Carpe Bead'em Read Free

change from my tennis shoes to my sandals, and
through the entrance I go. I don’t show fear. I never show fear. Gucci people
can smell it like a knockoff handbag.
    “Good morning, lovely co-workers.” I
toast the staff with my coffee cup held high. “Are we ready to get this meeting
started before we charm our clients with our style and grace?”  
    I can smell the fear. The cheap pleather
handbag odor is in the air. Everyone’s face is easy to read. They part to let
me through to the counter, where the regional manager stands.
    “Good morning, love.” Piper Kelty
welcomes me the French way. We quickly exchange kisses on each cheek. I had no
idea she was going to be here this early or I would’ve gotten here earlier.
    She always seems to beat me to the
punch. Last year, when Bo invited me to his bar, I invited some co-workers,
including Piper, and she was all over him like a Polyester shirt. Where was her
integrity? After that, she’s been a bar groupie.
    “You look divine. Do we sell that here?”
Piper looks at me with pointed questions in her eyes.
    They want you to wear the clothes you
sell in your store so the customers can see how cute you look.  But it’s a
flagship store. We don’t carry all the products.
    “I got it when I went to training in New
York.” I lie, knowing that if I tie the dress to training, she’ll be more willing
to accept it.
    “You are the best manager we have!” Piper
is glowing. She puts her hands together, and there is excitement in her voice. “That
is why I am here.”
    Everyone holds their breath.
    “We are promoting you to regional
manager,” she says. “Your first job is in Cincinnati.”
    My co-workers clap, probably in relief
that they aren’t on the hot seat. I can’t believe what I’m hearing. I have
worked so hard to get where I am, not go back to where I came from.
    “Isn’t it great?” Piper hands me a flute
filled with champagne. “To, Hallie.”
    I stand in the middle of my employees as
they hold their glasses in the air. In celebration. To me, it was anything but.
    “Hallie, do you have anything to say?”
Piper coaxes.
    “I…I.” No freaking way is what I
have to say! I am sick to my stomach. My mouth is dry. Abruptly I close it.
    “I know! You’re stunned.” Piper is
practically jumping up and down, adding to my nausea. “Your family is going to
be so excited to have you back for three months.”
    “What are you talking about? Do I have
to accept?” I whisper to Piper.
    The room grows deathly silent. I never
realized how loud the clock ticks.
    A wicked smile causes Piper’s eyes to
squint. “Your office. Now!” She turns on her red high-heel pumps, tosses her
blonde hair, and stomps off.
    I follow.
    “Are you crazy?” She scolds me as soon
as the door is shut. “This is a dream job. You get to open a new store. What is
your problem?”
    I’ve never noticed all the freckles on
Piper’s face. Then again I’ve never been nose to nose with her either.
    “Do I have a choice? Why don’t you do
it?” I ask, stepping back to put a little distance between us.
    “I’ve had my turn. I’m going to take
over here while you are away. It’s only three months.” She sits at my desk like
she owns the place. “I need a break and you’re my protégé. Why not you?”
    Think fast, think fast.
    “I’m honored. Really Piper I am, but I
can’t afford to pay rent in two separate cities. Besides, I can’t do that to
Lucy.” I have no good reason to give her. No damn good reason at all.
    “Don’t worry,” she says.  “It’s on the
company. We have a little apartment, just north of the city, in the Hyde Park
district. The Gucci boutique is located in the Saks Fifth Avenue store
downtown. If you like the job, you get to work on the new flagship store going
up all over the mid-west next year.” Piper acts like a girl in a candy shop.
She is a little too excited for me, which sends up red flags.
    Why does she want me gone?
    “I will have