Off Limits, Brother's Best Friend Chapter 143

Chapter 143: He Is A Beautiful Lie

Brianna

Janet was at the head of the rectangular table and I was two seats away from that. Though we all spoke as who crossed the table from one another.

“What was your favorite part about vogue?” One of them decided to ask, I smiled fondly at the thought.

“I always dreamed of working with Vogue at some point in my career. I wanted to design and be a stylist, so I figured if I played my cards right, I would make contacts who appreciated my work. I never guessed things would happen the other way around. Janet, you know because I always tell you but she changed my life when we met at her husband's party.” I glanced at her, who was already familiar with my gratitude.

Then I continued, looking around the table as a whole.

“I can't narrow it down to one single thing, because vogue and the people, you people that I worked with along the way were all a dream for me. If I could narrow it down, I guess I would pick what vogue as a whole has given me and that was confidence that hard work really can make dreams like mine come true. I never thought I would be talented enough, but Vogue gave me some of that confidence to say, hey, I am Brianna Fletcher and I have done something in the fashion industry.” I smiled and looked around at everyone as I spoke. Lucy rubbed my arm and commented.

“Nice one.” Jude threw an arm around my shoulder but addressed the table.

“I can tell you my favorite thing about Brianna Fletcher. She never slacked off, even when Versace freaking announced her a winner and swooped her away from us in the night.” He teased me.

“You are very humble and kind, I think it gives a lesson to all of us not to lose sight of ourselves even in the presence of success.” When he finished, I thought it was lovely and thanked him.

“Because, it is success, Brianna.” Janet cut in, leaving us all quiet. She is the boss.

“You mentioned luck more than you do talent, sweetheart. You take risks even if you don't realize that is what you are doing, you came to London without knowing anyone even Elizabeth herself. You met me at a party, whisking me away the same way I did you even though it was risky to address Lady Alinco that informally. I know what they say about me.” She smirked, insinuating that she isn't always the friendliest to others.

“It is what attracted me to you, I liked the boldness and I liked it even better when Elizabeth sent me your portfolio. Then, I realized you had the talent to match it, that is why you are here with us. You take risks, you stay in London when you are asked, you sign up for a campaign in secret until it is announced that you have already won. You don't settle, and you never should, sweetheart. I haven't and it is what got me to this point, I regret nothing.” She tipped her wine glass my way before taking a sip.

For some reason, her words to me reminded me of Callan. I made a risky decision and I don't know how that will affect my life later on down the road. For now, it has led me into this exact success Janet is talking about. My designs became actual tangible clothing and we were branded as Versace. I will always have that if nothing else, but there has been something else. Plenty more, thanks to both Janet and Donatella Versace who liked me as a person, letting me tag along through their experience and creating more for me. I guess I have never been able to make a decision that benefits my life without also losing a lot in return. I am basically used to it. When I told my parents I wanted to go to fashion school, my father almost killed me when he tossed me down the long narrow staircase in our back hall. I had to lose my parents to gain freedom.

Then with Ezekiel, I had to lose that freedom to stay with him for his support until I realized I could have better. I lost friends and acquaintances by running from Ezekiel but I gotta go fashion school. Lose and gain, they come in a pair. I have never felt true happiness without the shadow of just a little bit of pain. I gained my dream experience here in London and lost Callan. He wouldn't wait for me.

*********

I have learned something recently, goodbyes are somehow exhausting and I do not like them. When I left my Port Harcourt, there was this bittersweet about it but I wasn't exactly sad, I can't explain way, other than the fact that I think somewhere deep inside me there is this little girl that was protecting me from getting attached to anything and I don't know what that changed but I think it had something to do with the lingering attraction that Callan brought into my life. No matter which continent I was on. Or maybe it was when I really clicked with Jane for the first time in a long time or at all really.  Even my best friend in high school didn't know some of the things I have admitted to Jane over time.

Meeting these people here in London, I didn't hold such a reservation. I genuinely liked its people and I will miss them all. I spent almost one year here, I hadn't expected to but it was a beautiful surprise if not also a bittersweet one. After dinner last night with my boss and interns, I had some more teary goodbyes until Janet pulled me aside for a private chat. We ended up sitting at the bar in that restaurant until later than I would have expected. She brought me a drink and we spoke about many things. She also just wanted to say thank you for being a great intern and to give me some words of advice. As my mentor, of course, I will listen to her.

“This industry is cut throat even if they are smiling at you while holding the scissors and I bet with your designer shoes too, you have good instinct. Use them, trust yourself in here.” She said and placed her hand over my shoulder.

It was the most sentimental she has ever been, the woman had always been mostly exclusive and at times even strange. She isn't friendly, yet I considered her my friend. She keeps a tight ship in her office and scolds them often, yet they admire her. She drinks champagne in designer gowns and whisks you off so you can get away from pervert and boring men. It is in her innate ability to read into the minute details and pull from the depths of your mind something you didn't even know you were thinking of.

“I know the fabulous and handsome man who went to France and London for you, he is a temptation all women would fall into. Men like him are wonderful lies, sweetheart. Remember this, had you left five months ago, your life would not have been the same.” She told me, though I never once told her about the ultimatum Callan gave me.

“How do you know?” I practically whispered.

“Because as I said, men like him are a wonderful lie and a sneaky trap. Why do you think I married someone like Alinco? He is shorter than me by at least five inches and undeserving of me but that is exactly why I like him. He knows he is unworthy and he kisses my hand like I am loyal to him. He never overshadowed my own career or stopped me from continuing it. He is ugly but he is a good husband.” She deadpanned.

My jaw dropped at her brutal honesty but I expect nothing less from her.

“I knew when I saw a man of that caliber follow you to France that he would be your beautiful lie. That's how I know, sweetheart.” She patted my hand.

We both leaned onto the bar and talked this way for a good two hours, she is smart and blunt. She gives good advice and she dazzles you with her perfect observation you wouldn't think she would catch on to. That is why I always called this woman a mythical creature, she has an air about her that I found in common with Donatella. Maybe that is part of why we got on so well.

The same way I met Lady Alinco was the same way that I left her. Swooping into her arms, with a double check kiss and a smirk. She told me once that she felt she would see me again soon, she had been correct. Again, her parting words to me were almost the same.

“This isn't over, it has hardly begun. See you there.”

She didn't specify where, but I didn't ask either. She knows and I will find out once I arrive, whenever that may be.