Chapter 7
Dressed in a black pencil skirt and a white blazer with black piping, I felt interview-ready. Even though the email said it was a meeting and not an interview, my nerves were telling a different story.
“I got this,” I whispered to myself as I got out of my car.
My outfit was stylish, my makeup was flawless, and my hair was kinky, coiled perfection. I looked good. I just wished I felt as good on the inside.
I was more nervous than I’d ever been. All I could think about was the contract.
I would be getting a lot, but I would be giving up a lot, too.
I shook off the thought the moment I stepped off the elevator.
“Hello?” I called out as I entered the business suite on the third floor.
“I’m here,” a voice called back. “One moment.”
I swept my eyes around the mostly empty space until I heard footsteps making their way toward me. When she rounded the corner, I smiled at the familiar face.
“Nina, hi,” Lori Smith greeted me.
The fashion scout that had stopped me in the networking event extended her hand to shake mine. She was followed by a woman with oversized oval-shaped glasses.
“Hi,” I replied, smiling at both women.
“Sasha Beaman, this is Nina Ford,” Lori introduced us. “Nina, this is Sasha. She’s with HR, and I asked her to join us so we could discuss this opportunity with you and answer any questions you may have.”
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you,” I said to the woman.
“It’s a pleasure,” Sasha replied.
Lori beckoned to us as she turned to the right. She started walking toward a large glass-encased conference room at the end of the hall. “Follow me.”
We fell into step behind her, and I listened intently as the two of them chatted about the space. We passed several offices on the way. I glanced behind me, wondering what was down the other hall.
“The RLF brand has continued to grow,” Lori informed me, pulling my attention back to her.
“Our unofficial headquarters has always been here in Richland. Our founder started the business here while in college. But the action was in the big city. So, RLF grew its wings in New York, but it was birthed here. And as we’ve grown, we’ve needed to accommodate that growth.
And since real estate in New York is tight, it was decided that we’d just open a dedicated space here in Richland”—she opened her arms—“so this is our new corporate office.”
“Well, that’s amazing that the company is doing so well. The fact that it’s growing so fast that you needed to expand is a huge deal,” I responded as we had a seat at the conference table.
“It is,” Sasha agreed. “Thank you. I’m proud to be part of this company. RL Fashions is built on integrity from the top down.”
Lori took over with a beaming smile. “We’re expanding into casualwear, and Remedy was impressed with the way you styled one of our intro pieces. We premiered four pieces last season as a trial run, and you were wearing one of them. Was that intentional?”
I shook my head. “No. We weren’t told who would be in attendance, but we were told that we should do our own spin on business chic.”
“And you chose well,” Lori complimented. “So let me tell you about the position. Each of our models and brand ambassadors are hand chosen. We were set with four, but Remedy saw you and believes you are the missing piece we need on the board.”
She opened a portfolio and showed me the concept of one of their print ads.
“I like that you want to have an array of body types,” I commented.
One of the male models appeared to be on the larger side, with a thick build. He looked good—like the sexiest offensive lineman I’d ever seen. The three other models had different body shapes but were all straight sized. Every single one of them was beautiful, and so were the garments they had on.
Lori nodded. “Our clothing is size inclusive, and our models should reflect that. Our customers are real people with real bodies, so our models are real people with real bodies. We’re doing the first of a few photoshoots for print ads in a couple of weeks and we want all of that reflected.”
“I like that,” I acknowledged, continuing to listen to her pitch.
She pulled out a stack of papers and slid them across the table to me as she detailed the content creation and modeling expectations and requirements.
Lori flipped to the second page of the contractual agreement. “If you take the job, you’ll be featured in the national campaigns. And although you’re not guaranteed a feature in our commercial, as a spokesmodel, you’re in the running.”
So basically, I get paid a lot to do the same things I’m already doing, I thought as I stared at the paper contemplatively. Hell fucking yeah!
Keeping my poker face straight, I looked up at Lori. “This sounds great. Truly, it does. But how long is the exclusivity clause?”
“For the full nine months, you’d be exclusive to our brand. And at the end of the nine months, there is a bonus and a possible option to renew.”
Nine months. It’s not even a full year, I reasoned with myself.
“This contract is like any other—if you violate terms, you’ll be terminated. And if you decide you don’t want to participate anymore, you can terminate. However, if you are the one to terminate, the no-compete clause would remain in effect for the duration of the nine-month period.”
I exhaled slowly. “Okay.”
Lori continued going over the duties and highlights of the position. There were too many pros and only one con that I could come up with as I listened carefully to what she had to say.
“Now, this right here is your actual employment contract…” Sasha started as she went over the human resources paperwork in front of me.
She reviewed typical stuff regarding code of conduct, fraternization, breach of contract, pay schedules, and direct deposit.
“And finally, you’ll be paid at the end of each month. You follow everything so far?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
“Great.” She opened a folder and placed papers in it one at a time. “These are the pages you’d need to sign if you decide you want the job. This is everything we just went over. If you get home and you have any questions, my card is here. You can email and ask away.”
As soon as I took the folder and placed it in front of me, I knew I had already made up my mind to accept the job. “Okay, thank you.”
Lori sat back in her chair and smiled. “So now that you’ve heard everything in detail, we’ll need to know by Monday morning if you’re interested in accepting the position. Because if you accept, you’d need to report here on Monday at noon.”
“I don’t need until Monday,” I told them. “I’m interested. I accept.”
“Wonderful!” Lori clapped happily.
“Yes!” Sasha pumped her arm with glee.
Their excitement was infectious, and the smile I was trying to control stretched across my face. “Thank you!”
Sasha leaned forward, pushing a thick booklet toward me.
“You need to read over this employee handbook. You aren’t an employee, per se.
Your role functions as more of an independent contractor.
But read through everything so you know how we do business.
The primary function of the contract is the exclusivity. ”
Lori nodded. “Yes. This year is a big one for us—especially as we roll into the fall season. For the time you are under contract, you will represent RL Fashions.”
“I understand,” I responded, looking between the two of them.
“There’s a semiformal event all of our models are encouraged to attend tomorrow,” Lori added, standing up.
She reached across the table to shake my hand.
“The Player’s Ball. All the fashion and business industry players are invited.
I know it’s last minute; however, now that you’re one of us, it would be a pleasure to have you there.
You’ll get a chance to meet everyone and celebrate as we kick off our countdown to Fashion Week.
You don’t have to wear an RLF gown, but if you can add a piece, it’ll go a long way. ”
“Thank you,” I said as she let go of my hand. “I look forward to it.”
“The details will be sent to your email,” Sasha informed me as she extended her hand. “And be sure to review the code of conduct and fraternization policies.”
“We have a lot of fun, but we don’t do drama,” Lori added. “We know what can happen when you put a bunch of beautiful people together and in order to protect our investments—the models—we like to avoid any lovers’ quarrels before they can begin.”
Sasha nodded. “It’s all in here.” She pointed to the paperwork she’d given me.
“You’ll have a plus-one though.” Lori gave me a knowing look. “Make sure he or she is as fashionable as you. Since we are debuting our models, there will be eyes on you.”
Overwhelmed, yet overjoyed, I felt a ripple of excitement as I looked between the two of them. “I guess I will see you tomorrow.”
“Indeed, you will,” Lori said. “Thank you for coming out.”
“Bring those papers to me on Monday so I can get you processed,” Sasha reminded me.
With a wide smile, I said goodbye to the two of them. I kept my composure until I got into the car. “Yes!” I screamed, banging my fist against the steering wheel.
I had so much to do in order to prepare for tomorrow’s event.
I needed to figure out what I was going to wear.
I needed my hair done and my nails done.
I needed to figure out who I was taking with me and what he was going to wear.
And even as thirty-five different things rearranged themselves on my to-do list, excitement shot through my system.
The first thing I did was call my mom.
“Guess what?” I cried as soon as she answered.
“What?” Her tone matched mine. “What’s going on? Nina!”
I grinned. “I just accepted an offer to be a model for a brand. I’m going to be in their national campaign.”
My mother’s squeal pierced my eardrum, and I couldn’t do anything but laugh.