Off Limits, Brother's Best Friend Chapter 128

Chapter 128: Tropical Vacation 

Brianna

It has been two weeks since I left Port Harcourt after the fashion week was completed. Bryce and I had gotten into an argument bright and early in the morning when he drove me to the airport, it was about everything that went down with Callan. I cried for two reasons, first, I was overwhelmed by fighting with my brother and I was emotional about what happened with Callan. Knowing that was me saying goodbye goodbye to him ripped a hole in my heart.

I knew he would be angry that I fucked him and left him but maybe now he will know how I feel. We haven't spoken since then, I wasn't even around to speak to. Because Bryce felt guilty that I was fried from working so hard and dealing with his crazy best friend, he ended up paying for a trip for me and Jane to go somewhere tropical during my time off. I had a few weeks since Elizabeth left for some client outside London and Janet herself was going on vacation with the lulk between this fashion week and the next one here in London.

It was a much needed trip, Jane and I had an amazing time, catching tans, swimming the beautiful infinity pool at the villa my brother rented and making friends with the locals who had a boat, taking us out on the water. It was so awesome, we ate great food and we drank when we wanted to. We roamed the town on bicycle in laughter and relaxation to the fullest definition of it. It helped soothe the ache that stayed in my heart after learning Callan that way. I knew I needed to do it though, I didn't want to share him with every woman and he wasn't willing to stop fucking other girls, I couldn't do it anymore. It would hurt worse to be in contact with him and feel closer to him when all this is just a physical thing for him. We aren't on the same page and I just needed to end it, no more confusing mixed messages. Besides, I was hurting my brother in the process and it wasn't fair to him. Especially since his best friend wasn't even trying to make a rrla out of this, maybe if he was, I would fight Bryce on his anger of Callan and I having something between us. Bryce knew his best friend, he knew it would end in heartbreak. My heart breaks, certainly not his.

Aside from the drama with Callan, Port Harcourt fashion week was amazing, I got to meet and see so many influential people and wear beautiful gowns and gain experience for my job. I got to meet so many designers and I sat next to Coco Chanel in the show game. But the biggest most important thing that happened to me at the fashion week was that I saw Donatella Versace, my idol in the flesh. She was taking a picture with two models and I just stopped in my tracks and stared openly with my jaw dropped. The woman saw my clear shock and awe and she chuckled, giving me a shoulder pat as she passed me. I was dizzy with glee, amazing. This lift I am living is incredible and that is why I can't dwell on Callan freaking Harold. Even his sister said it.

So, for a couple of weeks, I drank tropical fruit drink and caught a tan in the hot sun, I laughed and danced and enjoyed the beach, the ocean and the beautiful villa with my best friend. Once we got home it was back to work for me. I have Jane always here to show me a good time and I stayed good friends with Amos regardless of what Callan said back in Port Harcourt. He is away on an assignment and we chatted on facetime, he was always someone that can make me laugh. I have spent my life depriving myself of the things I want, all in fear for another. Now, I am taking my life back.

*****

Summer is starting to come to a close for us and fall is fast approaching.  I am halfway through my time in London and I can't believe it. I will be home by Christmas and it is bittersweet for me. I have had an amazing experience here but I don't know when I will receive a chance like this again. In Port Harcourt, I have Elizabeth but after getting a taste of Vogue, I wanted more of it and I am so grateful to Elizabeth. I just know what I want to do for work and Vogue is closer to it than just being a stylist. I want to style and design, I want to make clothes. I know how to do all three, I am not sure when I will get the chance to prove that.

There are a few secret moves I have been making to further my career but I haven't told anyone in case it doesn't pan out, I won't feel embarrassed. I guess Jane kind of knows about it, there is this campaign coming up for Versace and I heard through the grapevine at Vogue that the brand is having a competition, young new emerging names in the fashion industry can submit their work to be chosen to be part of the campaign. Brands are always looking for the new big thing, the next big name in fashion. Vogue actually did an article this month on six emerging designers you know about. I think everyone knows I favour Versace as a brand and I also idolize the woman who runs the brand, Donatella Versace. It doesn't get any closer to the dream than that. What the competition is, creating a version for the Versace spring collection that makes both stylist and creative designer the look. It means I can draw again. Jane had been watching me hunched over our coffee table for weeks straight, drawing and ripping up pages as I try to create this campaign. I am going to give my submission, I will most likely not be chosen and I know that but I have to start accepting rejection if I want to put myself out there and try to further my name in this industry.

Not winning doesn't mean not trying, so I have been hard at work, trying to create a version for the Versace spring collection. It was what I was doing right now, though it was a little loud in the apartment. Jane invited our London girl friends, the blonde with the Monroe beauty mark and the one whose father is a politician. Basically, the three of them stuck together and decided to have a girls night. They were going to cook and they all had a glass of wine laying around the counter while one shouted to give the cutting board over and another was sauteing something that was making steam. They were laughing and sometimes the two girls would slip into their native tongue. Jane and I are getting better at conversation. If they speak slowly enough, we recognize enough words that sometimes we can deduce what they were actually saying. I have more than two months here and I planned on continuing to learn. The one named Joy left the squared off kitchen and walked over to me to hand me a glass of what that were drinking.

“You are very good, Talentueuse.” She complimented me and I think that word means talented. She brought this lemon green Chanel bag and it was sitting in our white corner chair, directly in front of me.

I was sitting on the floor with papers all over the coffee table and I kept looking up at the color of it and decided to reach for the lemon colored pencils in my pack. These aren't cheap pencils, they are professional for artists and stuff. Wigging the pencil between two fingers, I thought about spring. Versace and spring, I don't want just a few safe designs, I want to stand out, not all lemon green, that is too much. Patchwork might be nice, didn't Vogue do a recent article on mix and match bold patterns and colors coming back?

“Hey, Brianna. When are you finishing up? Should we eat out on the veranda or on the coffee table?” Jane asked, I was half zoned out, starting an image in my mind like a sketch already in front of my eyes.

I could see the actual articles of clothes and how it might look in the flesh.

“Brianna?” She called again and I realized I forgot to respond.

“Umm, the veranda is probably better.” I replied.

I didn't want to gather up my things just yet, something was brewing and when Joy walked by to start setting the plates she almost placed her glass down on the corner of the coffee table. She needed two hands to set everything up.

“Don't you dare.” I pointed the end of my pencil at her.

“What?” She tipped her head in confusion.

She has got her hair in two braids with a scarf tied around her head stylishly.