"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.