“Do you know who I am?” My mother opens her mouth finally, speaking in that perfect Irene Hawthorne voice and smiling smugly.
“Do I look like someone who gives a shit about that?”
Despite the empty feeling growing in the pit of my stomach—uncertain how my mother’s presence is going to affect my new career—I can’t hide my smile at Vanessa’s response. I’ve never heard anyone speak to my mother like this.
Mom pushes her shoulders back and states in her haughty style, “I’m Irene Hawthorne.”
Ann curses beside me.
“I don’t give a damn which thorn you are, as long as you are not in my ass.”
Holy shit! I love you, Vanessa.
“Leave my office immediately, before I call the police.”
“Police?” My mother laughs. Fixing the pearl purse string on her arm, she asks, “And what will the charges be?”
“Trespassing on my property. Harassing my employee. I can think of a few others.” Vanessa crosses her arms over her chest.
“Harassing? She’s my daughter and I’m here to make sure no one takes further advantage of her. You were too fast in offering her a permanent position. Making her a design lead, despite her measly experience. You know she’s good, maybe even better than the great Vanessa Hilbert.”
“Mom!” I know what she’s doing. She wants Vanessa to throw me out.
My mother is about to say something, but Vanessa beats her to it. “Ann, call security.”
Mom’s face turns ashen in anger and embarrassment. “You’ll repent soon. When people are done taking advantage of you, you’ll come home crawling and crying before me.”
“I’ve never cried in front of you, not even as a kid,” I retort through my scratchy throat.
Three security men in blue uniforms step out of the elevator and wait for Vanessa’s instructions.
“One day you’ll realize how naive you are, Clementine.” Mom stares at me for a long minute before walking away, followed by her guards. She looks over her shoulder. “I’m trying to save you from a horrible, penniless future you are crafting for yourself, but I can only do so much.”
My hands tremble but I don’t let the emotions out. Why does she do this? Ruin every happy day of my life.
“Follow me, Cherrywood girl.” Vanessa leads me to her office and a new fear engulfs me.
Has my mom been successful?
For the second time today, I follow Vanessa into her studio. The bed is now perfectly made with a soft-looking purple comforter on top. She nods toward the couch facing the floor-to-ceiling windows.
I find it weird. This is not a sky-high building. One can easily glance into her personal space.
With two wineglasses and a bottle of red, she joins me. “That’s a special kind of glass. No one can see inside, and I still get the view.”
I look again at the unhindered view of the city square.
“Why didn’t you tell anyone that you were from the Hawthorne family?” Vanessa hands me a glass of wine. Her calm words and gesture take me by surprise.
“I wanted to do this on my own.” My heart flutters like a bird in anticipation. Will she throw me out or give me a second chance?
“Your mother is right. You need to know your worth. If you don’t, people will just take advantage of you, and before you know it, you’ll be in a mess of pleasing everyone except yourself,” Vanessa says before taking a sip.
“I’m sorry about my mom.” I follow her lead and gulp the fruity red wine. Even this finest wine sits heavy on my chest, unable to loosen the knots in my stomach.
“Don’t bother. I know a thing or two about bullying parents. I also know a good thing when I see it. And you’re good.”
A warmth radiates through my chest hearing her confidence in me. She’s saying everything I was hoping and dreaming for while working on the Merida dress.