fictionalfantasies:
*
Taurus
Chapter 16
Behavior When In Love
The typical Taurus:
* is devoted and steadfast
* settles quickly into a stable affair
* loves glamour
* is extremely vulnerable to people who accept his or her affection but only want a flirtation
* will never forgive a betrayal
* the male is generally the strong silent type
* the female is usually an earth woman/Venus
*
*January 2015
Taurus
New Years came and went. It was now 2015 and just like everyone else, Taurus had resolutions to maintain and achieve.
1). Start a diet and stick with it this time.
She gained a few pounds eating KFC and all the other comfort foods the Browns served while she was a guest in their home. The second the clock stroke midnight on January 1st, she had a fruit smoothie instead of champagne, she was starting a liquid diet. Water, fruit smoothies and protein shakes. She was doing a major cleanse. She could see the difference already. She was a little more moody since solid foods were a thing of the past now. However, her designer clothes were starting to fit a little too tight for her liking but soon that improved. She was more alert and her bowels were non existent practically…
Like we wanted to know that….
She sighed as she got off the elevator and walked down the familiar hallways of The Kill. A weird feeling came over her. She almost missed this place. Though Karrueche was a terror, this place gave her a sense of purpose. She lasted a few more months than anyone expected and once others in the office saw that she wasnt going anywhere and her new designer wardrobe, they started to accept her.
“Happy New Year Taurus”
“Nice shoes Taurus”
“Good morning Taurus!”
“Thank God you’re back!”
Taurus furrowed her eyebrows in confusion at the last comment and she paused as she watched the person scurry down the hall with rolls of fabric. She’ll just take that as a joke and keep it moving. She took a sip of her morning smoothie, it was strawberry and banana with a dollop of honey, just like every morning. Fascinating huh?
Wait til you see what she has for lunch…
She continued down the hall and saw a woman walk out of Danyel’s office. She happened to turn around and Taurus gasped when she saw that the woman was Danyel himself! He was wearing a wool sweater dress designed by Michael Kors, high heels and a long dark wig.
“Danyel?!”she asked in shock,”Ohmygod!”
Danyel
“Taurie!”Danyel said with a huge smile as he hugged her. “Thank God you’re back! I love your hair! Trim?”
“Just washed it. Deep conditioned it a few nights ago”
“Its fabulous!”
“Thanks!”she said and looked him over once more,”Danyel….what are you….”
“Wearing? Taurus, its Michael Kors. You should know your name brands by now-”
“I know but….”
“Oh why? Because this is who I am. I dont care if it makes Kaleidoscope Dreams uncomfortable. Thats what fashion is about, pushing the envelope and wearing whatever the fuck you want with confidence. I feel confident in dresses not suits”he said with a little bit of an attitude as he flipped his hair over his shoulder
“Shes gotten on your bad side already?”
“Yes in our meeting yesterday I wont bore you with the details now. Happy New Year”he said sarcastically
“Happy New Year”she said with a laugh
“She’s here!”someone shouted and in usual fashion, the office went into a frenzy as people rushed to get the office and themselves looking perfect. Danyel was unphased as usual as he watched the panic around him
“Shes early”Taurus said as she looked at her watch. “I gotta get to my desk”she said as the elevator dinged and a girl gasped as she fixed her hair as she dashed to hers. However, Chris walked out of the elevator instead. Taurus’s heart stopped when she saw him. She hasnt seen him in a week and it was the longest week in her life. He gave his coat to someone and they dashed to Karrueche’s office as he paused and adjusted his tie and his dark rimmed glasses, fixed his Armani suit jacket and walked toward them in slow motion. Danyel and Taurus stared at him as they did.
“Happy New Year indeed”Danyel said under his breath
“False alarm sorry”the same panicked person said but everyone just sighed with relief when they saw Chris and he nodded, waved and smiled kindly at the people he walked past
Chris
“Taurie! Thank God you’re back”Chris said as he walked up to them and glanced at Danyel and did a sharp double take and looked at him with confusion and horror.
“Ok you’re the third person who has said that in the last 10 minutes. Is this a dream? The apocalypse? Has the office been falling apart or something?”Taurus asked as she tried to keep herself from jumping into Chris’s arms, wrap her legs around his torso and hug him close like she wanted
“Yes”Danyel and Chris said
“Seriously?”she asked
“We were lucky to get New Years Eve off”Danyel said
“She made you work?”Taurus asked,”Why didnt anyone tell me?”
“Because you were hundreds of miles away and Chris here said you needed your week off”Danyel said and Taurus looked at him
“What? You did”Chris said,”Things havent been falling apart, just hectic”he said and looked at Danyel,”Why are you in drag?”
“I am not in drag, how dare you!”Danyel said,”This is who I am”
“Ok….”he said and looked at Taurus,”Ooh is that a smoothie? Im starving. Just got here from the gym”he said as he eyed her smoothie hungrily
“The gym? At 8am on a Tuesday?”
“Rosa has a strict ‘New Year, New You’ workout regimen. 6am workouts, three times a week”Chris said through almost gritted teeth
“Wow. Three times a week? How does she have clients in LA-”
“She doesnt. Im her only client for now. Karrueche moved her out here and shes gonna start training all of the models in her agency too”
“Seriously?”
“Yep, the two of them have gotten close surprisingly. Never would have thought. Mijo is pissed”he said with a sigh. “Im meeting Kae here and Im surprised to see that Im here first”he continued as he eyed her smoothie. “That looks really good, lemme have a sip-”
“Touch it and you die”Taurus said sternly. Danyel looked at her with wide eyes and Chris laughed out loud
“Damn psycho. You cant share?”
“This is my breakfast and part of my New Years resolutions”
“Oh God, you’re on a diet?”Chris asked her
“Um yes. I would like to fit into my clothes thank you very much. Its called the Shake and Smooth Liquid Cleanse. I saw it on Dr. Oz or something”
“So wait thats it? Thats all you drink for the day?”he asked her in shock
“At least until lunch, which I probably wont get”
“You dont need to be on a diet Taurie”
“Tell the scale in my bathroom”she said as she blushed a little
"Look Im from the South. I like women with meat on their bones”he said and Danyel scoffed,”Hush Danyel. Its healthier. Dont let New York put you in a skinny time warp. You dont need to lose anymore weight anyway"Chris said to her
"Really? Why?"she challenged him
Chris just shrugged,”Cuz you’re perfect”he said simply and Danyel raised his eyebrows as he eyed them both
It pained Taurus that she literally felt “light as air” because of his words. And she knew she didnt feel light because of her weight. She felt light from this crush she had on Chris….which was slowly turning into a bigger train wreck than she thought. She had dreams about him. Dreams….she couldnt even repeat. Her whole face brightened up when he walked in the room and it was so hard for her to hide the fact.
Which leads to her 2nd resolution….
2). Get over Chris.
She worked for his fiance for Gods sake. A crush could get her fired if Karrueche ever caught on. Taurus believed Karrueche was Sherlock Holmes in another life, she had the ability to find out everything about someone. Hell, her middle name should be “Background Check”. It also hurt too much. It was obviously one sided. And it made her feel bi-polar sometimes. One minute she is overjoyed, feeling light as air from a simple smile and then the next, her heavy heart makes her fall back down to earth when Chris would kiss Karrueche’s cheek, squeeze her ass playfully, tell her that he loved her. It was only going to make her heartbroken, and she didnt need anymore heartbreak. It was only going to drive her insane.
Age meant nothing to her but it probably meant something to him. Most of his fans were between the ages of 15-30. She was years ahead of all of them. What would he want with an old hag like her? Especially one that reminded him of his mother…..yes, he admitted that to her one day. She faked a smile, but died inside.
However, needless to say, losing weight was easier than losing her crush for him. Damn it.
“Shes here!”someone shouted and the office went into a frenzy again. Chris shook his head, he didnt know why every one of Karrueche’s employees were afraid of her. The elevator dinged and Karrueche walked out as people scrambled to get out of her way. Taurus’s jaw practically dropped to the floor when she saw her.
Karrueche
It seems that Karrueche had a New Years Resolution of her own. The last time she saw her, she had long flowing dark hair that hung down her back in soft curls. Now her hair was dyed a golden honey blonde, while her roots stayed their natural color. Her hair no longer hung down her back but was cut and curled to her shoulders.
“What are you three just standing around for?”she asked as she walked up to them and then did a double take when she saw Danyel. He eyed her up and down, as if daring her to get an attitude about the way he was dressed. She thought about it and shook her head and looked at Taurus. “Nice of you to join us Taurus. How long will you be staying this time?”
“Im back for good now”Taurus said awkwardly
“For good? Oh goodie”Karrueche said sarcastically,”The way this one was carrying on, it seemed as if you needed a sabbatical”she said as she nodded her head to Chris and he rolled his eyes. “I also want to say that its very convenient that you decided to take your week off while we are trying to plan for the biggest week this season”Karrueche said as they followed them into her office suite
“Im sorry Karrueche”
“Sorry is just an excuse to make the same mistake again”Karrueche said as they walked in, she handed her coat, scarf, hat and purse to Taurus, not caring that her hands were already full. Taurus sighed as she hung them up as Chris held her smoothie for her. He sniffed it and then took a sip out of the straw when she wasnt looking. He made a surprised face, shit was good and took another.
“JERRICA!”Karrueche shouted and they all jumped. Chris almost choked and handed the smoothie back to Taurus quickly
Did Taurus hear her correctly? Did she really call for Jerrica? The girl that she fired for snitching? She was back?
However, a petite, light skinned girl with long dark hair scurried from the back with a confused face. She wasnt Jerrica. “Yes?”
“I need my latte and my messages”she said as she walked up to her desk. She nodded and handed her the precious tall cup from Starbucks and Karrueche took a sip while she read the messages to her
“Her name is Jerrica? Small world”Taurus said
“Her names Isabel. You know how Kitty Litter here likes to fuck up newbie’s names”Danyel whispered to her. Taurus nodded,”What did she keep calling you when you first got here?”
“Ava”Taurus said as she remembered bitterly about her first few weeks here. Poor Isabel/Jerrica.
“Ugh Ava, Im glad she was let go. She was so basic”Danyel said with a roll of his eyes
“Fine, I’ll start rolling calls in 5”Karrueche said to her and turned to them.
“Um Karrueche…who is this?”Taurus asked her
“She’s the new junior assistant. I needed someone since you wanted to take a vacation”Karrueche said matter of factly. She looked at Taurus as she sipped on her smoothie, still wearing her coat and holding her purse. She wrinkled her nose,”What is that you’re drinking?”
“A smoothie”
“Part of her new diet. Whats it called again?”Chris asked her
“A diet huh?”Karrueche asked in amusement. “You do look a little thick since the last time I saw you”she said and then gasped,”What is that? Where is your Louis Vuitton?”she asked as looked at her purse
“Its Michael Kors”Taurus said, trying to ignore her comment about her weight, as Karrueche stared at her in shock. “I cant take Louis V on the subway. Im afraid it would get stolen”
Karrueche narrowed her eyes at her and then nodded, satisfied with her answer. “Well dont just stand there. Your vacation is over. Danyel, run to accounting for me and….Chris why are you here? Why arent you at CBE?”
“Our meeting is this morning right?”
“No Chris!”
“Its tomorrow”Isabel spoke up
“You sure?”Chris asked her
“Yeh it says here ‘BP Fashion Week meeting 8:30am for tomorrow”she said as she showed him the calendar on her iPad and blushed as his hand brushed hers as she handed it to him
“Jesus Christ Christopher. This is why you have an assistant so things like this wouldnt happen”Karrueche scolded him
“I rushed here straight from the gym. When you are doing double the reps at the crack ass of dawn you tend to forget what day it is”Chris said to her. Taurus stared at him with wide eyes.
“Dont curse”Karrueche said
“Im out of here”Chris said and walked out swiftly as Karrueche rolled her eyes
“Welcome to hell”Danyel whispered to Taurus as he sashayed out of the office as well
Taurus sighed as she got to work, no wonder everyone was stressed out. As she looked at her calendar, every day of January and the first week of February was filled with meetings, go-see’s and fittings for Fashion Week. How could she have forgotten? She sighed as she got back into her routine. She realized that she wouldnt be able to start on her third resolution right now.
3). Find a new job!
Fashion Week was a little over a month away and the way Danyel had described it to her, it was their rush season and they would need all hands on deck. She couldnt leave them hanging now…
When Fashion Week was over, she would job hunt. The time will pass so quickly anyway, she shouldnt have to worry….
*
The Taurus woman does not want to be patronized, but she does want her man to remember her birthday and other anniversaries.
*
“Taurus? You’re not on your lunch break are you?”Karrueche asked later that day as she walked in from her lunch meeting. Taurus had only just taken two sips of her protein shake, that was her lunch, just before she walked in.
“Not exactly”Taurus said as she held her shake in her hands
“Good, bring your smoothie and your iPad and lets get to work”Karrueche said as she handed Isabel her coat, purse, hat and scarf and walked into her office. Taurus sighed, what now? The phones were ringing off the hook about Fashion Week already. She got up and took her shake and iPad into her office and shut the door behind her and sat down in the chair in front of her desk. Karrueche was looking at pictures of designs for both the Black Pyramid show and for The Kill.
Taurus glanced at them as she took a big sip of her protein shake. It seemed that both lines had a sort of 90’s feel. She felt a small pang of nostalgia as she looked at the skinny models wearing the designs, they reminded her of her days at UCLA.
“Did you notice that every 20 years, fashion comes back around almost full circle?”she asked her
Karrueche paused and looked at her,”What?”
“I cant believe that the 90s were 20 years ago but a lot of the fashions of today emulate them. Plaid, flannel, bright patterns, Doc Martens, grunge. And 10 years ago, the 80s came back. Haute couture lines were using shoulder pads again. Leggings were coming back. Bright colors. Oversized sweaters. And the 90s? We were just copying the 70s then. I cant even tell you how many bell bottomed jeans and platforms shoes I wore back then. It all comes back around, like a sense of karma, but with a different spin. I think its interesting dont you think?”she asked her. Karrueche just looked at her blankly. Taurus decided to stop talking, though she was proud of her theory.
“Greatest story ever told”Karrueche said under her breath as she looked at the designs once more and then set them to the side. “So Fashion Week is the second week of February, a little less than 5 weeks away. Its the biggest week of the Fall/Winter season. Everyone is going to be there. And for the first time ever, The Kill and Black Pyramid will have our own runway shows. Separately. The Kill has been walking the runway for two seasons so far and we are happy that BP is finally up to par, mostly due to my help. Our shows are set for Valentine’s Day. You probably dont have a date or have even thought that far ahead but I can tell you right now, you will be busy. You’re all mine. You all belong to me. Not your significant others, girlfriends, boyfriends, friends with benefits, blind dates or Netflix. Understood?”she said to her. Taurus nodded. She didnt plan on going out on Valentine’s Day, just like last year. “Besides the runway shows, the after parties are just as important. BP and The Kill are going to throw a joint after party after the BP Fashion Show. For some reason Mijo put it into Chris’s head that it would be appropriate to throw a toga themed party like a….frat house. I obviously cant let that happen. Michael Kors, Chanel, Calvin Klein, all the big names will be coming and I will not let Chris’s immature ideas embarrass me or my brands…our brands”
Taurus hoped her face didnt show any emotion because that last statement hit her to her core. If Chris was such an embarrassment to Karrueche, why was she marrying him??
“So Im thinking a simple red and white Valentines theme will suffice. A professional black tie affair. Chris will just have to deal with it. Mijo is shrouding his judgement as usual but in time he will see that Im right, as always”Karrueche said. “Okay so first things first,” Karrueche says, squaring her shoulders back and reaching up to flick her newly dyed hair out of her eyes. “We need invitations.”
“Um,” Taurus says, scrambling for her iPad,”Shouldnt we conference Chris in at least?”
“He’ll be fine”she said
“Are you sure? If hes really adamant…”
“What Taurus!?”Karrueche asked her impatiently
“He’s going to be upset thats all. Its his party too…”
“We wont agree on a theme, we know that for sure. Besides, we need a party that will insure that Black Pyramid will be in next season’s fashion week. It has to be perfect. Its BP’s….coming out ball of sorts, a cotillion. You know what that is?”
“I know what it is Karrueche”Taurus said. “But the party should reflect the line as well dont you think?”she asked her. “Kimora Lee Simmons’s new line is inspired by Russian dynasties. The party that we are invited to is reflecting it. Vodka, royal decorations and colors. It all fits. Im sorry but Black Pyramid’s line is not a ‘black tie affair’ type of line”
Karrueche paused as she looked at her and leaned back in her seat, this was a sign that she was ready to listen to the rest, even if she knew she wouldnt agree. This excited Taurus because it never happened to HER. Usually it happened in meetings with Danyel, investors or other celebrity designers like Diddy and Jessica Simpson.
“Your lines both scream ‘90s’. And I love it because its my favorite era. We were on the cusp of the millennium then, the future. Everything around us was changing. Fashion, media, politics, technology. It should be a 90s themed party!”she said with a smile. “You both were basically born during that era”she had said and her stomach hurt when she said that. They were practically in diapers when she was ready to apply to college basically. “Everyone can come dressed up as a prominent part of pop culture during that era and a DJ or band can play all 90’s music”
Karrueche fought herself from smiling. It was almost too easy. For some reason, Taurus had a soft spot for Chris and he seemed to really trust her ideas these days. After the Christmas party fiasco, she knew Taurus would want no part in planning another party for her. But that was all about to change. All she had to do was do a little reverse psychology, make her feel important and now she was in the palm of her hand. The theme was a great idea and since Taurus was old enough to remember all of the 90s obviously, she could pull it off. Karrueche had just shrugged, not wanting to give away that she knew she won. Again. “I did go to Heidi Klum’s 80’s party and it was the talk of the tabloids for weeks”she said,”Fine, sounds good. And our party will be much better than hers”she said and Taurus smiled widely, not believing that Karrueche actually liked her idea. “Chris will love it Im sure”
“You think so?”
“Definitely. So back to the first task at hand. Invitations”she said as Taurus typed away on her iPad. “What do you think would go with a 90s theme?”
“Email had just started back then. Maybe we can make a cute little Macintosh styled invitation. You Got Mail type of thing”Taurus said
Karrueche blinks at her slowly, “Cute”. She said,”Now you obviously were born way before the 90s and remember it quite well….who was popular then? Who should Chris and I be? What couple was the biggest couple in the 90s?”Karrueche asked and Taurus wanted to vomit
"K-Ci and Mary J Blige-"
"No"
"Biggie and Lil Kim-"
"Do I look like Lil Kim?"
"Biggie and Faith?"
"Faith is fat!"Karrueche said horrified. "Ugh never mind I’ll ask my mother or something. Jesus, Taurus"she says and sighs. “So anyway” Karrueche says, unscrewing the cap on the bottle of her Pellegrino water, “You Got Mail invites. We’ll need about five hundred I would think,” she says and then shrugs, “actually you better make it seven-fifty just in case.” She glances at Taurus who is staring at her dumbfounded. “Why aren’t you writing any of this down?”
“Oh!” Taurus says, jumping slightly and typing furiously on her iPad, missing the roll of Karrueche’s eyes and satisfied smirk as she takes a sip of her water. “Um…what venue?”
“We’re having it at 14 & Park of course. Perfect venue”she said and Taurus bit her lip in hesitation,”Oh? You have a better idea?”
“I was thinking Black Pyramid….the lounge will be perfect. Theres already a DJ there, plenty of places for the guests to sit. Bar. Dance floor. A full staff, chef. It can bring more business to the lounge at the same time”
“You’ve been there?”Karrueche asked as she cocked her perfectly threaded eyebrows at her
“Oh yeah, once. Awhile ago”she said, holding back the fact that Chris had taken her there while Karrueche was out of town
“14 & Park would be better”
“Chris doesn’t even like 14 & Park”Taurus replied simply
Karrueche looked at her and leaned forward in her chair and placed her arms on her desk. “Oh really? He told you this?”
“Um…”
“When? Because he and I go there all the time and hes never mentioned it”
“Never mind”
“No, you’re such the expert on what Chris wants and needs. Tell me. What did he tell you?”
“He just mentioned in passing that he was sick of the place”Taurus said honestly, hating that Karrueche tricked her into telling her because Chris had also asked her not to tell Karrueche because it was her favorite venue.
Karrueche paused as she took the information in, she folded her hands together as she smirked at Taurus’s comment and then asked,”You and Chris are friendly yes? Professional comrades, sort to speak?”she asked her as she looked at her. Her dark little eyes stared her down and Taurus felt like a kitten trapped in a cage.
“I…I guess so”Taurus said as confidently as she could
“I would say yes”Karrueche said,”And its good. After the Ava fiasco and Jerrica, he needs someone he can trust. A…pal to confide in. But dont get it twisted. Thats all you are. A listening ear. And I think thats all fine and dandy because I have businesses to run and sometimes I dont have the time to sit around and chit chat. But dont think the fact that he tells you something that I dont know means that you have leverage over me. I thought we wouldnt have to have this coversation since you are older but here goes. Just like I told Ava, there is no chance in hell that Chris would ever look at you the way he looks at me. I know I have nothing to worry about but I think you need a little reminder. Ive known him for almost 5 years and I know whats best for him. Not you, Taurie”saying her nickname in disdain. “Got it?”
Taurus looked at Karrueche in shock. She was shocked at her words and she felt her heart being broken into many pieces. She knew Chris didnt look at her in that way and the fact that Karrueche felt the need to remind her when she was only trying to help made her feel like shit. And she didnt like it. Karrueche was 10 years younger than her and she made her feel like a child. As soon as she realized that, she shook her head,”Im sorry…”
“Hmmph. You should be”Karrueche said as she flipped her hair
“I dont know what Im doing…”
“Dont be dramatic. Now 14 & Park it is. Time will be TBA, Im waiting on an email about what time the BP show will start and end. Im thinking the party-”she stopped when Taurus got up out of her seat,”What do you think you’re doing?”
“I dont know what Im doing, helping you with another party when I told you I wanted no part in party planning after what happened during Christmas”
Karrueche pursed her lips in disappointment, she thought she was going to get way with it but Taurus had to be dramatic and stubborn about it. “Seriously? You’re not over that?”
“Of course Im not over it. You’re getting no help from me-”
“Is that so? If thats the case, you can pack your things and leave. But dont expect a good reference from me. Dont even expect to work in New York ever again. Im your boss. You dont want to do what I tell you? You’re fired. You sure you wanna do that?”
Taurus paused, thats not how she wanted to leave. Her father would be very disappointed that she got fired. She promised him she would leave on good terms, be the bigger person. She didnt want him to worry about her with his health failing at the moment. Thats the last thing he needed.
“Whats it gonna be Taurus? I dont have time for this”Karrueche snapped. “I have whatever her name is now, she surprisingly has fit in just fine, has her own sense of fashion without having to use Danyel’s help and connections”
“Then why isnt Isabel here?”Taurus countered,”Thats her name for future reference. Lemme guess, shes just a temp with a Fashion degree and proficient phone skills but she has no experience in party planning”she said as she set her iPad and shake down on Karrueche’s desk and put her palms down next to them. “You need me”
Karrueche scoffed,”Please-”
“Especially since if I walk out that door, I have enough information to take you down. I have a friend who has a friend who works at the New York Times”
Karrueche stared at her with wide eyes,”I have no idea what you are talking about-”
“Oh I think you do. I’ll give you a hint. It has something to do with a spread in the first issue of Blaze, a spread that put you on the map that wasnt even your idea…what a scandal…especially during Fashion Week”she said to her as Karrueche stared at her in shock. “Of course. Revenge and my good conscience doesnt seem to mix. I could stay and help on my terms-”
“Your terms!?”
“I help you with this party. Which is going to be held at Black Pyramid because despite how Chris feels about you and I, we both know he’ll like it better. You will tell everyone that it was my idea. Not take it as your own and the first invitation will have my name on it because you will not keep me from attending a party that Im more than likely going to have to do all the work on, you know, with everything else going on around here. Got it?”she asked her
Karrueche scoffed,”Fine-”
“Good. I’ll go and brainstorm on my lunch break. I’ll be back in an hour”Taurus said as she picked up her protein shake and iPad and strutted out of the office. Once the door closed behind her, she let out a shaky breath, not believing what had just happened. That she had the balls to stand up to Karrueche and put her in her place for once!!
She couldnt fulfill her 3rd resolution just yet, but that didnt mean she couldnt get a head start on her fourth and final resolution.
4). Be a Bull! Dont let Karrueche walk all over you!
She walked down the hall and almost passed Danyel’s office, but when she saw him sitting at his desk, she stopped short and let herself in. She lightly tossed the iPad in the chair in front of his desk and paced the room nervously as she sipped fervently on the shake in her hand.
“Hey Tootles….you ok?”Danyel asked as he flipped his hair over his shoulder. Taurus didnt answer as she sucked the life out of the straw as she paced in front of him back and forth, back and forth… “You’re scaring me hunty”he said as he looked out of the windows of his office to see if anyone else noticed her breakdown and then closed all the blinds. “Sit down”he urged her but she didnt listen. “Say something!”he urged her. “What did Kueen Of The Night say now? She pissed you off again? Join the club, its Fashion Week! You’re just going to have to suck it up like the rest of us”he said as Taurus kept pacing and sipping. Soon she was sucking the last of her protein shake out of her straw and all she was doing was pulling in air. “I think you finished your lunch sweetie. Chill before you give yourself-”
“Ahhh Oh God!”Taurus said as she stopped short as she put her hand on her forehead
“Brain freeze”Danyel finished and helped her sit down. “Jesus Toots, what did she say? You’re shaking?!”
“She…she tricked me”Taurus gasped out as the brain freeze subsided. “Damn, I picked a good time to stop eating solids”
“Skinny is pain Toots”Danyel said,”What do you mean ‘she tricked you’? How?”
“She wants me to plan another party for her. Its like Christmas all over again”
“The after party? I should have known. Everyone was raving about the SL Event”
“That I planned!”she said
“Girl, its ok. Chris made sure your name was put out there. He may not know the whole story but he aint stupid”Danyel said. “Of course Kueen Of The Night downplayed you saying you were only her assistant but people were impressed nonetheless-”
“Chris did that? He didnt tell me-”
“Dont change the subject. So you’re mad that you have to plan a party. I wish I was on that project instead. Sounds more fun than yelling at these designers. Toots, you’re gonna have to suck it up”
“I am. I think. And so does she…”
“She? Meaning Karrueche? Sucking it up isnt her best suit, it should be if shes marrying Chrez”Danyel laughed,”Wonder the last time she went down on him? Probably awhile-”
“I just threatened my boss. I just threatened Karrueche. Karrueche Tran”Taurus said as if she was in a trance
“Seriously!?”
“I told her that if I was going to plan another party for her that it would be on my terms…or else”
“Or else what? You tell Chris? Toots, its your word against hers-”
“I go to the New York Times, just like you almost did”
Danyel stared at her, dumbfounded,”You didnt. You did not just drag me into this-”
“Im sorry. I…I had to make her shut up. She was making me feel like shit. If Im going to keep this job, paychecks, my apartment, my dignity and keep my promise to my father…I had to stand up to her”
“You’re lucky that I dont give a shit about what that woman thinks. Do I want a tongue lashing? No. But you’re my Toots. My only true friend here. So I’ll take it for you. But dont drag me into your catfights do you hear me?”
“Yes”Taurus said,”Im sorry I wasnt thinking”
“You’re fine. Fighting for your man makes you fight dirty”Danyel said with a smirk as he sat behind his desk
“Wait what?”Taurus asked him
“What did Chris say this morning? Oh thats right. ‘You dont need to lose anymore weight Taurie. You’re perfect’”
Taurus rolled her eyes,”Danyel dont even-”
“What do you two have going on? Really?”
“We’re just friends. Like Karrueche said, he isnt even remotely attracted to me”
“She said that?”he asked and she nodded. “And thats what made you snap and throw me under the bus huh? Because that comment hit too close to home didnt it? Because you have feelings for him? You are hopelessly devoted to him like Sandy was to Danny Zucko and she struck a nerve. And everytime he gives you a compliment like that, tells you you’re perfect, you get butterflies in your stomach because you like Chris-”
“Why did Ava get let go?”Taurus asked him, not wanting to answer the question
“She hit on Chris. Karrueche saw the whole thing. Those two were close. Not as close as you and him and she took the compliments way too far”
“Shit. Where is she now?”
“I heard she was a waitress in DC now. She left town obviously after Karrueche made her life a living hell”
“Shit”
“I wont let that happen to you. Ava didnt have me on her side. Self righteous bitch. She thought she was too good for my advice. But you have to be honest with me Taurie. Im not blind”Danyel said to her,”You like Chris as more than friends, dont you?”
Taurus sucked in her breath as tears welled up in her eyes. She was sooo fucked. She closed her eyes and tried to blink them back but one fell down her cheek anyway. She slowly nodded and opened her eyes and looked at Danyel and he softened once he saw her vulnerability. “Im falling in love with him Danyel”
*
Taurus women needs a husband who will let her organize at least a part of his life and who will never give her cause for jealousy.
*