Secret Designs(15)

Ari stared at Penny as she digested her words. She couldn't quite believe what she was hearing. She and everyone else in the room would be made redundant and they'd be out of a job in two weeks. Two weeks.

"Before the end of the day, you will all receive a letter detailing the redundancy packages that you will receive," Penny continued. "You are also offered the services of a career counsellor, should you want one."

Their CEO sighed and swept her gaze around the room, making eye contact with each one of them. "I'm sorry about all this. The next few weeks will be incredibly busy for me, so please let me take this opportunity to wish you all successful careers after Eros."





*******



Ari stared in dismay at the letter she had in her hand.

Four weeks worth of salary. That was all she would be getting.

As she hadn't been with Eros for one whole year, she was not entitled to any redundancy money. All she had was the two weeks leave she'd accumulated and the monetary equivalent of another two weeks, which admittedly was generous, as she didn't think she was eligible for that at all.

Her eyes moistened. By her calculations, her cash would only last a couple of months tops, with her current regular expenses and financial obligations.

She buried her face in her hands, the feeling of helplessness threatening to engulf her. Earlier that day, she'd taken an extended lunch break and spent two hours calling people non-stop. She rang her previous employers, industry contacts, and even cold-called other fashion houses to see if they had any job openings for designers. No luck, not even a promise of "We'll check." She also got in touch with a handful of recruitment agents, who advised that they didn't have a single job listed for a senior designer position. There were some roles at a more junior level, but she was told she wouldn't be considered for those, as she was much too qualified.

Just the week before, the story of one big couture house folding and another one on the brink of collapse had hit the news. Finding another job for someone at her level in this economic climate would be extremely difficult. While she had an enviable reputation in the industry, current conditions had companies consolidating, rather than expanding. Senior design jobs were few and far between.

She looked around her living room. Maybe she should move to a one-bedroom place, even a studio, to lower the cost of her rent. If she had to take a role that paid below what she was used to getting, she would need to make some sacrifices here and there. One thing that wasn't an option was to pull back on her financial support to her older sister Sylvie and her nephew Kenny.

The musical ringtone of her phone startled her.

"Hi, Jaz," she said, injecting some life in her voice.

"Hi, Ari. Are you busy tonight?"

"Um, not really. Why?"

"Do you want to have dinner with me somewhere near your place? Kane has a dinner meeting with a client tonight and I thought I'd drive there. We could start discussing my wedding dress or just hang out together."

"Okay, sure," she answered, not really feeling like socialising, but thinking it would do her good to talk to her friend.

"Great! See you soon!"

"See you, Jaz."

Ari hang up the phone dejectedly. Darn, she would need to ask Jasmine for some money up-front so she could buy the materials for her wedding dress. She didn't like the thought of that. She hated asking friends for money.

She took a shower while she waited for Jasmine, ruminating on her sudden change in fortune. At this point, she could only hope and pray she'd have a new job—any job—to move to as soon as she finished up with Eros. God knew she, Sylvie, and Kenny needed it.





*******



"Ah, Jaz..." Ari started nervously as she took Jasmine's measurements.

Jasmine looked at her worriedly. "I haven't put on a lot of weight, have I?"

She laughed. "Your measurements haven't changed, Jasmine. No, um, I wanted to ask you something."

"Sure," Jasmine answered with relief.

"I was wondering if you wouldn't mind putting in a deposit for your dress?" she asked in a small voice. "It's just that I have to order your materials straight away and —"

"Of course, Ari," Jasmine cried. "Please, please, please stop feeling guilty about asking people to pay you! Why do you feel like that?"

"Because you're my friend, that's why."

"So? Just because I am doesn't mean I can't be your customer."

"But I don't have a business yet."

"Are you going to be less of a professional in making my dress just because you're not in business yet?"

Ari gasped in horror. "Of course not, Jaz. I'll make damn sure you have a stunning wedding dress fit for someone as gorgeous as you!"