Page 31 of The Jaded Notes

She raises her head and stares at me with confusion floating in her eyes. “Why?”

“Exactly.” I recline and rest my ankle on my knee, keeping my gaze locked with hers.

“What?” Her face scrunches up. “I’m not understanding.”

“All my mentees have a why, and that’s what interests me.”

“You want to hear about how I came up with the idea?”

“Not at all. I want to know what you desire for your brand. What’s the reason you created Livianna Grace Designs?”

Her breathing kicks up, and her palms wrap around each wrist. “I want to create something beautiful.”

“I’ve seen your work, and you’ve succeeded in that area. Does that mean you’ve hit your goals?” I lean forward and motion toward the sketchbook resting on her leg.

She inclines it toward her chest. “No. There’s more to it than that.”

“Then tell me what that is. What do youreallywant?”

Her cheeks turn red, and she averts her gaze to the floor. “I want to build a legacy. Something that will live on forever. Something that will be honored and…”

I let her sit in silence. She’s right at the edge of articulating her reason, and I don’t want to interrupt her process.

She sucks in a shaky breath and lifts her head to me with a kind of iron mask covering her expression. “I envision a fashion design house that dominates both the classic and modern rockstar style with elegance, yet it’s sexy and edgy. I want to own the entire market.”

That was a well-calculated deviation from whatever she was about to say. I study her subtle movements. Her crossed leg bounces, and she scratches at her skin.

Her self-soothing and coping behaviors are enough to give her away. Just as I expected, there’s something profound here she doesn’t want to share.

I press the call button on the speaker console, and Natalie answers, “Yes, Mr. Crowne? How can I assist you?”

“Please come to my office.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll be up in two minutes.”

“Thank you.” I disconnect and cup my hands together.

Livianna’s glare flits around my face. “Did you call her here so she can walk me out?”

“No.”

“Then why is she coming up here?”

“I get the distinct feeling you need more from me before you’ll open up and tell me why you’ve been almost desperate for my help, yet now that the opportunity is in your grasp, you refuse to embrace it.”

She turns her head and tucks her long, wavy brown hair behind her ear as she peers out the window. “If you’re wondering why I can’t find the words, it’s because you’re talking in riddles and leading me in circles. If I’m being honest, I don’t like it.”

“If you’re being honest, then give me the truth. Don’t disguise your unease as defiance.”

There’s a moment of quiet as she shifts and huffs out tiny bursts of frustration. Natalie knocks and enters my office.

I gesture to the seat next to Livianna’s. “Please join us.”

Natalie sits and peers my way. Livianna aligns herself with Natalie.

Good. I want Livianna to feel like she has an alliance with Natalie.

“Natalie, would you tell Livianna why you work here?”