Chapter 3

From the outside, Fredrick might not seem like a large store, perhaps due to its narrow façade. However, this perception changes dramatically once you step inside. Upon entering, you are immediately greeted by an array of exquisitely displayed garments-suits, shirts, ties, and more, showcased in a way distinctly Fredrick's can. As you venture deeper into the store, its true size becomes visible. The layout includes tables for client consultations, design spaces, and fitting areas. A staircase leads to the spacious, private fitting rooms where tailors craft some of the finest suits in the world. Tucked away at the back of the store is a cozy lounge area complete with a small bar, offering a place for clients to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee or perhaps a glass of wine later in the day. At least once a day, the whole team tries to sit together in the lounge. To socialize with each other. Typically, there are about 7 to 10 people on the floor at any given time. This group includes our tailors, who primarily work by appointment. However, we also have 'ready to wear' specialists on hand. While they are still highly skilled, their expertise lies outside the tailoring process. Our tailoring team comprises Krishan, Thomas, George, Teddy, Lisette and Gustavo, while our ready-to-wear specialists include Bjorn, Edward, Natasha, Yvonne, Martha, and Josephine. All our tailors and the male specialists are full-time employees, except for Teddy, who takes Wednesdays off to be with his kid. Most of our female specialists work part-time. Then there are the store assistants: Emily, Chloé, Podrick, and Fred. And, of course, there's Joan, who affectionately refers to herself as my "store mother." She handles the cleaning duties around here, but as Taj always says, she's the backbone of the company. I absolutely adore her. This building is full of backstage shortcuts, which is fortunate because otherwise I would have to walk around the entire store to get from my office to the lounge. Now, I use a staircase located at the back of the upper level, bypassing the fitting rooms. For the first month, I didn't even know these stairs existed because the door is concealed within the wall. Somewhere along the way, I lost track of Taj, who was likely swept away into one of the fitting rooms where George was holding a session. As usual, we try to sit together, but the reality of the overcrowded agenda appointments often prevails. While entering the lounge, I find everyone already gathered. "Good morning," I greet the room casually, my words floating loosely in the air. I pick up a teacup that is already filled by Joan, who never fails to remember everyone's beverage preference. For me, it is tea. I never really liked the taste of coffee. "There you are, love," Joan beams at me, her smile as warm as the tea in my hands. "I was starting to wonder where you'd got to. Didn't Tasha mention Taj was around too?" She looks past me, but doesn't find Taj. I simply shrug. "I lost him somewhere between here and the office." Joan laughs softly, a sound of understanding. "That man never stops working." "Are we ever?" chimes in Thomas, sipping his coffee with a smirk. I nod, settling onto the large sofa between Joan and Edward. "Yes, and that's exactly what worries me," Joan responds, her tone tinged with concern. She always had a motherly worry for everyone here. "I fear one of you might end up with a heart attack. It's important to sit down and take a breath every so often." Before I can reply, Taj enters, commanding the room in a striking double-breasted blue suit new addition, I noticed. "I do not pay you guys to take a breath," he announces, half-joking. "New suit?" I ask, turning to my impeccably dressed boss. To be honest, everyone here always looks sharp, but then again, it wouldn't exactly inspire confidence if we appeared as though we'd just left the gym, would it? He glances down and gives me a look. "How are you only just noticing that? I've been sitting right in front of you for over an hour." I shrug once more. "That's what you call 'focusing on my work,'" I reply with a sly grin. "Isn't that what you're paying me for?" I retort, mirroring his rhetoric with a smirk. He tries to hide his amusement by turning his head away from me. "Remember her first day? There is no trace left of that shy, polite girl," he teases, settling into a seat next to Lisette. "Please, you're the one who made me this way," I retort, half-serious. He was always the one urging me to speak up more. Now that I do, he seems to be surprised by it. He looks like he wants to reply, but his attention shifts to something Gus mentions. Then, I hear a familiar voice. "Oh, babe," my best friend calls out. I instantly know she's talking to me; I'm the only one she calls here. "Bri was wondering if we're up for dinner tomorrow night." Ah, Brittany-how have I not mentioned her before? She's the final piece of our trio, the Three Musketeers. You'll hear more about her soon, no doubt. I shake my head. "Sorry, I can't. I'm catching the train after work to spend the weekend with Rodney." I pause, puzzled by my forgetfulness. My memory has been unusually foggy lately. Maybe a weekend away is exactly what I need. A mix of surprise and distaste crosses her face. She's never been fond of Rodney. Too bad for her, he's part of my life. I've told her to get used to it. "Why didn't you mention it sooner? I could have invited some friends over so I wouldn't be alone." Emily has always hated being alone, even in the comfort of her own home. "Sorry, it just slipped my mind." I apologize. Normally, she would have made a bigger deal about it, but with everything going on, she seems a bit more forgiving-or perhaps she's just decided to be more considerate of my feelings. Bless her. She nods and forces a small smile. "No worries. I'll just go out with Bri and probably have even more fun than you will," she teases. Part of me wonders if that might be true. Bri is like a blend of both Emily's and my personalities. She's less extroverted than Emily, but far more outgoing than me. When they're together, Emily tends to bring out Bri's adventurous side. She likes to do things with everyone she meets. "That's not very nice," Joan chides Emily. "She's probably right, though," Taj chimes in unexpectedly. "If I had to choose between a night out with the girls or visiting that damned boyfriend of hers..." His tone is light, but I know he's only half-joking. Like I said, Taj isn't a fan of Rodney either. "Alrightttt..." I draw out the word, hinting that I'm ready to move on from this topic. "So, what are everyone's plans for the weekend?"

-

Time seemed to race by today, and before I knew it, the clock struck 5 PM. Work is over for the day. Fortunately, I had the foresight to bring my bag with me this morning, packed with everything needed for a weekend away. I'm excited to see Rodney again. It's been a week since our last encounter, and his mid-term preparations have made our daily back and forward messages somewhat sporadic. As I collected my things to head out, I noticed Taj was still on a call. Normally, I'd wait for him to finish as it is a bit rude to interrupt, but with my train to catch, I had to go. I waved at him to signal my departure. "Sorry, one second," he said to the person on the other end before muting his call. "See you next week. Have fun and please be careful," he presses. I nodded in agreement. "You know I always am." My safety is something I never compromise on, especially after the tragedy of losing my mother to a drunk driver. "See you next week," I replied. While many might be happy with a break from work, I do not mind being here. After my quick departure from the store, I set off toward Green Park station, bypassing my usual stop at Piccadilly. A short six-minute walk later, I descend into the bustling London metro, joining the throngs of commuters typical for this hour. From Green Park, it's four stops to King's Cross. I remember the panic of navigating this station when I first came here, but now it feels almost like second nature. From there, I board the EMR train bound for Luton, followed by a 15-minute walk to campus. I could get an Uber, considering the weight of my bags, but it seems like a waste of money, especially when my legs are perfectly fine. Moreover, the weather is unexpectedly nice today, a rarity around here, leaving me with no excuses but to walk. Upon arriving at the street where Rodney's fraternity house is located, I quickly texted him to tell him I am almost there. The house is the epitome of fraternity life, seemingly lifted straight from a teen movie. It spans three stories and houses about 15 bedrooms, all crammed with guys, which you can imagine lends it a certain lived-in chaos. From the outside, it hides its nature, except for the empty crate of beer left by the entrance. Most nights, they have some kind of party going on, often fueled by alcohol and crowded with guests. I've never been keen on the idea of Rodney living in such an environment, but he assures me he mostly keeps to himself, buried in his studies or at football practice, leaving little time for partying. Honestly, I'm relieved; the thought of girls flirting with him, as they do with his fraternity 'brothers' at these infamous parties, does bother me a bit. As I approach the house, Rodney's handsome face appears at the front door. "Damn babe," he chuckles, hurrying over as he sees me wrestling with my bags. "You moving in?" he jokes, eyeing the bags. "It's packed with all the essentials for a girl," I explain with a hint of self-defense. I'm pretty reasonable. Take Emily; if she's going away for a weekend, she packs at least three different outfits per day to have options. I've never really understood why she needs so many choices, but it's not something I bother about. As long as I'm not the one carrying her luggage. I am good with whatever. Handling my own is enough of a struggle. A bemused look crosses his face, but soon disappears. "Sure thing," he replies with a smile, gazing down at me. Standing at 5'8", he towers slightly over me, which I find incredibly sexy. I've always had a thing for taller guys. He picks up my bags and turns to head back to the house. "Hey!" I call out, causing him to glance back. "Aren't you forgetting something?" I pout playfully. With his arms full of my bags, he chuckles, "Let's get inside, and I'll make up with more than just kisses."