Chapter 53

Chapter 53

Harriet waltzed in with Kristin, hooking her up with a chill gig at the reception desk.

Kristin’s got the looks with a killer figure, a real head–turner behind the desk.

“Front desk’s all about image, but it’s a trouble magnet too. If some drunk ruffles your feathers, don’t poke the bear, just buzz me, got it?” Harriet’s the sales honcho for the joint, so she’s got Kristin’s back.

Kristin nodded, “Got it, I’m on it.”

As Harriet checked her phone, she rallied a few lookers to charm the guests.

“Hey, Mr. Zack, been a minute, huh? What’s your poison tonight? On the house!”

The chubby guy chuckled, wrapping an arm around Harriet’s waist. “You? Treat me? Brought some pals, find me some sharp gals for a bit of fun.”

Harriet shot him a knowing smile and followed him into the elevator.

Kristin stood at the desk, going over the VIP mugshots. These high–rollers were untouchable.

“Where are you from? A looker like you at the front desk, that’s a tough break,” Yara, another receptionist, said with a grin.

Kristin chuckled and replied, “I’m from out of town.“.

“Same! I hail from Saint Diego.” Yara wasn’t a knockout, but her smile was infectious.

“Front desk pays peanuts, no commission. But you, dolling up and sipping drinks without the extra, could rake in a couple grand a month,” Yara said, noticing Kristin’s silence.

Kristin shook her head. “I’m allergic to alcohol.”

Yara got it. “Shame, but no biggie. We make less, but it’s honest work.”

Kristin gave her a once–over, whispering, “How long have you been here?”

“Since graduation, pushing four years,” Yara whispered back, slipping Kristin a stick of gum.

Kristin murmured thanks and probed softly, “Ever seen Aurora Tech’s James Bryce around?”

Yara popped her eyes. “Yeah! We’re Aurora Tech’s playground, didn’t Lisa tell you? Mr. Bryce. brings his posse here and he’s our VIP.”

Kristin breathed easier, shaking her head. HR went easy on her because of Harriet.

“Manager just paged us that some big shot’s coming tonight. We gotta suit up. I’ll get our uniforms.”

Kristin nodded.

With this gig, she’s found some stability. The company’s got dorms. Harriet, being the sales queen, had her space, and Kristin got to room with her by association.

Figuring she’d pocket five hundred from her first paycheck and send the rest to Garner, she couldn’t help but miss Summer, her little boy. She dared not call, fearing his cries would break her resolve to stay away.

“Kris, go get changed. You’re tall and slim. I’ve got your size. Check if the dress is too short. Here are your shoes.”

Yara handed Kristin the crystal heels and the dress. Even receptionists had to look the part in a swanky club.

“Don’t forget to glam up. Makeup room’s over there and my kit’s all yours,” Yara said, transformed by her makeup.

Kristin, taken aback, remembered that she had nearly forgotten how to do makeup.

She had gone without makeup for five years in prison, and even before that, she rarely beautified herself. Any stage makeup she’d had was always professionally done.

Dressed up and awkward, Kristin eyed her reflection. The dress hugged her form, showcasing her ballet–trained, swan–like neck, and delicate features. Her hair was tied back, her lips pale, but otherwise, striking, especially those legs.

She wasn’t the tallest, but her proportions were spot–on. High heels accentuated her shapely and fair legs, though the bruises still healing were a harsh contrast.

Taking a deep breath, she tried to pull down the dress, but it was hopeless. The high slits. meant her legs were on full display.

“Kris, you done?” Yara burst in and stopped short at the sight of Kristin. “You a dancer or what?”

Kristin stayed quiet, embarrassed.

“Those marks…” Yara noticed the bruises, whispering.

Kristin bit her lip, silent.

Yara dug out a pair of new flesh–toned stockings. “Put these on.”

“Thanks…” Kristin murmured, promising to replace them tomorrow.

“Don’t be a stranger. You’ve got the foundation. Slap on some lipstick and come on out, Lisa said the big fish is arriving, and we need to greet them.”

Kristin nodded, hastily put on the stockings, slipped into the unfamiliar heels, and applied Harriet’s lipstick.

With color on her lips, she looked much better, cautiously stepping out.

“Just lipstick, no makeup?” Lisa, from the etiquette department, was stunned by Kristin’s

LULA

Chapter 53

beauty. “Such a waste to have you just greeting at the door.”

Kristin blushed and headed to her post.

“Get ready, the dinner for Silvergrove Chamber of Commerce is about to start. Big shots everywhere, stay sharp!”

The mention of the chamber dinner sent Kristin’s nerves into overdrive, her breathing grew

erratic.

Staggering a bit as she approached the door, Kristin was turning ghostly pale.

Six years back, she had attended a dinner party hosted by the Chamber of Commerce right in Silvergrove City.

That banquet was a total nightmare for Kristin. The scandal about her being a fake heiress blew up, and everyone there was mocking and dissing her, treating her like a clown up for their entertainment.

And that’s exactly the show Clarence wanted to see.

“Kristin, the guests are here, what’s up with you?” Yara called out softly, noticing Kristin was off her game.

The reception staff were leading the way, with a distracted Kristin trailing behind.

“Mr. Bryce, right this way, please.” Lisa stepped forward to welcome the arriving party.

“How’s the club’s renovation been going?” James‘ assistant threw out the question. “We’ve got a business dinner happening here and we don’t want any hiccups for Mr. Bryce.”

“Don’t you worry, we’ve been on a hiring and training spree lately, nothing’s gonna go wrong.”

James walked into the club with a poker face, not even glancing at the hostesses lined up on

both sides.

The Bryce family’s clout in Crescendo Town was no less than the FitzGerald family’s in Silvergrove City.

The

e moment Kristin caught sight of James, she was a deer in headlights, quickly ducking her head.

Now that she was facing James, she was all thumbs. She had no clue how to even start a

conversation with him.

If Kristin just blurted it out now, she’d probably kiss her job goodbye.

James took a step forward, then suddenly stopped, stepping back to stand right in front of Kristin.

Startled, Kristin tried to shrink away, but James stopped her with a hand. “Lift your head up.”