Sasha stared at her computer not believing what she saw.
"Gregor Sabatini, long time partner to Jay Miles at Jay Miles design launches exciting new 2005 collection." She read out loud.
That little headline was just one of them. There were hundreds of different articles, forum threads and material with picture to verify the man who sat next to Sasha in the park today and told her he needed her to be a model.
Sasha looked at the collection under the headline. She pressed the play icon to watch the show. Thinner than thin women walked up and down the long slippery-looking piece of plastic laminate, staring into Sasha with arrogant eyes, never missing a beat, their every turn a masterpiece. It was almost as if they could see her through the camera lens; As if somehow they knew what was on her mind.
"You'll never be able to do this." They told her. "You're too fat. Look at us. Look at the years of work that have gone into a body like this, skin like this, hair like this. Do you really think anyone seriously thinks you can achieve like us?"
Sasha agreed with them. It felt too incredible; too incredible to be true.
She had the right guy though. Images of Gregor flashed up, time and time again confirming what she'd been told. She glanced down at the business card in her hand for the hundredth time. "Nine -- thirty sharp." It read. "Meeting with Jay Miles regarding modelling."
Pictures of Greg and the world he inhabited burst up over and over again, taunting her with the offer he made and tantalising her with a world she'd thought was never available to her.
Greg with his boyfriend John Rankin the brilliant architect at the coolest parties and openings. Pictures of Greg with other famous designers; at his desk working; showing interviewees around his stylish apartment; holidaying in Pairs; judging at young designers of the year awards all competed for space on Sasha's screen , compelling her to get deeper into world drawing her in. One of the biggest names in fashion, Gregor had understated his position when he told her he worked for Jay Miles.
She's seen pictures of Jay before of course, but she'd never stopped to look properly. Being plus sized, the world of fashion remained firmly out of bounds. She'd bought the occasional Vogue to read in the bath, making herself rash and bold promises about never eating again and working out nonstop till every ounce of fat had left her body, as she painted her toenails red. Plus she was a news addict so fashion week always made the headlines, but other than that, this world had been a place she knew she wasn't invited and as such, had no desire to go.
Would all that change now that the invitation had been extended? Sasha knew she was pretty, she'd always known that, but none of it mattered because she was a full figured woman. Full figured women simply aren't beautiful, that was how conventional thinking travelled. Or at least if the opinion wasn't spoken out loud regularly, it sure was reinforced everywhere Sasha looked.
She talked it over with Penny many times, as Gilbert shook his head in wonder. He'd always liked Penny to have a round shape. He loved that it made her breasts larger and her flesh softer. Now, Jay Miles apparently wants a full figured model as well.
Don't lose any weight He told me. As if I could drop thirty pounds overnight. I've tried that one plenty of times before.
She'd been asked to an appointment at Jay Miles international couture house, and to bring all her weight with her.
Jay Miles.
Jay Miles.
There was another issue all together.
Jay Miles.
Looking at the pictures of him on the internet, Sasha found to her horror that Jay Miles was as incredibly attractive as she'd always read. His heated presence electrified the screen so much that Sasha wondered how her cords stayed planted in their sockets. Now that the moment had arrived to study him, she found that she couldn't take her eyes off him.
My god, he really does it for me.
His dark hair sitting in a designer mess and falling into his steadfast deep ocean blue eyes, suited him even in his early forties, although it was a young man's do. His tanned skin hid nothing of his bulging physique suggestively taunting her through tight t shirts and designer jeans. Many were the photos taken of him with playboy bunnies crowded around, or starlets kissing his cheek looking breathtaking in one of his consummate designs. He attended the best parties, consulted to royalty and owned a yacht. He'd even been snapped taking drugs at a party with Kate Moss.
Yet still, with all the 'bad boy' commentary, his startling eyes held a depth of aptitude and vitality so that Sasha felt compelled to see past the naughtiness to the raw male smouldering beneath every facade.
The man was perfect.
A little bit of bad boy combined with savvy business man.
This won't do. Don't go getting caught up with the new boss who is as unobtainable as a live turkey on thanksgiving. If you play your cards right, there may be some sort of interesting work to do here and have a nice holiday.
However, as determined as she was not to get too caught up, stories of the man and his escapades abounded, making him seem too delicious for words. His dimpled smile had a hint of the unfettered boy in it, and in the earlier shots he spread that smile around.
