Leanna by Miu

"L-Leanna . . . , are you sure about this? Even just looking at the store, I know I can't afford it here with my budget."

My eyebrow rose. "How much is your budget?"

"H-half a million? Including jewelry, bag, and shoes."

"You do realize that half a million will just land you a pair of earrings, right?"

Zoe flashed a shy smile. "Can we go to a bargain store instead?"

I crossed my arms and tilted my hips to the side. "We can if you want to be the center of gossip. Don't underestimate the elites. They know quality when they see one."

Zoe stood there, staring at the designer studio with a gaping mouth and stupid expression on her face.

I pulled her hand to shake her out of it. "Don't worry. My uncle knows the designer here. He'll give you a discount."

I didn't entirely lie to her. Z O'nier is the Jansen's family personal stylist and fashion designer. But telling her about the discount was a joke. Everyone knew that the bizarre, eccentric guy only designed pre-ordered clothes. Many lined and reserved even up to years to get this man to design for them.

Fortunately, Zoe didn't know that.

This Z O'nier was strange, just like Eva Hart, he wouldn't design you anything if he deemed you not worthy of wearing his fashion statement clothes even if you were a high profiled person.

But of course, Uncle Luke was an entirely different matter altogether. The old man already paid for Zoe's dress, bag, shoes, jewelry, and all others. The only missing piece was her measurements to get the whole thing done.

And that's what we are here.

We traveled to New York from New Haven just to get her measurements. This was so ridiculous now that I thought about it.

We entered the studio, and Z O'nier's personal assistant greeted us in all smiles and courteousness.

"Hello, my name is Ana, you must be Miss Lee and Miss Collin?" she said, and we nod as we greet her back.

She flashed a dazzling smile and gestured with her hand. "This way please."

As soon as we sat on the couch, Ana's lips curved down a little. "I'm sorry, Mr. Z is running a little late. May I offer you anything to eat or drink while you wait?"

I smiled at her. "Tea for me, please."

I looked at Zoe, but the girl was busy gaping at the sophisticated modern lobby.

I turned to Ana. "Make it two."

Ana nodded and motioned for the staff to get us tea and snacks. Then she beamed. "If you need anything else, please don't hesitate to call me. Please make yourself comfortable."

I nodded at her, and like a model on the red carpet, she went inside a room.

I ignored the curious stares of the two people seated at a distance from us. I presumed they were also clients. Of course, who wouldn't be curious to know who we were that the great Z O'nier would personally meet?

Z O'nier would rarely meet his clients. At most, it would be his staff who would take measurements and his personal assistant to accommodate the clients' needs and requirements.

"What's the motif of the debut again?" I asked.

Zoe jumped when I patted her shoulder.

"Fairy in the tropics," she said.

Pft!

I coughed a laugh.