Sting Eucliffe x Reader Book 3

Chapter 7 - Bad Company

"Erza's going to model in your show, right?" Natsu asked when Gajeel parked in front of the club.

Without looking back you answer, "Y-Yeah. She said she was gonna take a vacation, but Brandish insisted she model for the show."

When Natsu touched your shoulder you couldn't help jumping. You found him smiling, with sincerity you couldn't even muster anymore. "Good luck."

You found some peace and nodded. "Thanks."

"Kick some ass."

"Tell Erza we say hi."

The boys send you off and you enter the club with Brandish losing her mind, but in a somehow calm and collected way. The craziest face she's ever had was wide eyes but her mouth never moved and her voice never yelled.

"Thank god you're early!" She said and set a clipboard down with what appeared to be a to-do list. "We need to get started now."

You found the rest of the night to be filled with vendors running late and calling a dozen models to straighten out travel plans. Either their flights were delayed or the snow was too thick to drive in. That was 30 models cut down to 20 in a matter of hours.

"Well we need models!" Brandish paced back and forth in her heels — they clicked against the floor so loud that the sound banged in the back of your brain. Brandish was barely wearing anything which explained why the club's heater was on full blast.

"Erza said she doesn't mind not taking any breaks but we'll need to dress her fast for each theme," you explained. "But we're still short."

"I know that," Brandish snapped. "What about you? Can you cover for one of the girls?"

You really didn't want to. Brandish didn't want you to either — she needed your help backstage. But if she was asking then it had to be the last measure.

"I guess. Don't you need my help?"

She waved her hands. "If we're down models then I have to cut outfits, which means I have to cut music, rearrange girls. If we can at least find a steady pace then I won't need your help after the show starts."

You rip the list off the clipboard and start a new page. "Then let's get this together."

~~~

You didn't just cut outfits, you cut a whole segment to make up for the lack of models. After calling the DJ and emailing all of the models, you found some room to breath. And it was only midnight.

Brandish collected her bag and car keys, taking a separate bag filled with sketches and plans. "You comin'?" she asked you before heading out.

You were still sitting in a pile of to-do lists and contact information. "You want me to go with you?"

"Duh. We need some rest if we're gonna make it and I don't think you've had a wink of sleep in ages," you knew she only said that because of the bags under your eyes and the complexion of your skin. Last time you looked in the mirror, just a few hours ago, you gave off the impression of a zombie.

"Come on." Brandish picked up your overnight bag and let you collect your work to follow her out. Security takes care of shutting down the place. Brandish doesn't even bother questioning their job. You, on the other hand, would be too nervous if you owned a whole club. You respect Brandish's trust in her workers.