Another repost, this one inspired by Steele Searching. :)
Beyond Fashion
Across the crowded room Felicia watched Laura, "Damn" she thought but didn't allow her face the luxury of expressing it. There was no denying the obvious and much as she hated it she had to admit the woman was stunning.
Not stunning in the general sense or quintessential meaning of the word. Not the type Michael was usually attracted to either. Looking around at the other women Felicia could see a distinct difference between them and this Miss Holt. While they looked as though they couldn't dress without consulting the latest fashion magazines she looked as though she dressed with utter confidence in what she liked and what suited her. It paid dividends too, she looked elegant in an almost regal yet understated way.
Felicia noticed men watching her and wondered if she knew the effect that she had. She doubted so, she didn't seem to be aware of the effect she had on Michael. She herself was understanding that effect even more now. She hated it and made up her mind that she had to show who was queen. That thought made her smile, a little intimidation was certainly required.
As Laura made her way towards her she seized her chance and said, "Some people don't know when to pack it in. He's through with you, darling. He told me so right after we'd made love by a beautiful little lake."
The jibe didn't have the effect she was aiming for, the woman really did have class.
Laura was amazed at the speed in which several thoughts raced through her brain at the sight of Felicia but it was her words that had the greatest impact.
There was no denying that Felicia was a stunning woman. She looked and walked like a fashion model but what truly set her apart from other women was that rock solid confidence.
She also had a part of Steele that Laura felt she would never be privy to, his past. Not only did Felicia belong there but she had a lifetime pass to visit as often as she liked. To Laura that door was closed, but Felicia had her own key, perhaps not to all of the rooms of his history but she definitely had far more access than Laura herself did.
Perhaps that's where the confidence came from, and she had certainly demonstrated it when she had thrown down the gauntlet that way.
The part that irked Laura the most was the way Felicia was attempting to tie herself into the present and if truth be known the future too. Steele's fondness for fashion was hardly a secret but was that how he viewed his women too? Off with the old style and in with the new. Perhaps what Felicia was attempting to convey was that she was classic, was timeless and had an ability to transverse each and every era.
Laura herself had been about to give in but such a blatant challenge could not go unanswered.
"Thankyou."
"For what?"
"For giving me the incentive to keep on fighting. Now move it, blondie, before I dent your grille."
Although somewhat taken back Felicia merely laughed and moved on.
She always known Laura had a spark in her and she was seeing more clearly all the time just what Michael saw in her.
"Damn it!" she thought again, "But I shan't give up, defeat is something that should never be in fashion."
Across the crowded room Felicia watched Laura, "Damn" she thought but didn't allow her face the luxury of expressing it. There was no denying the obvious and much as she hated it she had to admit the woman was stunning.
Not stunning in the general sense or quintessential meaning of the word. Not the type Michael was usually attracted to either. Looking around at the other women Felicia could see a distinct difference between them and this Miss Holt. While they looked as though they couldn't dress without consulting the latest fashion magazines she looked as though she dressed with utter confidence in what she liked and what suited her. It paid dividends too, she looked elegant in an almost regal yet understated way.
Felicia noticed men watching her and wondered if she knew the effect that she had. She doubted so, she didn't seem to be aware of the effect she had on Michael. She herself was understanding that effect even more now. She hated it and made up her mind that she had to show who was queen. That thought made her smile, a little intimidation was certainly required.
As Laura made her way towards her she seized her chance and said, "Some people don't know when to pack it in. He's through with you, darling. He told me so right after we'd made love by a beautiful little lake."
The jibe didn't have the effect she was aiming for, the woman really did have class.
Laura was amazed at the speed in which several thoughts raced through her brain at the sight of Felicia but it was her words that had the greatest impact.
There was no denying that Felicia was a stunning woman. She looked and walked like a fashion model but what truly set her apart from other women was that rock solid confidence.
She also had a part of Steele that Laura felt she would never be privy to, his past. Not only did Felicia belong there but she had a lifetime pass to visit as often as she liked. To Laura that door was closed, but Felicia had her own key, perhaps not to all of the rooms of his history but she definitely had far more access than Laura herself did.
Perhaps that's where the confidence came from, and she had certainly demonstrated it when she had thrown down the gauntlet that way.
The part that irked Laura the most was the way Felicia was attempting to tie herself into the present and if truth be known the future too. Steele's fondness for fashion was hardly a secret but was that how he viewed his women too? Off with the old style and in with the new. Perhaps what Felicia was attempting to convey was that she was classic, was timeless and had an ability to transverse each and every era.
Laura herself had been about to give in but such a blatant challenge could not go unanswered.
"Thankyou."
"For what?"
"For giving me the incentive to keep on fighting. Now move it, blondie, before I dent your grille."
Although somewhat taken back Felicia merely laughed and moved on.
She always known Laura had a spark in her and she was seeing more clearly all the time just what Michael saw in her.
"Damn it!" she thought again, "But I shan't give up, defeat is something that should never be in fashion."