PROFESSOR REED

“Ms. Greene! Ms. Greene!” The paparazzi hollered my name as I walked into my office building, my Jimmy Choo heels clicking on the ground with each step.

Being the daughter of two successful designers has its perks, but you better believe that I worked my ass off to become who I am today: Stephanie Greene, CEO of Claudette Reed, one of the hottest brands that New York has ever seen.

My dad, Matthew Greene, CEO of Greene Designs, spoiled me as I grew up. I was his little princess back then. I still am, but now I rather that he calls me “queen” instead. He said the only queen in his life is my mom, Emma.

My mom told me that I needed to earn everything, that I wouldn’t get anywhere if I was handed everything on a silver spoon. Dad and mom bicker about it a lot, but I’m very much my mother’s daughter and decided to go to college and work for the position of CEO in the family company.

Claudette Reed started as a little boutique when I was young, I was even there for the ribbon-cutting, and it’s soared to unimaginable heights in the past two decades. I took over officially less than a year ago and brought in more high-end designs.

Mom loved ready-to-wear, and it was her specialty, but my father’s forte was red carpet, and the glamour of it always made my eyes sparkle.

I would spend all my free time going through my dad’s portfolio, asking him about this and that, he would tell me stories about celebrities and gossip about some clients. He’s my favorite person in the world, but he has his flaws.

I only learned about his reputation of being a womanizer once I took over my mom’s position as CEO of Claudette Reed after she fell sick. I was less than thrilled to learn the things my father had done, or moreover, who he had done. The list seemed neverending and I had to put my hands over my ears when my assistant wouldn’t shut up about it.

The elevator dinged indicating I was on my floor and I stepped off of it into my favorite place in the world - my studio.

Yes, it’s not just an office floor with cubicles and phones to answer, I turned the floor into an actual studio with machines, mannequins, patterns, fabrics, notions, you name it, we have it.

I didn’t want to be the CEO who is all talk and no play, I’m the type of person who likes to get their hands dirty with their work and be a part of the process from start to finish.

“Good morning, Ms. Greene.”

“Good morning, Louisa. What is my schedule today?”

Louisa looked down at her tablet as we walked together to my office.

“Let’s see, for starters, you have a progress meeting with the investors in an hour, then you have lunch with the CEO of Knightingale Suits, and-”

I groaned and rolled my head at the mention of Knightingale. Dominic Knight, the “Master of Suits,” as the magazines call him. He’s got an ego the size of New Jersey and the money to give him the right.

“Steph,” she said in a gentle tone as she hugged the tablet, “You need this partnership with him. Claudette Reed needs this partnership.”

“Remind me why I’m doing this again?”

She sighed and pursed her lips as she closed the door to the office. She then turned to me, “The business took a big hit when your mother fell ill and you were yet to take over. To put it simply… we need his money. And we’ve never done menswear before, so this could be a real boost for us.”

I plopped down into my cushy chair and sighed, “Alright fine. What do I have after that?”

“Nothing. You wanted to keep your schedule clear in case you had to spend all day convincing him that a partnership would benefit him as well.”

“Right,” I set my lips into a thin line.

I made this appointment a month ago after the business’s accountant gave me a call to inform me that we wouldn’t have enough money to put on our annual showcase.

“Thank you, you can go now.”

She nodded her head and left my office.