips grazed the side of her neck her breath hot against Marlene's earlobe, "We have dinner plans for six," Marlene spoke turning to face Rebecca, "What did you tell him?" She asked uncertain of what he knew. "Just that we have something very important to discuss with him." She mentioned walking over to the window of her office and peering out, Rebecca walked up beside her, "Emily has a new assistant," They viewed them through the slats of the blinds, "I see you and Tanja made a quick decision the Miller woman was also my choice." She peered at Rebecca kissing the tip of her nose, "She fits right in," Rebecca noted. "Now maybe we can get started with the fashion show, is there a theme?" Marlene quizzed, Rebecca answered, "Yes, Paris Affair." Marlene smiled, "Lovely and who thought of that?" Rebecca didn't immediately answer.
With some fore thought Rebecca uttered, "Actually, I did." Marlene sighed, "Emily's young, she's so busy trying to please you just as you tried to please Clarissa, Tanja and Elisabeth, there's a difference though," She looked at Rebecca with keenness, "She doesn't have that certain appeal you do." They walked back towards Marlene's desk, "She'll get it, overtime and with some direction, I suspect she'll be coming to your office soon for some ideas, I told her to square things away because we were leaving early." Rebecca asserted as Marlene pulled up some pictures of Paris on her computer. "I'll be in my office," She further added.
Emily gathered up a note pad and pencil, Natasha was busy arranging patterns. "I have a meeting with the Art Director, could you check and see if the seamstress has finished the sequins on the jacket we will need it for the mannequin first thing in the morning." Natasha nodded setting the patterns down and headed for the sewing room. Marlene greeted an anxious Emily at the door, "I assume Rebecca told you what she's come up with?" Emily asked in a bubbly tone, "Yes and give yourself some credit, Rebecca just has a way of snapping something right out the collection was designed by you remember your collection will be the highlight of the fashion show and you'll want to make a positive impact as LCL's newest designer," Marlene winced picking up the pictures of Paris she had printed out. They viewed them. "My thoughts are trees in bloom along the Champs Elise the draw of the old buildings and their architecture as a backdrop." Emily thought briefly, "The props could be old park benches and lamp posts," She began to get a feel of Marlene's ideas. "Precisely however there's a prop issue," She suddenly related. Emily looked at her with uncertainty, "What do you mean?" Marlene frowned, "There wasn't money put aside in the budget, changes had to be made because Katherine accepted a new position and she took the assistant with her to Berlin." Emily took the pictures from her spreading them out on the table, "This Katherine you're talking about wasn't she the teen fashion designer?" Marlene hesitated briefly, "Yes but she accepted the Berlin position, her home town, she wanted to return there, she was given the opportunity to have her own store and the teen fashion really took off there." Emily found Marlene's words a bit dry as if there were something strange about Katherine, something she would later probe into.