The Mistress

CHAPTER THREE- A NEW BEGINNING

Charlotte's POV

"Miss, your coffee!"

The barista's voice stopped me just as I reached the café door.

I turned around so quickly my tote bag slipped off my shoulder.

"Oh! I'm sorry."

She laughed as she handed me my coffee.

"Nervous?"

"Is it that obvious?"

"You've checked your phone three times in the last five minutes."

I glanced at the time.

8:17 a.m.

My interview wasn't until nine, yet my stomach was already in knots.

"First interview?" she asked.

I nodded.

"Big company?"

"Moreau Industries."

Her eyebrows shot up.

"They're known for being... selective."

Exactly what I needed to hear.

After thanking her, I stepped onto the busy Paris street.

People hurried past with coffee cups and briefcases, looking like they had their lives together.

I wished I felt the same.

My phone buzzed.

Marie: Breathe. You've got this.

I smiled and replied.

Me: I'm trying not to throw up.

Her response came instantly.

Please don't. It'll ruin the outfit we spent three hours choosing.

I laughed.

The night before had turned into a fashion show, with Marie rejecting nearly everything I owned before settling on a cream blouse, black trousers, and a fitted blazer.

"You'll look like the woman they can't afford not to hire," she'd declared.

I hoped she was right.

Ahead of me, the towering glass headquarters of Moreau Industries reflected the morning sun.

I tightened my grip on my coffee.

This interview could change everything.

As I mentally repeated every interview tip I'd memorized, I failed to notice someone walking toward me.

Thud.

My coffee flew from my hand, splashing across the sleeve of a perfectly tailored black suit.

Time stopped.

I slowly looked up.

Gray eyes.

Broad shoulders.

An expensive watch.

"Oh my God... I'm so sorry."

I fumbled for tissues.

"I wasn't looking where I was going."

He glanced at the stain before taking the tissues.

"It'll dry."

I blinked.

"...What?"

"The coffee."

His calm reaction surprised me.

"I'm still really sorry."

"So you've said."

Heat rushed to my cheeks.

"I'm Charlotte," I blurted.

Why had I introduced myself?

"I just thought... if you're going to remember the girl who ruined your suit..."

A faint smile appeared.

"I'll remember the coffee."

I groaned.

"Somehow that's worse."

His phone buzzed.

"I have to go."

As he glanced toward the building behind me, he said,

"You should hurry."

I checked my watch.

8:48 a.m.

"I have twelve minutes!"

"I'm sorry again."

He nodded once.

"Good luck."

His words caught me off guard.

"Thank you."

I hurried toward Moreau Industries.

Inside, the marble lobby and elegant décor made me feel even smaller.

At reception, I introduced myself and was asked to wait.

A few minutes later, an assistant escorted me upstairs.

"The CEO is expecting you."

I frowned.

The CEO?

Before I could process that, she opened the office door.

I froze.

The man standing beside the desk was the same man whose suit I'd ruined.

My interviewer.

My heart nearly stopped.

"Miss Garnier," he said calmly.

"Please, have a seat."

I sat, trying to ignore the embarrassment burning through me.

He opened my résumé.

"Tell me about yourself."

I explained my Business Administration degree, internship experience, and love of organized environments.

"And why Moreau Industries?"

I answered honestly.

"Because it's a company that values excellence. I want to grow somewhere that challenges me."

He studied me quietly.

"You graduated with honors."

"Yes."

"But you have no full-time experience."

"I never had the opportunity."

"What changed?"

For a moment I considered telling him everything about returning to my biological family.

Instead I simply said,

"My circumstances changed."

He didn't press.

Instead, he asked scenario after scenario.

If two executives needed me at once, how would I prioritize?

If my employer made a decision I disagreed with?

If someone refused to cooperate?

As the interview continued, my nervousness slowly faded.

"My solution is preventing avoidable mistakes," I explained.

A flicker of approval crossed his face.

He folded his hands.

"Many people tell employers what they think they want to hear."

I met his gaze.

"I applied to work here."

I smiled politely.

"I didn't apply to lie."

The corner of his mouth lifted ever so slightly.

When the interview ended, I asked one question.

"What qualities do you value most?"

"Competence."

"What else?"

"Loyalty."

"And honesty."

"I'll remember that."

"So will I."

As I reached the door, I paused.

"I really am sorry about your suit."

For the first time that day, amusement flashed across his face.

"I've already forgotten about it."

I wasn't entirely convinced.

The moment I stepped outside his office, I released a long breath.

"What was that?"

I couldn't tell if I'd impressed him...

Or ruined my chances.

On the elevator ride down, I replayed every answer in my head.

An elderly man beside me chuckled.

"First interview?"

"Was it obvious?"

"You've been talking to yourself since the fifth floor."

I laughed awkwardly.

"The interviews you think went badly often turn out just fine."

"I hope you're right."

Outside, my phone buzzed.

Marie: HOW DID IT GO???

Me: Honestly... I have no idea.

She immediately replied.

What does that mean?

Either I got the job... or completely embarrassed myself.

Her response made me laugh.

So... a normal Charlotte experience?

I rolled my eyes.

You're supposed to comfort me.

I am. Come home. I bought pastries.

For the first time, "home" no longer meant my parents' mansion.

It meant Marie.

The apartment smelled of fresh croissants.

Marie met me in the kitchen.

"So?"

"The interviewer..."

I hesitated.

"...was the man I spilled coffee on this morning."

She stared.

"You WHAT?"

"And then he turned out to be the CEO conducting my interview."

She burst into uncontrollable laughter.

"This only happens to you."

Despite myself, I laughed too.

"He wasn't angry."

"No?"

"He was just... impossible to read."

"Did you answer honestly?"

"I think so."

"Then stop worrying."

She sat across from me.

"If they wanted someone who memorized perfect answers, they could've hired a robot."

Her confidence made me feel a little better.

Just then her phone rang.

She glanced at the screen.

"My audition!"

She hurried into her bedroom.

I waited anxiously.

The audition meant everything to her.

Seconds later the bedroom door flew open.

"CHARLOTTE!"

I jumped to my feet.

"What happened?"

Tears streamed down her face.

"I got it!"

"You got the part?"

She nodded excitedly.

"It's only a supporting role..."

"It's your first real role," I said, pulling her into a hug.

"I'm so proud of you."

She smiled.

"Your brother introduced me."

"He introduced you."

"You earned it."

She nodded.

"You're right."

Half an hour later, we were sitting cross-legged on the living room floor eating pizza.

The apartment was still mostly empty.

Boxes lined the walls.

There were no curtains.

No television.

Just laughter.

Marie raised her soda.

"To new beginnings."

I clinked my can against hers.

"To chasing impossible dreams."

"And catching them."

I hoped she was right.

The next two days crawled by.

Every morning I checked my email.

Nothing.

Every afternoon.

Nothing.

Every evening.

Still nothing.

Marie caught me refreshing my inbox again.

"I think I blew it," I admitted.

"He barely reacted to anything I said."

"Maybe that's just his personality."

"Or maybe he decided hiring the woman who spilled coffee on him would be a terrible idea."

She laughed.

"If that were true, he would've ended the interview after five minutes."

I sighed.

She nudged my shoulder.

"Stop rejecting yourself before they do."

I smiled weakly.

Just then...

Ping.

A new email appeared.

Moreau Industries Recruitment.

My heart pounded.

Marie leaned closer.

"Open it."

I clicked.

My eyes raced over the words.

Dear Miss Garnier,

We are pleased to inform you that you have successfully passed your interview. Please report to Moreau Industries on Monday at 8:00 a.m. to receive further details regarding your appointment.

I read it twice before looking at Marie.

"I got the job."

She screamed and threw her arms around me.

"I told you!"

Laughing through happy tears, I hugged her back.

"I actually got the job."

I had no idea what Monday would bring.

I only knew one thing.

My life was about to change.