Chapter Twenty-Eight

Kristen

It’s always a great honor to meet with Lola herself. I saw her only four times this year, never for more than an hour each time. And never one on one. She’s a busy woman.

If it were under any other circumstances, I’d be peeing my pants with excitement. Normally, such an exalted personage wouldn’t even know I exist. But here she is, at a café on a Saturday to talk to someone she fired earlier this week.

Although I applied nothing but a coat of mascara and lipstick on my face, I put some thought into my outfit and chose a sleeveless purple Dior dress Jo sent me. It’s elegant and sexy, the color exceptionally deep and vivid. The pearl stud earrings and necklace add to the classy feel.

But compared to Lola, I’m underdressed. Lola is in a royal blue dress of her own design, paired with a set of faux diamonds that looks understated and expensive. Her hair’s pulled up, resting like a crown around her head in a complex updo. Her full makeup is flawless, her eyes calculating and intelligent. She sits like a queen in the humble wooden chair, and doesn’t bother with her iced coffee.

Lola wastes no time. “I’m not going to play word games with you. I just want you to know that perhaps we were hasty.”

“We?”

“Yes. We.”

“Is that the royal we?”

She arches an eyebrow.

“You and I both know that nothing happens at Lola, Inc. without your say-so.”

“Direct. I like that.”

“We’re both busy women,” I say, keeping my voice as calm as possible. “I thought you’d appreciate the candor.”

A faint smile crosses her face. “It makes things easier. I don’t have to explain to you how reputation matters, especially in fashion.”

“Are you here to repeat the speech you made about how fashion is about crafting an image?”

“I was going to, but you seem to know it already.”

It’s true. I know all of Lola’s speeches and essays. Several of them by heart.

She continues, “You do understand that your…situation…was creating the kind of image that nobody wants, right?”

“I do. And you’re here, which means you realize that what you did created an image that you aren’t sure you like.”

Her face remains impassive. “If you want to come back, I’ll welcome you with open arms. And I’ll mentor you myself, as a gesture of apology.” The second the word slips from her lips, a small wince crosses her face.

“Apology?” I smile thinly. “I thought you were convinced you acted correctly in firing me.”

“Karen works for me, so what she did becomes my responsibility.” She sighs. “Look, I’m not doing this because I think I did something wrong, Kristen. I’m offering because I see great potential in you. You’re a promising designer, and you have a very good sense of style. You’re creative, and you work hard. Why wouldn’t I want you back, or to nurture your talent?”

What she’s dangling in front of me is really, really tempting. Earlier I swore I wouldn’t take the job back. But that hypothetical scenario didn’t include Lola mentoring me personally. I could learn so much from her. And if I did go back, I wouldn’t have to search for another position. Lola didn’t pay a lot, but she paid enough. I’d be able to maintain my financial independence and not touch the trust.

Still, do I really want to go back to a place where people thought the worst of me? If something like this happens again, there’s no guarantee that they’ll stand by me.

Lola looks surprised. “You’re hesitating.”

“It’s difficult not to, especially after the experience I had. Loyalty matters to me, and I was thrown out pretty fast once the story broke.”

“I understand. You have your pride. At the same time, think carefully about this, Kristen. I know how much you love fashion, and I don’t offer to personally mentor people unless I see great potential. I hope you make a decision that’s mutually advantageous.” She gets up and leaves.

I sip my drink, somewhat puzzled by that last remark. I’m not totally stupid or naïve. Upset employees can cause bad publicity and cost companies money with lawsuits. Lola obviously wants to put this whole ugly incident into the rearview mirror, and getting mentored by her would be an amazing opportunity for me. But mutually advantageous? How would my going back be advantageous for Lola?