Cameron's POV

Pacifica West Menswear, two days later...

"Cameron, darling, it's been too long," Veronica Beatrice Allendale, the top fashionista and philanthropist of New York City, crooned as she entered the studio floor of the building dressed in her impeccable charcoal-and-white Chanel glory before greeting me with two air kisses. "I was afraid that you didn't have time for me at all."

"Ms. Allendale, my friends and I can never forget about you," I said formally. "Things have been quite complex as of late, especially with people coming back to work after the pandemic and all."

"But of course. Still, you must admit that fashion never has time for the pandemic. It may evolve or slow down at time, but it still moves on."

A moment if you all will. Veronica Allendale was a woman who was part of the fashion backbone since the seventies and has seen it all from the hippie revolution to the formation of haute couture in America. She had worked for Elle, Chic, Jeune Femme, Jeune Homme, and even had a stint over at Mine and Vogue. Though partially retired at the age of fifty-six, she was known to be the sponsor for many upcoming and aspiring designers. Of course, she was known to be ruthless in the boardrooms to those who deride her or undermine her authority. And believe me, it was extremely hard to earn her favor...yet horrifically easy to lose it if you cross her. Which was the reason why my friends and I never dared to leave her out of anything at all.

So it was very crucial for Pacifica West to keep getting her support and continue to receive her sponsorship, even now since Fashion Week in New York City was close at hand and everyone was rushing to get all the designs and fgittings needed. The guys and I had hardly a moment's rest. Even when Jamal and Tyler around getting fitted for swimsuits and underwear and being able to catch mini-dates, Franklin and I knew that the two had their own lives to live as well as therapy sessions with Dr. Boatwright to attend.

Back to the matter at hand, the preliminary fashion show was less than a week away and the time for PR campaign work was dire. Hence Veronica Allendale coming over after I invited her. After inviting her into my office, we took our seats and got straight to work. "Darling, you know that you always have my blessings for your creations, even during this pandemic and all," the older woman said. "But I'm hoping to see something fresh and new this time around."

I nodded, handing her my portfolio of designs. "This is what I've been working on as of late," I told her. "I also have some prototypes on hand."

She took the portfolio, eyes rising in surprise as she saw a sketch of one of the new bodysuits that I had design. "This is a pretty provocative piece," she mused, showing it to me. "I take it that it's mainly used for the bedroom for a...night romp?"

I nodded, feeling a bit flushed. "I've been working on it for a while since...well, let's just say that the person who's now in town is the muse behind my work," I explained.

"Jamal Oglethorpe."

I snapped my head up at the mention of his name. "You know him?"

She nodded. "Darling, who else hasn't heard of the name of the man whose life was nearly ruined by those wretched fools?" she scoffed.

I gulped. "And I assume that you know about Gerald and Melania Booker as well as the murder investigation and-"

Veronica waved a hand, cutting me off. "Of course," she said flippantly before taking off her designer sunglasses that revealed her ethereal lavender-colored eyes. "You may not have known this, but I was one of the few sponsors who supported the late Derrick Booker and was part of his inner circle. And of course, he told me of his life story from his past to how he got his start. And when I started to get to know his sister Jana and met with her and Ms. Daimler when the latter launched her new line, I wanted to get to know more about Mr. Oglethorpe."

Now that was a kick to the groin that I never expected. Still, I had to ask one final question. "Do...do you also know about the Winter Lady painting and evening gown?"

She gave me a Mona Lisa smile. "Darling, I was the one who encouraged Derrick to make it," she remarked. "When he told me about his final night before the fateful wedding and how he made amends with Jamal, I knew that he needed to create something that would...well, let's just say that the Winter Lady, in my eyes, is the best-kept secret that he made yet. I did warn him, however, of the repercussions if he made it public given the circumstances regarding his parents and his other sister Melina, may God have mercy on their souls."

I nodded. "Ma'am, I think that you should know that Jamal is now in town and he and I are currently dating," I told her. "We actually met when he was in NYC during Fashion Week and I encouraged him to start fresh by coming here. And when Jana's friend Tyler needed to move away after being disowned by his family for coming out, Jamal invited him to come up here as well. So, yeah. I think that you might need to talk to him about what you told me."

"Well, darling, you might want to ring him up," she replied before there was a knock at the door. "Who's there?"

In stepped the guy in question as he and Tyler (the latter dressed in his waiter clothing) came into the room. "Is this a bad time?" Jamal asked hesitantly.

I shook my head no. "Actually, you two are right on time," I said. "Guys, this is Veronica Allendale, one of the sponsors for the fashion line and the grand dame of the fashion world."

Veronica stood up and approached the two, Jamal looking as if he was facing a member of the royal family while Tyler was just confused. "Gentlemen, Cameron was telling me all about you," she said. "It's so good to meet you."

To Jamal, "Sir, I do believe that your late first love was a pleasure to meet back in the day. Derrick Booker was a genius to make you the muse for the Winter Lady."

Jamal's eyes went wide. "You knew Derrick and saw the Winter Lady yourself?"

She smiled gamely. "Darling, who else inspired the boy to make it?"

He nodded before turning to me. "Get Dr. Boatwright in here," he instructed me. To Veronica, "Ma'am, I can only tell you that he took the photograph of me wearing the one-piece swimsuit and made it into a joint masterpiece with the gown and the painting. But I was worried since he was also dealing with..."

"Deadly Glamour," she finished. "I know. Now, I assume that you're seeing Dr. Boatwright about your past and how you're hoping to move forward?"

"We both are," Tyler replied before introducing himself. "And all I can say is that the man never holds back."

"Which is why my uncle is on his way right now," came Naomi's voice as she and La'Shawn soon arrived. "Just got off the phone with him because something in me and my man told me that you, Jamal, were bound to meet Ms Allendale. He's on his way over right now."

It really pays to have someone to keep on your toes. And as I stole a glance at the now-subdued Jamal, I knew that he needed to let loose some energy about how he saw the masterpiece that Derrick had created.

Don't even think about going anywhere just yet, folks! Veronica and Dr. Boatwright have their two cents as Jamal recounts seeing the Winter Lady for the first time and learns of Deadly Glamour's threats being made against Derrick. You can't afford to miss out on this, folks!

Media: "Glamorous" by Fergie. Dedication: DarkKn1ght15.

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