Annihilate Me 2: Vol. 1 by Christina Ross Read Free Book Online Page B

either.   Would you consider it?”
    “Seriously?”
    “Oh, settle down.   The board will like you.   A few will lust after you.   And if you can reach even a few of them,
that’ll be just more people on Alex’s side, which is what he needs, and what
you want.   I think your plan is
genius.”  
    She waved a hand in the air.   “Look, let’s leave all of this behind us
for the time being.   I understand
what you want, and I support it.   Right
now, our focus needs to be on finding you the right dress, the right jewels,
and the right undergarments to assist you in making your titillating little
plan a success.   And by the way,
while we’re at it?   Let’s try to
have some fun.   OK?   Remember fun?   I hope so, Jennifer, because even in the
most trying of times, we must make an effort to make our own fun.   Don’t ever underestimate that.   The world can turn against you in a day,
and it’s up to you whether you let it defeat you or whether you stand up to
it.   So, which is it?”
    “You already know how I feel about
that.”
    “Good.”   She ran her fingers through her
bob.   “I’m going to offer you a
piece of advice that I want you to carry with you straight through to the end
of the night.   Reclaim that spark
that people have come to love about you.   Regardless of what you’re feeling inside, you must retain a lightness of
heart—especially tonight.   You
need to be the Jennifer that people have come to love and adore.”
    “And how do you propose I get back
to that place?”
    Our car started to slow as Cutter
pulled the vehicle to the right, where he stopped just outside Barneys, which was
only a few blocks away from our apartment.
    Blackwell reached inside her
handbag and removed her phone.   I
watched her type out a text and send it.   “My dear,” she said.   “You
obviously do it by shopping with me.”   She lowered her voice.   “You
know how I can be when we shop together—a horror show of
dissatisfaction.   So, you know,
let’s go inside and cause some trouble—and see how that lifts your mood.”

 
 
 
    CHAPTER SIX

 
    Before leaving the limousine,
Blackwell turned into the Blackwell whom I knew and loved, but whom many
feared.   She pulled a compact from
her handbag, checked her face, and snapped it shut without changing a
thing.  
    “Bernie,” she said.   “How well he instructs.   Shall we?”
    Cutter stepped out of the car and
came around and opened Blackwell’s door.   She pinched his cheek as she stepped out onto the sidewalk, and I
followed behind her as she practically glided toward Barneys entrance, the
glass doors of which opened to us as we approached.  
    Inside, a woman somewhere in her
mid-forties was ready to greet us.   With her blonde hair wrapped behind her head in a crisp ponytail, and
her impeccable white suit accentuating a slim figure, I thought that she was beautiful.
    “Chloe,” Blackwell said as the two
women kissed each other on both cheeks.   “It’s been so long—in fact, I think it was yesterday.   Thank you for accommodating us.”
    “It’s our pleasure, Barbara.”
    “I can always count on you.   To have this place to our own is
critical, particularly given the situation at hand.   You can’t imagine the importance.   Or the pressure.   It’s all too much, but I know that being
here will be the balm that we need.   So, thank you again.”
    Chloe didn’t respond.   Instead, she turned to me.
    “You must be Mrs. Wenn?” she said.
    “Please call me Jennifer.”
    The woman extended her hand, and I
shook it.   “It’s so nice to finally
meet you, Jennifer.   And I’m pleased
that we can assist you today.   Barbara and I spoke earlier this morning, and we had a meeting of the
minds.   If you’ll follow me, I’ll
take you to a private dressing area to show you the dress we both think will be
perfect for you to wear tonight.   It’s
something that will set you apart from the rest, if