Journey to Fortune(4)

"Please stay. I think everyone will want to hear about this trip to  Hawaii for research to do this scene. That was back in February during  the blizzard here in New York, right?" Tia Rose asked, and then turned  to another page, where there was a gorgeous winter scene that could be  seen through the windows of a formal living room. The fireplace mantel  was Tia Rose's design.

She slammed her hand down on the magazine.

"These are my ideas, my concept, my creations, and not yours."

"Tia Rose. That is quite the allegation," Mrs. Sinclair stated.

"Bernadette, be quiet. Let Tia Rose state her case," Cade stated. Tia  Rose felt her cheeks warm. She looked around the room. She saw the  stunned expressions. None of them would believe her. They would believe  Bethany.

"Mrs. Sinclair, I mean no disrespect when I say this, but if you think  Bethany created these designs and worked for months to come up with a  mock catalogue on her own, then you're not as in tune to your loyal  employees as I always thought you were."

Bernadette gasped. Cade smiled.

"She's out of her mind. She should be fired," Bethany stated.

Tia Rose took a deep breath and looked around the room. "You all know  about the lies, the practical jokes, and mean and hurtful things Bethany  has done to me since I started working for Malone's. But you also know  Bethany. Who is the one who is always staying late, never taking  vacation time, and always there to help each and every one of you when  you drop the ball, fall short with your deadlines, or need a bit of  creative advice?"

She looked at them then pointed to herself.

"Me."

"She's insane. She shouldn't be here," Bethany stated.

"Maybe we should call security," Mark suggested.

"Don't bother. I quit. But I'm taking my catalogue, my pictures, and my  hard work along with me. If you try to steal my ideas, I'll slap a  lawsuit on your tiny stuck-up ass so fast you won't know what hit you.  And I can do that. Because I edited every picture, design, and concept  in this magazine. You should learn how to do the job you've been getting  paid nearly two Gs to do, Bethany. Kiss my ass."

Tia Rose felt so triumphant that she wanted to fist pump and scream  "hell yeah." But as she grabbed her bag and scooped up the catalogue,  not bothering to look around, she heard the others begin to speak as  Bernadette demanded that she stay. She turned to listen. Everyone was  making comments, admitting that Tia Rose helped them all along and they  knew Bethany was using her. Everyone knew that Bethany continued to  steal Tia's ideas.

Then Mr. Sinclair spoke up.

"Everyone quiet down, and, Tia Rose, please sit back down."

Everyone did as he said but Tia remained standing.

"I won't stay, sir. I won't stand here and continue to be used. I can't  stand the jokes, the nastiness, and backstabbing. I'm not that kind of  person. If that's the type of employees you want here at Malone's, then I  think I should hand in my resignation and look for a job elsewhere." As  she said the words, her belly did a series of deep twists and turns.  She felt like vomiting, which would totally kill her triumphant moment  of standing up to Bethany and telling her off.         

     



 

Bernadette leaned over to her husband and whispered into his ear. Just then security entered the room. Someone had called them.

Oh my God, I'm going to be escorted out of the meeting and probably out  of the building. I'll be fired, I'll have no job, and I won't be able to  pay that stupid rent. I won't be able to send the money to my parents.  He'll kill me. He'll haunt me every hour of every day until I send that  money. Oh my God, why did I do this?

"Thank you for coming so quickly. Please remove Miss Tyler from the  room. Escort her to her office, have her clean out her desk, and then  accompany her outside of the building. She is no longer an employee  here."

Bethany gasped as the two security men approached.

"I don't believe this. I can't believe that you would take that fat  bitch's side over mine. I fit here. I have style, class, and a great  body. She's fat, has no spine, and wouldn't know what to do in the  presence of designers," Bethany stated.

"Remove her," Mr. Sinclair repeated.

Bethany shoved the catalogues that were in front of her across the table and she began to have a tantrum.

Tia Rose wasn't too shocked. Once the room was cleared, Bernadette and Cade smiled at her.

"Please have a seat, Tia Rose. It's so nice of you to have finally  joined us. We have a lot to discuss, including your upcoming trip to  Paris."

Tia Rose was shocked speechless. Nice of me to show up? He knew all  along. He was waiting for me to grow a spine and stand up for myself.

"Thank you, sir. It's nice to finally show up and let you all know what I'm made of."

"This is going to be great," one of the other staff stated. Then they  all congratulated her and told her how proud they were of her. It was an  utter and complete turnaround. They began to ask questions about the  designs and her ideas, and the Sinclairs had questions of their own. Tia  Rose answered them with confidence and obvious knowledge, proving  further what she was capable of, despite not being a super thin model  like Bethany.

This was a new beginning. The new Tia Rose. There were more changes to  come. She just knew it as she pointed to the scenes, described the  materials used, and expanded on her ideas. They all listened to her  intently.

Watch out, world, here I come.





Chapter 2




Hudson Ross sat in the recliner on his private jet and sipped his dirty  martini. He was on the satellite phone with his twin brother, Jagger,  wondering when he would arrive in Paris. Hudson had been to Milan first,  and now was headed to France. It had been a crazy few weeks, and he  looked forward to getting back to the States and working on their new  renovations to one of their vacation homes.

Their friends, Flynn and Jett, had called him numerous times wondering  when he would be joining them for poker night again. He had to laugh.  That weekly get-together had been great. He thought that maybe since  Nash and Riker, Cash and Zane, and Emerson and Stone were in serious  relationships, that things would change. But they hadn't. The only thing  that changed was Jagger and Hudson's new increased desire to find their  perfect woman. She was out there somewhere. It seemed that his brother  Jagger was working on finding her fast instead of letting fate step in.  He chuckled to himself.

"Sorry, I can't hear you. What did you say?" Hudson asked.

"I said, I'm in the middle of something. I got a good shot at this  woman. I may be later on Sunday than I first thought," Jagger said then  chuckled.

"Quit it, man. Get out here by Sunday."

"Why? I've been to plenty of these fashion events. They're all the same.  Tiny food made for the birds, assholes throwing around their money, and  skinny, near anorexic chicks trying to look sexy."

"We're not doing this for the models. We're doing this for the  furniture, and to get ideas. I haven't liked one thing I saw from all  the known designers. It's both of our decision, bro. We're in this  together, just like everything else," Hudson said.

"Well, will you at least try to make it worth my while? It's a long flight and I have to leave late Saturday."

"I promise a special little something will be here waiting for you when you arrive."         

     



 

"Voluptuous, hips and ass, and no skin and bones?"

"Voluptuous, just the way we both like them."

"I'll see what I can do. But tonight's a different story. Later, bro."

Jagger hung up and Hudson laughed.

It would be great if one day they found that perfect, sexy woman they  yearned to share. She just didn't seem to exist, and instead, they  settled. It was getting boring. Hudson wanted something different. He  wanted companionship and he wanted it sooner rather than later.

He was sick of the nightclubs, except for The Phantom. That was  different. That was their best friends' place. It was where they could  chill out, not have to stand in the spotlight, walk the damn red carpet,  or supply the dough to run the parties.

He enjoyed the nightlife to an extent. But he preferred running the  businesses, even though he had people to do it for him and Jagger. He  shook his head and smiled as he thought about Jagger. His twin was  nearly a complete opposite of him. Jagger liked speed and adrenaline  rush. If there was a dare or challenge to meet, Jagger was on it like  white on rice. The man got himself into more complicated situations than  Hudson could keep up with. He never led with his heart. He kept it  locked up, and that was something they both shared.

He sighed as he felt almost sad inside at the admission, even if it were  in thought. Had money truly kept them from being more caring, and  perhaps trusting?

Hell, yeah. Everyone wants everything Jagger and I have. As soon as they  learn I'm a billionaire, they clasp on and I need the Jaws of Life to  get them off. Nope, I don't need the hassle of opening up my heart. Not  unless that special someone suddenly arrives. Yeah, not happening to me.