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know what I mean. There’s a beautiful person behind that façade, Jonas.”
    Jonas nodded. Of course he knew that. He just wished he got more chances to see it. “You have my number.” As he walked out into the dark night, Jonas realized that he too had his own façade.

    32
    Zahra
    Owens

    AS HE had predicted, Jonas didn’t hear from Nicky for quite some time. Even Tanna didn’t contact him to confirm the fact she’d asked him to pencil in London Fashion Week. Maybe she meant next London Fashion Week? Jonas was surprised to find he had been looking forward to seeing the eccentric designer again. He was too old to fool himself, though. To Nicky he was just a hired hand, someone on his private payroll, and it wasn’t as if Jonas sat at home waiting for Nicky to call.
    Life went on and Jonas saw his regular clients. He arrived back in London from Los Angeles one Monday morning and was pleasantly surprised to find a voice mail message from Tanna telling him he was invited to Nicky’s catwalk show that afternoon at the Natural History Museum. Flying first class at his client’s expense had its advantages, and Jonas had slept well during his direct flight, so he went home for a quick shower and a change of clothes before making his way across London.
    At the museum, he was picked out of the endless queue by Tanna herself.
    “I can’t tell you how happy I am you’re here,” she admitted as she ushered him through the crowds toward the backstage area.
    “He’s nervous as hell and snapping at everyone who crosses his path.”

    Façade
    33
    Jonas raised an eyebrow, but didn’t answer. What could he say? That this was how Nicky always behaved anyway? Tanna knew that.
    “I know,” she sighed. “I should have called you earlier and confirmed our appointment, but he didn’t want me to. For weeks, every time I mentioned you, he’d bite my head off. Of course now he’s changed his mind.”
    Jonas smiled, silently happy that Nicky seemed to struggle with their relationship as well. Or maybe he was just reading things into it. Maybe Nicky was simply the spoiled brat he so loved to show to the outside world, used to having his employees at his beck and call.

    EVEN behind the scenes, Jonas was surprised at the amount of people running around. He’d suspected there would be order and calm, much like how the models looked when they stepped out on the runway. Instead, there was utter chaos. Tanna was her usual self, exuding her comforting presence, but as they walked through the rows of clothes, make-up and hair stations with ungodly tall, anorexic models running around in near-hysterics, Jonas was happy he was quite a calm person himself. Somehow over all the noise, he heard Nicky’s voice, although he couldn’t see him anywhere.
    “Sybilla, if you burn a hole in one of my frocks with that cigarette, you’ll never work in fashion again.” Jonas smiled at Tanna, who was throwing him an apologetic look. “Nerves are on edge. Every show is a war zone. There is nothing more important for a fashion designer than a runway show, and he does about thirty of these every year. Paris, Milan, New York, Tokyo, London. Spring and fall collections, Couture, and Prêt-a-Porter. Men and women’s lines. It never stops.”
    “It’s a good thing he has you, Tanna.” Jonas bowed to her slightly.

    34
    Zahra
    Owens
    She smiled back shyly. “And yet, I’m not enough for him.
    Obviously.”
    Jonas didn’t have time to respond. A male make-up artist with two painted girls in tow accosted Tanna.
    “He doesn’t like the make-up,” the man stated arrogantly.
    “I’m not surprised,” Tanna answered curtly. “He asked for porcelain dolls. These girls look like Paris street walkers. Think transparent skin, long eyelashes and tiny, red mouths. You are the make-up designer; you should have done your research. Now get to work!”
    Jonas had to admit he was impressed with Tanna’s strong voice and determined words, and in that moment,