Seduced By The Boss. Natalie Anderson

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       Chapter Ten

      SOPHY slowly buttoned the royal blue nineteen-forties vintage frock she’d found in an exclusive retro store earlier in the week. She pushed out the fantasy she’d had about twirling in it in front of Lorenzo. She spent ages on her face, going with forties style make-up to match—full foundation, lush red lips. She breathed slowly to try to check her nerves.

      She’d spent half the afternoon in the theatre foyer setting up the display, had received gratifying comments from the staff there about her designs. But they weren’t the people who mattered. She was going to those people now. It was only a ten minute walk to her parents’ home in the heart of Auckland; they were going to the theatre together from there.

      ‘I’m looking forward to the movie. It’s had great reviews,’ her mother chatted, oblivious to Sophy’s stress.

      Of course, they didn’t even realise the exhibition was on in the foyer. Sophy clutched her purse, trying to hide the way her fingers were shaking as her father drove them. Her heart raced. This wasn’t good. She’d even done a Lorenzo and gone for a run earlier—too bad if her cheeks were still flushed from it, she’d needed to burn off some of the adrenalin. But she might as well have not bothered. Her body felt wired, on fire, yet she was cold to the bone. She wanted the movie to start—not have a whole hour of the pre-drinks to get through with her stupid baubles on show. But her parents were only too willing to relax, quietly chatting in the foyer to friends and generally acting like the reserved pillars of society that they were. How had she ever thought this was a good idea?

      Her brother and sister were already there. And it was her sister and sister-in-law who pointed out the gleaming display cabinets of vintage inspired jewellery to her and her mother.

      ‘What do you think of them?’ That was her sister-in-law, Mina.

      ‘I love this one—look at it, Soph, it’s just gorgeous,’ Victoria said.

      ‘Are you okay, Sophy? You’ve gone all pale.’ Her brother, Ted, stared at her. ‘Now you’re gone all red.’

      ‘I’m fine,’ she squeaked.

      Her mother turned to look at her. ‘Are you sure?’

      ‘Mmm hmm.’ She nodded, not bothering to try to talk more.

      ‘This one would really suit you.’ Mina, her sister-in-law, hadn’t been paying attention. ‘It would go beautifully with your eyes.’ She was looking at the blue necklace she’d made in Hanmer.

      Ted, her brother—the one with the IQ too high for anyone’s good—had picked up one of the business cards on the table.

      ‘“Designs by Sophy,”’ he read aloud. ‘Even has your mobile number listed.’ He gave her a sharp look. ‘Got something to share, baby sis?’

      ‘You made these?’ Her mother whirled, her face beaming.

      They all turned and looked at her.

      ‘Umm.’ Sophy was a dehydrated flower withering under the heat of her immediate family’s collective stare. ‘Yes.’

      ‘But this is amazing! Edward!’ Her mother raised her voice. ‘Edward have you seen these?’

      He had—her father put his arm around her, smiling in that quietly pleased way he had. ‘Well done, Sophy.’

      ‘You’re so talented.’

      ‘When did you learn to do this?’

      ‘I could never do anything so intricate.’

      Victoria and Mina got in on the act. Oh, the squeals were embarrassing.

      ‘She got it from my side of the family,’ her father said with his usual assured authority. ‘Which is your favourite, darling?’ He turned to her mother. ‘I’m going to buy it.’

      ‘You don’t have to do that, Dad,’ Sophy mumbled, beyond embarrassed by their effusiveness now.

      ‘Oh I do. I am.’ He was halfway through the crowds—off to find the manager who was in charge of the sales.

      Sophy looked at them. It was weird how her heart could sink and lift at the same time. Wasn’t this what she’d wanted? To have their approval? To ‘wow’ them like this? So why was she feeling so deflated? ‘Guys, you СКАЧАТЬ