Love's New Bloom by Simone Hastings

Chapter 9 A Shellshocked Best Friend

When Erin went to work on Monday, she heard about their studio being acquired by Frost Corporation and that they had to report to headquarters by today. Four of them were in this company besides the boss, and they’d all been surrendered to Frost Corporation. Erin was the only one who was stunned by this, and in a bad way. The three other designers were so excited they could barely contain themselves.

“God, joining this company was the only right choice I’ve made in my life! Now that Frost Corporation has acquired our company, I feel like it’s my time to shine. I’m going to marry someone tall, dark, handsome, and rich after working there!”

One of the designers, Milly Thornton, looked dreamy as she packed her things. Erin packed up silently. She didn’t think this was such a good thing. To her, it was better to be the cream of an average crop than to be the worst crop in an outstanding harvest. She hoped she wouldn’t end up being assigned to handle all sorts of errands once they joined Frost Corporation. At noon, the four of them had already finished their lunch when their boss, Ben Tate, arrived, looking like he’d won the lottery.

“Babes, Frost Corporation’s acquisition of our company is a one-in-a-million opportunity! We were fortunate enough to work together, but all good things must come to an end. I’m migrating to Endalie next month, so I’ll treat you guys to some fun at the Royal Chamber tonight at 8 pm. Be there or be square!”

Everyone agreed readily since he was so enthusiastic about it. Then, he dropped them off at Frost Corporation’s headquarters.

As they looked at the building, which rose high into the sky, Dana Sawyer, one of the designers with whom Erin got along well, bellowed, “This will be our battlefield from now on!”

As they started to make their way into the building, Ben pulled Erin aside and said, “Erin, you signed a five-year contract with me, and you have three years to go. Whatever happens, remember not to resign, or you’ll be paying the fee for breach of contract through your nose.”

Erin was a little confused as she watched him leave. Why had he specifically spoken to her about this? She shook her head to disperse her thoughts as Dana called out to her.

“Erin, hurry up! We’re waiting for you!”

new superiors before then. Their first stop was at the HR department, where everything proceeded smoothly. They were assigned to Frost Corporation’s design department. Back when it was just the four of them, they’d all been the main designers and had their own portfolios. Now, they had to act as assistants for the designers. There were a total of ten designers in the department, three of which

designers, while Erin was the only one assigned to the logistics team. The logistics team was in charge of making coffee, ordering meals, signing for parcels…And when the need arose, she’d have to help amend drafts and conduct

if Frost Corporation was the largest corporation in Azores? She’d been relegated to the sidelines! Not only had she not gotten a pay rise, but she’d had to take a pay cut of 800

Let’s go celebrate getting rid of our husbands and your new job. It’s

familiar voice was heartwarming, especially when one was

be right there!” Erin grabbed her bag and

forget about

“Alright, got it!”

after leaving the building. One of her fellow designers

Holly asked, “Alright, spit it out—who were you in such a rush to meet that you had to abandon me? You refused to let anything slip when I asked you last night! Do you think of

this, so she said, “Promise not to mock me when I

Erin in surprise and said, “My, look

took a deep breath before telling her the

Ian’s affair, I was down in the dumps…so I

me—you went and got yourself a

you promised not

her cigarette in the car’s ashtray and

sorry! I swear I

pay Erin to continue telling such a juicy story. Erin turned to look out the window

got as a bonus when Ian’s company

screeched as Holly

million dollars on a male escort! Do you realize you’ve ruined the market for

couldn’t help laughing