Signing the Contract
by Stephanie Holding and Kathy Couture

"You've spent some time on this," Tarrant Ahn Tar said, mulling over the Tivonan's portfolio.

"I have," Kev agreed.

"And does this proposal have anything to do with the fact that Caiette was in here this morning, threatening to bring us before the commerce board for prematurely canceling her contract?" Kev's smile faded as his father continued. "You chance alienating the top model in our agency to run after an inexperienced house--"

Kev interrupted. "She's only inexperienced because she's just starting out. Look at her stuff, it's good. And take a look at the numbers on that second sheet. Nearly three quarters of our fabrics comes from Tivona. Imagine if we have a line of Tivonan clothing *designed* by a Tivonan? And since she's so new, we won't have to pay so much up front. Sulis drew up the contracts. Did you see those? We'll give her a name-- and twenty percent of the profit. I'm sure she'll sign." He shrugged. "I saw the opportunity, I took it. I thought you'd be pleased."

Tarrant pinched the bridge of his nose between his two fingers, then gave a small shake of his head. "And I thought I was grooming you to take over the Hub enterprise. You've shown no interest in the fashion branch-- other than dating the models." He paused. "Is that it? You were out with Caiette last night, weren't you? No wonder she was so livid this morning! This Tivonan caught your eye."

"No!" Kev said. "That's not it at all. I'm telling you-- I think this would be good business for Ahn Tar. Not my fault if Jaetina Weaver just happens to be easy on the eyes."

Tarrant shook his head again, but he laughed. "One of these days, you're going to cross the wrong woman, Kev. All right. Bring her in. We'll sign her on for a year, then see how it goes from there."

"Great!" Kev cried. "I'll tell Sulis we're all set to sign. But first--" He drew two long strips of material from his jacket pocket. "Put this on."

"What is it?"

He tied one around his waist. "A sash. Wearing their product is proper etiquette for doing business with a Tivonan."

Rolling his eyes, Tarrant Ahn Tar laughed. "I indulge you way too often, Kev. One of these days it will be the end of me."

"Maybe," Kev said. "But you'll love this one, Dad. Trust me."

* * *

This is ridiculous, Jaetina thought, as she paced the room. She should've been generally unconscious until Sulis or someone else came to wake her for breakfast.
 
Instead she was up again; it was still dark and she didn't really want to look at the wall crono to check on what time it was.
 
Mostly because she was afraid it'd confirm her suspicion that the days had changed, and it was her birthday now. Her wedding day.
 
And she'd *told* herself she wouldn't think about that foolishness.
 
She looked at the bed, realized that she wasn't going to be able to get back to sleep, and got dressed. Then she took out her design book, absently sketching possibilites until she heard the knock at the door.
 
Just in time, she thought, as she went to answer. She was starting to get hungry.  And the last thing she wanted was a repeat of yesterday's performance out on the walkway. If that happened again, she swore she'd commit suicide just so she could die with some of her dignity intact.

Sulis smiled when he saw her. Mostly because she was dressed in such bright colors. Again. This time the dress was dark purple, with different sizes and colors of pink swirls for a pattern. It almost made him dizzy to look at. He cleared his throat and greeted her. "Kev is meeting with his father. He'll call for me when he's ready for you. If you'd like, breakfast is being served in the atrium."

"Definitely ready," she said. Then she continued; she'd decided it was best to get this out of the way quickly. "And I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but I have to ask. You know Kev. Is he honestly interested in my work, or in me? It's not that I mind the flirting, but I've run into a few men who. . ." She shook her head. "I hope that's not the case and I don't think it is, but I've learned it's best to double-check."

Sulis nodded. "One can never be too cautious, I suppose." He held the door for her and led her into the hall and up a small flight of stairs to the atrium. A long buffet was centered beneath the skylight and he waited until she'd filled her plate and seated herself beneath the portico before continuing. "I can answer your question two ways. First-- Kev has a different woman on his arm every week. Second-- He's being groomed to take over the Ahn Tar empire, but for the time being, all deals go through his father. If he wasn't interested in your business, he wouldn't be meeting with Tarrant right now."

She smiled. "Very glad to hear it." Liked hearing both of the pieces of information, really-- it meant that her continued stay here wasn't a waste of time, and it meant that she could return the flirting without worrying that Kev was actually being serious. "Thank you."

He nodded again, watching her eat. Jaetina seemed very nice-- not airheaded or stuck on herself like the women Kev usually kept around. She had to be reasonably intelligent to have her own business, though she was extemely attractive too, in an exotic sort of way, which must have been what drew Kev to her in the first place. That and she was an offworlder-- the Voorian had always been curious about other worlds and took the chance to travel when ever his father allowed it. Actually, if it wasn't for Kev's interest in other worlds as a child, Sulis himself never would have been brought to Voori. There would also be no traveling hubs in Omena-- not with the Ahn Tar name on them anyway.

Once she finished, she told herself that she wasn't nervous about what the rest of the day might bring. After all, even if Kev liked her work, his father might not.

If he doesn't, then you'll go on to your next stop, she told herself. The Kwaminle space port might have some good opportunities for her, too.

But it wasn't *open*, like staying planetside would be. That was one of the first things she'd decided after she'd left Tivona and truly spent a long time on ships and hubs. Conducting business there was fine, but she'd rather take a walk under the stars than wander down artifically night-toned hallways.

"So, how--" Before she could ask how long he'd been on Voori, Sulis's wrist com beeped, and she tamped down on the quick jolt of nerves as he answered.

Sulis looked up. "It went well. The contract is just waiting for your signature."

She held still for a few seconds, letting the words sink in, and then she laughed. "Wonderful." She quickly started for the door, then realized she had no idea where she was going. Shaking her head at herself, she looked back at Sulis and smiled. "Which way?"

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