NYLON ~ 78 ~ MORNING SICKNESS
Caleb stood over his desk looking at the final plans for Emily's studio. Hanna smiled at him as she gathered her things together and tossed them in her purse. She took a last glance around the room to see if she was forgetting anything but suddenly she was overcome with nausea. She clasped a hand over her mouth and ran to the toilet. Hanna had already thrown up once today so she was alarmed by this second violent outburst from her unborn child.
"You okay?" Caleb asked when she reappeared.
"Fine," she sighed following him down to the car.
"Is that normal?" Caleb was concerned.
"Morning sickness?" she clarified. "Yes, but I don't remember barfing every time the wind blew with JT."
"I'm sorry, babe," he told her.
"Thanks," Hanna smiled as they headed to the office.
Caleb parked in the garage and they took the elevator up to the lobby where Hanna was greeted by a face she longed to forget. Mona was seated in the lobby filling out a questionnaire.
"Oh Hanna!" she gushed when she saw the elevator doors open.
"Mona," Hanna paused. "What are you doing here?"
"Well," she flashed an eerie smile, "we bought a new house in the Hamptons and it needs a little upkeep. You're a design firm, hence, I'm here."
"We don't usually take walk-ins," Hanna told her.
"I have an appointment," Mona replied. "Your receptionist here hooked me up."
"Okay," Caleb sighed attempting to diffuse the situation. "Mona, how about you take a seat and we'll call you when we're ready."
"Sounds lovely," Mona smiled.
Hanna scurried for the hallway and Caleb followed behind. They stepped into her office and she slammed her purse down.
"How do we get rid of her?" Hanna asked.
"We don't," Caleb told her. "She's a client. We have to take the meeting."
"Fine," Hanna sighed.
She took a seat at her desk and waited for the receptionist to bring Mona in.
"Take a seat," Hanna said.
Mona obediently sat down and then passed Hanna a folder containing an MLS listing.
"What can I do for you?" she asked.
"We bought a house," Mona explained, "but it needs some work. I hear you're the best in town so..."
"Let me take a look," Hanna flipped through the photos exposing rotting wood and peeling wallpaper. When she was done, she put the file back down and turned to Mona. "So, tell me, what look are you going for?"
"We want a very modern space," Mona explained. "You know about my fascination with tech gadgets and Jason is the same way."
"Are you just here to patronize me?" Hanna cut her off.
"Hanna, no," Mona pleaded. "I know we've had our issues, but I always valued our friendship and I'm here because you are genuinely the most talented firm in this city."
"Well then," Hanna pulled out a questionnaire from her desk, let's get started on the paperwork."
Mona smiled and grabbed a pen before filling out the packet.
UP NEXT ~ GINGER TEA
Hanna and Aria take the day off to go on a shopping spree where Aria presses Hanna to share some important news.
