Chapter 31 - The New Executive Assistant (1/2)
”I'd rather die than be caught wearing that,” Claire gasps, as she eyes what Miss Cassandra is holding aloft: a blond wig.
”This is important,” Miss Cassandra says, ”unless you want this little cover blown sooner than what the boss means it to last.”
Claire winces. ”Don't we have another option? Something that doesn't scream for attention?”
”Well, if you really want to direct attention away from Claire Monteverde, we'll have to look exactly your opposite. With this wig, and the other parts of my planned ensemble, nobody would suspect Bella Xavier and you are one and the same person!”
”But what if—”
”No what ifs, Claire,” Miss Cassandra says. ”I'm the image expert here. Besides, this is just part of your acting project, remember? This blond wig is not you, so you don't have to feel anything strongly for or against it. It's just something you have to do.”
Claire reluctantly takes the wig and tries it on. She thinks she'd look ridiculous, but when she looks in the mirror, the reflection she sees there seems like a totally different person. ”Oh my god, I look such a bombshell here!”
”I know,” Miss Cassandra chirps, helping Claire with the wig until it seamlessly fits her head.
”I look stunning,” Claire says. She has to smile despite everything. Because indeed she doesn't look too bad—the blond wig falls past her brėȧsts, and parts on the side, like Angelina Jolie if she were blonde.
”I'd fall in love with that face,” Miss Cassandra says.
”I doubt it,” Claire says. She smiles. ”Are you sure I can't wear something not as attention-grabbing as this one?”
”I ȧssure you nobody would even pay attention to you. The offices of TXCI Holdings crawl with hotties, and you'd simply fit there, as is our goal. You shouldn't stand out. You should perfectly blend in.”
”Okay.”
”And to complete today's outfit, I've chosen the perfect combination for you.”
Claire's jaws drop when Miss Cassandra brings out her outfit for the day.
Later, Claire gingerly walks the hallways of the TXCI offices. She feels uneasy. Everyone's staring at her as they see her walk by. As if somebody has painted a target sign on her back. ”Not stand out, eh?”she grumbles. ”How can I not stand out with this?”
As she walks by a reflective glass wall, she catches her reflection—and indeed she's stunning. Her long blond hair, tied to a bun, is perfectly complemented by her deep V-neck white blouse tucked in high-waisted black capri pants. Her cleavage is screaming for attention. Her stiletto pumps are screaming for attention. How can she not stand out?
”Oh, Bella Xavier!” Mrs. Gomez greets her by the reception, giving her a knowing look. The receptionist is just among a handful of people in Gabriel Tan's inner circle who knows all about this game.
”Uhh, good morning, Mrs. Gomez.”
”You're a bit early for today, but that's only perfect. You'll have time to settle in.”
Claire smiles nervously and looks around. People are staring at her, wondering who she is. Her unlikely blond hair is reeling them in. Goddamit, Miss Cassandra, she mutters to herself. ”I could have just a slight brunette, or burgundy, or something like ċhėstnut brown. But you really had to turn me into a striking blonde. Now the entire floor has been alerted by my presence!”
Mrs. Gomez leads her to her cubicle, which is just outside Gabriel Tan's office on this particular floor.
”Is he in, yet?” Claire asks.
”He rarely comes here,” Mrs. Gomez says.
”How do you mean? For whom do I work for, then?”
Mrs. Gomez shrugs. ”I don't question Mr. Tan's ways, Clai—I mean, Bella. If he says you're working for him as his executive ȧssistant, then you'd have to sit outside that office whether or not it's empty.”
Claire sighs. She doesn't know where to start. All she thought was if you're working as an ȧssistant, then you ”assist.” If Gabriel isn't around, her role is pointless. ”Can I ask you something, Mrs. Gomez?”
”Sure.”