Lindy and Rowena are still talking outside the office, thick as thieves already, but I ignore them when I move past them. Making my way down the hallway, I hear them stalking after me, both wearing hideously high heels that click and clack with every step. Whatever could they want now? Pushing open the door to the Wardrobe, I step inside, breathing out a sigh of relief when all that greets me is quiet.
Looking around, I marvel at everything that’s available. There are racks and racks of clothes, all with labels sitting above them to tell people what is what. I bypass the evening wear and lingerie until I find the label that says street wear. I’ve never been one to get overly impressed by clothes, but even I have to say I’m astonished when I flick through the racks. They must have had a goth run as there are short plaid mini skirts and waistcoats and velvet dresses. Moving past those, I discover the jeans, all with strategically ripped holes in them, and I find a black pair in my size and pull them out. Wondering if it’s going to be dressy enough for where we’re going tonight, I shoot Hope another message.
Me: Are we going fancy or casual?
I wait a few moments before she quickly replies.
Hope: Jaxon got us a reservation at a new Korean fusion restaurant that's supposed to be amazing as an apology for his behavior yesterday. Let's dress up a little bit. Are you in the Wardrobe?
Me: Yeah, I’m just getting changed out of what I wore to the interview.
Hope: Okay, I’m wrapping this meeting up now. Don’t decide on anything without me!
The messages go silent, and I look between the jeans and the rest of the racks. If I get dressed quickly, Hope will just have to deal with what I'm wearing, but disappointing my new friend is not what I want to do, so letting her dress me up is really no big deal.
Flopping into a chair to wait for her, I pull my book out of my backpack and read in silence for a few minutes until my peace is shattered once again.I knew it was too good to last.The door to the Wardrobe opens, and Lindy and Rowena clomp in.
“Of course you’re welcome to use the Wardrobe whenever you want. As head designer for the company, that’s one of the perks.”
Well, Lindy seems to be getting ahead of herself. She also seems a bit fickle in her loyalty. If she’s Jacinta’s PA, why is she already fawning over the new girl? She might be a shit sister so far, but everything Shane and Alex have told me indicates she's an amazing boss and is kind to most people she works with. That’s why they were surprised at her animosity toward me. I consider saying something, but it’s not really my place. I’m sure Jacinta will set everything straight when she comes back and then Lindy can fall all over herself to get back into her good graces.
Barely a moment passes before I’m hit with a little strike of guilt about that decision. Yes, she’s been horrible, but that little voice in my head keeps asking me if I want to be like her or rise above her.Can’t believe I’m about to do something to help out the ice princess.
“Wow, Lindy! You sure are doing an amazing job of welcoming our newtrialemployee. I’ll be sure to tell Jacinta what a great job you’re doing.” Lindy blanches at my words, while Rowena narrows her eyes at me and curls her top lip. With the absolutely blatant lack of shame in her facial expression, it’s pretty clear that she’s got her sights set on making it big in the company, even if it means she has to compete with our resident Couture Queen.Good luck with that, Jacinta. Do I bother bringing this up with Nana?
“So I read that you're a long lost daughter who was recently reunited with her father. It must feel like you won the lottery,” Rowena says, her hands on her hips, towering above me in the chair. Does she think I'm going to be intimidated? She’s got another thing coming if she thinks that's the case.
“I guess you could say that,” I reply noncommittally, and I can see that she’s bothered by the lack of juicy gossip. Not that it would be any use to her with the NDA she signed and everything.
Nervously eyeing the space between us, Lindy drags her away from me and they start to browse through the clothes. Rowena is throwing subtle passive-aggressive shade about everything she puts her hand on, Lindy mindlessly agreeing with each comment. Rowena doesn't even seem to care that I could have input into whether she keeps her job or not. She mustn't consider me important enough, which I’m not, really, but I'm pretty sure at least Nana would listen if I had something to say. Honestly, I think I don't have to worry too much. Jacinta doesn't seem the type to put up with that kind a shit.Note to self: bring popcorn to snack on when Jacinta comes back and meets her.
I block them both out and continue reading my book, but my ears perk up when I hear Declan’s name mentioned.
“Is he in the building very often? Are any of the guys here?” I pretend to keep reading, but I’m very interested in what Lindy has to say.
“Oh yeah, they’re here all the time. Especially Declan and Holden. Thomas does a lot of flying all over the world, but I think he’s gay. He hasn’t dated a woman in years, and ….” She breaks off as the door to the Wardrobe opens and Hope strolls in. Lindy scowls at her and quickly stops gossiping, suddenly on her best behavior. Hope looks around, her eyes lighting up when she sees me, but they sparkle mischievously when they flick to Lindy.
“Oh hey, it’s Jacinta's shadow,” she mocks as she walks over to them. Her gaze switches to Rowena, and as she scans her body, I can tell she’s not all that impressed. “And this must be Jacinta Jr. I’m Hope, head of PR here at Neighpalm Industries.” She holds out her hand, and Rowena reluctantly takes hold of it, not even trying to put in any effort. How one can give an apathetic handshake, I have no idea, but Rowena’s managing to do it.
Lindy scowls and sneers at her, “At least my nose isn't so far up Holden’s ass I can’t see where I’m looking. Have you managed to land that yet, Hope? Whoops! No, I don't think you have.”
Hope wrinkles her nose, a ridiculous grimace on her face. “Ew, gross! No, he’s like my brother. But good try at the burn. You’ll get there eventually.” She pats Lindy on the shoulder, only laughing more when Lindy tries to slap it away.
Putting my book down, I quickly interfere, not ready for another cat fight like the day before.
“Hey, Hope, how about you pick me out something to wear tonight? I thought maybe these, but…”
That gets her attention, her eyes widening when she sees the jeans I’d picked out. Leaving the other two alone, she quickly makes her way to the racks and flicks through them, tension releasing from her shoulders the further she gets from Lindy. “Last year we had a great range of body con dresses that could be dressed up with heels and jewelry or dressed down with a pair of sneakers and some leggings underneath. And with your figure you would lookhot.” She continues to flick through them, stopping at the tartan mini-skirt I saw before.
“Oh no, hang on!” She looks me up and down then back to the skirt. “How about we step out of our comfort zone a little? There’s this great little club I want to go to after dinner. It’s kind of goth, but the music and atmosphere are great, and I could really do with letting off some steam. I’m betting you could too.” I’d texted her about the disastrous interview in between hugs from Nana and Poppy during lunch, and I’m extremely grateful that she didn’t blurt that out in front of the vultures who are still in the room. “Want to pretend to be someone different tonight?”
“Fuck yes,” I reply. She has no idea how much that appeals to me right now. I just want to get out of my head and blow off some steam. Maybe find someone to blow off some steam with. If I can spend a little time with a guy who’s not battery-operated, I’m sure I’ll feel better in no time.
A huge smile crosses her face as she pulls out the tartan skirt followed by a mesh top. She goes over to another wardrobe and grabs a pair of knee-high platform boots with plenty of buckles from another display. She turns back to me, a devious smile on her face. “Okay, so... a bra underneath or do you want to be daring and go without?”
I look at the mesh top in her hand. It’s dark enough that if we’re in a club, I’m sure you’d barely see the shadow of my nipples. “Fuck it. Tonight I’m pretending to be someone else. Let's go without.”
She squeals with excitement and runs to another section of the room before coming back with a wig that's a short black bob. Raising her eyebrows at me in question, I nod before she throws all the clothes at me and turns.
