I scan the top sheet of the papers. "So I should give this one to my attorney and tell her to forget the other one?"
"You should, but first you should ask me why I'm rescinding my original offer."
Of course I should. We're having an important discussion about my future with his company I should keep my mind on that and not on the signed copy ofBurden's Proofthat is sitting on the corner of his desk.
"Why are you rescinding your original offer?" I ask with a small smile.
"Flip that paper over and you'll see why." He turns the entire stack of papers toward me.
I grab the edge of the top sheet and flip it aside. My eyes settle on a logo. It's feminine, elegant and when I read the words, my heart misses a full beat.
"Mr. Foster." I squeeze my eyes shut. "Please tell me this is real."
"Sophia." I feel his hand brush against mine. "This is real. The label of our new collection is now officiallyElla Kara by Sophia Reese."
"It's my collection." I open my eyes through a vale of tears. "I'm heading the collection?"
"You own a stake in this." He moves his hand to pick up the papers. "You'll get the monthly stipend we originally offered but you'll also be a shareholder in this line. If you can make it the success I know you can, you'll benefit in every way."
"Why would you do this?" I ask quietly. "Two days ago I was your executive assistant."
He chuckles deeply. "Claudia came to see me after you visited her at the boutique. She's launching a swimwear line and wantedto know if you had any experience in that realm. I told her to speak directly to you, which she will."
"She hasn't yet."
Claudia took my number when I met with her at her boutique. She didn't tell me exactly what Nicholas said to her, but she made it clear that she valued Gabriel's opinion of me more. We briefly talked fashion and my aspirations before she had to speed away to the stockroom to overlook the arrival of a shipment from a designer based in Tennessee.
"I'm grateful for that." He pushes the papers back into the envelope. "I want you at Foster, Sophia. Sasha has told me that she sees more promise in you than in any designer she's worked with in years. I'm giving you this line to show us what you've got. Sasha will work closely with you. You'll run everything by me and when we unveil this, it's going to be your designs the world sees."
Next to launching a line on my own, this is the next best thing. I can get eyes on my creative talent and I don't have to foot the bill. If this isn't the fast track road to success, I don't know what is.
"I thought my career was over two days ago." I wipe a tear from my cheek. "Now my dream is coming true."
"You're going to make me proud." He pushes to stand. "Show this to your attorney and get it signed."
"I'm on it." I take the envelope from him. "Is that all, sir?"
"We're going to be partners in this venture, Sophia. Call me Gabriel from now on."
"Thank you, Gabriel." The words rush out. "I can't tell you how honored I am. I won't let you down."
"I know you won't." He rounds the desk.
I turn to leave but his hand on my elbow stops me.
"One other thing, Sophia."
"Yes?" I pivot on my heel to look at him again. "What is it?"
"Nicholas Wolf was here earlier. He came to talk to me about you."
Hearing his name tenses my stomach. I try to temper my tone. "About me? Why would he do that?"
His hand drops to his side. "He wanted to know if I had indeed fired you."
I don't ask what his response was. Mr. Foster is as honest as they come.
"I didn't give him any details but made it clear that Foster Enterprises stands behind you." He tilts his chin back. "That includes our entire legal team if need be."
