"Mrs. Carter!"
"Mrs. Carter!"
"Mrs. Carter!"
"Andrea!"
Eyes immediately snapped open, blinking away the blur of exhaustion. The room stared back, rows of faces and colleagues stiff with awkwardness stared back at me. At the head of the room, sat my father his brows furrowed with confusion. The weight of his gaze was enough to ground the situation which was embarrassing.
Fucking hell! I can't believe I dozed off, in the midst of a fucking presentation too! I thought to myself as I cleared my throat and stared at the man who was busy explaining his presentation about this year models and who we need to bring into the agency.
"I am so sorry," Came my half whispered apology, "Please continue."
The presenter, mid gesture adjusted his glasses and returned to his meticulously prepared slideshow. Various images of top models, revenue reports and pie charts flickered on the screen. This time around, I made sure my focus was razor sharp. Anything less would mean more stares, more whispers behind my back and I could not have that happening on my first day.
"Hey, are you okay?" A low voice said next to my ear, soft enough to escape notice but close enough to stir unease
I turned to look at Grayson who sat down beside me. "Yeah," I answered turning to look back at the screen, "Just a little bit tired is all."
"Understandable, you've barely gotten any sleep since last night and I am to blame for that." Grayson whispered.
Not just last night, I haven't been getting any sleep at all since I became Andrea. But I didn't tell him that and let just let him stew in his guilt. The moment I stepped into the building all the workers were the one who had ambushed me and it had been total chaos. Reports shoved into my hands, voices bombarding with updates, questions, expectations. The title Mrs. Carter wasn't just a name, it was a crown too heavy to carry and yet here I was, balancing it precariously on an aching head.
Heaving out a small sigh, I continued to listen to the presenter focusing on his slideshows when suddenly an image appeared on the screen that immediately captured my attention and judging by the way Grayson stiffened beside me, I knew he saw it too.
"And why is she on my screen?"
A heavy silence decided the room and I noticed the way some of the employees shifted on their seat. The presenter swallowed but opened his mouth to speak, "Well it's no secret that Briana Knowles is the highest grossing model in the country."
"Highest grossing?" My voice came out sharp, cutting through the heavy silence.
The presenter hesitated, his gaze darting to my father before settling back on me. "Yes ma'm. Last year she alone brought in over five million dollars in endorsements and campaigns. Her influence is completely unmatched and I feel like she would be a great addition to our company."
Beside me, I felt Grayson stiffen in his seat. He was our legal advisor and I can only imagine how he was going to cope when his cheating ex joins our company. Oh well, that was not any of my business. If Brianna was going to be bringing more income to the company, then it's just simply going to be business.
"That's alright with me." I said and for a moment I notice everyone stiffen in their seat which made me guess everyone was well aware of the animosity that was happening Briana and I.
But like I said this was business! Standing up from my seat, I adjusted my coat. "Get in contact with her and set up a meeting with her. Now, if that's all, this meeting is dismissed!"
Everyone except my father immediately stood up from their seat bowing their heads as I stood up to leave. I went out of the board room while my assistant, Sarah followed after me, struggling to keep up with my long strides.
"Anything else I need to know Sarah?" I asked without looking at her.
Sarah flipped through the note pads in her hands, "You um have a meeting with the newly contracted models by noon also have to go to dinner with the executives when it's six o clock."
Closing my eyes, a sigh of frustration left my lips, "Do I have any break at all?" I asked turning to look at her.
Sarah blinked at me but quickly recovered, "I mean the meeting with the newly contracted models is still till twelve?"
"Great, so I've got one hour left, yay me!" I said with a small smile, "Well, I am not to be disturbed at that moment and I also think you can use the rest?"
Sarah arched a brow up at me, "What? No, I'm fine!"
"Sarah, I see the plaster you use to cover the blisters on your ankles which I'm positive is caused from the too high heels you are wearing." I pointed out as my gaze dropped to the heels she was putting on, "Geez, I am in pain seeing you walk in them. I mean why buy heels like this if all they do is make you uncomfortable?"
"You were the one who gave them to me ma'am."
Shit! My brows knitted together, "I did?"
Sarah nodded her head at me with a meek expression on her face. "Yes you did. You called the shoes I wore garbage and picked this up from the departmental store and told me to learn how to walk in heels or find another job."
"Course I did." I mumbled under my breath not in the least surprised by Andrea's words because it is indeed something she can say, "Well, then take a break from it then and buy yourself a coffee while you are at it."
Sarah looked confused as she answered me, "Um, thank you ma'm?"
Offering her a smile and an awkward pat on her shoulder, I turned and went inside my office. A breath escaped me as I leaned against the door. Looking down, I noticed the way my hands were trembling. My anxiety was high and this was only just the beginning.
"You can do this, you can do this, you can do this…" I muttered to myself as I drew in deep breath to calm myself down.
I walked deeper into my office and went to sit on my chair. Resting my head in my hands, I continued to have a breathing exercise. All I needed was just to survive the rest of the day and then I get to go back into hiding where I can be just me, just Raelynn.
Still lost in my thoughts, I heard loud commotions outside. Raising my head up, I stared at the door where I heard loud voices arguing. I could pick out Sarah's voice along with a voice that belonged to someone else, it was deeper which meant it was a man.
Just as I was about to call Sarah and ask who it was the doors suddenly slammed open and a huge man walked with a look of fury on his face that was covered in bruises. It was also a man I knew all too well, after all, we were family.
"We need to talk!" He said glowering at me from where I stood behind my table.
Slipping my mask back on, I smirked at him. "Well, hello to you too, Donovan!"
***
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