My heart jumps at that. Jacinta actually got punished for her behavior; honestly, I was expecting Dad to have caved, but it seems that he’s really going through with this. I feel a little guilty, but the feeling barely registers before Nana pushes the pause button on the elevator.
“Now, Harlow, you of all people don’t need to feel guilty. Jacinta deserves what she got. Between you and me, she probably won't lose her position permanently, but she needs to be made aware there are consequences with her actions, especially when her animosity is aimed at you. If it had been someone else, we probably would have cleaned it up and moved on, and yes, I realize how bad that sounds. However, saying that, she’s never done something so extreme before either. We just want her to sweat a little bit, and she’s always talked about bringing in more designers to work with her. So really, we’re doing her a favor. She just doesn’t know it yet. As far as the interviews go, the prospective designers are being told they will be working alongside Jacinta. It’s only her that thinks she’s being replaced. In a few weeks, we’ll bring her back in as CEO.”
With that, Nana pushes a button and the elevator starts to descend once more, directly to the ground floor. A small smile creeps across my face, the guilt receding as I contemplate Nana’s admittance. They really are devious, and I'm pleased her behavior is not being overlooked.
When the doors open to the ground floor, I’m able to take a better look at the lobby than I did the night of the premiere. We all rushed through here so quickly that I didn't get a chance to look around.
Center stage in the foyer is a large reception desk with a marble counter and two very polished secretaries sitting behind it. Behind them on the wall is the Neighpalm Industries symbol of the palm tree and horse.
Poppy had told me the story on the plane on the way over. It was a witty play on words that had originated because of a dare. A drunken colleague of his father had dared him to change the company in the late forties, and being one to never back down from a challenge, he did so. Summers’ Industries forever more became Neighpalm Industries, and the horse head and palm tree were immortalized into a symbol that’s now recognized world-wide.
Scattered around the foyer are a few comfy-looking couches for people waiting on meetings. Nana had told me that no one was allowed beyond the foyer until their scheduled meeting time, established clients of Declan or Holden, or one of Kai’s sponsored athletes, being the exceptions. Everyone else has to wait until called upon.
My eyes peruse the already half-full couches, wondering if any of these are here for our interviews, but then I throw that idea away. That’s ridiculous; they're not until after lunch. But even with that thought my eye catches on one individual, sitting over in a quiet corner. A swath of icy white-blond hair cut short at the sides and long on top hides his face from me, but I can see a sketch book in his lap, and I have a feeling I might be seeing more of this guy later.
“Grace, it’s so good to see you! It’s been ages.” A fresh voice has my attention turning back toward Nana. Exchanging a warm hug with the woman in front of her, Nana replies quickly.
“Hope, dear, it feels like you haven't been out to the house in ages! That needs to change.” The dark redhead is about the same height as me, but as I scan her body I notice she has three inch heels on. She’s wearing a royal purple pencil skirt with a black sleeveless turtleneck that accentuates a slender figure more suitable for showing off Jacinta's clothes than running the PR department for the whole company, but who am I to judge a book by its cover.
Once they finish their pleasantries, they turn to me, but before Nana can say anything, Hope pulls me into her arms. And if that isn’t surprising enough, the words tumbling out of her dark red lips are a shock for sure.
“God, Harlow, the Summers kids can be such assholes. I’m so sorry for the way they’ve behaved, and if you need any help plotting revenge, like I know I would if I were you, I’mallin.”
Stunned by her offer, I just stand there as she hugs me, Nana’s chuckles filling the silence. “Jacinta has run so many women off from those boys, and mostly she’s been right, but I can’t support her this time. Just say the word, Harlow. I want in.” She pulls away with a friendly smile on her face and an earnest look in her eyes.
“Hope had to get past her fair share of Jacinta’s antics, but when she realized there was nothing between her and Holden, nor did she have interest in any other of the boys, she let her past the great golden gates,” Nana explains as Hope walks us both back into the elevator.
“You know what? I'm going to hold you to that.” I pull out my phone and hand it to her. “Your number, please. I’m starting to feel a little claustrophobic, and although Shane and Alex have been wonderful, a little female company would be great right about now.”
Hope grabs my phone and enters her number before handing it back. “Okay, let's get this tour started, shall we?” Hope’s cheerful attitude is infectious, and I find myself excited for what’s to come.
* * *
Nana is left behind on the Couture floor, claiming other things need to be attended to before our interviews. Hope and I continue to the top level which houses the administration block for Neighpalm Energy Drink. Stepping out into a light and bright reception area, Hope waves her hand around like a game hostess.
“This is probably the most boring of the businesses,” Hope says as I look around the room. The walls are decorated with action shots of athletes, and apart from one woman behind the desk, there is no one else in sight. “The factory pretty much runs itself and has people that oversee the production. This place is used more for looking after Kai’s extreme sports teams. The people here are in charge of booking events and photo shoots and all the things the team needs like accommodation and travel arrangements. What you need to do is familiarize yourself with the athletes on his teams so that if you’re asked any questions, you’ll be able to answer them.”
She walks over to the reception desk and grabs a tablet from behind it, returning and handing it over before leading me to a nearby sofa. “This is your official key to the businesses. All the siblings, Brad, Grace, and Howard have one. This is where all the daily information from each business comes. That can be anything ranging from information from my department, to official sales reports, to anything in the media that is tagged with the various business tags. It’s how you are able to keep up to date on everything that is going on. Just do a quick scan every day, and urgent things will be highlighted in red. Really, you don’t need to know about sales figures and stuff, but youwillneed to keep up to date on things such as which artists are trending, which athletes are winning, and the scandals and gossip circulating about them all.” She stops as a woman approaches us with a tray containing coffee and pastries, and after she places them on the coffee table in front of us, she quietly departs without a word.
“Nana messaged me from the chopper and said you hadn’t had a chance to have breakfast because Declan was being a douche,” Hope says as she pours coffee into two mugs and passes me one.
“I’ll be honest, unless you plan on doing a lot of social things which involve the paparazzi like a lot of the others do, you probably won't be harassed.” Her eyes narrow as she considers me, searching my face. “That is, unless you plan on trying to muscle your way into one of the businesses.”
Unfortunately, I’m taking a sip of coffee when she says this, and she just about ends up wearing it as I choke at her comment.
“Fuck no. Jesus, it blows my mind that none of you have actually asked me what I want,” I snap at her, finally sick and tired of everyone assuming I want to work at Neighpalm. Preparing to stand up and leave at this latest insult, she quickly holds her hands up in a defensive manner.
“Hey, whoa, slow down. Okay, I’m sorry, but I just wanted to double check. Holden’s my best friend, and I get a little ‘Jacinta-like’ if I feel he might be threatened.”
I roll my eyes in annoyance, anger simmering just below the surface as I grind out my next words. “Hope, I am a fully qualified veterinarian. I could be running my own practice back at home; I’m just weighing my options right now. Tomorrow, I have an interview for an internship at a zoo. I can’t even express how much I don't want any of these damn businesses. The thought of being stuck inside at meetings and mixing with the kinds of people that go along with running big high-profile businesses makes me feel ill. I much prefer animals to people, and after the last week, I am more than sure my instincts are correct.”
Hope’s mouth has dropped open in utter amazement, and I can practically see her computing what I’ve just told her. With a snort of amusement, I reach for a pastry. I may as well enjoy the yummies in front of me while she has her mini stroke.
“You’re a vet, and nobody actually knows this?” Her voice is incredulous, and again, I almost choke on my pastry when I see the look on her face.
“Well, Nana and Poppy know, so I’m assuming Brad does, but everyone else just jumped to the gold digging conclusions. They all think I work for the Bostons, training horses, which I do, but I’ve also got other skills. Ones I worked extremely hard for over the last eight years. I figured if they didn't care to ask, I wasn't going to burst their delusional bubbles. They’ll figure it out eventually. Or not.” I shrug, my anger dissolving as the coffee and sugar hit my system.
Hope flops back in the chair. “So what are you doing here?”
