Page 22 of The Rebel Billionaire

I hold my tongue, reminding myself she’s only trying to help me, and I must admit, I did a double take this morning when I looked in the mirror. My hair is striking, but nothing like it was before, and once my make-up was done, I almost didn’t recognise myself.

I lift my chin and square my shoulders, inhaling deeply.

“This floor is where all the directors reside. The other nine floors contain the creative and product development teams, production and supply, merchandising, marketing and PR, e-commerce and retail operations, as well as HR. There’s also a large onsite cafeteria and a private atelier.”

We round the corner and find ourselves in a large open seating area. A woman sits at a desk facing several sofas placed by the large windows. There is a single office door leading off the space.

“Mrs Bianchi, I wasn’t expecting you,” a pregnant woman says, getting up from her desk and moving towards us.

“Callie, darling. How are you doing?” Sophia says warmly, pulling the young woman in for a hug. When she pulls back, she holds Callie’s upper arms, her head turning towards me. “Callie, let me introduce you to Brooke. She’s the daughter of an old friend of mine and is over from England.”

Callie looks over at me, offering an open and welcoming smile. I look carefully to detect any form of recognition. When I sense none, I return it with one of my own and let out a slow, silent breath.

Sophia continues. “We’re heading to HR. Brooke has an interview, but I thought we’d pop in and see Sandro before we do. Is he in?”

Despite her friendliness, Sophia’s commanding tone makes it clear that, although she no longer oversees St Clair, she still expects her rules to be followed.

Duly noted.

“He is,” she says, returning her attention to Sophia. “He’s conducting interviews today.”

Sophia inclines her head.

“For my replacement,” Callie says, her hand moving protectively to her stomach. A familiar gesture Leah used to make when pregnant with Callum. “I’m having to leave sooner than expected.”

“Sandro didn’t say anything,” Sophia says. Her eyes drop to Callie’s expanding waistline. “Is everything okay?”

“We only found out on Friday,” Callie explains, clearly trying to placate her. “I have gestational diabetes. The doctor has suggested, due to the symptoms I’ve been experiencing, that I take early maternity leave.”

“How are the interviews going?” Sophia asks, obviously not wanting to delve any further into her private business with me here.

Callie rolls her eyes before moving back towards her desk and pulling a face.

The two women share a look.

“That well?” Sophia says, checking her watch. “We’ll wait. Come on, Brooke.”

I follow as she leads me towards the comfortable-looking sofa, placed at a right angle to the window. It overlooks the neighbouring office buildings, although the width of the Manhattan street beneath us makes that quite a distance. Looking out, I notice that all the windows of the neighbouring buildings are tinted, so all I can see is the reflection of the building we’re in.

“Can I get you any tea or coffee?” Callie asks, moving towards us.

“We’re fine,” Sophia says, and I swallow against the dryness in my throat.

“So, what’s been wrong with the candidates so far?” Sophia asks, turning towards Callie.

“They’ve all been pitching their virtues. How they can improve his processes,” she says. “I’ve promised him a handover, and he wants to make it as easy as possible for me, but so far no one has stood out.”

Sophia chuckles. “He’s his father’s son. Likes to control every situation.”

I nearly choke on the air I’ve inhaled as she blames his father. It didn’t take me more than five minutes in her company to ascertain that Sophia herself likes to be in control. If his father is the same, I’m not sure I want to meet the industrious Alessandro Bianchi.

I drop my head, wishing we could simply visit HR and then get out of here. I may have been bored over the weekend, but at least I didn’t feel like a sitting duck. Yes, my disguise is good. Both Harvey and Kris’s friend and makeup artist, Tash, have done an amazing job, but there’s still that nagging doubt in my head. Everything is new to me, which leaves me vulnerable to slip-ups. Harper Frazer has never shied away from people or places, but Brooke Feldmann wants to hide in the corner and remain unnoticed.

“Brooke.” I look up with a start to find Callie smiling at me. “How long are you in New York?”

My eyes flick to Sophia before I pinch my wrist.

I smile back. “I don’t know yet. I have no fixed plans.”