I looked up at the building in front of me. This was it, my new job… my new beginning. I walked through the front doors with a confidence I haven’t felt in a while. I’ve never had an official job designing clothes, only the things I’ve done on the side. I was extra nervous not knowing what to expect. I’d never been on this side of the business before and didn’t fully know the rules. How did they choose which designs? Did they give you an idea of what they’re looking for and leave you to your own devices? Is it a weekly competition of who can come up with the best thing? Or was it, whatever you make we put on the racks? I was completely and utterly flustered.
I eyed the building letting my anxiety dissolve with a deep breath. This was a new beginning and I couldn’t let a little anxiety get in the way of me finally getting a taste of what I want. I squared my shoulders and let myself into the building towards the front desk.
“Good Morning, how can I help you ma’am?” The older man at the front desk greeted me.
“Good morning, it’s my first day. I was told to ask for Janine Campbell.”
He offered me a pleasant smile. “Sure thing. I will ring her up, you just wait right here.”
I smiled back and scanned the lobby as he made the call. Aurora was a long way from Jersey I’ll tell you that. There isn’t the hustle and bustle of the City and goodness the people here are just extremely more pleasant. For someone technically on the run, it wasn’t bad at all. Sure, I was run away from the few friends and family I had by that monster of a man but it’s not like I made out in a bad way in this deal. In all reality, I think that I made out pretty darn sweet.
It’s only been a few days since I’ve made it here to Cayuga but I’m already feeling pretty settled which can be extremely dangerous. I mean, I am running from Lucifer – the president of Hades Riders motorcycle club, as well as the paternal pappi to the baby in my womb. Yep, he didn’t want me nonetheless to knock me up. As he so eloquently put it, I was a fuck and nothing more. Then had the audacity to threaten to take my baby. So, I did what any rational woman in my situation would do… I came up with an elaborate plan where I thought of everything possible and got the heck out of dodge.
Abelie Bianchi has seized to exist and Jianna Mancini has emerged. Born and raised in Maryland, moved to Cayuga after losing her parents in a fatal car crash that killed all people involved, on their way to the airport in a car driven by my previous fiancée – also the baby daddy – and I’m now a loner. Way better than the real deal if you ask me. The only part that has been extremely depressing was leaving my dad behind without a word. Growing up, it’s always been me and him and he was a fine dad. He was also the reason why I’d even met Lucifer and I knew he just has to be worried sick. I’d assume by now, word of me leaving has gotten back to him in an attempt to find me. Then again, I could just be really bigheaded right now and think I’m more important to Lucifer than I really am.
You see… my dad somehow gotten himself in a mess with the mob. That story I still don’t even know the details to. Anyway, he hired Lucifer to keep me safe and hidden while the situation was resolved. Somewhere in the mix I went from loathing, to like, to really really deep like…. Dare I say almost to love. Just when things started to get good between us, it was time to return me home. Then what happens? I figure he’s out of my life forever and I’d never see him again and I find out I’m pregnant. Want to make a bad situation worse? I knew he wouldn’t want to be involved so I decided to keep my own secret – which was only forced out of me by his VP and best friend when he got the information misconstrued and was threatening bodily harm to a bunch of people. Including one person I’ve gotten extremely close with. He spilled the beans to Lucifer who then not only threatened me but degraded me. So, if that’s not enough of a reason to run, then I have no clue what the heck is. What a mess!
Let’s get back to the here and now. I’ve always wanted to be a fashion designer, with my name on tags and people happy and wanting to wear my designs. I’ve always done it on the side and I’m finally in a position to make clothes that will end up on a rack in a very popular store. This is just another step towards where I want to be. I’ve planned to ‘find out’ about my pregnancy at my next prenatal appointment here in Cayuga so it falls in place with having to disclose with the job. It is illegal to fire me for getting knocked up by a jerk after all.
A few minutes later, an older woman came off the elevators with a bright smile. She was dressed casually in jeans and a long-sleeved shirt. “Hi you must be Jianna” she said in greeting.
I returned her smile and took her proffered hand. “I am.” I said looking down at my clothing feeling a bit overdressed. I’d worn a skirt suit for my first day.
She must’ve noticed me scrutinizing myself because she chuckled softly. “Not to worry dear, we dress casually here with what we do, but everyone does this on their first day. No one will judge you and besides we will be doing mainly HR stuff and getting you setup. However, in the future I’d suggest against it, you’ll be very uncomfortable. We realize most of us sit at home in sweats and pajamas while we’re designing… we don’t need to be dressed uptight to do that.” I gave her a smile. “Let’s get you all setup, shall we? Did you bring all of the documentation?”
I nodded and patted the bag on my side. “I sure did.”
“Great! Let’s get started.”
For the next few hours we went through the motions of getting me all setup in their systems and eventually I was taken to my work station. They were large shared cubies with one neighbor and since I hadn’t been setup yet, I decided to possibly get to know the guy whom I would be sitting next to and maybe get some information on how things worked around here.
“Hi I’m Jianna, I’m new here and I’ll be sitting next to you.” I said to the guys back pointing at the empty chair.
He spun around and scanned me over with a thoughtful look. “Well aren’t you just cute? But honey, the outfit…” he began gesturing to my suit, “While I totally love it, it will get in your way here. You’re going to be up and down on your feet running around grabbing fabrics, getting all types of holes and possibly stains.” He leaned forward like he was telling me a secret. “Wear the cheap stuff you would never let your man see you in, trust me.” With that he threw me a wink and turned back to what he was doing.
I took that as an invitation to continue talking to him. “So, how does this work? We just create stuff every day and they’re put on the rack and we see how they do?” I asked.
He shook his head not taking his focus on what he was working on. “It’s rare you finish one piece in a day. Ideally, they like everyone to have at least one completed piece every week. Obviously if it’s a full outfit, they’d grab it when all the items are done.”
I nodded. “Ok what else?” I asked.
He chuckled. “Sweetie, I would love to chat with you all day however I have got to make a dent in this design today. I’ll tell you what, we can go out grab food and drinks and I’ll fill you in on all of the need to knows of this place when we’re done for the day. How’s that sound?” he asked.
I nodded excitedly. I haven’t been out with anyone since I’ve been here. Sure, it’s only been a very short period of time but the idea of potential company was comforting. I was afraid that I wouldn’t have this luxury while being here and with my paranoia but I wouldn’t let that hold me back. “Sure, sounds great.” I turned to walk to my seat and decided I could get one more question in. “By the way, what’s your name?” I asked.
He smiled. “How rude of me, excuse me. I’m James honey and I’m going to be your new BFF.” One last wink and I let him return to his work in peace.
When the workday was over, mainly me setting up my station I left with James. I followed behind him to a nice cozy looking restaurant. I hopped out of my car full of excitement for a night out. The place turned out to be a Mexican restaurant. We started off with appetizers before he began to bombard me with questions.
“So Jianna, what brings you to this little ol’ town?” he asked.
I shrugged. “Needed a change of scenery… how did you know I was new around here?”
He gave me a sly look. “Honey, that accent of yours definitely didn’t come from these parts. That was a dead giveaway. So where are you from?”
I took a long gulp of my lemonade mentally preparing myself to recite the story that I’d built. “I’m originally from Maryland, I moved here a couple of weeks ago. You’re kind of the first person I’ve met so far.”
He smiled. “Good, I’m the best there is anyway. Now, tell me about your passion for fashion…”
We continued talking about designing and he filled me in on all the need to knows about the company. I was extremely grateful and it helped ease a ton of my anxiety about the new job. I’d been loading up on lemonade and excused myself to the bathroom. When I walked out, a hand gripped my arm and my heart stopped completely. There was no way he found me, I’d been so careful.
“Hello gorgeous.” A voice drawled from behind me.
I was filled with instant relief. Granted, I should be concerned about someone obviously invading my personal space but I was 100% sure that it wasn’t Lucifer. I turned to face the mystery person behind me and there stood a very tall very cute guy. He had dirty blonde hair neatly styled with a light goatee. He had piercing blue eyes and he was sporting casual and comfortable clothes. I couldn’t help but return his smile.
“Hi there.”
“I’m Gavin, who might you be?”
“Ab-“ I cleared my throat. “I’m Jianna.”
“Beautiful name for a beautiful girl.” He said scanning me over.
I blushed. “Aren’t you a smooth talker?”
He shook his head chuckling. “No, not at all. Can I buy you a drink?”
That sounded like a dream, but I knew I couldn’t. “Thanks, but I’m actually here with a friend.”
He seemed to deflate instantly. “Oh, it’s alright…” he trailed off and the rejection was coming off of him in waves. The last thing I wanted to do was make him think I was just blowing him off.
“I’m serious! We can walk that way together. You have to pass my table to get to the bar.” I offered.
He nodded. “Ok, sure.”
He walked by my side until we reached my table and I planned to introduce them. Only I didn’t have to. “James? Hey man, what’s going on?” Gavin greeted as he approached.
“Gavin…” James drawled with stars in his eyes. Gavin laughed nervously and gripped the back of his neck. I frowned in confusion. James waved off his uneasiness. “Don’t worry, I won’t fulfill my promise today, I’ll let you go for now… just know one day I will bring you to the other side.”
Gavin cleared his throat. “Ok, I’m going to go.” He looked over to me. “I’ll see you around Jianna.” He said with a wink and sauntered away. I couldn’t help but check out his jean clad behind as he walked away, impressive.
James fanned himself. “I swear, the room gets about 50 degrees hotter when he steps into it. Check you out honey, you’ve been here how long and you already have one of the towns hottest and most wanted and eligible men drooling over you. What I would do to be in your shoes…” he trailed off.
It was beginning to click into place with me but I didn’t want to make any incorrect assumptions. “What was that all about?” I inquired.
James rolled his eyes. “This is a small town there’s only but so many schools as you can imagine. We went to school together and everyone loved that man, myself included. You see this town isn’t homophobic and is actually very accepting so it wasn’t like how you would imagine. It’s like a big family and you’re not judged for a lot of things. Everyone treats you like you were their own or a brother or sister. The straight guys here aren’t really offended when a guy crushes on them… I mean as long as you don’t cross any lines but that would go no matter what your sexual preference. Anyway, a mutual friend of ours got married and I had too much champagne and I told him it was my goal in life to get him to pitch for my team…” he waggled his eyebrows. “If you know what I mean. The guy is just too much man for himself.”
I smiled. “Ok, makes perfect sense.”
James leaned in like he was going to tell me a secret. “So, are you going to go on a date? You cannot say no darling.”
I shook my head. “No, I don’t think so…”
James looked exasperated. “We will work on that, now… have you ever handled silk?” he asked changing the subject for which I was grateful.