Chapter 5

The elevator ascended, the buttons on the dashboard lighting up as it scaled the building. Throughout the ride, I was trying my best not to scream, tapping my feet on the floor out of boredom instead. I was craving coffee more than anything. Well, this was going to be only a quick confrontation and I would have been done with it in no time. 

I exited the elevator and was greeted by the sight of men and women working and moving around in tight-fitted dresses and neatly pressed shirts with neckties that could choke away a quarter of their life force. I felt like throwing up. 

What is it with them and dressing like they were going on a runway? 

The fact that their job was to gather news and write articles concerning the fashion world didn't mean they needed to dress up like a stuffed turkey for Thanksgiving. 

Anyway, I ignored the stares they were giving me and made my way around the people dressed like the doll in the movie- the boy. My jean and shirt stood out amid these barbies. 

God bless Cassie for having these shoes. It would have been an eyesore with me wearing different shoes in this Department. Come on, my jeans and shirt were handling that part fine. And don't even talk about my hair. I look like a girl from a poor home and her fiance just introduced her to his family who is floating in money. 

Ignoring the stares I was receiving, I marched straight ahead to Gerald's office, not even bothering to knock on the door. 

“Gerald what's the mean—“ 

I froze on the spot as I noticed he wasn't alone. Leslie was in his office and I didn't want to believe what I was seeing. They were in each other's arms and were about to lock faces. 

Now, that was unexpected.

Cassie, your question just got answered. Something is going on between these two.

"Miss Bennet," Gerald said, drawing me out of my shocked state. 

I cleared my throat before speaking. “Oh, it seems I came at the wrong time. I will just leave you two to your business and come back when you are free."

"There's no need for that," Leslie spoke up. "I was just about to leave." 

You're only leaving because I interrupted your lunch. I see the reason for the Botox surgery now. 

“Okay," I whispered as I watched her leave the office, closing the door behind her before I turned back towards Gerald who was seated in his chair, giving me an annoyed look. 

"Woah there tiger, you can have your lunch when I'm gone.“ 

"What do you want?“ 

“Going straight to the point, are we? Just want to ignore what happened earlier?" 

"Nothing happened and you saw nothing. You better write that down," he warned. 

I laughed at the fact that he was threatening me. Sorry dude, but you're not getting out of this one. 

"That's none of my business," I lied. “More importantly, why did you have an interview with Mr Giovanni? You knew the Art Department was scheduled for that.“ 

“Please, everyone in that Department is just a group of amateurs," he scoffed as he arranged the tie on his neck. 

“Excuse me? You can't just call people who have worked their asses off in school to get a certificate and landed a job which they struggled for by using moral means to get it ‘complete amateurs'."

"That's how I see you guys. You can't change my perspective."

“Sorry to break it to you, but your mindset is fucked up. I think you need to have your brain checked.“ 

Gerald stood up from his chair and banged his hands down on his desk. "I won't stand you insulting me, Miss Bennett."

"The feeling is mutual. Don't think I'm just going to stand and watch you insult those under my care. What's your problem with the Art Department? You're the head of the Fashion Department and there are a lot of juicy stories concerning this than in the Art Department. Why are you still encroaching into our field?“ 

“Because that Department isn't even supposed to exist!" He shouted 

“What?" 

“Yes, you heard me right. There's no difference between the art and fashion worlds. Fashion is everything. It has more news and makes more money. What does art do?“ He asked. 

"Waiting for the news of one scandalous artist to pop up or an upcoming artist that doesn't even know his left from his right. There's no contribution from you guys to this industry," he continued. "Everyone is into fashion. It is something the masses look forward to when they open every magazine. No one thinks about artists and their boring lifestyles." 

“Wow, I knew you had problems, but now I see that you're completely insane. Just as everyone looks forward to the latest trend in the fashion world they also look forward to knowing about their idol's life.“ 

“Yes, all you guys do is bring out people's personal lives and destroy them," he sighed as he sat down on his chair and began arranging some files on his desk. 

Now, why do I feel like this discussion just took a different turn? It felt like he had passed through some trauma concerning scandalous news. If that is the case, why is he working in the entertainment industry? 

"Dude I have no idea what your real problem with my Department is but know that I and my team do not release information that any artist is not willing to give to the public.“ 

“Just spare me the sermon and leave my office. You guys are just amateurs and shouldn't even be employed That work is for people who are competent and not for weak women like you." He looked up at me with disgust. "I hate seeing people like you having lead roles."

"Haha ...“ I laughed sceptically. "Now I see where the problem lies. You're jealous that I'm the Head Editor of the Art Department." 

“Jealousy is for low lives. I'm way past that.“ 

"Then, it's a grudge. You are among a set of people who see others that strive to make it, as being pathetic just because you have it lucky for you. Right?“ I asked, but he only replied with eyes that could bore a hole through my head with the intensity of malice in them. 

“Now, let me clarify one thing," I said as I placed my hands on his desk and leaned down to his eye level. "I am not a weak woman. Know that you might have asked for a fight but get ready for a war." I lifted myself off his desk and stormed out of his office without waiting for his reply. The shocked expression on his face was enough to placate my rage.