Hinovel
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Summary
PROLOGUE : Iris Tremaine is an icon. A fashion icon. At twenty-six years old, she’s at the top of the fashion industry, having created a multi-national corporation, designing for both runway and retail. She’s one of the richest, most-admired women in the world and yet there’s something astronomical missing from her life. Somehow, the glamour and lights aren’t what they used to be. When a tormented, mysterious man comes into her life, she begins to believe he may be what she’s been waiting for. He may offer the spark she’s been missing… But what she doesn’t know is that this man has a past- a past that will rock her world straight off its axis. Thank you very much for taking the time to explore my work. Xx
01
« Iris ! Stop avoiding us for heaven’s sake and try to have some fun for once ! »
Grabbing a glass of the Perrier-Jouet Champagne I’ve become so acquired to, I turn, annoyed by just the sound of my former friend’s voice. Gwyneth and I have always been close- I even offered her a job- making her my key designer. But what I’ve been too ignorant to see- and what she still doesn’t realize I found out about- is that she’s been screwing my boyfriend of two years for over six months now.
And you know what, Marcus has always been too good to be true. He owns a law firm, a really large, successful law firm in New York. I should have known then that he’d cheat. I’m always away. My business has taken off- I’ve now expanded from just New York and California to Paris, London, Tokyo and Sydney. Toronto’s on the way soon- so, yes, I’ve been occupied with other things but I’ve been faithful. I’ve tried to see him as much as I could. We see each other at least once a week.
And our sex life isn’t lacking or at least I thought I wasn’t. I was wrong, I guess.
I’ve been actually wondering how I’m going to even confront them but for now, just staring at her face makes me want to scream- out her to everyone. Considering she’s at a party for my birthday, I don’t think they’d take to her well.
I move closer to the group of women huddled together, aware of the stares. It’s something I’ve grown used to- men staring as I walk by. I started out modeling very young, having received a break by someone merely passing by me on the streets of New York, someone who worked at Vogue. I’ve never known what it’s like to be unnoticeable- what it’s like to walk down a street without paparazzi.
I’ve also never known what it’s like to be loved just for being me. It’s a fact that has my heart becoming more bitter and isolated everyday.
I exhale, downing the rest of my drink, barely listening to their conversations.
« Iris, tell us about your new line. I can’t wait to see it ! » Elizabeth exclaims, entwining her arm with mine. « I’m wearing your dress now, did you notice ? »
« Yes, I did… It looks lovely on you, » I murmur, smiling softly.
What’s a good excuse to leave your own party early ?
« Well ? » she questions after a moment of silence.
« What ? »
« Your line ? »
« Honestly, Iris, where are you right now ? » Gwyneth chuckles across from me, crossing her arms over her chest. My glare is lethal. I bite my tongue and look back down at Elizabeth hanging off me.
« You know I can’t reveal anything. I’m really excited for it though, » I murmur quietly, touching her hand. She smiles wide, groaning.
« I hate secrets ! »
I glance over at Gwyneth, nodding. « Yes, so do I… Excuse me. »
I turn, resting my cup on a server’s silver tray and walk to the table to grab my clutch. There are so many people here there is barely enough room to walk.
« What the hell is going on, Iris ? »
Bent over, my eyes flicker to the red tablecloth as I ponder my next move. I decided to stand up straight, turning to face Gwyneth. Her green eyes are narrowed, her red lips pressed together tightly.
I resist laughing.
At my silence, she begins again. « I mean, here you are- we threw this party for you and you’re just sitting around as if you’d rather be somewhere else. As if this weren’t good enough for you ! »
« Why are you acting like you did the groundwork to set up this party ? »
She’s taken aback- I take pleasure in it.
« Why are you acting like this ? »
« Tell me, Gwen, how long have we been friends ? »
« Six years. »
« Exactly, who got you your first modeling gig ? Your first job ? Who gives you your source of income ? »
She stares at me silently. I watch the wheels rapidly turning in her brain as she tries to figure out if I actually know what she’s too scared to reveal.
I shake my head, chuckling ; figuring out it’s not even worth it. I skirt around her, picking up my gown.
« Iris, let’s talk about this ! Let me explain. »
I spin, stopping her with a gesture of my hand. « You’ve been fucking my boyfriend. We have nothing to talk about. As of today, you are my employee- we are no longer friends. You’d do well to remember that. »
I pull my arm from her grasp, grinding my teeth as I bound around the tables, desperate to make it out of these confining doors.
…
I lean my head back against the brown leather headrest, safe in the confines of my limo. I blow out a breath, reaching up to take my hair down.
« God, I hate hairspray, » I mutter as my fingers get caught in the tangles of my brown waves.
« You sound like you hate pretty much anything right now, » Viktor murmurs sarcastically from the front. I narrow my eyes at one of the only people I actually trust with everything in this world. A man who’s with me 24/7- my very outspoken assistant.
« Wouldn’t you ? »
He turns in the passenger seat, glancing over at my driver briefly before pinning me with his crystal blues. « Honey, you knew Marcus was a pig. »
« No, I didn’t ! »
« Yeah, secretly, deep down you did. When you met him, you had me search into his past relationships. You never trusted him. »
« I hoped he would be different. I’ve been with him for two damn years. »
« I know, baby, I know. » He reaches out through the partition, flexing his hand. A reluctant smile forms on my face as he hums, raising his eyebrows as he waits. With a groan, I reach out, grabbing his hand.
« I need a burger. »
His bleach blonde hair shades his eyes and I’m momentarily stunned by his natural beauty. I hired him on the spot when he showed up at the interview six years ago, sporting painted nails. His personality was so blatantly flamboyant and- so inviting. I immediately loved him- and thankfully, he didn’t make me regret my choice.
He’s been my assistant and friend since I was a teenager.
« You got it. » He smiles, nodding.
…
I deposit my clutch onto the couch with a sigh, forced to look around my apartment. Marcus has lived with me for almost a year now. We made the commitment to this glorious two-story, dozen room mansion in upstate New York and now, I have no idea how I’m going to refill it after I get rid of all his shit.