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Natalie
Perhaps silk isn’t the best option this morning. Is it getting warm in here, or what? I’m sitting in the conference room surrounded by shareholders. Normally, I’d be happy over this much attention, as it’s normally because of a job well done.
Not this time.
An emergency meeting has been called. A meeting about me. And my fuck up.
“What is all this?” I ask pleasantly, trying to keep my cool. A copy of a tabloid is flung in front of me, landing with a smack on the large oval table. I smile and gently bring it toward me.
Well, shit.
It’s me. Front and center; sprawled on the front page with all kinds of ‘censored’ signs, flashing lights and fruit covering all my naughty bits. It’s not a terrible angle at least, everything looks perky and where it should be, even underneath the photoshopped caution tape.
This is humiliating, and violating.
Even worse, this shit is all over the city!
I try not to tremble as I pick up the tabloid.Classy Magazine Editor Caught in Tryst with Playboy Billionaire.Not my best look, is it?
Judging by the stern look on the shareholders’ faces, they clearly agree with me. I scan the tabloid again, flinching as I see my photo. It’s not even my ex’s tabloid, how the fuck did they get hold of this photo? Or this story?
“Ms. Ashcroft, am I to believe you were not aware of this…” Carlisle, one of the shareholders, gestures at the tabloid like it’s last week’s trash.If only it were.“…thingbefore you came here this morning?”
“No,” I start. “No, I had absolutely no idea, and, for the record —”
“I wouldn’t say anything just yet if I were you,” Carlisle says with a dark look. “Ms. Ashcroft, as you know,Chicis a brand that depends on a certain level of… shall we call it, ‘class’. It is an image carefully curated from long before your arrival at the steps of this temple.”
Did this greaseball just callChica ‘temple’? Sure, I care about my work, but this isn’t the Louvre. I keep my mouth shut and try to plead the fifth. This smells like trouble. But, surely, it’s not as bad as… Oh, God, they’re not going to…
I’ve got to do something, or I’m going to lose my job.
“With all due respect, Mr. Carlisle, board members, I am a victim in this. I gave no permission for these photos to be taken, and certainly not for them to be published.”
Another board member tries to say something. “Be that as it may —”
Oh no, you’re not going to fire me until I’ve had my say. I carefully cut him off and barrel through.
“While I’m aware this sort of thing is not on brand,” the whole room shuffles their feet and makes preposterous faces, but I continue, “nor is it the best thing.”
There, you assholes, I’ve accepted the responsibility. Not overtly, mind you, but enough to hang my head a little. “The best course of action now is to keep close. Keep close and drive right through it.”
They still don’t look convinced. “We’ve seen different forms of this kind of thing before and we’ve always powered through. This time is no different, and I will do everything in my power to protect the image ofChic.”
The room shifts uncomfortably again and looks to Mr. Green, the chairman, for guidance. He clasps his hands behind his back and walks forward like a disappointed father. I don’t mind the guy all that much, but then again, I’ve never been in this position.This is hell.
“Ms. Ashcroft, you are one of the top editors this magazine has ever seen.”
Wow. I wasn’t expecting that. Go on, Mr. Green.
“That being said, we expect a great deal more from you. Your lifestyle is a personal choice, but, as a recognizable member of this company, we cannot have this sort of scandal at our doorstep.”
I nod and swallow hard. This speech could go either way.
“However, you’ve convinced me it is best to stay low and let this blow over.”
Whew! Not fired.
“Do not make me regret this decision.”
