Chapter 6 The deal day

Mark was having a dinner with Jake and Miley at a five- star Italian restaurant. Miley took a quick look around, from the entrance it had a house-like look with a chimney in front while on the inside it was comfortable with dim light for privacy, sets of four piece tables and chair, with artificial decors of fruits, wine and iodized salts. They also had a piano lounge humming with underground music soothing the atmosphere.

“How is the place to your liking?” Mark asked Miley looking intently at her. She smiled before answering. “The place is nice, calm and soothing, much more for people with a lot of secrets.” She said finally staring back at Mark, anticipating his reply.

“I see you don’t know how to appreciate good things...” Jake intercepted them.

“Is this how you two are despite the six months you have known each other?” He continued teasing them.

“Cats and Dogs became friends after about 10036 episodes, less than three months.” They all laughed.

“Your point made but that statistics ain’t correct.” Miley said challenging him with her raised eyebrows to counter her words. Seeing as he she had won with the downcast look in his eyes, she waited to hear what he had to say.”

“You are such a Grinch-” Jake was saying with a smirk.

“-a party pooper I’d say.” Mark said.

“You are one in a time escort I’ve ever seen.”

“It an honor being an amusement and a new challenge to you.”

“Let’s order… but who here speaks Italian?”

“I can help translate.”

They finally ordered an antipasto, a primo, a secondo and a dolci for desert for Mark, pasta with vegetables and a small piece of cheese for Jake, and steak for Miley (Soup, rice, meat or fish). When they were done, they took separate ways, Mark and Miley and Jake.

…

Today was Julius Fashion week. Lea and her team set out dressed executively in Julius wears and attended the show scouting for the Jacksons according to their Intel.

Lea wore a sleeveless red gown with a deep cut in the front, with cat fur around her arm and shoulder and silver heels, and her brown hair cascading in waves Winifred wore a shirt and black pants, Jonah who followed her to the mall before wore a tux with a red pocket handkerchief, Mary and Emily, the older women in the team both dressed simply with a peach gown and brown boots.

They entered at first; they weren’t given pass until she came in contact with the sales girl who she had a dialogue with that was her and her team pass to enter. The chairs were in two rows opposite each other with a runway in the middle.

Some sat conversing with one another, waiting on the show. Lea stared around looking for anyone who looks different, rich, given much attention, or odd. But no one look that odd yet.

The show started after all the guests had arrived, the lights were dimmed and an announcer came to greet everyone.

“My name is Ashley Stanley, a director, personal assistance and childhood friend to Julius. I welcome you all to Julius Fashion week, be prepared to be amazed and ready to spend your money.” Many laughed.

“Now, it begins, we want eerily quietness and rapt attention. Thank you. Feel open to criticize, and comment.”

Then it began, no one still looked odd, different models came out posing different gowns, jumpsuits, Suits, underwear’s, and other fashion item. Until some guys came, they weren’t dressed well. Simple polo shirts with shorts, while the other looked like a boy version of the older one but with joggers and shirts.

Once the show was over, some people bought the fashion line and ordered. Lea also took note of their arrangements and gathering for future reference. She ordered Mary and Emily to get the contact address of those guys that entered later.

But… they were unsuccessful. She decided to try, on approaching, she admired the guys, but got on with her task.

“Hello…”

“Hello… How can I help you?” Mark asked while Miley was looking at her.

“I would like an interview with you. My name is Lea Miller.”

“Are you a reporter?” “I thought these events were exclusive.”

“No, I’m not a reporter, neither an onlooker. I’m a designer and worker at ‘MY CHOICE”

“Are you supposed to be here? I don’t care I’m tired.”

“How did you know? No one else is supposed to know?”

“I had a reliable source.”

“But you look familiar. Where have I seen you before?”

“I don’t believe we have met, I would like to prove my competence to you, give me a date and location.”

“I already have Julius in mind; I’m not planning on changing.”

“Aren’t you doing it because you feel they are qualified? Allow us to prove to you why you should pick us. To show we are worth more than a name, please?”

“Let’s hear her out. Okay, it doesn’t have to work out. Ok?”

“9a.m Monday, Bridgestone Tower, J.J Group INC. Once, it’s not convincing, we’ll drop you.”

“Thank you Sir. Thank you so much. We will not disappoint you.” ‘Thank you Lord’ she chanted repeatedly in her mind.

“Don’t thank me yet. Let ‘go.”

Lea went back to her team. “Let’s go. We succeeded gaining an interview with them. They went out to celebrate.