Persistent Daiyu

Daiyu: I need to talk to you!

Daiyu: Are you avoiding me?

She rolled her eyes. After countless unanswered calls, Daiyu was finally catching the hint. Daiyu was being annoyingly persistent about this fashion show thing and there was no way in hell she was doing it. She was about to turn her back on the phone when another message appeared. 

Daiyu: If you don’t call me, I’m telling everyone what you and Roth did in my dressing room.

She froze. Daiyu wouldn’t… She cursed as she snatched up the phone. Daiyu fucking would. Part of her already knew that story was circulating. Her friend was a notorious gossip, but if the juicy details were leaked to the press, it would be humiliating. She dialed Daiyu who answered halfway through the first ring.

“Finally.”

”Blackmail, Dai? Really?”

“A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do,” Daiyu said, all business. “Why are you playing hard to get?  Do you or do you not want to walk in my show for Fashion Week?”

“I do not,” she said through clenched teeth. 

“I designed this dress you’re going to love,” Daiyu gushed. “I think it should be the opening look. It’s ready for your first fitting, which is why I’ve been calling. If it needs alternations, I want to get it done ASAP. When can you come down?”

“Never.”

Daiyu ignored her snarl. “What do you think about closing the show in your wedding gown? Everyone’s dying to see it in person. It’ll be a nice preview before it shows up in Vogue the following month.”

“Hell no.”

“Jasmine.”

 Daiyu’s put upon tone made her eyes narrow to slits. 

“All I’m asking for is a little favor from an old friend.”

“Walking in New York Fashion Week isn’t a little favor.”

“It’s just a little strut down a runway. You don’t even have to smile. Treat everyone like they’re beneath you. It’ll be fun. You’ll be the talk of the town.”

“I’m already the talk of the town.” 

“Exactly. Why not ride that wave? That’s why you got married, right? To be in the spotlight?”

“That’s not why I…” She broke off and pinched the bridge of her nose. There was no sense in arguing with Daiyu. She made up her own stories and no one could convince her otherwise. “Daiyu, I’m not doing your show and I’m busy so—”

“Don’t you dare hang up on me. Do you think I’m going to put you in something hideous? Don’t you know me better than that? Isn’t my taste impeccable?” When Jasmine didn’t reply, she snapped, “Isn’t it?”

“Yes, but—”

“Picture this. It’s the end of the show. You and I walk out hand in hand. You’re wearing your wedding gown, which has been hailed as my greatest work. Slowly, the crowd begins to rise. They’re clapping. Rose petals start falling... White, of course, so we don't stain your dress. Can’t you see it, Jas? You’ll be on the cover of every fashion magazine. Women will envy you for all time. Don’t you want that? Tell me you're not tempted."

She was, just a smidge, but it didn't matter because, “Even if I wanted to, I can’t.”

“What do you mean, can’t?”

“My wedding gown?”

“Yes?”

“There was some damage..."

“Damage?” Daiyu sounded alarmed. “What kind of damage?” 

She pursed her lips as she tried to think of the best way to tell the dramatic, temperamental artist that her crowning glory had been destroyed. “On our wedding night we got a little carried away."

"I can repair a tear or two."

"Uh, this is a bit more..." She waved her hand as she thought back to the strips he'd torn off and the stains that would never come out. Daiyu would have a seizure if she saw what Roth had done to her dress. In fact, she wasn’t sure what Thea had done with it since she hadn’t packed it up and brought it back to the city. If she was Thea, she would have thrown the torn and stained disaster in the trash. "Extensive."

"How extensive?”

"It's irreparable.”

"You..." Dai sounded winded. "You wrecked my gown?"

"Roth did. He had a bride fantasy."

"Oh?" Dai's tone sharpened.

"He used the tulle skirt to..." Her phone beeped, signaling she had another call. She felt a flash of alarm when she saw Roth’s name. He never called her. "Dai, I have to go. I'll call you later."

"No! You can't start talking about bride fantasies and leave me hanging!“

She ignored Daiyu’s wail and switched calls. “Roth?” 

**This is a raw draft of Bitter Confessions. Please do not share or distribute.