7. Business contact

Operation "Leni Fashionista" had started. Its previous name was much longer, but this time we managed to shorten it by teamwork.

Following the meeting, a day after we had been notified of the arrival of Jerome Delmar, we defined a budget of what it would be necessary to buy and rent. It included raw material for the dresses of the parade, the stage, decorations, chairs, sound and lighting equipment, flyers and some groceries to make sandwiches.

Don't you worry about the total cost: it turned out to be just a small fraction of Leni's money. She didn't stop reminding us not to leave anything without buying.

"I will pay what's necessary for you. I feel sorry for all the help you are giving me", she told us once. We reassured her immediately, telling her that she had nothing to worry about: that it was a pleasure for us to help her.

We may have lied a little. Not because we did not want to help, but it was difficult and problematic for us. If something united us in silence to the rest of the Loud, at that moment, it was the well-being of our sister, whose grandiose manifestation was two rows of magnificent white teeth. That was the prize that that little lie gave us, and we accept it gladly.

There was only one thing that took away my peace. The identity of that man with whom Leni talks so much from her phone.

I asked her once directly, and she only replied: "It's a friend, his name is Stuart."

Stuart ...

Too bad Lori had gone to the mall with Leni and mom to see about the permit for the event. With her I could have found out less directly about that guy, who he is and what he wants to achieve by talking to my sister.

"I need my clear mind, now there's nothing I can do about it", I thought.

I decided to go check the site. The visits kept increasing. Just when I was going to start reviewing the comments, I saw a new email, from Mizu-chii, the model.

Hello, tomorrow I will be in Chicago.

My plans were put forward.

In which city are you located?

I answered, with some excitement:

Hi. We are located in Royal Woods, Michigan. You will be welcome whenever you want.

Lincoln Loud, site co-manager

And she immediately sent me a videoconference request.

I accepted her, and her beautiful face appeared in what looked like a hotel room.

"Hello! He said, and the delicate sound of his voice made my heart skip.

"Hello. Mizu-chii, right?" I replied, while I made a nervous wreck.

"That's right. Are you Rinkan-san? I imagined you older. You write like a grown up man", she said, and I noticed that despite her Asian accent she spoke English very well.

"Thank you! I-I'm flattered that you thought that".

"You're welcome. Is Leni-san here? I want to meet her".

"She went out. I'm so sorry. But you can chat with me", I replied, putting on a smile that made me look stupid.

"Thank you, Rinkan-san, you are very kind" and she winked at me. Surely my face got stupider after that. I shook my head a bit and tried to start a better conversation.

"Tell me, Mizu-chii, are you in Japan? What will you do in Chicago?"

"Right now I'm in San Francisco, California, because I did a photo session. In a few hours I'll go to Chicago. There I will be in a fashion show. Then I will have several days off before going to Montreal, Canada. I'm a busy girl, but I like my job".

"And have you thought about coming to Royal Woods? We're about five hours by bus from Chicago ... Or even less by plane! I mean, for you to talk business with Leni".

While I was responding, a woman's voice was shouting at her from outside the camera, apparently in Japanese. She responded with an energetic "Chottomatte!" Then she continued.

"My guardian wants us to leave now. I'm out. I'll think about your invitation. I really want to meet Leni-san, and also see your hair in person, Rinkan-san. Bye-bye.

And she blew me a kiss.

"Bye-bye," I replied, catching the kiss with one hand.

Downstairs, in the hall, my sisters kept making plans for the big event. Lucy outlined the design of black-colored curtains. Lana and Lynn saw in a tablet several styles of platforms with catwalk, analyzing which would be more convenient. The sound of Luna's keyboard, coming from above, revealed that she was composing rhythmic music, much less rock and roll-ish. Lisa checked the budget, again. And Lola was dedicated to seeing herself in the mirror, showing a very mature smile.

I think it was because of all that bustle that none of them noticed the arrogant way I went down the stairs, with my head in the clouds and steps of a dancer.

"Are you okay, Linc? I'd say you're infatuated, but you seem more alienated. Get it?"

Right. That comment came from Luan. She was leaving the kitchen, where she was helping Dad, when she saw me giving my vain walk. She continued: "You look even more lost than the other time we ate at Burpin' Burger. Do you have another ludicrous plan?

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but you guessed wrong. I just came from setting up a contact of great value for our business: a beautiful Japanese model".

Luan didn't look excited.

"I'm not sure if I want to know more".

"Do I detect jealousy, sis? Relax, you're still my favorite.

"It's not jealousy, ya schmuck!

The door of the house opened, and Leni, Lori and Mom entered. The scandalous laughter they displayed made me feel that they brought us good news. Just as I was going to meet Leni, she waved outside.

"See you, Stuart!"

When I heard that name I could feel the adrenaline slapping me and taking away the arrogance, making me regain my sanity. I ran for the door, but I only saw a black motorcycle ripping away at full speed.

"He says I should learn to ride a motorcycle instead of a car," Leni told me cheerfully, then walked away.

"And he must be literally right," said the oldest of my sisters, laughing.

Now the three of you are friends with that guy? What's happening here?

Luan approached me, with a mocking smile. She couldn't point out something better than:

"Do I detect jealousy, bro?"