Page 33 of Taken By My Grumpy Pakhan

“Because I’m more comfortable this way?”

“Then you should reassess your definition of comfortable. The blazer is hideous.”

Rose cut in before I could come up with the perfect bite back. “Why don’t you take it off and let me be the judge of that.”

“Go on,” Caroline persuaded. “Show her.”

“It’s nothing serious, she’s just looking for something to distract her from the fact that she’s nervous about her date.”

Rose’s lips stretched into the widest smile. “It appears I walked in at the perfect time. You hold the date, we’ll return to it when I’m done with the outfit.”

My shoulders slumped in defeat.

Caroline chuckled, her eyes twinkling with victory. “You thought you could use my date as a distraction? Off with the jacket.”

I subconsciously scanned the environment as though anyone could see through the thick walls shielding the space from the hallway before unbuttoning the blazer and dropping the shoulder.

“Oh my God, Gen, this is gorgeous.” Rose gasped, hurrying me out of the jacket.

Caroline’s voice came with a triumphant, “Told you.”

“Really, this is the best I’ve seen you look, and you attempt to cover it up?”

I knew the statement was meant as a compliment, but I couldn’t help the sudden wave of self-awareness.

Like I anticipated, my change of wardrobe did not go unnoticed.

“Can’t understand how anyone would snag a position like yours and insist on dressing like a receptionist,” Caroline pointed out. “If I were you, I would head straight to Valentino and snag every number on the latest release.”

“Don’t forget the shoes from Louboutin and Manolo’s,” Rose quipped.

“Won’t that be a bit too much?”

The two looked at me like I'd sprouted a second head.

Rose spoke first. “Honey, looks are everything in this world. Why do you think the wardrobe allowance is that fat? No one expects a billionaire's personal assistant to look anything short of awesome. Thank God you finally got the memo,” she breathed in relief. “I was beginning to think I’d have to drag you to the mall myself.”

Anna would’ve loved to be in this conversation. To think that I’d spent the entire day at the mall selecting outfits I felt didn’t do much for my appearance to keep people from talking, while the people in question were wondering why I was intentionally dressing down. We’re really our biggest judge.

Rose finally decided to take a seat. “So what’s the news about this hot date?”

Relieved to finally have the spotlight out of my way, I decided to seize the opportunity to get what I came for.

“Why don’t you give me the flash drive and tell Rose all about your fine man?”

Caroline sighed. “You really don’t stop, do you?”

I grinned when I saw her reach into her purse. “I’m trying to do you a favour.”

“Here.” She handed me the drive. “But you’ll have to send everything to me before forwarding it to Nikolai.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Rose shook her head. “Never seen anyone so excited about work in my life.”

I left the two to focus on the work I just secured. Caroline and Rose had been the absolute best since I began working on the executive floor.

They were always willing to help and walk me through things without making it a hassle. They invited me to lunch to give me the backstory on all the staff, who to trust and who to avoid.