Chapter 10 #2
“First, we’re going to head to HR. Sue has all the paperwork ready for you to sign. NDAs, etc.”
I open my eyes wide and stare at her. She smiles.
“It’s okay,” she says, placing a hand on my arm. “Nothing major. It’s just working as Alex’s PA means you’ll be privy to a lot of personal and confidential information.”
I nod.
“After that, we’ll head to the in-house store. Your dress is gorgeous, vintage Chanel, right?”
I nod again, impressed by her knowledge.
“I thought so. However, all St Clair employees are requested to wear St Clair attire while in the office.”
My mouth drops. “That’s quite the commitment for the company,” I say.
“But worth it, if you think about it. When you work here, you’re seen as an extension of the company and are expected to dress and behave accordingly. HR must have explained all this to you yesterday.”
“They did, but I was going to be a back-office clerk, not front and centre.”
Callie chuckles. “For some reason, I’m struggling to see you taking a back seat in anything. But I might be wrong.”
My face must drop because she places a hand on my arm and squeezes.
“I meant that as a compliment. You’re stunningly beautiful and have the grace of a model.
Not to mention, your dress sense is impeccable, and you exude a natural air of confidence.
I think you’re going to be perfect as my replacement. ”
I swallow. “How can you tell? You only met me briefly yesterday.”
“I just do,” she says with a wink. “I’ll see to it that you know everything you need to before I leave.”
“Thank you,” I say. “I only hope I can live up to your expectations.”
And that of the man in charge. But I don’t say that.
I realise I don’t want to let Callie or Sophia down either.
“I love it, that’s so British. But be warned, Alex might sound British, but many of his British mannerisms have worn off over time. He’s very much a man of two worlds.”
“Noted,” I say, realising we’ve arrived at HR.
Sue is waiting for us and holds out her hand in greeting. “Welcome aboard, Brooke. If you have any questions, please let me know. Callie is well-versed in everything St Clair, so you’re in great hands.”
“Thank you,” I say again, beginning to sound like a scratched record.
“Now if I can get you to sign these documents, I can give you your pass and let you and Callie get on with your day.”
I take my time reading through my contract and the NDA. It’s all pretty straightforward and similar to documents I’ve encountered through my family before.
“At least I’m not signing away my firstborn,” I say.
“Not yet anyway,” Sue says, with a chuckle. “As I said before, if you have any questions and Callie isn’t around, pop down or drop me an email. We’re here to help.”
I smile and nod.
“Let’s go,” Callie says. “It’s time to fill up your wardrobe.”
We head downstairs to the on-site store.
“Here we go,” Callie says, pushing open the door.
My eyes pop out on stalks as I take in the racks of St Clair clothes, bags and shoes.
“You’ll need at least fourteen outfits. If you can’t do it all today, don’t panic.
We’ll find you enough to see you through, and you can come back later.
Anything you choose will be shipped to your apartment this evening, unless it needs altering, of course.
Our in-house tailors are quick, so even then it will only be a couple of days. ”
I move forward towards the racks, noticing items I have back in England.
I turn away. Those are Harper’s items. I need to choose sensible office attire for Brooke.
I begin to move up and down the aisles, Callie following. She appears in her element, holding up clothing, handing them to the assistant to put in the changing room. It’s like shopping with a close friend. She has an amazing eye.
“How long have you worked for Alessandro?” I ask, as I step into the changing room, pulling the curtain closed.
“Five years, since he took over as CEO. Before that I was Sophia’s PA.”
“No pressure then,” I mutter, making Callie laugh.
“As I said, you’ll be fine. Alex’s bark is far worse than his bite. He likes to be in control. It’s why he makes such a great CEO. He’s meticulous. His attention to detail is second to none. He’s also an amazing designer.”
I pop my head out from inside the curtain.
“Designer?”
I remember reading about that when I was looking up Sophia.
“Yes, before he took over as CEO, he was one of St Clair’s head designers.”
“That’s quite a leap,” I say, shutting myself inside and stifling my groan.
“Not really. He has a degree in fashion and a master’s in business.”
Oh great, another one. I’ve been raised with siblings who are all overachievers.
My eldest brother, Elijah, is the worst, but every single one of them is at the top of their field.
I’m the baby sister and a major disappointment, having never achieved anything up to this point, flitting from one thing to the next.
I step out from behind the curtain.
“Wow, it’s like that outfit was made for you,” Callie says with a grin. “Outfit one, perfect.”
I give her a twirl before stepping back behind the curtain.
“Next,” she says.
“Are you sure this is, okay? Won’t Alessandro be expecting us upstairs?”
“Don’t worry about Alex. He knows this is important.
You’re going to be representing him. He’s also walking on eggshells around me at the moment, afraid I’m going to break.
My husband, David, is one of Alex’s best friends, so he’s pretty invested in this little bundle I’m carrying.
I’m sure they’ve been conspiring to get me off work and at home. ”
“Doesn’t that bother you?” I pop my head out again.
Callie laughs. “No, because it comes from a place of love. When you date a powerful man, you learn to pick your battles.” Her hand goes to her pregnant stomach. “We tried for years to get pregnant. Now that I am, there’s no way I’m risking our child, even if it means putting my feet up.”
“How did you meet David?” I ask, sliding up the zip of the dress before stepping out.
“Through Alex,” she says with a smile. “He came into the office one afternoon, and it was like a bolt of lightning.” She chuckles, a faint glow darkening her cheeks. “He instantly asked me out, although I admit to playing hard to get for a while. David had a bit of a reputation among the ladies.”
“What did Alessandro say?”
For some reason, I can’t imagine he was happy his friend was hitting on his PA. I know my brothers wouldn’t have been. Gabe certainly wasn’t when he thought Caleb was chasing after Leah.
Callie laughs. “It was strange. I was really nervous, but when he saw us together, he gave us his blessing. We got married nine months later.”
“They say, when you know, you know.”
“Exactly. That was four years ago,” she says.
I continue to show her my outfits until I have a pile of definites and a few maybes.
She asks me questions about my family, and I use the time to test my memory of my new life.
I’m surprised at how easy Callie makes it for me to become Brooke.
I’ve always hated lying, preferring to be upfront and honest, often to my own detriment, but it’s something I’m going to have to get used to.
Luckily, Brooke was raised with the same number of siblings.
Their ages and names vary, but they left Kat as Kat, a Katie rather than Kathryn.
When we’re finally done, I choose one of the outfits and switch into it. My new wardrobe includes a selection of shoes and bags.
“Your style and taste are impeccable. You’ll fit in well here,” Chrissie, the store manager, says with a smile.
I look at the pile of beautiful clothes being labelled.
Wow, I may need more storage.
“It’s like these clothes were made for you,” she says with a grin. “It’s rare. I’m usually taking up or amending most people’s items in some way.”
“I’m lucky, I guess.”
My heart stumbles. My grandmother always used to say, ‘fine feathers make fine birds’. But with that comes attention. Fuck, I’m going to need to keep my head down, or remaining in the background will be impossible.
“Now for your address,” she says. “The service will deliver them tonight when you get home. Let someone know at the front desk when you’re leaving, and they’ll do the rest.”
“I will, thank you.”
I pause, my heart thundering in my chest as I pick up the pen.
Chrissie frowns. “Is everything okay?”
I give her a lopsided smile while reining in my anxiety.
You’ve got this! Sophia said you’re safe here.
“Sorry, I’ve only just arrived. I had to think for a moment.”
She smiles. “Take your time. I remember how it was when I first got here. I can get it from HR if you’d prefer?”
“No, it’s fine.”
I exhale as I jot down my home address.
As we make our way to the door, I catch my reflection in one of the floor-to-ceiling mirrors.
I do a double-take, struggling to even recognise myself.
My hair, my make-up, my clothes. Something loosens in my chest, and my nerves begin to settle, although they don’t completely disappear.
I’m now a walking poster girl for the St Clair fashion house.
Designer clothes are familiar territory.
I just hope no one stares too closely at the person wearing them.
As I follow Callie upstairs, listening to her chatter, I know I need to learn to be super-efficient, but professionally invisible. It’s time to put on the performance of a lifetime.
I can do that. Of course I can!