Sophia

 

 

I exit the elevator and I'm instantly taken aback by what my old desk looks like. It's covered in file folders, one stained with what looks like coffee. Mr. Foster's temp has called me more than a dozen times already today. It's obvious that she's overwhelmed with the job.

"Nancy," I call out to her as I approach since she's bent over retrieving something from the floor. "Tell me what you need from me."

She jumps in surprise, smashing the back of her head on the corner of the desk.

I cringe as I lunge forward to help, but she's already on her feet, her hand rubbing what must be a tender spot hidden under her red hair. "Sophia, you came."

Of course, I did. Sasha told me that until I sign my contract, I'm a technically still Mr. Foster's assistant, so I'm on call for whatever Nancy needs until the permanent replacement starts next week.

When Nancy called my cell less than five minutes ago to tell me she urgently needed to see me, I tucked my sketchbook into a drawer on my new workstation, and I headed straight for the elevator.

"What can I do for you?" I ask cheerily. She's probably had to deal with Mr. Foster's less than friendly demeanor all day. I know he's frustrated. He said as much in a text message he sent me yesterday telling me he was considering asking Sasha to fire me so he could rehire me.

"It's not me this time." She smiles. "Mr. Foster asked me to find you so he could talk to you."

I glance at the closed door of his office. "He wants to see me?"

"As soon as possible." She pushes on my shoulder. "That means now, Sophia, so get in there."

I laugh nervously. He's already asked me once if I'll be signing the contract for my new position with the design department. I told him I was waiting to get it back from my attorney, which I am. If he brings it up again today, I may need to ask Zoe Beck to put my file at the top of her priority list. I haven't given it as much thought as I should have. I've been replaying what happened with Nicholas in my mind over and over again. I still haven't heard from him or the attorney he threatened me with. I don't know whether that's a good or bad sign.

"Did he say what it was about?"

"Like he'd tell me," she jokes. "All I hear about all day is what a great assistant he had. If I had to wager a guess, it would be that he's going to offer you your old job back. If he does, I think you should take it and start right now."

"Funny." My grin is wide. "I'll go talk to him but you should know that you're stuck here until your replacement shows up next week."

"Damn." She winks. "In that case, it's time for my coffee break."

 

***

"Has your attorney had a chance to look over the contract yet, Sophia?" Mr. Foster asks as I take a seat. "I'm impressed that you didn't sign it on the spot. It's always prudent to have a professional go over any legal document line-by-line."

I can't argue that point. The wording of the contract went right over my head. It's much more complicated than the standard salary based contract I signed when I started working as his executive assistant. The design contract has strict stipulations regarding how I share my designs and an allowance for travel in the event my pieces are featured in a fashion show.

"I think I should have it back soon, sir. I'll sign it then."

"I'd rather you didn't." He taps his fingers on a large yellow envelope in the center of his desk. "I had a new contract drawn up earlier today. This offer replaces the original one."

Shit. I took too long to sign and now Mr. Foster is pulling back on his offer. That has to be what this is. He may be a great boss, but the man is still a ruthless shark.

"The other contract seemed very fair." I scratch the back of my head. "I'll call my attorney today and see if I can have it signed by tomorrow."

"No." He opens the envelope and draws out a stack of papers. "That offer is no longer on the table. I think you'll find this one benefits you more."

Benefits me more? I hope I get a meal allowance like Sasha does. That woman wasn't the same today when she returned from her two hour long lunch. One of the other designers told me that Sasha dines on the company's dime, which always includes a substantial amount just for several glasses of a good red wine. I could go for a glass or two myself right at this moment.

I scan the top sheet of the papers. "So I should give this one to my attorney and tell her to forget the other one?"

"You should, but first you should ask me why I'm rescinding my original offer."

Of course I should. We're having an important discussion about my future with his company I should keep my mind on that and not on the signed copy of Burden's Proof that is sitting on the corner of his desk.

"Why are you rescinding your original offer?" I ask with a small smile.

"Flip that paper over and you'll see why." He turns the entire stack of papers toward me.

I grab the edge of the top sheet and flip it aside. My eyes settle on a logo. It's feminine, elegant and when I read the words, my heart misses a full beat.

"Mr. Foster." I squeeze my eyes shut. "Please tell me this is real."

"Sophia." I feel his hand brush against mine. "This is real. The label of our new collection is now officially Ella Kara by Sophia Reese."

"It's my collection." I open my eyes through a veil of tears. "I'm heading the collection?"

"You own a stake in this." He moves his hand to pick up the papers. "You'll get the monthly stipend we originally offered but you'll also be a shareholder in this line. If you can make it the success I know you can, you'll benefit in every way."

"Why would you do this?" I ask quietly. "Two days ago I was your executive assistant."

He chuckles deeply. "Claudia came to see me after you visited her at the boutique. She's launching a swimwear line and wanted to know if you had any experience in that realm. I told her to speak directly to you, which she will."

"She hasn't yet."

Claudia took my number when I met with her at her boutique. She didn't tell me exactly what Nicholas said to her, but she made it clear that she valued Gabriel's opinion of me more. We briefly talked fashion and my aspirations before she had to speed away to the stockroom to overlook the arrival of a shipment from a designer based in Tennessee.

"I'm grateful for that." He pushes the papers back into the envelope. "I want you at Foster, Sophia. Sasha has told me that she sees more promise in you than in any designer she's worked with in years. I'm giving you this line to show us what you've got. Sasha will work closely with you. You'll run everything by me and when we unveil this, it's going to be your designs the world sees."

Next to launching a line on my own, this is the next best thing. I can get eyes on my creative talent and I don't have to foot the bill. If this isn't the fast track road to success, I don't know what is.

"I thought my career was over two days ago." I wipe a tear from my cheek. "Now my dream is coming true."

"You're going to make me proud." He pushes to stand. "Show this to your attorney and get it signed."

"I'm on it." I take the envelope from him. "Is that all, sir?"

"We're going to be partners in this venture, Sophia. Call me Gabriel from now on."

"Thank you, Gabriel." The words rush out. "I can't tell you how honored I am. I won't let you down."

"I know you won't." He rounds the desk.

I turn to leave but his hand on my elbow stops me.

"One other thing, Sophia."

"Yes?" I pivot on my heel to look at him again. "What is it?"

"Nicholas Wolf was here earlier. He came to talk to me about you."

Hearing his name tenses my stomach. I try to temper my tone. "About me? Why would he do that?"

His hand drops to his side. "He wanted to know if I had indeed fired you."

I don't ask what his response was. Mr. Foster is as honest as they come.

"I didn't give him any details but made it clear that Foster Enterprises stands behind you." He tilts his chin back. "That includes our entire legal team if need be."

I'm stunned by that. I had already asked Zoe what the cost would be if I needed a lawyer to help defend me against the baseless accusations Nicholas threw at me. The price she quoted is more than my parents paid for their house back in Florida.

"Thank you," I mumble, trying to contain my emotion. "I appreciate your support."

"You haven't spoken to him since the night he called me, have you?"

"I doubt I'll ever talk to him again." I sigh. I want to. I want to tell Nicholas that he's made a huge mistake but I can't. It doesn't matter at this point that I'm completely innocent. The mere fact that he believes I'm capable of doing something like that to him is enough for me to wash my hands of the relationship for good. "I want to be with a man who defends my honor; not one who questions it."

"He knows you didn't do it, Sophia. He came here to fight for your job and for you."