CHAPTER 44

~The I don't care aircraft lands in had I known~

~Mina.

SERAPHINA'S POV

A blaring dead-ass ringtone startled me from my deep slumber. I felt around the bed for the annoying device and didn't second hitting the reject button when I found it. Who wakes people this early? I checked the time and instinctively shrieked when the screen indicated 10:30 am. As if things couldn't get any worse, a notification with twelve missed calls popped up, all from my mother! Just what I needed, cue the sarcasm. The phone rang again and this time I received without a breath of hesitation.

"Where the hell are you?! I've been trying to reach for God knows how long!" I moved the phone away from my sore ears, cringing.

"Morning to you too, mother." 

"Get your ass over here. The decisions are released!"

Shout outs to my retarded memory one more time. How could I have forgotten? To even think that I put this date on reminder, and still succeeded in skipping it. Talk about a celebrated amnesia patient.

Showering was out of it. I threw on a pair of black Mia high-waisted sailor shorts and an off the shoulder nude cropped top. I flattened my hair until it was bone-straight, before dashing for the streets. I dialled Peyton's number in a red light and she picked on the first ring.

"You're bringing doughnut, right?" That was the first thing she asked.

"No, but I might if you do me a favour." I wonder how she manages to sneak these carbs without mom's notice.

"Are you bribing me?"

"I was trying to put it in a civilised manner but since you have some sort of obsession with barbarians, then yes we can go with bribing."

"Just how rude are you?" She sighed at the other end. I lowly chuckled and hopped onto my usual expressway when the green light came up.

"What do you want?"

"I want you to hold Naomi back for some minutes. I'm almost at the studio."

Please say yes, please say yes.

"Naomi?"

"Yes, the Naomi. As in Naomi Campbell.  You know, the supe...

"Yeah, I understand but she isn't here."

"What do you mean? mom said the decisions are released."

"You fool. Decisions are sent Via Ma'am's email. " Peyton laughed. I parked and facepalmed in annoyance. My beautiful sleep spoilt over bullshit.

"First, you and now, mom. You enjoy torturing me or something?"

"See you soon girl and oh, I lied. Anna Wintour will be on Zoom call in a minute. Sorry, not sorry." She chuckled. I opened my mouth to throw in a snarky remark but she hung up before I could even breathe into the speaker.

I can't describe the speed with which I fled into the building but one thing I do know is that I reached the conference room in barely a minute. I was met with my mother's sharp gaze the moment I walked in, it was as though I was the only being the woman was waiting. A beeping sound came up and my mom furiously snapped her fingers, gesturing with wide eyes towards a seat a few centimetres from the huge projector.

"I hope you're all okay?" I almost jumped at the booming voice of the middle-aged woman, but yet maintained my composure. Oh my God, it's the CEO of Vogue. I must've looked like a deer caught in headlights with my saucer-sized eyes and hands frozen mid-air. The image of Anna herself wasn't very clear as she was centred in the middle of the screen, surrounded by possibly thousands of young women. Where are they all from?

"I am Anna Wintour, global editorial director and CEO of Vogue magazine. " She introduced with a hard face.

"I've reviewed all your interviews and application documents. It hadn't been easy but together with my selection committee, we've successfully finalised a decision. "

I held my breath and clenched my trembling hands in between my thighs.

"Out of the twenty thousand models who participated from New york."

Huh?! Twenty what?! I adjusted in my seat and drew closer to the table. I just needed support in case I pass out.

"Only one was able to meet our requirements and standards."

It's over for me. My interview was crap, and I couldn't balance myself in those damned heels during the photo shoot.

"The model who we've chosen to represent us at the New York fashion week is.....

Just spill already bitch. I mean what's the point in listening anyway when the answer to my doubts was obvious.

"Seraphina Katara Del Varia, La Donna fashion magazine."

I looked behind, thinking it was my mom calling me, but she only had on a blank expression.

"Seraphina, are you there? Hello."

Did I hear right?

"Compose yourself Seraphina. " mom snapped in a low, firm tone.

"Uh, yeah. I mean yes, I'm here." Seriously girl, is stuttering the best way to celebrate a victory by luck?

"I'd like to congratulate you on your efforts and the hard work you invested to pull off such an achievement. However, this doesn't mean you should slack. As one of the renowned fashion magazines in the world, we expect nothing but perfection from our models.

The fashion show is in two weeks and this means more workouts and training. With that being said, I wish you all the best. Thank you once again to all the other girls who participated, you've all been amazing. It hurts me to reject you, but this is Vogue and rules are rules. Have a good day."

The screen went off, making me heave a huge sigh of relief.

"That was intense."

"Thank God it went well. Still, unexpected though."  Mom snorted, tapping her freshly manicured nails on the marble desk. The door busted open and Peyton body-slammed me to the table.

"Congratulations, baby. You made it." She planted a loud, wet kiss on my cheeks. I cringed and pushed her face to the side.

"No PDA in my office." Mom snapped.

"I fear you'll complain in your grave, old woman." Aurelia mused, sitting on the edge of the round table.

It's absurd how they're more comfortable around my mom than her own children. They could even pass as her biological borns. Maybe the contrasting features might give them away, but that could always be altered. Plastic surgery is invented for a reason after all.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Aurelia questioned, pulling me out of my lost zone.

"Nothing."

"Creep." She muttered.

"So, what's next?" I don't want to spend another second in the building. I was tired, not to mention hungry as fuck.

"You have to leave campus and stay in the house." Mom asserted in a tone that left screamed finality, but how wrong was she?

"Wh...

"Remember, the fashion show is in two weeks, and the only way to ensure effective training is when we're frequently in contact."

"Bu...

"Seraphina, you're under Vogue's policies now, and not mine to do with as you please. Anything you do from now henceforth is Vogue's to judge. One wrong move and you'll face consequences which surpasses my control."

An argument will be pointless because as much as it hurts to admit, she's right. I massaged my temples and lazily stared at my mom.

"When do I leave the dorms?"

"Now." She asserted, without looking up from the pamphlet of designs Aurelia gave her to review. I groaned and stormed out of the office.

The ride to campus was quick. Maybe because I spent half of the time planning ways to kill my mom and her continent of employees.

I parked outside the gates and jogged inside. Luckily, I met my siblings, who surprisingly agreed to help me pack, and even offered to return home with me. How joyous. We started for home after packing our luggage and bidding the gang goodbye.

The house was empty, except for Tiffany and Stella.

"Where's Dad?" Asher asked the young maid.

"Sir went on a business trip." Again.

Stella offered to carry our bags inside but Asher dismissed her, given that they were way too heavy for her weight.

"Unexpected guests." Tiffany snickered, descending the stairs in her Pajamas.

"What ate you up sis? you look thinner than a tampon string."

Severina wasn't wrong, Tiffany indeed spotted a very weak and pale physique. Her health was detrimental, that much was obvious. But adamant Tiffany just brushed it off as a mild headache.  knowing there's more to this apparent "headache" I ignored it and went with the flow. There's time for everything.

I went to my room and met Asher packing the suitcases.

"Thank you." He nodded and briefly hugged me before leaving.

I raised my arms and took a sniff, grimacing in disgust. A refreshing shower is needed asap. After an hour of luxurious bathing, and dressing, I was finally done. I descended the stairs to the dining room, where my siblings were already seated, eating lunch. I sat next to Severina, who handed me an already dished plate.

We ate in peaceful silence until Severina dropped her utensils and faced our direction. Asher raised a questioning brow, while I just, well, stared.

"Okay Tiffany, speak." She urged, folding her arms on the table.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I know you both haven't noticed, but Tiffany's been swallowing her vomit from the moment she was seated here."  I looked at Tiffany but she refused to meet my gaze.

"Tiffany, what's wrong? is it the food?" Asher voiced out in concern.

"I could always order something if you don't want Stella's food." I offered, but he shook her head.

"Tiffany, we're your family. You can tal...

"Oh, my, how irksome are people in this house!" She yelled, startling us.

"We ju...

"I don't care. I'm fine okay."

"You clearly d...

"Who are you now? Dr Phil. Stop sticking your nose up in my business geez. Nosey much." She hissed and violently pushed her plate off the table, storming upstairs.

Stella rushed out and crouched to pick the broken pieces but I stopped her. She's going to cut herself.

"It's okay, I'll use the vacuum cleaner. "

"But Ma'...

"Don't worry, it's fine," I assured. She remained reluctant for a while but eventually gave up and returned to the kitchen.

"Have you seen that?" Asher barked, infuriated.

"We have to know that Tiffany isn't a kid anymore and is capable of handling herself just fine." Severina yawned, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"Yeah, I think she's annoyed that we're still treating her like a baby. " I chuckled.

"But the attitude wasn't necessary," Asher argued.

"Ash, it is what it is." I shrugged and left to get the vacuum cleaner.

Less than two months and strange encounters are on the rise again.

Whatever may be happening or about to happen, I just pray Tiffany doesn't wear any of our shoes.