“It’s been a while since we’ve had to bring the Gregors out,” Cevin laughs. He turns to face me and grins. “You look amazing. How are the twins?”
“Good. They want a puppy. You?”
“I can start looking up toddler–friendly breeds,” he nods eagerly. “Same–o, same–o,”
want a golden retriever. See if you can find some puppies. I was given until the end of the week to decide. But I’ve always wanted an AirBud,”
“On it,” he laughs. I take the piece of paper the twins made and offer it to him. “Oh, my gosh. This is the cutest thing ever,”
“Can you have it framed for me? I want it in my new office,”
“Yes, ma’am,” he tucks it into his briefcase and starts tapping away at his phone.
“What do we have going on today?”
“We are meeting Sullivan Tucker for the tour of the Royal Threads headquarters. Here is what to expect,” he hands me my favorite work tablet. “It starts from the shipping docks,”
For a storage unit that houses clothes, the storage area is a mess. They’re understaffed and no one has taken the time to update the new payment system. The upper levels that belong to the designers are in no better condition. Xo wasn’t lying when she said this place needed an iron hand to straighten up. I didn’t understand why she thought that would be me, but I’m honored she asked.
We were all upset when she fired Francis. She had been so upset because the two of them had been friends. However, the California region is Xo’s first baby. She started Royal Threads in her garage thirty–four years ago. Just a girl and her sewing machine. I met her for the first time during my sophomore year in San Diego. By the end of the year, I was interning for her. I owe her for the last eleven years of my life. It’s been a hell of a ride.
When she asked me to come home, it threw me off my game. I was terrified. The plan. was for me to transfer to the new branch in Italy. I didn’t really want to go. It would have been so difficult for the twins. Having to learn a third language and adapt to a whole new culture. It would have hurt us.
When we finally sat down in Millan she told me what was going on with Francis. His husband left him and he was making a fool of himself. She lost a few contracts with some big names because of it. She gave him multiple chances to get some help and he refused. I hate to be the follow up but I can’t exactly say no and this is a way better option than the alternative.
Sullivan Tucker is a very elegant man. He used to be Francis’s assistant and has replaced him for the time being. He’s going to be helping me settle in. Xo asked me to
watch him and I plan to do exactly that..
He’s wearing fitted cream trousers with a loose silk button–up. He accessorized with at simple thin gold necklace. If there’s a pendant it’s hidden in his button–up. The watch matches the metal around his neck as well as the assortment of earrings decorating his right ear. The black leather belt matches his loafers and that’s where he lost me. I would have gone with something more subtle.
His hygiene is impeccable. This man has a very strict skincare routine and loves to pamper himself. He’s freshly shaved and he smells great. This brings me to my first conclusion. Sullivan Tucker is a straight man. The way Xo spoke of him didn’t come off that way. When he offers his hand, I want nothing more than for him to take me to the person who did his manicure.
“Welcome to Headquarters,” he greets me. “My name is Sullivan Tucker. I will be your guide for the next couple of months. My job is to help you get settled in,”
“Phoebe Altaha. It’s my honor to be here. This is Cevin Nendo. My assistant. We’re looking forward to getting to know one another
“Great, let’s get started,” he opens the glass doors and motions us in.
Immediately we’re greeted with curiosity. Everyone is watching us. Sullivan’s voice isn’t unpleasant to listen to. He could use a little downtown time. That is obvious. While he pays very close attention to details, his enthusiasm for his job isn’t anywhere close to mine. I AM FUCKING EXCITED TO BE HERE. He seems obligated to.
I don’t blame him either. The pictures Cev showed me in the car must be from before Francis was fired because it looks like someone tried to clean up. It reminds me of when the kids dump out their toy trunks and then half–ass put them all back hurriedly.
I use my tablet to take notes and pictures of what needs to be taken care of. We’re both exhausted by the time we get to what he introduces as my new office.
It’s beautiful. It’s a lot bigger than my office back in Paris. There’s room to move around and it doesn’t feel like I’m going to need to share anything with anyone else. -The entire back wall is glass. Ayrie is going to love the view of the pier from here. We
are going to spend a lot of time there. I can feel it.
There are display racks along the wall on the left of my desk. There’s a drafting table and a few stools around it. The white walls are all empty. It’s all just a blank canvas for me to start from scratch. This is where I am going to start.
“I figured you wanted to set everything up to your liking,” Sullivan says. “Why don’t you take the rest of the day to get your things together and we can start fresh in the morning?”
“Sounds like a plan, I agree.
“My office is the door to your left when you walk out,” he excuses himself.
“He looks exhausted, Mama,” Cev says sympathetically.
2/3
“He does. There’s nothing we can do right this moment. Let’s get started,” I place my purse on the drafting table. “Do you know if my things are here yet?”
“Right there,” he points at the white leather couches. “I’ve already called the moving team to get these ugly things out of here. We agreed on the Sacramento Green and gold cottage–themed furniture last week,”
“We did,”
“Everything will be delivered and placed when you get back tomorrow. I wanted everything done by today, but I wanted everything to come in togther so we don’t waste too much time. Everything you ordered ahead of time is here along with the designs from the fairy spring collection coming up. Your first meeting will be with Kaitlyn Summerland. The-” he pauses looking up at me.
“The new senior designer. I know that. I’ve been studying, Cev. Give me some credit,” I roll my eyes. “I have to. She’s replacing me,”
“Mama, no one can replace you. You’re growing up. A little faster than most, but it only makes you sexier,”
“Help me with some of this,” I roll my eyes at him again:
“You know, you have to stop rolling your eyes like that to get Aizen not to do it anymore,” he laughs.
“Yeah, well looks like the eye roll is here to stay,” I hold up the fabrics I sent over. “I am so excited to be home, Cev. You have no idea,”
“But we have so much to do,” he groans.
“I know. That’s what makes it so exciting,”
