8 An Unexpected Summons and a Wardrobe for War
Hazel’s POV
“You hung up on Liam Sterling? THE Liam Sterling?” Chloe’s eyes widened as she leaned across our table at the café, nearly knocking over her latte. “And you’re still employed?”
I buried my face in my hands. “For now. But he’s arriving tomorrow, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be fired on the spot.”
After my disastrous phone call with my new boss, I’d desperately needed moral support. Chloe, being the amazing best friend she was, had rushed to meet me after work.
“Tell me everything again,” she demanded, eyes sparkling with mischief.
I recounted the entire mortifying exchange while Chloe listened, her expression shifting from
shock to amusement.
“So let me get this straight–you suggested chamomile tea to one of the most powerful men in the business world because he sounded tense?” She burst into laughter. “God, I love you.”
“It’s not funny!” I groaned. “I need this job, Chloe. The salary is twice what I was making before, and Leo deserves better than that tiny apartment we’ve been crammed in.”
Chloe waved dismissively. “You won’t get fired. Trust me.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because men like Sterling respect backbone,” she said confidently. “Besides, isn’t his assistant- what’s her name, Evelyn?-didn’t she say you handled it perfectly?”
I nodded reluctantly. “She seemed amused by the whole thing. But still…”
“Wait,” Chloe interrupted, looking thoughtful. “How old is this Sterling guy anyway? I’m picturing some grumpy old man with liver spots.”
“Actually, I have no idea. I realized I know almost nothing about him except his reputation for being demanding.”
Chloe pulled out her phone and started typing. Her eyes widened as she scrolled. “Holy shit, Hazel. Liam Sterling is only thirty–two!” She turned her phone around, showing me a business magazine cover.
My breath caught. The man staring back at me was nothing like I’d imagined. No liver in
spots sight. Instead, I was looking at a devastatingly handsome face with sharp features, piercing eyes that appeared almost violet–blue, and dark brown hair styled perfectly. He wore an expensive suit that did nothing to hide his broad shoulders and athletic build.
“That’s my boss?” I whispered.
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- An Unexpected Summons and a Wardrobe for War
“That’s your boss,” Chloe confirmed with a wicked grin. “And he’s hot as hell.
I pushed her phone away. “That doesn’t help. Now I’m even more intimidated.”
“Speaking of good news,” Chloe said, changing the subject, “I got the job at Apex World! We start
next week.”
“That’s amazing!” I reached across the table to squeeze her hand. “We should celebrate.”
“We absolutely should,” she agreed. “Starting with shopping. You need a killer outfit for tomorrow’s showdown with Mr. Gorgeous CEO.”
“I can’t afford-”
“My treat,” she insisted, holding up a hand to silence my protests. “Consider it an investment in your future.”
Before I could argue further, she had paid our bill and was dragging me toward the department
stores.
“First, let’s get something for Leo,” I insisted, steering us toward the children’s section.
Chloe rolled her eyes but followed. “Fine, but then we’re getting you something fabulous.”
An hour later, we’d purchased a new set of blocks for Leo and were standing in a high–end boutique I’d normally walk right past. Chloe held up a sleek charcoal pencil skirt and crisp white blouse.
“Too basic,” she declared, putting them back. “You need something that says ‘I’m competent, professional, AND memorable.”
She disappeared into the racks while I nervously checked price tags, growing increasingly horrified.
“Chloe, these prices are insane, I called out. “I can’t let you-”
“Try this.” She emerged with a tailored navy blue dress with subtle, strategic seaming that suggested curves without being inappropriate for work. The fabric felt impossibly luxurious against my skin.
“And these.” She added a pair of nude heels with red soles that probably cost more than my monthly rent.
“No way,” I protested. “Those are Louboutins!”
“Just try them on,” she insisted, pushing me toward the dressing room. “Humor me.”
I reluctantly obeyed, expecting to look ridiculous–like a child playing dress–up in her mother’s. clothes. Instead, the woman in the mirror looked sophisticated, confident, and undeniably powerful. The dress fit perfectly, highlighting my waist without being tight, falling just below my knees. The heels made my legs look endless.
10.50 –
or War
8 An Unexpected Summons and a Wardrobe for
“Well?” Chloe called from outside.
I stepped out, feeling strangely emotional. “I look…”
“Like you belong in that corner office, she finished for me, eyes shining. “Like someone who doesn’t take shit from CEOs, no matter how gorgeous they are.
The sales associate nodded in agreement. “The fit is perfect. You look stunning”
For a moment, I allowed myself to imagine walking into Sterling Group tomorrow wearing this outfit, facing Liam Sterling with my head held high.
“I can’t afford this,” I whispered to Chloe.
“Think of it as armor,” she replied softly. “You’re going into battle tomorrow. You need to feel invincible.”
I bit my lip, calculating how many overtime hours it would take to pay her back.
“Stop overthinking. Chloe said, reading my mind. “We’ll consider it a loan if that makes better. Pay me back when you get your first big bonus.”
“If I don’t get fired first, I muttered.
you feel
“You won’t,” she insisted. “Now change back so we can buy this and get dinner. I’m starving.”
As I carefully removed the beautiful dress, Chloe slipped into the dressing room with a small pink bag.
“One more thing,” she said with a sly smile, pulling out a matching set of lace lingerie in deep blue. “Every warrior needs a secret weapon.”
“Chloe!” I gasped. “I’m not trying to seduce my boss!”
“This isn’t for him” she replied. “It’s for you. To remind you that underneath that professional exterior is a woman who’s strong, sexy, and completely capable.”
I stared at the delicate lace, remembering how long it had been since I’d worn anything but practical cotton. Not since that night at the masquerade ball…
“Fine, I conceded. “But only because they match the dress.”
By the time we finished dinner and I got home, it was past Leo’s bedtime. Mrs. Rodriguez, my elderly neighbor who watched him after daycare, had already put him to bed.
“He was an angel as always,” she assured me. “Ate all his vegetables without complaining”
I thanked her profusely, paid her, and peeked in on my sleeping son. His dark curls framed his cherubic face, his long eyelashes casting shadows on his chubby cheeks. My heart swelled with love and determination. This job wasn’t just about me–it was about giving him the life he deserved.
8 An Unexpected Summons and a Wardrobe for War
After a quick shower, I collapsed into bed with my laptop, determined to research everything about Liam Sterling before facing him tomorrow. But just as I typed his name into the search bar, my new work phone buzzed with a message.
Unknown Number: Arriving tomorrow. We’ll discuss your duties, and prepare the chamomile
tea.
I stared at the screen, my heart racing. The number wasn’t saved in my contacts, but it had to
be him. The reference to chamomile tea confirmed it.
He hadn’t forgotten our exchange.
I fell back against my pillows, simultaneously terrified and strangely exhilarated. Tomorrow I would finally meet Liam Sterling face to face, and judging by this message, he was already planning our confrontation.
I glanced at the dress hanging on my closet door and the shoe box containing my “armor” for tomorrow’s battle. At least I’d go down looking spectacular.
Sleep eluded me for hours as I mentally rehearsed what I might say when those intense violet–blue eyes finally met mine in person.
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