Chapter 25
Victoria
"I'm sorry, Christine isn’t available right now, can I take a message?" I asked.
“No, you can’t,” said the frigid woman's voice on the other end of the line. "Just tell her that I, or my models, won't be attending since she doesn't have the decency to be available when I need her most."
Click.
What the hell was that about?
Setting down the phone, I let out a frustrated sigh, blowing my bangs out of my eyes. I was having a stressful day. Christine had chosen to take the day off for some unknown reason, leaving me to take a million messages. I'd taken up residence in her office, and I would've been flattered by sitting in her seat if not for all the stress that came along with it.
Now she's going to blame me for Mrs. White canceling, I thought. Even though I have no idea why.
Patty White was a popular fashion designer that was supposed to be Christine's friend, and she usually supported all of Christine's events.
Apparently something must've happened between the two. Whatever it was, it must have been pretty bad for her to pull something like that. Christine's summer events were all the talk in the business.
"Just great," I muttered as I fingered through Christine's event planner, found Patty's name, and put a note to the side. "Just one more thing for her to bitch about when she comes back."
A knock at the doorway caused me to jump.
"Hey new boss lady!" April chirped cheerfully, popping her head through the doorway. "When did the wicked witch die and make you the new queen?" She stepped fully into the room, a stack of papers in her hands.
As usual, I thought she looked adorable. Her hair was pulled into two little girl ponytails on either side of her head, and she wore a white tank top and a white skirt embroidered with some kind of sparkly studs. Spiked boots adorned her feet.
If there was one thing I could say about April—she knew how to dress.
I groaned. "Please don't. I'm already nauseous and the day isn't half over yet."
"Oh please, I would kill to be in that chair," said April.
I stood up and motioned to Christine's seat, which we all had dubbed 'The Throne'. "Be my guest."
April clutched her papers to her chest and shook her head, her tails shaking about. "Nope. She put you in charge, not me. Though why she did that boggles my mind."
Actually, Christine had eased up quite a bit since Tyler had shown up. She hadn't been Mother Theresa by any standards—she was Christine Finnerman, after all. But she’d started to give me a little more responsibility, like today, for example. All of the useless errands she used to put me on, she made the newer girls do. I appreciated it and welcomed the experience.
“I’m basically here to take messages, not much else. But I agree, she has been a little different.”
“Must be something in the water,” April muttered. Then she shook her head. “But you might want to sit back down, because you might not like what I’m about to tell you.”
“What?” I demanded, gripping the edge of Christine’s desk, my heart beginning to pound. I eyed the papers April held with a sneaking suspicion.
“Christine was supposed to be a panelist for a modeling audition today.”
“Huh?” I asked in confusion. I was relieved and confused at the same time, and I had no idea what April was talking about. I usually handled Christine’s schedule, and I knew nothing about this.
“The male modeling auditions for Christine’s underwear line. It’s today. From time to time, Christine sits in. I thought you knew that?”
Before I could reply, April continued talking. “Anyway, me, Gabe and a couple of our coworkers are sitting in.” She beamed at me, shaking her pony tails with glee. “And guess who is filling in for Christine?”
“Me?” I squeaked in disbelief.
April nodded, jumping up and down with excitement.
“But she didn’t even tell me this!” I protested. I’m all for the extra responsibility, but I didn’t know the first thing about judging models, especially male models. Not only that, Christine hadn't told me a thing about it, robbing me of the chance to prepare.
If I held them to the standards to Tyler, they'd probably all come up short anyway.
I had no idea why I thought of that right then.
“It’s Christine. I don’t question anything she does,” April said. “I learned that a long time ago.”
"Oh God," I groaned. This is going to be a nightmare.
"Don't worry," April soothed. “Look at the bright side, at least you get to look at some hot guys modeling underwear. There's going to be so much eye candy you'll get sick! Heck, maybe you can even find you a cute guy to have some fun with.”
"Please," I muttered, rolling my eyes.