The season girls: Winter

Chapter one

"Welcome Miss Season."

My head shot up to see the secretary standing directly in front of me. The neatly primed blonde looked like she belonged on a catwalk rather than sitting behind a desk all day. Her perfectly manicured nails tapped her white clip board silently as her full lip smile was sent my way along with her warm hazelnut stare. Her beauty was quite unnerving.

"Uh, thanks." I mumbled, quickly taking my gaze back down to my lap where my hands fidget with the hem of the loose black three quarter skirt I decided to wear today. It was the only thing I had other than ripped, paint stained jeans. Nothing like this woman's tightly fitted pearl dress. I forced my hands to keep still and I tried to return her smile without looking like I was having an aneurism.

Come on Maggie you can do it. Act normal.

"Mr. Soles will see you now. If you follow me I will escort you to his office."

All I could manage was a weak nod before I stumbled to my feet, pushing the strap of my denim hand bag over my shoulder. Brushing my hair behind my ears I waited for the woman to lead the way. I had to peer up to see her face as she was quite tall. Then add on the fact she was wearing the biggest baby blue heels I have ever seen. I quickly glanced down at my black flat boots. I was going to wear my own heels today but decided the chances of falling over in front of Mr Soles was too high.

The blonde secretary took me down a cream marble hallway, which was busy with office people hurrying off to their destination. No one looked our way, keeping their heads high and their minds elsewhere. There was no small talk or two people who looked remotely friendly with one and other. Both the men and women were uniformed in a small range of grey shades. It was as if I was stepping into a scene of a movie. Everything looked so rehearsed, so precise and perfect.

I presumed we were going to take the lift up to Mr. Soles floor but I was lead around the corner to where my escort used a silver key to unlock a stainless steel door, revealing a more secluded room.

"Mr. Sole decided it would be more appropriate to use his personal lift, rather than travel in the ones for public use."

I raised my eyebrows at the expensively designed lounge. The purple velvet couches and personal mini bar was a tad bit over the top for a room specifically for a lift. Even my father would find this ridiculous. However the rich and vibrant bronze walls showed a bit more character compared to to what I had previously seen.

"I wouldn't have minded using the other one." I muttered as she pushed the bell to call for a car.

"Mr. Soles insisted. He wouldn't dream of one of Mr. Seasons daughters being slightly uncomfortable whilst in his building."
Right. Of course. No one wants to upset daddy.

When the doors opened, we both stepped into the car and the secretary pushed for floor twenty nine. The warm smile returning. I wonder if she really means it or if she's practiced so much in the mirror she's perfected the manipulation of her own emotions.

My hands were becoming damp with sweat, wiping them on my knitted pull over wasn't helping so I tried to hide them behind my back. I cleared my throat, begging for the twitch that started in my leg to go. It seems no matter how long I prepared for this day, I was still a nervous wreck.

"If you don't mind me asking..." I turned my head to my left only slightly to see miss perfect frowning in my direction.
"Yes?"
"You uh, don't look like a typical Seasons daughter."

Of course not. "Really?" I muttered gritting my teeth and looking back to the front.

"I'm in no way trying to cause offence. I've never actually met one up close before you, only pictures in the tabloids."