"Miss Stareyes, you made it," Edward told standing in the company of others and she nodded when his warm hands cradled hers shaking them.
She muffled when the corner of his eyes crinkled.
"Good to see you,"
She withdrew her hand "Danica, can I get my gloves?" Her hands curled up and she wore them, patted his chest and then moved on.
"I am so excited," She squealed.
Edward scoffed at her and followed without question.
His strides were steady and powerful, she couldn't have missed his arm when he brushed by.
Her hand rested on his sleeve and she had a feel of his bulging bicep, she had a closer look at his face and she smiled instinctively when his eyes reached hers.
"Will you do the honours?" He outstretched his arm.
"Oh please, I've been opening this door for a while now,"
Danica cut her hand across her neck. Signalling her.
"Please, I want to be surprised," She took the key and it shook when she slotted it in.
'I hope Lawrence cleaned this right,' He thought.
"Darn it,"
"Hold on," She halted while he leaned over to flick the key horizontally. She swallowed.
"Butterfingers," She exhaled and smiled gazing at the pictures hanging down by strings and some of them spun in the currents. She smiled at the new layouts on them.
"I must say, this studio is very high maintenance, it's very..." She ran a finger across the machine at the dust. "Spotless,"
"We work with the best and guarantee that our partners have an optimum experience," He grinned.
"I see," She imitated and pushed down her wig. "Where do we start?"
She held out her purse and Danica took it.
"We've brought our latest piece from Mode with new and improved mechanics that will make your work almost, effortless,"
"I don't believe that. But I'll give it a try," She chuckled prompting a grin from him and she tested the sewing machine.
The noise from sewing was lesser and there was a cushion provided. "Oh wow, these are good. Now, what project are we working on Mister Cummings?"
His expression changed and he glimmered,
"There's no need for formalities, I have been a victim of such but the reality is, we rise by lifting others and I'm suggesting a collaboration,"
Odetta looked serious "You're not buying into this brand, Mister Cummings,"
"Well, if you say so, I'm ready to work now," She said and leaned over to Danica. "When are we getting a brand?" She said from the corner of her mouth.
"Soon," Danica whispered back.
"I haven't quite met you yet," Edward referred to Danica.
Odetta nodded "Ah, she was my model and assistant..."
"Legal advisor, Danica Charlie," She shook his hand.
"You also model," He rotated his hand and Danica muffled after last night.
"Not necessarily, Miss Stareyes here asked me to, it was a remarkable experience. Now my client Reyes has work to do,"
Reyes...Brooke was right. He thought.
She gestured to Odetta who laughed walking past him. "Shut up,"
"Yeah," She whispered.
Odetta sat back and put up with the organza.
She gripped a tablet that was provided and he watched as she sketched the graphics and added more colour.
"So if we do a crop here at the bodice, we might have to worry about the sides coming across as loose so what we're gonna do is use a pliant waistband to tuck it up, I'm sure you have a background in putting together women's clothing?" She said and looked up, he was leaning over with his sleeves rolled up beside her.
"Admittedly, no,"
She scoffed "The CEO doesn't recall making women's clothing?"
"Oh, I learned from the best, but given my predicament? I'm lacking inspiration," He slipped up another grin.
She swivelled on her chair. "Oh,"
I inspire you?
"Glorious, I'm humbled, really," Her eyes glimmered.
"So what are we waiting for?" He smirked.
"Right," She said.
Odetta hadn't observed Edward utilize a sewing machine before.
Her eyes tilted and talking to him was a breeze but the way his eyebrow quirked when she went into details knocked the wind right out of her.
"Are you getting this?"
"Some of it,"
"Fair enough,"
He took down the pointers and watched her hands work gesturing around the green fabric.
"I would use a scarlet waistband," She said as she chose a hem for her dress and hung it up when it was done.
"I'd say it's coming together," She snorted.
"Where exactly are you from, Olivia?" He asked.
"Mexico,"
"And have you ever been to Mexico?"
"In this harsh weather? Are you crazy?" She scoffed and nudged his abdomen. Her lips pursed sorting the rough hems of her work.
"Sorry,"
"No apologies necessary, this is a civil environment,"
A buzz sizzled up her spine and she winced at his words and then laughed. "Of course,"
Edward's eyes roamed down her figure.
"Great," She patted the waistband and turned around. Facing him.
"Perhaps you would like a closer look? Mister Cummings," She swallowed.
Edward smirked "Absolutely. This is definitely what I would ask my plus one to wear, it's so smashing,"
His voice had an alluring drawl.
She laughed "A plus one? Is there...an event that I don't know about?" Her head turned sideways glaring at him in playful suspicion.
"Quit asking like a jealous girlfriend and focus," Danica cut into her thoughts, through her earpiece. Her eyes rose to his lips and he lowered the fabric.
"Perhaps a break to cool things down," He said.
"Ah yes, I nearly forgot," She beamed at him and he led her out first and he locked the doors.
Odetta sat cross-legged in the lounge area holding a glass of tea.
Edward sat across from her and she pulled up a flask and poured himself a cup of herbal tea. He inhaled it and drank.
"I speak a little Spanish,"
The hair on her neck stood, "We wouldn't want a deterrent, now would we, Mister Cummings?" She leaned over.
His hand stretched to hers and she blushed.
"Absolutely not," His eyes glimmered.
She took her hand off his calloused to search her purse clumsily and dropped a bill.
"I need some air," She said brushing her hair back and his eyes rose while she left.