Free Annihilate Me (Vol. 1) (The Annihilate Me Series) by Christina Ross Page A

sophisticated
woman I always wanted to be, though rarely felt like.   Especially after being beaten down by my
father for years, and being rejected dozens of times over the past four
months.  
    But
the woman I saw now?   She gave me
confidence.   I turned in front of
the mirror, and admired the dress again.   Then I looked at Blackwell, who was alone
with me, as Bernie had already left.
    “What
do you think?” I asked.
    “I
think you’re going to break someone’s heart.”
    I
furrowed my brow at her.   “Whose?”
    “Maybe
your own.”
    “I
don’t understand.”
    “Just
remember that this is a job.   That’s
the best advice I can give you.   You’re playacting.   Nothing
more.   Don’t read into anything,
because he won’t be.   You’re a means
to an end for him.”
    “You’re
talking about Alex?”
    “Who
else?”
    “But
we already spoke about the job.   I understand
the situation.   It’s purely
professional.”
    “You’re
still young,” she said.   “And as
bright as you are, probably a bit naïve, which is natural.   If you get swept up in the moment, if he
touches you and you feel yourself responding, remind yourself that this is a
job.   Do that, and you’ll be fine
because I can promise you this, Jennifer.   When he’s with you, Alex only will be going through the motions with
you.   He’s a good man, but he’s
focused on his work right now.   Work
is all he has.   Work is all he can
handle.   You’re nothing more than an
object to him.   That sounds harsh,
but it’s true.   On the surface,
you’ll make a handsome couple, people will believe it, and you’ll earn your
salary because of it.   What will
ruin this for you is if you become emotionally attached.   He’ll sense it in an instant, and he’ll
fire you for it.”
    “Why
is work all he can handle now?”
    “You
just need to trust me on that.”
    “You
make it sound as if something happened to him.”
    “You’re
reading way too much into this.”
    But
I sensed I wasn’t.   There was
something about him that she wasn’t telling me.   As cool as Blackwell was, even she
couldn’t hide this secret.
    But what does it even matter?   I thought.   I need this job.   She’s giving me advice for a
reason.   Fine.   As attractive as he is, I’m an object to
him.   That’s worth over a quarter
million a year, never mind the perks.   I’ll meet people through him.   I’ll make important contacts.   This is just the beginning for me.
    “I
should go,” I said to her.   “It’s
almost eight.”
    She
went over to a table and retrieved an elegant beaded black clutch.  
    “We
forgot to get one of these today,” she said, handing it to me.   “It’s mine.   You can borrow it.   Judith Leiber.   Inside, Bernie left lipstick and I added
mints.   That’s all you should need.”
    “I
suppose a flask won’t fit in here.”
    “Very
funny.”
    “Or
some Xanax.”
    “I
did consider that....”
    “But
what about perfume?”
    “Bernie
gave you a touch.   Perfume should
only ever be an intimate experience.   Think of it as a secret shared between you and your partner.   Only he should smell it.   No one else.”
    “But
that will be Alex,” I said.
    “So,
it will, but don’t worry.   He won’t
notice.   I can promise you that.”

 
 
 
 
    CHAPTER FIFTEEN

 
    I
said goodbye to Blackwell, and she reminded me to be prepared to go shopping in
the morning because I had another event tomorrow night.   And with that, I stepped into the
elevator.  
    It
was a minute before eight, so, despite how hectic the day had been and that I
was starving because I’d had nothing to eat, I had made it.   Still, Blackwell got me through it.   Whatever my initial impression of her
was, I had to hand it to her.   Without her, I wouldn’t be standing here now, and I certainly wouldn’t
be looking like this.   This was by
far the best I’d ever looked, and it all came down to her eye and