VALERIE’S POV
The next day at work, I dressed my best. It’s not a small opportunity to work with the F&F Famous and Fantastic Fashion brand. My happiness was written all over me until I sighted Kamsy.
I greeted her first. She ignored me. I regretted making the first move immediately, but I was only pretending I wasn’t hurt.
I saw Daniel standing on the other side, waiting for his turn for the interview too. I sneaked over to him.
I hit his shoulder playfully, and he laughed.
“You’re as excited as I am, right?” he asked. I nodded and took a deep breath. My heart was racing so much that I could feel the sweat.
The boss came in with his two security guards, whom I recognized. They were the ones who came the other day with the former boss.
They looked like kids beside him because of the height difference. He completely stood out and made them seem invisible.
His fashion sense was beyond what my poor mind could ever imagine.
“Good morning, sir,” we chorused.
Other female colleagues couldn’t hide their excitement. I was excited too—I still couldn’t believe we were working with an icon like him.
But I was sure their excitement wasn’t just about the work. It definitely had something to do with his looks.
“So, you’re going to be my team? Pathetic. We’ll make a lot of changes.”
Wow, what a reply. Daniel and I looked at each other as if we were the only ones he was talking to.
“You.”
I looked up, my breath almost catching. He was looking at me.
“What are you wearing? Do you know anything about fashion at all?” he questioned.
Before I could reply, the other girls burst out laughing.
The men were mature enough to withhold their laughter.
Daniel tapped my shoulder consolingly.
“Sorry, sir. It’s my best outfit,” I replied.
“If that’s your best, you don’t belong here,” he sneered, then turned to another colleague.
“That’s not real Gucci.”
“It’s fake, sir.”
“Fake what?! Are you trying to insult Gucci?”
“No, sir… I don’t know what else to say.”
I was sad a moment ago, but that guy’s reply cracked me up.
Worse, I have a bad habit of laughing out loud—literally.
I don’t laugh gracefully. I laugh loud enough to make another person laugh. Daniel once told me my laughter was very contagious.
Daniel heard me and chuckled a little too, but seeing the boss’s cold stare, we had to swallow all the amusement piling up inside us.
“My apologies, boss,” I said immediately.
“You are as ugly as your laugh,” the boss replied. Wow, that hit me. The thunderous laughter from the others buried me. I don’t think I’ll ever laugh again.
“Don’t let it get to you,” Daniel whispered.
I smiled back.
“That’s by the way. I need to test your abilities. First, show me your talent. Design anything. And please, this is not a local fashion brand. Don’t bring Ankara African styles for me.”
“Excuse me, sir,” Jennifer interrupted in a tiny, learned, seductive voice. She looked well-prepared for the day and was in her best outfit.
Here we go again, I thought to myself with an eye roll.
Jennifer was given permission to proceed.
“Someone here is totally out of place—that lady over there,” she said, pointing at me. “She’s not meant to be here at all. As you said, she has no sense of fashion.”
“And you are?” the boss asked curiously.
“Let me introduce myself properly. I am Jenny, the former boss’s assistant.”
“More like he was your handbag,” I muttered, loud enough only for Daniel to hear. He tried not to laugh.
The new boss stared at her from head to toe.
“Let’s talk in my office after this.”
“Aww, thanks,” she replied with a wink.
I thought this cold-looking new boss, who seemed like he couldn’t even smile, wouldn’t be a womanizer. But men will be men. Jennifer’s body couldn’t be resisted by even the devil himself. Congrats to her. She got another one hooked in her trap.
“Get back to work!” That was an order from the boss, and we all returned to our respective offices.
This is my chance to prove myself. I had to think smart and fast.
It’s almost Easter. A wedding dress design might work, or should I go for denim? People love jeans these days.
“Let me go with a wedding dress.”
I turned on my system and revisited my previous work. The picture of my dream wedding dress, which I had designed, was my wallpaper. Seeing it after all that drama made me a little sad.
I sighed deeply.
“What did you say back then?”
I looked toward the voice’s direction. It was Jennifer. I guessed she must have overheard me.
“What?”
“You said something about a handbag. Look, b****, I don’t exchange words with people like you, but don’t push me beyond my limits. As soon as I get this new handsome boss, you’ll suffer in this company.”
“You first made a joke of me,” I replied in a low tone.
“Because it’s a joke, b****. Don’t you dare, or you’ll be kicked out for sure.”
She went back to her corner. Her neighbor—my bestie or former bestie, Kamsy—gave her a high five for the confrontation.
I tried not to give them attention and focused on my work.
Daniel came over just as I was wrapping up.
“Wow, mind-blowing!”
I quickly closed my system.
“Stop peeping at my work, Dan,” I said softly. My mood had soured because of Jennifer.
“Are you done? What’s your theme?” I asked.
“Bikini.”
“Bikini? It’s winter, Dan. Bikinis should be a summer design!” I snapped, disappointed.
“Oh, sorry. I didn’t think about that. After all, I’m not as smart as you,” he replied.
“I hope he likes it. Do you love bikinis?”
“What about you? Obsessed with wedding gowns?” he shot back.
We laughed at each other, but I was indirectly sad. A wedding dress I might never wear—what a thought. I think I’m being too harsh on myself. I can still find love again.
“Well, better wrap it up. Our time is almost up,” Daniel suggested.
I nodded and started finalizing my work. I used a biracial model since our boss was biracial too, hoping to gain his favor.