11. Phone Calls

8 pm: Elizabeth stretches and looks at the time. Not realizing she had spent her whole afternoon putting out fires and designing her new line, she switches off her computer and takes out her phone.

Fifty-one missed calls?! She stares at her phone in shock and then realizes she left her phone silent after lunch with a potential client. She unlocks her phone and clicks to go into her call list.

Twenty calls were from the same unknown number, and the rest were from her mother. Sighing, she returns her mother's call. Her mother answers on the 4th ring. "This is just like her, like she's not the one who was desperately looking for me." Elizabeth thinks sourly.

"Elizabeth," her mother croons; she groans inwardly.

"Sorry I missed your call, Mother. I have been quite busy putting out the fires you've created for me," She responds curtly. Sensing her mother's anger, she continues, "Was there a reason for your call?"

"I've heard through the grapevine that Libellule has the contract to design the wedding dress for the Dereon-Gray wedding." Agnes White responds. Elizabeth knew it; this was a business call.

"Yes, what of it?" she replies. Agnes White chuckles, "I knew you had it in you! Wriggling your way into that family just like a White should!"

Elizabeth looks disgusted, and her stomach churns. As usual, her mother thought she got this contract through selfish means. She sighs and says, "Mother, can you please get to the point. I am exhausted and not in the mood for this right now,"

"Oh yes, of course. Let me leave you to it! Good night my dear Lizzy." Agnes says and hangs up. Elizabeth looks dumbfounded. "What the hell was that?!" She says to herself. Not wanting to sour her mood, she clicks to call the unknown number.

"Elizabeth!" The woman on the other end answers with glee. It was Emily Gray. "Emily! I am so sorry for missing your call. It has been a busy day." Elizabeth says apologetically.

"Oh, pish, don't worry about that!" Emily continues, "I was hoping I could arrange a meeting with you regarding my dress?"

Elizabeth sighs in relief and smiles, "I was wondering about that myself, "Elizabeth chuckles, "Unfortunately, I have to leave town for the next two days for a business trip, but I will be back by Wednesday. Can we schedule it for noon then? I'll leave my schedule open from 12 pm onwards." Elizabeth waits for her response.

Fearing Emily might have lost interest, she quickly jumps up,

"Em-"

"No, it's okay! Emily responds dejectedly. Elizabeth frowns. "Emily, is everything okay? I could reschedule my business trip, and we could meet up tomorrow-"

"Please don't do that on account of me. We can meet at 12 pm on Wednesday. I will text you my home address, and we could discuss things here. It's more private." Emily responds, and Elizabeth isn't sure what to make of things.

"Yes, that's perfect. I will have my PA jot it down to keep my schedule open for Wednesday. Looking forward to it, Emily." Elizabeth smiled into the phone, but she could feel something was off. "Y-yes! I'll see you then!" Emily responds and hangs up.

Elizabeth sits, bewildered. What was going on today?? Shrugging, she gathers her things and heads to the hotel.