Chapter 3

At the company, she started ordering me around.

“Chloe, please print this contract. It needs to be double-sided and in color.”

“Chloe, please book the meeting room for tomorrow. I need the largest one, set up with flowers and fruit.”

“Chloe, go buy me a coffee, the hand-ground one from the corner café.”

I accepted all her requests without complaint.

Brittany leaned back in her chair, her eyes full of triumph.

The day before the signing, the sales department was in chaos.

Mr. Wang threw a document in front of me.

“Chloe Miller, this is the script for tomorrow’s signing ceremony.”

“You need to write it today, down to the minute.”

“Who stands where, who says what. Don’t leave until it’s done.”

I flipped through the document.

“Mr. Wang, shouldn’t Manager Brittany be preparing this?”

“After all, she’s the one in charge.”

Mr. Wang shot me a sidelong glance.

“Brittany needs to memorize the contract clauses; she doesn’t have time for this.”

“I’m telling you to write it. This is your chance to participate in a major project.”

Brittany sat nearby, painting her nails.

“That’s right, Chloe. Just help me out a bit.”

“If I make a fool of myself tomorrow, it’ll be the company’s embarrassment.”

I took the document.

“Alright, I’ll get it ready now.”

At noon, Mr. Wang called me to the end of the hallway.

Amidst the lingering smoke, her gaze was inscrutable.

“Chloe Miller, for tomorrow’s signing ceremony… you won’t be coming in.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Mr. Wang, I wrote the script, and I maintained the client relationship.”

“Now you’re not even letting me into the venue?”

Mr. Wang flicked off ash from his cigarette.

“Chloe, you need to understand the situation.”

“Brittany has more charisma than you, and she presents herself better.”

“If you’re standing there, you’ll only draw attention away from Brittany.”

“What if your attire offends Ms. Carter?”

“Your job is to be at the door and handle logistics.”

“After the signing, I’ll let you attend the celebration dinner.”

I looked at her, and suddenly smiled.

“Mr. Wang, are you sure you don’t need me to control the situation on-site?”

“Given Ms. Carter’s temper, if there’s any unexpected change…”

“Shut up!”

Mr. Wang cut me off.

“What unexpected change could there be? Just don’t be an eyesore.”

“Have a broader perspective, understand?”

I nodded.

“Alright, broader perspective it is. I’ll wait by the door.”

Back at my desk, Brittany was trying on clothes.

It was a white lace gown with a train.

“Chloe, doesn’t it look good? This is my power suit!”

She twirled around.

I glanced at it.

“Gorgeous. You look just like a bridesmaid.”

Brittany’s face darkened.

“What do you know, you bumpkin!”

Colleagues from other departments passed by, whispering to each other.

Mr. Wang heard the commotion and cursed a few times in the WhatsApp group.

I ignored the distractions and sent a message to my mom.

“Mom, remember to wear that black suit tomorrow. The more serious, the better.”

Just before closing, I went to get water.

A cup of coffee was splashed in my face.

I dodged, but my sleeve still got stained with brown.

“Oops!”

Brittany held the empty cup, a smirk on her face.

“My hand slipped, it slipped. So sorry, Chloe.”

“But you don’t have to see clients tomorrow anyway.”

“It’s fine if your clothes get dirty; you should probably get some new outfits anyway.”

I pulled out tissues to wipe the stain.

Brittany took a step back.

“What are you looking at? I already apologized.”

I tossed the tissues into the trash.

“It’s alright.”

I smiled.

“Out with the old, in with the new.”

“I hope your power suit holds up tomorrow.”