Chapter 47

Chapter 47

4 years later…

“T-These are my d-designs, Ms. Faith.” Her voice was shivering along with her hands as she distributed all the copies to the meeting. I didn't bother to hold it, I only glanced at it.

The first page was already a mess, the next ones are probably the worst.

“Didn't I tell all of you what I want for the next collection?”

None of them dared to break the ice. They all kept their mouths shut. No one crossed my eyes as well as I stared at each of them in the meeting room. They are avoiding my blank eyes as if they would turn into a stone if they look at me.

“What's this?” The woman stepped back when I went back, eyeing her. Her lips were trembling so hard that she couldn't make a word.

“I…I-It’s m-my designs, Ms. F-Fa—” I threw all her drawings in the middle of the long table. I even heard some of the gasps.

I stood up from my seat and faced her.

“Tell me. What did I tell you that I want?” I didn't let go of her in my sight. She looks pale and I can see how she's terrified of me. I'm not even doing anything yet. I'm only asking her a very damn simple question.

“I-I…” she sobbed as her tears began to escape her eyes.

I chuckled unbelievably as I shook my head. I grabbed the papers of her drawings, crumpled it and tore it apart.

“Give me a paper,” my secretary immediately handed me one and I grabbed my pen before I started to draw the design that I want to release for my new collection. It took me a few minutes only to finish it.

“This is what I want,” I said firmly and showed it to them.

They all nodded and were amused when they saw how fast I drew the style that I want for all the new clothes that we will release.

“I clearly told you that I want to give life to the old fashion and the colors that people usually hate,” I eyed the woman earlier.

“Did I ask for a gown?” That's the reason why I crumpled all her designs.

“Do your job properly and present it to me again,” I threw my own sketch before I came out of the meeting room.

“What's my schedule?” I asked my secretary who was following me.

“You just need to review all the papers in your office,” I wasn't surprised anymore when I found Lily sitting comfortably on the couch in my office.

“Bored?” I asked. She's just coming here when she has nothing to do in her life.

“Kind of. Let me guess, you made them tremble again,” my brows arched and shrugged. I guess I did it again and she was right.

“They are not doing their jobs properly. My team in our country is doing better than this,” I shook my head with disappointment. They can stand alone, but my company here in New York? They don't just meet my expectations and standards.

“When do you plan to come back, Faith? Elijah and your parents are always asking me about you. Everytime I go home there, they never fail to visit me just to ask if I have news about you,” my blank face remained and I didn't give her an eye. I chose to focus on the papers instead of giving a fuck about that.

“He will come to the next runway,” my secretary said. I heaved a sigh as I glanced at them.

Elijah has been attending the runway for the past four years. I know that he has been waiting for me to show up as I vanished in one snap. For the past four years, I didn't show myself to them, not even my shadows. My company is still running there, but I told my employees to be discreet about where I am. Well, they have no idea where I am as well.

“It's a big question to them, Faith. People are also curious about where you are after the news came out about your divorce with Elijah. Up until now, he's not giving up,” Lily mentioned while still on the couch.

“They wouldn't like it when I come back,” I uttered. “Because I will make sure to ruin their lives.”

My entire office was filled with silence when I said that. If they think that the wounds in my chest are already cured, they are wrong about that. I remember every detail of cruelty that I endured.

“You changed a lot, Faith.” Lily commented while still staring at me.

Did I? Well, I guess I did.

I cutted my long hair. I have short brown hair now, so far from my old look. Ever since I left our country, I have buried the old me as well. The benevolent Faith, the most understanding Faith, and the weak Faith. I knew that I had changed. I became heartless and cold. I already forgot how to smile since that day. I used to cry a lot, but now? I forgot how to cry as if I became numb.

“They turned me into this,” I replied coldly.

“And what do you plan to do when you come back?” All of our eyes shifted at Lucas who barged inside my office. I wasn't surprised to see him again here.

When I left the country, they left with me. They didn't let me leave by myself and I'm so grateful for having them. If they are not here, I don't know how I would be able to stand on my own feet again.

“Perhaps she could already date me,” I rolled my eyes when I saw Brian behind him as well. He gave me that shining smile of his again, looking so handsome with his leather outfit.

“Oh, come on. He has been bothering you for damn four years,” Lily commented, sick of Brian's presence. Did I forget to mention that? He followed us here as well after finding out my divorce with Elijah.

“Well, she's single. I confessed my feelings four years ago and I've been courting you, Faith.” He blinked repeatedly, showing me his puppy eyes.

“Sorry, but I don't believe in love anymore.” They glanced at each other when I said that. They all know what I have been through and how I was blinded by love. I would never dare to enter another relationship again. Not again. Never again.

“What are you all doing here? I'm damn busy,” I was a bit annoyed with their presence here again.

“Well, we should have dinner together before the runway. That would make you busy, for sure.” Brian mentioned, which is exactly right.

“Oh, you together? There are tons of news saying that you two are dating.” Lucas reminded the two of us.

“I don't give a fuck,” I smirked and shook my head. Think what they want to think. I have nothing to explain.

As Brian mentioned about having dinner together, we all went out to share a meal again. We don't often do this as we are all busy with our careers. This is only once in a blue moon.

“He didn't have any women, Ms. Faith. I made sure that it's true,” my secretary said while I was on my way to our dinner.

For damn four years, I intentionally hid myself from them. I took down all the news that would tell them where I am and I cut ties to all of them. When I arrived here, I started to build my walls. I make sure that even if I was hiding in the dark, I still have eyes left behind them to watch them for me. I know every move they do. And I know that they have been waiting to see me again.

“Why don't you come back?” She suggested what was already running in my head.

“The runway would be a perfect time to come back,” my secretary knows everything. I must say that she gained my trust through those years.

I didn't reply to her until I arrived at the restaurant where we agreed to meet and have dinner.

“I have news. I don't know if you'll like this or not,” Lucas said while I was smoking. It's a VIP room, so I can do this here. I've learned this through those years. Cigarettes became one of my companions in bearing with the pain.

“Spill it,”

“Your mother is sick,” that made me pause as I glanced at him.

“It's cancer, stage 1.”

I don't know what to feel. I don't pity her. Everytime I think of her, I remember what she did to me, the reason why I lost my baby.

“So? When is the funeral?” I heard him chuckle.

“I'm only saying this to inform you that it's a good time to show up again. You can ruin them in one snap,” I put down the cigarette in the asher while we are still alone there, waiting for Brian and Lily.

“Are we late?” Lily asked when the door opened and they both arrived together.

“You're smoking again,” Brian said, didn't like me smoking.

“Shall we order? I'm starving,” Lily uttered.

“I'm going back,” all their eyes landed on me as soon as I said that.

They were all stunned, processing what I just said. Four years is enough. This time, I built myself stronger to see them suffering in my hands.

“It’s time to show up,” I said firmly.

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