The Boss

"I'm sure your invitation was just misplaced. I mean, you can't even begin to imagine the hours of calligraphy that went into them, Lucille was very particular. Yeah, yeah, I'll tell her-... Mhm. Okay, have a great evening," Emmeline grinned so widely she must have looked a little unhinged. When they finally left, she rolled her eyes and turned to find the nearest drinks tray.

Adriana got very few joys whenever Emmeline was around. So seeing her flustered by wedding invitations put a smile on her face. She shook her head as she walked over. "You think I am going to help you get out of situations this funny?"

Blythe hadn't been back in the city since her disastrous non-wedding day, needing time to process her disappointment and realign her future plans. While her heart remained intact, her ego had taken a beating, but she was happy to let the Upper East Side elite believe that she was devastated to lose Roman.

Adriana knew every major player in the city, even those outside her own industry. You never know when you will need to call in a favor, and where you might need to call it in from. So she always kept herself in everyone's good graces, especially someone like Blythe.

ceren looked over to see adriana and gave her a small smile "oh, can't you tell? i'm over the moon to be here. i just can't contain my excitement" she sarcasm dripping from her voice. this was the last place she wanted to be.

Adriana gave a sympathetic smile. She knew this was not at all Ceren's scene; it stank of an Upper East Side parental punishment. "It's definitely written on your face. My condolences on missing the fashion show, but at least Superhero Night sounds worse than this."

"Ouch. Funny, I remember having a very different affect on your skin, Adriana. Should we schedule in a refresher?"

"I have such a busy schedule, not sure I have the time." Adriana had a weakness for the worst kind of people. Robbie was another one on the list, along with Cristian and Emmeline. "I guess I should say welcome back."

"it's perfect for you" she smiled "i'm the same, these parties and corporate events never end. just when there's a break in the calendar another one gets announced" gabriela clapped her hands when she saw adriana in the dress "i've been alright, overworked as always but i'm getting better at the work life balance thing. how have you been?" she asked when she stepped forward to zip up the dress "you have to get this one, it's made for you"

"Thank you, you are too sweet." Adriana looked in the mirror, she did look good. "Between that and the other parties, I feel like I never have time to do anything." She definitely needed this dress. "My work-life balance is, as always, leaning towards work. What are you doing to actually have a social life?" She nodded her head. "Damn, you are so right. I need to buy it."

"well she's nothing if not consistent and fun. maybe she'll get atticus to lighten up a bit, that man is wound up so tight, he needs to chill out" lola and atticus' friendship never made much sense to him but for whatever reason it worked "what kind of people do you need to be around for us to be graced with fun adriana?"

"She is the only hope, but I wouldn't bet on it if I were you." Adriana had seen them over the years, and it definitely made sense when you saw them together. "I don't know about graced. Most people don't enjoy fun Adriana. They survive her."

normally he wouldn't entertain cleaning up other peoples messes but he knew adriana well and always had time for her "sounds like you guys were hit hard. have clients been hit on the back of you guys being hit or was it a direct strike to you?" he asked but he already knew that he would help them. he cursed the day he made friends "i'd need to see how bad it is but i'll help your dad sort it all out. consider it a favour to you"

Adriana had hoped he would say yes. Her father's company definitely needed the help. And if he didn't agree to help, she knew the job would fall to her. "So far, just the company, luckily. But the trust is definitely kind of broken with the clients." She definitely wanted to help him get paid what he deserves. "Thank you, and consider this a favor. You can name your price, and he will pay."

going to the fashion show would've been fun, but no, ceren wasn't to have fun. not when she was still facing her parents judgement for her disappearing stunt over the holidays. no, no fun was to be had which was why she was stuck at this stuffy networking event that she couldn't wait to leave. it would be good for networking and art connections, is what her parents explained, but all ceren saw was another space she was being watched in.

Adriana had not even questioned where she wanted to be tonight. She wasn't interested in fashion, and a bar night didn't sound like anything she would miss. This networking event was exactly where she wanted to be, hopeful to make some connections. Find some potential investors for her.

chuck chuckled at adriana's observation "that's true. it depends on how much of a diva she wants to be on the day" it was an odd pairing of a duo, but hell, if whatever it was worked for them then why not "ohhh come on, i don't believe that you don't get to be the fun one at least sometimes"

"Trust me, I get that, that's kind of just how every day with Lola is. Half of the fun with her." Adriana had been friends with Lola for most of her life. She was a wild girl, but also one of the best friends you could have. "I do, but not with this group of people. Fun Adriana makes an appearance semi-annually."

gabriela knew the exact dress adriana was talking about and dipped into her dressing room to pick it out of the rack for her. it was a beautiful dress, but gabriela didn't think it was for her, but adriana however, would look stunning in it "this one will look incredible on you. go try it on"

Adriana smiled at her. "I think so too, and it's just the right amount of fun and classy. I need some new dresses for these parties." She walked into the dressing room, getting out of her last dress that definitely didn't work. "How have you been?" She pulled on the dress. "Mind zipping me up?"

"unfortunately i seem to have done this to myself" he shrugged, finishing his drink. compliments meant that requests were following soon after "ah, i see, howard archibald remains a headache to us all. how much of a fallout are we talking about here?"

Adriana didn't like to do the dirty work for her father. She had refused his job offers since she was in high school, but he needed the help, and she knew Atticus better. "Didn't get too many details, but it seems pretty bad. Client lists, accounts, and financial statements for most of his clients."

"I know, I know... I'd miss me too." @tfrstarters

"Like a bad rash. I should have known a lawyer was around, my skin started to crawl."