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“Have you not heard from Finn?”
I shake my head with confusion. “No, why? I’m the last person he’d want to speak to.”
Tamara rests her hands on her knees and leans forward. “You should have stuck around the office. Oh my goodness, the drama that unfolded.”
I sit forward. “What do you mean?”
“After you left, something went on in the boardroom. Finn, Hayden, Lucas, Juliette, and Bianca all stayed inside. Then Bianca comes marching out. She packs up her desk, doesn’t say a word to anyone, and security escorts her from the office. The word whispering around the office is Bianca is responsible.”
I gasp with shock. “She accused me andshe’sthe one who did it? Why? How?”
“I haven’t spoken with Finn to get the details yet. You can imagine the chaos that’s happening in the office. Anyway, he looked mad as hell. No one dared approach him. The last I saw of him, he was with Hayden and Lucas, talking with the PR team. They were preparing a statement for the media.”
“This is so bad.” I sigh. “What will happen to Alessi’s reputation?”
“Hopefully, this will blow over soon. Although, I can see it being talked about at every Met Gala for a while. Alessi’s reputation is too good to be destroyed over this. Their statement will clear things up. Alessi Fashion outshines Matteo Blanchett’s designs. No one will believe Alessi’s is the thief. Matteo’s clothing range is getting bad reviews lately. Most celebrities who wear his designs are landing on the worst-dressed list.”
I sink back into the cushion of the sofa. “I hope you’re right.”
Finn may have discovered Bianca was involved, but he assumed it was me first. Will he ever trust me? Every time something happens, will I be the first person he points a finger at? Can I work this way, worried that everything I do or see at Alessi’s might make me end up in some scandal?
“I’m going to quit my job,” I announce.
Alyssa exclaims, “What!” at the same time Tamara says, “You can’t!”
I pick the glass of wine up from the coffee table and take a long swig. God, can I really do it? I don’t think I have much choice. “Mixing business with pleasure is often a bad idea. If I’m not in the office, no one can accuse me of something like this again.”
Tamara shakes a finger at me. “I’m not letting you quit. I’m in charge of HR, and I say no.”
I chuckle at Tamara’s stern expression. “My job is only temporary. Soon I have to find a new one anyway.” Whether Finn wants me to go to London now with him or not.
“I can try to find something else for you in the company,” Tamara offers.
I smile. Tamara has been a savior to me. “Thank you. That’s sweet. But I think leaving is the right thing to do. Our relationship has caused this problem in the office to happen. It’s better if I’m not there. I don’t even know if Finn still wants me to be there.”
Alyssa nudges my shoulder. “You’re sounding like you and Finn have broken up. Bianca is gone. You’re in the clear. All is good again…well, when this shitshow blows over, everything will be sunshine and rainbows again.”
“Then where is he?” I fling out my arms. The wine in my hand sloshes over the glass, staining my blouse. Shit. I have to give this back to the clothing department when I leave. I can’t afford to replace it. I put my glass on the table before I do more damage to the silk fabric.
Tamara pulls her phone from her pocket and waves it at my face. “He’s working with the PR team doing interviews. He’s busy with his brothers trying to fix this.”
I deflate, cupping a palm to my forehead. “You’re right. God, I’m so insensitive. Here I am moaning about my problems when he’s got his company’s reputation at stake. I’m the last person he’d be thinking about.”
“Does that mean you’re going to stay at Alessi’s?” Tamara asks.
I shake my head. “I still think leaving is for the best.”
Tamara frowns, not looking pleased with my decision. “What will you do?”
I shrug. The heaviness of not knowing if I’ll be able to pay for rent or food weighs on my shoulders. The thought of having to go through job applications again makes my insides churn. “I’ll start applying for jobs again.” Hopefully, this time I’ll have more luck.
“You have experience now, that will help,” Tamara points out. “And I’ll be happy to be a reference.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
Alyssa taps my shoulder. “One of our bar staff at the club just quit. My manager is looking for her replacement. I can put in a good word for you.”
“I have no bar experience.”
