Chapter 6

Alison sat cringing trying her best not to think of what may be taking place on the other side of that wall. 'I've seen to many times what happens when an average worker becomes the target of a rich person.' In her mind there was no doubt Tanner was doing everything in his power to have Collen fired... And for what? He was defending herself and other's, including the person who was about to fire him.

What was minutes began to feel like an eternity as Alison sat waiting. What she would do to hear what was happening inside that room. After thirty minutes of waiting Alison could hear the sounds of the door unlocking. Both Collen and Tanner were leaving the room and  looked horribly depressed as they were passing by, although one thing that stood out was the fact now they both looked as if they were beaten up. 

"Collen!" Alison ran over moving in front of him. "What happened!? Is everything ok?"

"Alison please come in now, we have much to discuss."

"Don't worry about me love, I will find a way to manage some how, better not keep her waiting." Collen could only muster a weak smile for her.  " Now get in there and it'll all be worth it" Waving goodbye Tanner and Collen entered the elevator leaving Alison standing with a worried expression

"Alison please come along before I start to have second thoughts." Evelyn called out sounding rather stern.

"Ah yes, I'm coming. I'm so sorry."

Rebecca walked past giving Alison a wink, while carrying her tray with some empty cups, but also one that looked like it had been shattered.

"Well we will have a lot to discuss. Collen told me about what had happened, so don't worry about your appearance, and I can promise nothing of the sort will ever happen to you here. So was there any particular modeling field you were interested in? Lingerie, swimsuit, fashion?"

"I-I wanted to do fashion, but I-I'm not sure I have what it takes. I have tried for what feels like forever. Now I'm barely lucky enough to get a call as a substitute."

"That is nothing. I will be blunt, you have the potential to do all three of those fields easily if you wish. Do not squander the chance Collen has presented you with."

'I want this... I want this so badly, but..' Alison was having the largest inner conflict she had ever experienced in her life. A battle between her heart's deepest desires, and one of her conscience.

"There's is almost nothing I want more then to accept your offer..."

"But?"

"If you fired Collen for sticking up for Sierra and myself, I can't accept! Why would you fire him!? Do you even care that he attacked Tanner because of what he had said about you!?" In the end Alison was unable to contain her emotions and let loose on Evelyn, who patiently waited for Alison to finish venting. Although Alison could not be certain she could swear throughout her rant the smile on Evelyn's face was growing more and more.

Briefly a thought passed through Alison's mind. 'Maybe she doesn't want me here, and is looking for a reason not to hire me?'

"Never mind. It probably doesn't matter what I say does it?"

"Quite right." Evelyn was smiling ear to ear. 

Pffft.

"HAHAHA." Evelyn began laughing unable to hold back despite Alison's sincerity. "I'm sorry, it has been quite some time since anyone had the audacity to speak to me that way. What I do find funny is, I did not fire Collen. I'm so sorry. I shouldn't laugh, but I'm unable to help it."

"Huh?" Alison's mouth fell open. " But he was so looked so sad. A-A-And."

"HAHA." Evelyn was now gripping her sides and had tears from laughing flowing down her face. "He is upset because of all the extra paperwork he has to do."

"What?"

"Let's just say paper work is his kryptonite. As he always says, he would rather go back to getting shot at on a daily basis then do paper work."

"Getting shot at?" 

"His story to tell if he chooses. So what do you say?"

"Ummm well then yes... YES! I would love to work for The Garden!"

"Great! I will have a contract drawn up, If you don't have a lawyer to look it over speak with Collen he would be more then happy to take you to one. Also I'm going to schedule a photograph session for you so we can put together a new portfolio for you. I get the feeling those Burgundy bastards didn't do their job properly."

"Thank you so much for all of your help!" Alison said bowing her head. Never in a million years would she have imagined this day would take such a drastic turn. Her emotions were overflowing her control. Tears traced a glistening line down her cheek as she repeatedly tried wiping them away. Then a realization hit her. "Wait.. What about Daphne?"

"Daphne, Daphne... Ah you mean that girl Tanner was trying to bring in for a collaboration? What about her?"

"Umm we have kind of a history... I do not wish to speak badly of anyone though."

"Please do not hold back now." Evelyn smiled lightly. When they had first met, Alison would have assumed Evelyn was cold, calculating and heartless, but now she couldn't help but to feel nothing but warmth in her smile. " Besides  if there is going to be an issue I would much rather hear about it now then after I sign a contract. There are ways around such things, but it's truly a headache."

Alison began recounting her side of their past, she still didn't have any clues as to why Daphne's attitude with her had changed so fast. Perhaps I had done something to offend her? Had I met her in the past and did something then? Why? I just want to know why.

"I see... Well then, I'll l have to go speak  with them in the lobby. Would you mind accompanying me?"

Alison was visibly startled by the request. 'Why would She want me to come down and speak with them? Even if confronted by this Daphne would probably spin things in her favor. Evelyn may even reconsider offering me a contract?'

"Don't worry I have dealt with the type before. Jealousy can be an ugly thing."

"Jealous? I mean she is beautiful, and I wish I could land the types of jobs she does so easily, but I never considered myself jealous." Her eyes down cast and face turning red from embarrassment.

"I'm talking about her jealousy of you."

"I'm sorry her what now?" Alison's eyes went wide. "Th-That can't be it right?"

'All this time. She was jealous of me?' Alison was hearing the words but they were almost refusing to register in her mind.

"But she's so pretty, and she already has a greatly successful career as a beginning model. Why would she be jealous of me?"

"You're confident enough to become a model, but you some how at the same time lack confidence in yourself. Quite the contradiction I must say." Evelyn mumbled walking out of the office toward her private elevator.

Alison chased after Evelyn into the elevator, where they both remained silent for the ride down. Alison was giving some thought to what Evelyn had said. Although it felt as if it was improbable, it also felt as if it was the only explanation for Daphne's change in attitude. No matter how many times she thought on their past, she could not come up with anything that would cause such a drastic change.