“Give me your number,” I said.
“You’re not angry?” Heidi asked. “Alicia, I’d be furious.”
“You were loyal to your employer. That, I can respect. Who’d want to tell the naïve wife her husband is cheating? I know someone who needs a personal assistant more than a secretary, but it wouldn’t be much different from your current duties.”
Heidi shook her head. “Alicia, I feel like I’m taking advantage.”
“Why? Oliver’s treated us both like shit. You weren’t the unfaithful one. Oliver was, and repeatedly by the sound of it.”
I was surprised at how calm I was being. Inwardly, I was screaming. I guess I had learned something living with Oliver. Never show outward emotion. That mantra stood me in good stead now. Despite my coolness, my mind raced with questions. Had my husband ever loved me? How many mistresses had there been? What was different about Eve that Oliver was risking everything?
“Alicia, I’m so sorry,” Heidi murmured.
“Not your fault. Write your number down,” I ordered. Heidi obeyed, and I took it. “I’ll call you soon.”
Heidi smiled sadly. Oliver was a fool because Heidi was worth her weight in gold. I walked out of the café far more shocked than I’d entered. But I was Alicia Kensington, and nobody would see me cry in public. I had a collection to finish. It would give methe distraction I needed and stop a meltdown. When I got home, that would be a different story.
It appeared today planned to be a day of shocks. When I arrived at the design studio. Eve was there, staring down her nose at my temporary receptionist.
The last thing I wanted was this bitch, especially with what I’d discovered this morning. Eve had no right being here.
“What’s going on?” I demanded.
“She refused to let me speak to you,” Eve snarled, jabbing a finger at Roxie.
“That would be hard, as I wasn’t present. Surely, even someone of your low intelligence understands that? Did you expect Roxie to magic me up out of nowhere?” I insulted Eve with glee.
Eve’s nostrils flared, and she glowered. Was that meant to be intimidating? For Alicia Kensignton, it would most certainly have made me uncomfortable. However, here? I was Mystique and reigned supreme.
“Clearly, you don’t know who I am,” Eve stated with a hand on her hip.
“Oh, we’ve met before, and I do remember you. You’re Oliver Kensington’s mistress,” I replied coldly. Would Eve deny it? It was impossible that she’d realise who she was talking to.
“I’m here for two things. Oliver has an event and needs me to be styled appropriately.” Eve ignored my accusation, although her eyes gleamed because I’d recognised her. What sick bitch enjoyed being known as a mistress? Was I honestly hearing this? Of course I was.
“Mystique doesn’t dress sluts,” I stated, and Roxie gasped before laughing. Inwardly, I was reeling. Oliver was taking Eve to an event that required one of my dresses. Eve had really got her feet under the table, because Mystique’s evening gowns weren’t cheap. The urge to cry rose, and I swallowed hardas Eve expressed outrage. I willingly hid behind my Mystique personality.
“How dare you!”
“Leave,” I ordered as Eve looked around for support and found none.
“Fine, I’ll get a dress elsewhere. But you should want me to wear one of your designs; it would advertise your little studio,” Eve said with such smarm I wanted to smack her face.
“This little studio brings in millions of dollars in revenue. However, I’d rather have my gowns linked to class, not cheap whores. The door’s there, go through it,” I ordered.
“Oliver says you haven’t signed the new season’s contract,” Eve blurted. She waved a folder in front of me. My eyes narrowed on it.
“And? Why is he so worried about my little studio?” Eve realised her mistake at my words, and she tried to backtrack, but I continued. “If my designs are unimportant, there’s no rush to sign.”
“Oliver needs this signed,” Eve pushed. There was panic in her eyes. In her attempt to throw shade and belittle me, she’d overestimated her power. Now Eve understood she held none at all where I was concerned.
An evil smile crossed my lips. “As I told Oliver once before, I have other options than him. I’m considering them all as I don’t like Oliver’s morals.”
Eve frowned. “So much for loyalty!” she spat.
“Tell Alicia Kensington that. I count her a friend,” I hissed.
Eve blanched and then recoiled. Anger rose. This woman was trying to steal my life from me. Actually, no, Eve had stolen everything. There was no way I’d let Eve and Oliver bully Mystique.
