c h a p t e r | 11
LONELY PRINGLE
'Really, single as a Pringle?'
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TESSA WENT TO BITE AT THE END OF HER PEN, as John kept staring at her over his fingers. She briefly scanned over her notes once again to see if she had missed any of her important points since John remained an unreadable statue in front of her.

For a minute there she was actually scared he had fallen asleep with open eyes, and trust her to know it could be done, after all, she'd done it several times towards Parker.

"So...." She trailed off, fishing for a reaction. In theory, this could easily be achieved but considering the model in question was who he was, she could see the possible flaw in her plan.

When had Hale ever done as she asked?

"You really think this is the way to go?" John spoke thoughtfully, his gaze never leaving her face, and she felt a slight heat travel to her cheeks. She was quite certain John was thinking the same thing as her.

"All I can say is that he's going nowhere like this," Tessa bit the inside of her cheek when she realized that maybe it was not the right way to phrase the current situation in front of the one handling Hale's career. "This is more of a suggestion," she quickly spoke up, drumming her pen on her notepad.

"It can't hurt to try and so far our best bet is to change his reputation. You said it yourself, and this is a way to do it. To present a more mature Hale." She felt like grimacing by her last words as mature and Hale really did not go together. When John's mouth tugged slightly upwards by the corners she knew he caught her on it.

"Look. There is a reason why Deluca hasn't already jumped at the opportunity. They want his popularity, but the image isn't right for them. You said it yourself that they so far just postponed the meeting, which means there is a small chance. A chance that won't hurt for him to try," Tess spoke, subconsciously creeping to the edge of her seat to get closer to John's desk.

"I've looked over their stats, resumes, relations and past campaigns and it's safe to say that they are looking for someone who oozes ambition and confidence. Not just edge composed as confidence, but the kind that comes with relatable responsibility—"

"And you think Hale can be that guy?" John's brows rose questioningly, while his eyes portrayed the doubt Tessa could not suppress herself.

"Hale doesn't have to be the guy, he just has to look like the guy," Tessa pressed, "You, yourself must have kept Hale on for so long because you see potential in him."

John shook his head subtly, a small smile ghosting his lips. He looked down at the ground. "Tell me Tessa, why are you pitching me this idea?" He looked up at her again and Tessa felt like squirming in her seat by the look he was giving her.

"Look, Hale's an ass. We can both agree on that, but he's not stupid, though I cannot for the life of me understand why he keeps wanting people to believe that he is. I can't tell you exactly why, but I think he's bored and has lost his focus. It makes me believe that a challenge might just be the thing to do the trick."

"I've seen the image you've helped me create for Parker and I truly appreciate it, but—"

"I've already looked into some additional shots and appearances that can test the waters and see if it's a fit and so far those I've spoken with are willing to—"

"You looked into booking photoshoots?" John looked at her surprised but Tessa waved him off as she pulled forward a folder she put together and dropped it in front of him.

"I know it's not really my area of expertise, but since I've worked with a few of them I called them and asked if they would be interested and so far the responses has been quite positive," she informed as John turned the pages.

"Let's say I approve of this, what do you get out of this?" John folded his hands under his chin again and scrutinized Tessa.

She took a breath preparing herself, before she stared him right in the eye, "If by the end of this Hale gets the Deluca deal, I want you to be my investor." she said slowly, as her terms were finally out there.

Seeing the house had once again sparked the passion in her, reminding her of what she wanted to do with the rest of her life and she could dress a thousands models and celebrities and still not have a financial aid big enough to get on with her dream. With the agency backing her, it would guarantee her exclusive deals with the right people that could carry out her name like no other could.

"So we all have something to lose," John leaned back in his chair, his features once again ridden of emotional ticks that could give him away. Even his tie hung unvaryingly around his neck.

"Still better odds than the lottery though," Tessa quirked up in the silence and saw John trying to prevent the corners of his mouth tug upwards again.

"I'll look through the proposal and make some calls," John said and Tessa jumped in her chair, ready to celebrate as that was as good as an agreement.

"Great, I'll—" John held up his hand to stop her signaling he was not done, and Tessa quickly shut up though she could barely sit still on the chair.

"But if this fails, Tessa. Your ass will be on the line too," John proclaimed and she stopped her celebratory dance in her head to look properly at him.

"In that case, buy Hale a watch," she smiled, refusing to let it get her down. She would be damned if Hale would get in the way of her reaching her dream.

"I see, I'll call them first, then," John chuckled and grabbed the phone which Tessa took as safe passage to dash out the door already in the process of digging out her phone.

"I did it!" Tessa squealed into the phone the minute it got picked up.

"Did you finally manage to flip the pancake all the way around?" Parker's voice deadpanned over the phone, but nothing could get Tessa down from cloud nine right now and she skipped down the stairs and out onto the street.

"I'll have you know pancake flipping is an artistry—" Parker's snort cut her off.

"An artistry? Flick your wrist, flip the pan. It's really not that hard."

"It is!" She huffed, "Anyways, you're changing the subject!" She scolded in attempt to get back on track, "John said yes, or well not exactly yes, but he could just as well. I mean he was willing to make the calls and that's just as good as a straight out yes, isn't it? I mean he is even looking into—"

"Marshmallow, you're rambling," Parker asserted with a grin through the device, truly amused. It had been a while since Tessa had been this openly passionate about anything.

"I told you not to call me MARSHMALLOW!" She yelled into the phone, a few passing pedestrians turned their head to look at her incredulously while others scowled. Parker however just laughed away merrily.

"Anyways—" she trailed off as she passed a window, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in the displayed dress.

The black silky fabric dazzled with rhinestones and gems along the seams and adorned the neckline. The slight turn of the mannequin's posture made Tessa able to see the backless back which was just as dazzling as the front. It was sophisticated and utterly out of this world. So much that she had never seen anything like it.

The dress had surely captured her attention that not even Parker's multiple hellos on the other end could bring her out of her stupor.

"Marshmallow, I can hear you breathing. Or slight lack thereof. Don't tell me you're going The Grudge on me again in retaliation. You know that sound freaks me out."

Wanting to examine the enticing sight in even greater detail, she took a step forward, not anticipating her stepping straight into the path of another.

She let out a surprised yelped as hot liquid clashed with her front, drenching her shirt. Her eyes grew wide as she could not believe what just happened and she immediately started patting and fanning her shirt.

"I'm so sorry, I wasn't looking and I was just— I mean I—" she trailed off as she looked up at the person she so cliche like ran into and a crimson red instantly took residence on her cheekbones.

"Miss Maccio, I'm so sorry, are you okay?" Alexander spoke apologetically, grimacing slightly as he looked down at her, seeing the drenched shirt debacle while the coffee cup he had been holding seconds before was pooling at their feet. Tessa still absentmindedly patted her shirt as her mouth fell open, unable control her staring.

"Yeah, sorry, I totally went in front of you. It was my own fault, really. I could just have been looking where I was going, but—" she gestured weakly with her hands, before she looked down at herself, cursing herself for how she must look in front of him. Talk about instant karma. "Shouldn't the coffee always spill on the guy?" She muttered under her breath, though Alexander must have heard her as he chortled.

"I mean, not that I would want to pour hot coffee over you, because I wouldn't, you're already looking ho— no I. It's just... I don't know what I'm saying," Tessa breathed and ran her hand through her hair to get it out of her face. "I should really buy you a new cup, though. As an apology."

"Considering you're the one with the coffee stain, I should be the one offering, but I don't think your boyfriend would approve," Alexander spoke amused and gestured to her phone which she was still gripping tightly, though she could no longer remember why.

"What boyfriend? Hale? Oh God, no!" She shrieked appalled and Alexander subtly leaned back confused.

"The douche at the house? No, definitely not a boyfriend. More like a royal pain in the ass," she said sourly, before it dawned on her. "Forget I said ass," she blushed and Alexander genuinely smiled, the dimple teasing her so adorably, causing her to flush even further, and she subconsciously patted at her shirt again.

"I'm single. Single as a Pringle," she yapped, wanting to crawl into a hole the minute the word vomit left her mouth and shiver of embarrassment ran down her spine making her cringe visibly.

"I see Miss Maccio—"

"Tessa, please. Just call me Tessa," she let out a slight uncomfortable giggle, her gaze flickering as she did not feel this could be anymore awkward than it already was, however she stopped fidgeting as a card got waved in front of her, before Alexander grabbed her free hand to give it to her.

"To when you feel like drinking the coffee and not wearing it," he chuckled before he gave her hand a small promising squeeze that lingered just long enough for her to look up at him and drown in his stunning smile.

"Hello! Have I really just become Caspar the Ghost here?" Parker's voice contemplated over the phone as Tessa's hands found their way into her hair while looking after a leaving Alexander.

"Parker?" She looked at the phone for a minute wondering how it got there and put it to her ear. "Hello?"

"Really, single as a Pringle?" Parker inquired over the phone, content that he finally captured her attention again. "Never really got that reference though. I mean, since all Pringles do is spoon," he mused thoughtfully as Tessa still tried to comprehend what just happened.

"Single as a Pringle... Yeah, you might as well just make 'Sip Meow' your ringtone already."

"Tessa, sweetie, what are you wearing?" A thoughtful voice peeped up before Tessa could grasp Parker's words.

Tessa looked up to see Rita who had appeared on the steps to the store and was looking at her from head to toe, taking in her disheveled and stained clothes with horror.

"Oh hey, Rita! I saw the dress," she responded meekly and nodded towards the dress, earning her a jubilant grin.

"It's gorgeous, right? I knew you would love it!" She spoke gleefully and bounced down the stairs towards her.

"Nail polish, British guys, and now a dress. Great, now I know where I stand on the priority list," Parker grumbled on the phone once again to deaf ears. "You know, you called me this time and not the other way around, right?"

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A/N: I'm not exactly sure why Tessa is willing to risk her dream on betting on Hale.

I mean, sure the lottery isn't the safer choice? Hah.

What does she see that we don't? I have a feeling she does not even know herself, but I do trust her to have a plan. And, oh well, people are willing to risk things to achieve ones dreams. At least one should be, don't you think?

Yeah, good luck maturing that. xD haha ! (So cute, though *sighs*)

But more of Alexander! - not that I'm sure Parker likes the development in being ignored while Tessa turns into a rambling schoolgirl mess around him. Haha.

Toodles noodles !