Part 26 (1/2)
With a hug, she offered, ”Vive's flying back from Chicago today. We're here for you. We'll go with you to see Irma, if you want. And if you decide not to contact her, we'll support the decision. Mom told me to tell you she'd be more than happy to call Irma back and tell her to drop dead.”
”I must see what she wants.”
”Okay...Vive suggested hosting a girls' night at her place when you get off work. I've already ordered the f.u.c.k-it buckets filled with our favorite Dylan's candy.” Lex's route to peace and happiness existed in filling large plastic containers with Swedish Fish, Sour Watermelon Gummies and Mini Gummy Bears.
”I love you guys.” She pulled Lex in close to hide her tears.
”We're here for you.” Lex gave her a squeeze. ”It's about time you leaned on us for a change.”
”Thanks.”
”Vive and I can handle it. We wonder what the h.e.l.l Irma wants. You haven't seen her in how long?”
”Since the emanc.i.p.ation hearing.”
A beep from her desk's intercom sounded. ”Miss Brill?”
”Yes?”
”Neve Adele is on line four. I'm putting her through.”
I miss Kiki to field client drama. ”Be right there.” She dropped her voice and said to Lex, ”Let me take this.”
Lex nodded in agreement. ”I'm headed back to the showroom. I'll see if I can get more dirt from my mom about Irma.” She handed Taddy a note. ”This is the number Irma gave Birdie. She asked you call her-today.”
Taddy glared at the paper. Why wasn't I good enough for my mother's love? Taking the paper, she read the number, though she didn't have to. Taddy knew the seven digits by heart.
Suddenly, she remembered the last time she'd called that line. Taddy had spoken to Irma on her sixteenth birthday. She'd called home to tell her mother she'd filed the legal paperwork separating herself from her parents. Helpless, her mother hadn't said a word. She'd just held the line and sobbed. When Taddy heard her father shouting in the background, Irma hung up. The line went dead as had their communication.
She placed the note on her desk as a reminder but knew she didn't need anything to prompt her to call home today. ”I have to put on my poker face and best PR voice for Neve. Will you excuse me?” Another tear fell down her face. She felt it bead over her chin.
Her friend nodded, knowing not to step closer and hug her again or for sure she'd lose it. Lex cupped her hands over her lips and slowly blew a kiss to Taddy.
Taddy sat at her desk and answered her phone. ”Neve, darling, how are you?” Her mind wasn't on Neve. As selfish as it seemed, Taddy didn't give two s.h.i.+ts and a f.u.c.k as to how this beauty queen, who wanted to be a handbag designer, felt. Countess Irma Brillford wanted to see her. She glanced at the time. It was 10:18 a.m. in New York, which meant it was 5:18 p.m. in France. Warner's meetings should be wrapping up. Taddy couldn't figure out why he hadn't called.
Neve's voice broke through her subconscious. ”h.e.l.lo? Taddy? Are you listening to me?”
”Yes, darling, go ahead.” She put her head on her arms, realizing she'd missed everything Neve had said.
”I wanted to check in and get an update on my brand and talk to you about a PR idea I had.” Neve's shrill voice, the one she never used when answering a judge's question onstage, demanded answers. ”We should use as many animal prints as possible. Leopard and Cheetah fabric would be gorgeous.”
h.e.l.l no! ”Interesting.”
”I told Blake-”
”He worked on your account all weekend. What did Blake say when you suggested this?”
”Blake mentioned animal prints are now pa.s.se.”
She skimmed over the Neve Adele account folder on her desk. ”In his notes it says you want varying shades of purple. We agree with your favorite color-wisteria.”
”It's lilac.”
”Right, sorry! Anyways, our team presents to Lifestyle TV later this week. If they approve the inspiration boards, we'll move forward with sourcing and manufacturing.” Holding the receiver away from her face for a second, she felt tempted to throw it out the window. Taking a deep breath, Taddy brought the phone back to her lips, summoning the strength to do her job. ”How's your reality show going?”
”Ratings are dropping. The network is concerned. We can't keep up with the Kardas.h.i.+ans. The producers asked me to do a stunt.” Neve paused. ”Similar to a s.e.x tape or pose in Playboy.”
”Are you comfortable going nude?” Taddy didn't think Neve had the guts.
”I loved your photos in Playboy. Your body is stunning.”
”Thank you.” Something had to pay for Columbia University's tuition.
”I'd forfeit my Miss Glamour USA crown if I posed nude. So I can't. My tiara and t.i.tle are my greatest accomplishment.”
Stick a fork in my eye right now, Jesus. ”I understand. We could do a philanthropic activity. Footage where you're visiting women's shelters wearing your crown and sash.” She tried not to laugh as Neve mumbled over her. Taddy added, ”You realize, to drive ratings.”
”Being humane won't work for this trashy network.”
”Then be yourself on TV, darling.”
”My idea was to sing a song at your Candy Land Ball,” Neve said.
”Sing?”
”Yup. I've been practicing this song I wrote called 'I'm a Reality'. It's good.”
Taddy hated when clients thought they should have iTunes. .h.i.ts. It drove her nuts. Now the girl had gone from beauty pageants to handbags to music. What next? Her own line of wine from Napa Valley? So she tested her. ”Sing it.”
”'Huh?”
”Right now, on the phone. To me.”
”Well...I can text you a link to hear it digitally.”
”Why?”
”My voice has to be mixed and stuff. You know, to the music.”
”Naturally, of course.” Figures.
Another beep came through her intercom and the receptionist alerted, ”Miss Brill, Kiki is holding on line two for you.”
”Neve, I have to go. Send me the link. I'll listen to it and call you later about Candy Land. Bye, darling.”