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enjoy...
I was 20 years old and getting ready to start an internship at an up and coming design house as part of my aspirations to become a fashion designer. I had never really heard much about Volupté or it's premier designer Genevieve Labonté. Today was my first day and it was more than likely that I'd end up being a gofer rather than learning anything about design or the industry but if I wanted to graduate I needed to do this summer internship. So here I was on an elevator, on my way up to the second floor of what had once been a warehouse, but now served as the home base of the Volupté. House of design.
When I stepped off of the elevator I was surprised at the pandemonium. There were about 17 people in the room but there may as well have been a hundred for all the noise they were making. There was techno music blaring through unseen speakers while the people around the room yelled conversations at one another, in addition to the noise there was fabric of various colors, patterns and textures creating a quiet riot on every available surface. The walls were painted an alarming shade of yellow and littered with scotch taped sketches strewn about all helter-skelter. There were sketch books piled high in the corners of the room and there were about 7 or 8 were people sitting on the floor with books, markers, and pens who were totally engrossed in their work.
And to top it off there were metallic colored mannequins in various stages of dress or was it undress? Positioned around the room.
I stood in front of the elevator for a good five minutes taking it all in before I was noticed by a cute guy with a mass of light brown curls and brown eyes. He introduced himself as Jamie and asked who I was. I explained that I was the new intern and that my name was Leigh and asked him who I was supposed to speak with about my duties. He told me I needed to see Eve as if I knew who the hell Eve was. Seeing my look of confusion Jamie escorted me to the far side of the room and knocked on a door that I hadn't even noticed, because it was painted the exact same color as the wall.
The door opened and I saw woman standing there looking quite annoyed at my presence and quite possibly at my very existence. "Turn down that incessant music" James she said referring to Jamie who still hovered somewhere behind me, after he'd knocked he'd moved away from the door.
The woman standing before me was beautiful. She was tall and lean and the severe slate gray pantsuit that she wore clung to her curves. The warm undertones under her skin hinted at the topaz she would become under the summer sun, her blonde hair was pulled into a bun, and her eyes were a startling shade of violet. I wondered for just a moment if they were contacts but I knew by this woman's demeanor and countenance that she would never be the type to indulge in something as frivolous as colored contacts. She didn't even have on any make up. I instinctively adjusted my white top though I knew it was fine and briefly reflected on the way an unusually pretty woman can make other woman feel inadequate and sloppy.
I was no slouch either I had even done a little modeling to work my way through school, but then again anyone who was even moderately attractive could model with the help of half a dozen make up artists and hair stylists. I was also tall and thin but not grotesquely so. My skin was the color of full-bodied coffee that had been slightly diluted with cream and my dark brown hair fell in loose curls to the middle of my back. My green eyes had been described as mischievous.
And my figure was okay though I was a little top heavy for my frame.
I stuck out my hand and introduced myself since she had made no move to do so. She ignored my hand and crossed her arms saying
" I'm Genevieve Labonté, I don't recall accepting an intern but make yourself useful" with that she closed the door in my face
Okay, I thought. Maybe she can take it down a notch from drama queen to drama duchess. Too bad about her being a bitch too her accent was enchanting and she was quite a looker.
Jamie had been standing aside watching the whole exchange and he came over and tried to smooth out any ruffled feathers, but he needn't have bothered I wasn't really upset. I'd dealt with more than my fair share of bitchy prima donnas and one more added to the mix wasn't going to thrust me over the edge of any imagined abyss.
"Are you okay?" He asked
"Dandy"
"I think you'll do just fine, the last intern turned around and left at once never came back"
" It's going to take more than a few cold words and a slammed door to break me" I replied
He led me over to the middle of the room and introduced me to the people who were gathered there and who had also been watching the exchange between the Ice princess and me.
After the introductions were all made Jamie instructed me to just help out wherever I could which included everything from making the coffee to matching the fabric that was strewn around the room with the sketches that were taped on the walls with fabric descriptions written on them.
I quickly learned that the casual business suit I'd selected wouldn't really be the practical way to dress when I'd be expected to sit on the floor and review fashion silhouettes and fabric grades and patterns.
I loved working at the Volupte even though I wasn't getting paid. The people were nice and although I did have to run a couple errands, and make the occasional pot of coffee I was learning relevant information about design.
As an added bonus I only saw Genevieve a handful of times in the three weeks I'd been there, and she hadn't spoken to me directly since that first day which was just fine with me. She would usually be there in her office or out on the floor altering and perfecting clothes long before anyone had even arrived. Most people straggled in by noon and there were always people there until well after ten o'clock at night. And She would to leave at about three but more often than not she would return at about nine to put in a few more hours.
I was surprised when she called me into her office on a Friday afternoon
She sat behind her desk silently appraising me. Once again I had the impulse to adjust my clothes but this time I resisted. Although I couldn't help feeling wildly underdressed in my tight jeans, denim flip-flops and a Madonna T-shirt from a tour that had been going on when I was still a toddler.
She couldn't have been any more than three years older than I couldn't if that. But her demeanor and Dress suggested that she was at least a decade beyond any of the twenty-some -things that I knew. Once again she was wearing a pantsuit, This one was red and the severe cut and angles almost made her look androgynous. Her shoes were black stiletto heels, and they had looked more than a little dangerous as she walked across the room this morning. I wondered how she worked in them all day.
"Sit" she said
"No thank you, why am I here"
"For a job" she said simply
"I really do wish you'd sit"
This time it was a request instead of a demand so I sat
"I've been watching you and your work is outstanding"
I was a bit taken aback by her compliment, as I viewed her as somewhat self absorbed and distant. Apparently my surprise showed on my face because she gave a soft chuckle.
"Since your internship is nearly over I wondered if you'd like a job with pay and all"
"Sure" I replied without having to give it a thought. This is what I'd wanted though I hadn't gotten my hopes up lest they end in disappointment.
She smiled again standing, I took my cue from her and stood as well though I'd just taken my seat moments before. Walking over to me she embraced me and said "welcome to my staff"
Her embrace though quick was firm. I liked the feel of her breasts against my own and I got a small rush of excitement from her touch. She ushered me to her office door and opened it walking out with me. Even though the music was pulsing as usual and there was as much chaos in the air as there had been that first day when Genevieve and I stepped from her office most of the staff turned to look. Jamie immediately lowered the music and they all stood looking expectantly at the two of us.
"I'd like you all to know that as of right now Leigh has become an actual employee of this company rather than an intern. Some of you guys had damn well better learned how to make a decent pot of coffee, as she won't be a part time Gofer anymore." Everyone laughed and more than a few people looked a little relived. I suspect some of them had thought I was about to get sacked. In moments the music was once again deafening and the momentary reprieve from chaos had vanished. I would've thought I'd imagined it had I not received a couple pats on the back and words of congratulations once "the boss" was safely ensconced in her office. After that it was work as usual.
