Chapter 25: The Hotel

SOFIA'S POV

I open the door ushering room service into the hotel room wirh the Professor's voice filling the room from my laptop. I didn't think it'd be this stressful redesigning some pieces. I expected them to look perfect.

"Just umm...place it there," I instruct him with a low voice. He smiles softly before making his exit.

I already miss being back at the apartment. Nova said she had a business trip with her dad for the week and that means she hasn't talked to me since she told me that. It's Saturday, so hopefully I can see her before the fashion week starts on Monday.

My phone rings as I settle for the fruit bowl to start with.

"Hey Tinkerbell,"

I check the caller ID again. It's her name. How did i miss it?

"Hey Castiello, are the french girls distracting you enough?"

"They've tried....but they're not you and that's the problem,"

"And that should flatter me?"

"No, just letting you know,"

She chuckles. The kind that lingers.

"I missed....talking to you,"

"Maybe you can show me how much when I see you tonight," she says and that makes my insides melt a little.

"You'd need to lose a tail, Castiello. I'm in a fortress," I say playfully.

She pauses before I hear my name being called out from the online class.

"I have to go but bring me something from your trip, I mean it,"

She laughs before the call ends.

"Yes,"

"Explain the Auteur theory in film critism," Mr Lorenzo's voice is sharp.

I wasn't paying attention.

I know the concept but I'll just stumble on my words because I lost focus when Nova called me.

"Umm I wasn't present when that was being taught but I will read on it,"

He lets out a heavy sigh before moving on to another student. I focus on my first meal of the day because I need to take my medication.

When the class is over I get ready and head to the studio that's a block away. I take my camera with me because I might need to do some visuals with the team.

"Miss Vescovi," sir Nick calls out once I'm out of the building. I didn't expect to see him. My step-dad hired a driver from here. I jog over to him glad to see a familiar face.

"Did dad send you?"

"You know the drill during these things, you can never be too careful," he says, reminding me of accidental photos taken of me and they had to confiscate the camera.

I get in the back and he drives me to the studio, scanning the area before opening the door for me. I don't usually get too involved in all the fashion weeks, I just prefer the women's fashion weeks.

"Sofia! Finally!" Viola, my assistant says striding towards me. It's ironic how this world is always there, waiting for me like I'm the missing piece. She's on the payroll despite working with me virtually because of school on most cases.

"The press wants confirmation on look number 8 and the models are ready for their final fittings,"

"Let's start with the look 8 then have the models in the dresses so we could confirm with the hairstylists for next week," I say and she nods before tapping on her tablet. She's a few years older, but has never berated my position as the lead designer. I mean it's clear nepotism but my talent makes up for it I guess.

The model wearing the piece walks in. Her walk is powerful yet alluring. The pantsuit with tailored, sharp edged shoulders fits perfectly. Maybe one of my favourites.

"Viola, we can confirm this piece," I say and she nods.

My next task is the model fittings and as much as it may sound easy, they're all human and each one has raised prior complains or made demands. It might sound dramatic but sometimes I just want to shout that I'm just 22 and I didn't sign up for it. But instead, I smile and do what I was taught growing up.

"I don't think I can do braids with this dress, makes my head look smaller," one says.

"Maybe a slick back? I'll have the makeup artists match that,"I say and my assistant jolts that down on her iPad, with her pen.

The demands continue with the rest but we agree on the changes that can be made last minute. Not big ones, just enough to show them that we care.

I check the time on my phone and its already afternoon from all the fittings and tailoring adjustments.

"Girls, we'll have a 30 minite lunch break before the runway walk practice. You guys know the drill," Viola says before they leave their stations. I already told her about the line up so I don't need to be here.

"Leaving already?" Viola asks.

"I think I've done enough for today, "

"You're really hardworking you know? I'll send you the videos of the runway lineup so you can confirm it," she says. Then why don't I feel like i am?

I plaster a smile across my lips before grabbing my stuff.

I take out my phone on my way to the car and dial my bestfriend.

"Can't even pretend you miss me huh?"

"Who's to say I'm not stalking you right now?" She jokes laughing at the statement herself. She's not that dedicated.

"Are you free for lunch? I feel so isolated,"

Mila hums.

"Yes I am. I'm actually going shopping for some sexy lingerie for my boyfriend's arrival,"she says.

I gag at the TMI that follows makes me wish I had taken an extra minutes before calling her.

"So in short I should cut my ears off after all that?"

"What are you and Castiello doing anyway if not fucking and feeling intense feelings for each other?"

The question is simple but comes off as an assumption. Did they think that we had already slept together?

"Umm getting to know each other?"

"You don't have to play it off. It's Castiello we're talking about so I'll understand if you want to keep that private," she says and i just pause for a minute.

"Maybe I will join you for the lingerie shopping,"

"Paolo is probably stumbling on his strut wherever he is because he just lost the bet."

"What bet?"

"That you're vanilla to Castiello's kink, and she's into some intense stuff from what the girls on campus say," she says.

I feel a wave of anxiety kick in.

I never did think of it like that. When I pictured her that way, it was more of a romantic sexual scene. Softer even, not that intense.

"I'll pick you up in a few," I say and she hums before the call ends.

I look over my outfit and decide that it'll do for the day as I settle into the car with sir Nick sending a warm smile my way.

He plays one of his orchestra playlists I've grown to like. He always said they take you to a world where everything dissolves into peace and calm.

My phone vibrates and I pick it up from my lap.

Castiello: photo this would look so good on you.

Me: Painting pictures of me in noir dresses now?

Castiello: No, just subtly hinting that I want to see you in it