Bella Notte (45 page)

I walked in and she
followed while trying to look the same ultimately she did look like a
model.

The place was packed
and we squeezed into the line. They had all sorts of food and my
mouth was watering by the time we got up to the front. I ordered us
some hot chocolate- I had decided it was the best in New York- and
two 'house special' sandwiches, with a side of fries to share.

The room looked
small because it was dim and lit up by paper lanterns. Most of the
tables were full, but I found us one squashed in between two other
tables; one with two 'drags' that were having an animatedly heated
discussion, and the other had two nuns that were sipping hot
chocolate while making it look like a sin. I fell in love further
with this place.

Kelly lost some of
her created self once she sat down and was exposed to our dining
companions. It was hilarious to watch. We ate in silence as she kept
glancing, back and forth, between the tables.

The driver arrived
on time as we stepped out of the restaurant. I smiled to myself
knowing I had expanded Kelly's horizons a bit.

We climbed into the
back of the black town car, and I instructed the driver to the loft.
Being as he was our regular driver, he knew exactly where to go.

The building was a
standard convert- from the outside it looked like an old warehouse,
but the inside held several studio-lofts.

We got out of the
car and I pulled my key out of my purse as I approached the
monstrously heavy, black door. Once unlocked, it took both of us to
get it open- yes, even with my awesome vampire strength I have to
pretend I can't get a little fire door open.

Panting from the
strain, we got onto the old freight elevator. Every creak and crack
the thing made up to the third floor had Kelly jumping. I was so
afraid the girl would have a heart attack.

She leapt out as
soon as the doors opened as I sauntered out and walked to the door in
front of us.

Although it appeared
to be the same kind of door as the front one, it opened gently. I was
surprised that Kelly hadn't bombarded me with questions- as soon as
we walked inside her face lit with confusion. It could have been the
three people standing there or the racks of dresses they had placed
by the big windows that did it.

Greetings Emma
.
A tall slender woman said with a chilly cold voice.

Emma!
Shrieked a short man wearing only varying shades of pink.

Another merely
nodded at me.

Hello all. Please
use words as my friend is human
,
I said before I spoke aloud. “Hey, everybody. We're here! Let's
get this party started!” I chimed. I was worried that they'd
say something about Kelly being human, but it all went off smoothly.

“
Emma!”
The man in pink squealed once more- later I found out his name was
Claude.

“
Hiya,”
I said with a wave.

“
Greetings,
Emma Hutchinson. You're Grandmother has said much about you,”
cold voice said- her name was Gretchen.

Another silent nod
from Chris.

I smiled. These were
all well known designers in the vampire world, but they didn't exist
in the human world. Our talents are often too good and draw too much
attention to us, so we stick to our own kind- at least that is what I
was told.

Kelly finally
started to look normal and asked what was going on. I explained to
her that we were getting dresses today. She squeaked about something,
which I ignored and asked the designers to start the process.

It took about an
hour for each one to get our measurements, and, of course, they each
had to do their own. Afterwards we sat on a couch and listened to
them discuss different elements with us. It was really boring to be
honest.

After we had each
decided the kind of style we would want if we were to design a
perfect dress- Kelly's was modest and mine was over the top- we
actually got to look at the dresses they had brought with them.

Claude's designs
were very feminine and elegant. He had a few dresses that were modest
enough for Kelly to like them and they were pulled out. But he was
too girly for me- too much lace and trim and stuff that would surely
cause me to kill someone.

Gretchen's stuff was
very conservative, but super unique. Kelly found two dresses to try
on and I grabbed one. Chris's stuff was my heaven. He had a lot of
dark colors, and his stuff varied from the feminine to the masculine-
yes, he had dresses that men could happily wear. The style went from
Gothic to classic. I was in love.

I pulled out
multiple dresses, but I favored one more than the others. It was a
short, all black, satin dress and it flared out at the bottom, plus,
when you spun in it, the entire bottom became a red and black spiral.
The red material was pleated into the skirt. I loved it.

Kelly and I tried on
dresses until the end of the day. The designers added in their
comments constantly. I decided on Chris' piece that I loved. Kelly
chose a silk form fitted spaghetti strap dress that was as long as
she was tall. The color was a mix between robin's egg and periwinkle.
I know, it's an odd combination, but it was very pretty. Take the two
crayons and rub them on a piece of paper and you'll understand. There
was a slit up each side to her thigh- not as conservative as I
would've figured, but it did come from Claude's stuff. She looked
beautiful- truly like a model.

Emma?
It was Chris' voice, soft and gentle. The kind of voice one would not
expect to go along with this line of clothes. He had probably already
encountered this problem and thus had decided not to talk with his
clients.

Yes, Chris
.
My voice smiled at him.

Is your friend a
model?
I could tell he clearly hoped the answer would be 'no'.

I did not
disappoint.
Sadly
to say no, but she would love to pursue that career
.
I could only hope that my new acquaintances would bring some good to
others.

I would love to
help her in that path. Does she come here often?
Excitement
filled his thoughts.

I don't believe
so. Why?
I
wondered what New York would have to do with anything.

I was thinking of
starting an agency. Since I'm a photographer, I wouldn't need to send
my models out. I want her as one of my first models. You know we have
connections. She would make more than with a regular agency, I assure
you.

I hated being
bartered with, especially when it ultimately wouldn't affect me one
damn bit.

I think that it
would be best if you discussed it with her. But be fair with her,
because I
will
know your true intentions
.
I made my implication clear.

I understand
completely. I would do the same if I were in your shoes
.
He smiled at me. “Kelly, have you ever thought about modeling?”
His voice was like a gentle summer breeze.

“
I, eh,
modeling, yeah. I mean, I have thought about it.” The end held
some confidence.

“
I am starting
an agency and I would love to have you as one of my first models,”
he purred.

I kept checking his
thoughts to make sure everything was a-okay, it was.

“
Really? How
would the client flow be?”

Oh my God, did
Kelly actually ask a logical question?
I was dumbstruck.

“
Well, I have
connections with
L'Oreal
,
Vogue
,
numerous top designers that have runway shows all the time, and I do
lots of business with Paris, London, Tokyo, and other places. I have
already received confirmation from all these places and many more
elite ones that will pay well and treat my models well.” He
sounded like he was doing a job interview.

“
I don't live
in the city. In fact, I live about three hours away by private
plane.” She pouted just a little- the effect was perfect.

“
That won't be
a problem. When you have graduated, we will move you to New York and
get you located near the studio, at my expense, of course. Once your
modeling starts to make a profit, we can come to an honest and fair
agreement for rent. As most agencies will take twenty percent of your
earnings, and then try and figure out other ways to screw you out of
your money, I will only ask for ten. I will draw up a contract and
have it sent down to Emma's lawyers. If you don't mind of course,
Emma, as I figure that you, Kelly, don't have a lawyer to make sure
everything is fair?” He was moving quickly, but it was all on
the level- he didn't need the money yet the desire to help humans
flowed from him.

“
That would be
fine, if Emma doesn't mind?” Kelly looked at me.

“
Of course it
would be fine. That's what our suits are for.” I beamed.

“
Excellent.
After the contract has been agreed on, then I will come down and get
some shots of you to start showing clients.” He was excited
again.

“
Okay.”
Kelly blushed.

“
Now, Emma. I
will have your dress ready for you by the time you specified you
needed it, so don't worry about it. I will call a week in advance so
you know the progress.” He kissed my hand and began packing
everything up.

“
The same goes
for me, Kelly darling. Do you want me to send it to you or over to
your little friend's?” Claude sashayed about.

“
Um, I think
it should come to my house. That way I can be ready when you guys
come and pick everyone up at my house.” She looked at me for
approval because I was renting a limo for prom and taking everyone
with me. I nodded.

“
Ah,
wonderful!” He got all excited and went to get his stuff
together.

“
Now,
Gretchen, before you go. I understand that you do shoes as well.”
I asked the chilly woman.

“
Yeah. I make
special shoes.” Her voice held a slight German accent.

“
Well, I would
love it if you would make our shoes.” I smiled.

“
That I can
do, what do you want?” She was a little more excited that she
had been chosen for something as well.

“
I would love
simple, black Mary Jane's, with red soles. I would like a three inch
heel,” I said as I sketched it out really quickly.

“
Piece of
cake. What about you?” Gretchen barked at Kelly.

“
Um, I want
the shoe to be the same color as the dress. I would also like it to
be heeled with two and a half inches. And like a strappy sandal.”
She bit her lip as she tried to figure out what would look good.

I quickly sketched
another shoe, I did it based on what Kelly said, and then I showed it
to her. “Like this, honey?”

“
Yes. Perfect.
Emma, you're a genius.” She glowed.

“
So, like
this.” I showed it to Gretchen.

“
I can do. Let
me measure your feet and then you can go.” We sat down quickly
as Gretchen got something from her stuff. She took our measurements
fast and accurately, and then dismissed us.

“
Okay, well,
we can go now. The car should be downstairs,” I told Kelly.

She nodded.

We reached the car
without any problems and then drove to the airport. It was already
five so we wouldn't be home any sooner than eight. I ordered some
food for the flight back and waited out the drive to the airport.
Kelly was quiet the entire time.

The plane was ready
and waiting when we got there. We climbed aboard and then sat to eat
dinner- which was delicious.

After we ate Kelly
looked at me.

“
What's up?”
I asked with raised eyebrows.

“
I wanted to
thank you … and … I was really wondering why you were
doing all of this?” Her eyes tried to plead with me to
understand that she wasn't ungrateful, just confused.