The perspective of eating alone with Bernadette Dupuit was sending Cyrielle in a spiral of anxiety. Considering Bernadette’s stature, they wouldn’t eat fast food, it was more than reasonable to think that they would go to a high end restaurant. More than that, becoming an editor-in-chief didn’t only require skills, but also connections and a good social sense, which meant that if Cyrielle made a mistake, her actions would probably be reyed to the entirety of the fashion industry. However, Cyrielle only knew basic table manners taught by her mother, things like not putting your elbows on the table or sitting straight. If she wanted to make a good impression while keeping her elegant image, she had one night for an etiquette crash course.

  Upon arriving at her hotel room, she immediately locked the door and took out her phone. Thankfully, MyTube was full of videos expining table etiquette for various circumstances, and she started practicing using pens as cutlery, and a bottle of shampoo as a gss. After two hours of great effort, blue characters appeared in front of her eyes.

  [Congratutions, due to your own efforts, ‘Elegance’ has evolved into ‘Refinement’. Path of Destiny rewards you by offering a gift.]

  ‘Refinement ? What does it mean ?’

  Instead of opening the gift, Cyrielle called forth ‘Path knowledge’ and dispyed ‘Refinement’.

  [{Refinement}

  The ability to stay refined in any situation. Current capacity includes : Elegant posture; elegant movements; elegant speech; manners; social etiquette; table etiquette; diplomatic etiquette; cultural etiquette; appropriate dressing; coolheadedness; advanced history of manners and etiquette

  {Tips}

  You have reached the maximum level of ‘refinement’]

  ‘Wow, do I really know all the table etiquette ? It seemed so hard, but now it naturally flows into my head… Wait, is the ability maxed out ? Is it really my first complete ability ?’

  It was a thing to be celebrated, but Cyrielle was too anxious about the dinner to even think of that.

  ‘’Coolheadedness’ seems useful. I should probably leave ‘refinement’ permanently activated, just in case.’

  With her attitude settled, now she needed to take care of her looks. She applied a face mask and squatted in front of her suitcase. It was better if she seemed elegant but without looking like she made a special effort, it suited her image, so she set apart all the clothes she had used for the photoshoot. Only two choices remained : her favorite outfit with the high waisted pants and the knitted sweater, or a 1930’s inspired skirt with a blouse that she could pair with her long dark green coat without a problem. She chose the second outfit and put it on the chair. It was too bad she didn’t have a matching hat, but she could make it work with a neat updo.

  Now that everything was settled and her skincare routine was done, she finally turned to the gift. The prize she earned wasn’t much, but it was still better than nothing.

  [Congratutions, you have earned the silver gift ‘Moderately better nails’. Would you like to proceed ?]

  ***

  Bernadette Dupuit came to fetch Cyrielle at 7:15pm, using the ‘quart d’heure de politesse’, an etiquette rule that implies you will arrive a few minutes te at someone’s home to give them enough time to compensate for any dey that might have occurred during their preparation, and that fact confirmed that this dinner wouldn’t be a casual one.

  Cyrielle elegantly sat on the passenger seat, engaging in small talk until they reached the restaurant. As she had guessed, it was a famous Michelin-star rated establishment. Bernadette gave her car keys to the valet and led Cyrielle in the building. They were seated by a server, and Cyrielle discreetly admired the room. It wasn’t overly pretentious, it was simply a luminous restaurant with wooden tables and soft cssical music pying in the background.

  Bernadette was observing Cyrielle who was looking as stoic as ever, sitting elegantly with her legs crossed, her upper ankle resting on the lower one. It was a perfect textbook sitting etiquette.

  ‘I wasn’t wrong, she definitely is special. I don’t know all of french high society, but even then, I can’t guess from which dynasty she might come from. Maybe it’s from a noble branch that hid from the secur world ? Either way, I should probably make sure she is in a good mood before I cut to the chase.’

  They engaged in small talk while ordering their food, discussing the photoshoot. Judging the situation to flow naturally, Bernadette Dupuit suddenly asked a question.

  “All your outfits seemed amazing and were custom made to suit your silhouette and personality. I’m very curious, could you give me the name of your stylist ?”

  Being an editor-in-chief should have meant she had nerves of steel, but Bernadette was so intimidated by Cyrielle that her palms were sweating. It was a very important question for her, as someone in the fashion industry.

  ‘If I can find a heaven-sent stylist paired with a goddess-like model, our magazine will soar in popurity !’

  She stared at Cyrielle, awaiting her answer, but the elegant woman didn’t reply immediately. She silently sipped her gss of water before finally speaking.

  “I don’t have a stylist, I design and sew my outfits by myself. It’s a process I like, because no one can match my image better than myself.”

  Bernadette’s mind went bnk.

  “Excuse me ?”

  “I said I make my own outfits.”

  ‘No, but how does any of that make sense ?!’

  Bernadette was having a mental tantrum.

  ‘Professional modeling talents, original fashion designing, and sewing mastery ? How is any of that fair !’

  The strict looking woman took a deep breath inwardly.

  ‘I must accept it, I can’t start to imagine Mademoiselle Cyrielle’s past, and all the talent she possesses. Either way, I desperately need her. In the fashion industry jungle, I need something to make my magazine stand out, and that something is her. As per the information we gathered, she might have lived through some traumatizing times during her modeling career, and to gain her favor I must be infinitely honest and good-willed. Come on Bernadette, you can do it !’

  Appetizers were served in an awkward silence. After they finished eating, and while waiting for the entry, Bernadette tried to ease the tension.

  “I just noticed you aren’t drinking any wine. Do you not like the taste ?”

  “I stopped drinking alcohol a few years ago, and it has now become a habit to the point where I prefer fruit juice over champagne. I hope it doesn’t make you uncomfortable.”

  The editor-in-chief was faced with another imaginary crisis.

  ‘Bernadette, you are so stupid ! She might have been abused while drunk, no wonder she doesn’t drink alcohol ! She is so nice about it, but imagining how much she suffered makes my heart ache… I must prepare a rge selection of soft drinks everytime we meet from now on. Now don’t make more mistakes, think before you speak !’

  The misunderstanding was deepening at a fast pace. Either way, the meal continued with the entry and the main dish. While waiting for dessert, Bernadette tried once again to get back on topic.

  “You are really talented, I mean it, and I want the world to know about you. Would you be open to, once again, work in the fashion industry ? I want you to know that I will help you with all my power, to make sure that nothing bad will ever happen. I can even do some research about the people that approach you, or filter the offers you receive to only choose the best ones.”

  Cyrielle raised a brow, scrutinizing Bernadette’s face. It sent shivers down her spine but she remained upright, showing her determination. Cyrielle finally spoke.

  “You want to help me ?”

  “Of course ! I’m a fan of your work, and it would be an honor to be of service. Please, take it. It’s just something I want to do.”

  She was half lying. Bernadette really found Cyrielle to be a special existence, but her motives were more professional. Having a friendly retionship with someone like Cyrielle was a guaranteed boost for her magazine and her career, she could feel it. And to hell with the increased amount of work, if she could become closer to Cyrielle it was worth it.

  Cyrielle seemed to be thinking, observing Bernadette’s face. After another silence, she nodded.

  “If you make such an offer, how can I say no ? I would be gd to receive your favor.”

  Bernadette almost jumped with joy, but she contained her excitement and shook Cyrielle’s hand.

  “No, it’s me who is gd ! I will compile a portfolio and send it to everyone I know in the fashion industry. Oh, of course, only the good people that have been verified. Do not worry about anything and leave it to me. I can guarantee that in less than a month, you will be back in Paris.”

  The rest of the evening went really well, and they parted ways in front of the hotel. Once Cyrielle had entered the building, Bernadette ran to her car and took out her phone to call her assistant. It was already way past office hours, but the matter was that important. The assistant answered with a tired voice.

  “Yes, boss ? Can’t you wait until tomorrow morning ? I was just getting ready to sleep…”

  “Listen to me, this might be your most important work yet.”

  She took a deep breath and started giving instructions. Cyrielle would become french fashion’s face, or her name wasn’t Bernadette Dupuit.

  AmbreaTaddy