"Lyd, you've just made it, dinner is almost ready," my mother, Freya Josephs, cried out as soon as I stepped into the mansion. I smiled and replied, "I'm so fortunate, can't wait to dine."I was working extra hours to ensure I completed the design before the deadline, and therefore I had asked my parents to bring the children back from school."Mommy, you're home!" Precious hurled herself into my arms and Jack did the same."Hey, my sweethearts," I hugged my two children and a warm smile creased my face.My heart was content whenever I laid eyes on my children."How was your new school? Do you like it?""It's the best school!" Jack replied with a stern face. "Don't worry about us, Mommy. We are taken care of well by Nana and Papaye and the teachers in school are so nice." I let out a breath of relief. I had worried my children were being bullied at school but all went well.Seeing my parents, I said, "Thanks so much, Mom and Dad.""You don't need to thank us. You are our daughter," re
As predicted by the genius designer, Dera Pete. Her design is so beautiful and original.""Dera Pete's comeback is so powerful! Wow! I need to buy jewelry with her design right now!"I grinned when I read the posts on the social media platforms. I was again making the headlines of jewelry news after all these years, and it filled me with pride. Frank's jewelery store had introduced some jewelry pieces using the new design done by me. The moment the jewelry was put up for sale, they sold out in minutes. Many customers were looking for the new jewelry design and even ordered special to have more jewelry created. News was everywhere on social media. I was in the news once again for my wonderful designing skills.Frank was in a good mood because of the good news. Although it caught him by surprise since I had not shown it to him before taking it to the production team, the response was so encouraging that he did not mind."I did not know you have already finished your design," he said whi
I couldn't believe the nerve of that woman. She had the audacity to call me a thief when I was the victim whose work she had stolen. I shook my head in disappointment as I walked through the main office, trying to ignore the whispers and stares from my colleagues."This scandal won't do our company any good. I've already seen the stocks falling," said a voice."Yeah. I don't believe that both of them came up with the same thing. One of them is definitely lying.""Who do you think will win the competition? Miss Lydia was confident in the meeting room.""Clearly, it's Miss Pete. We all know Miss Pete is a famous designer, but Miss Josephs is nobody who got rich overnight after her parents rescued her from poverty. There's no way she would win," said Bella Smith."I don't think it's right that you criticize Miss Josephs when you don't even know her. Why don't we just wait for the contest and let's see what happens. Then we can judge," said one of the few individuals who were in my corner
Days went by.Finally, the competition deadline had arrived and everyone was waiting impatiently to see the new works of the two women.During the last week, only news regarding the competition between the famous designer and the daughter of two famous designers was being circulated in the entertainment and business channels, so everyone was waiting impatiently to hear the outcome.That morning, on my way to work, I bumped into Dera Pete. I rolled my eyes and, grumbling to myself, said, "Just my luck to bump into this annoying woman just as I am arriving at work."Dera was not going to provide me with any opportunity. She came to a stop in front of me on her wheelchair and spoke to me tauntingly, saying, "Miss Josephs, you may have an opportunity to lose the match before we go to the conference room. It would be embarrassing if you made yourself a laughing stock by copying my design and presenting it to everybody again.""Why are you so upset on my behalf, Miss Pete? Don't worry, I am
"Miss L? The famous reclusive fashion designer?" Frank arched his eyebrow and questioned, his tone barely camouflaging his incredulity.The tension in the room was charged, and one could cut through it with a knife. Everyone's eyes were on Lydia, anticipating her response.Lydia, meanwhile, remained indifferent, her face void and bereft of any show of emotion. No one knew what she was thinking.Seeing Frank stare at Lydia with such curiosity in his eyes, Dera gritted her teeth and held the arms of her wheelchair tightly, her heart racing. She had the premonition that she would not like the outcome of this meeting.In accordance with expectations, Lydia took a deep breath and eventually admitted, "Yes. I am Miss L."Gasps and subsequent whispers circulated through the room among the employees. Others had opened their jaws to the floor and stretched in astonishment.How did anyone have knowledge that the lady they blamed for copying was the very same elusive world-famous fashion designe
I arrived at Josephs & Co. Jewelry Company, ready to go ahead and develop the business my late father had left in my custody. I had hardly stepped out of my car when I heard a voice that was all too familiar calling my name."Lydia."I turned and found Frank gazing at me with a nostalgic look on his face. I frowned and let my car keys fall into my branded handbag.I was wearing a short white skirt and a statement jacket, along with white pointed stiletto shoes that morning. My hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail, accentuating my beautiful facial features. "Mr. Lanka, what brings you to my company this early morning?" I asked."I've been trying to call you many times, but my calls were not being answered. Lydia. I mean, Miss Josephs, we need to talk," Frank said."There's nothing to talk about, Mr. Lanka. I think I made myself very clear the last time: Our partnership is over," I replied coldly. I was determined to cut Frank out of my life entirely.The last few days had demonstr
"Congratulations, you're pregnant!" I shook my hands, hugging the pregnancy test result to myself, the doctor's words still echoing in my head. Three years of trying finally paid off. The thought of holding our child one day filled me with excitement, even as an old ache lingered. Frank's emotional distance had been a constant, unspoken presence in our lives, but tonight, I hoped things would change. Maybe a child could be the bond that brought us closer together.Frank's voice pulled me back to reality. "What're you thinking about?" he asked, his hands busy unbuttoning his shirt. I stared at his chest, my cheeks flushing. Three years of marriage, and his looks still took my breath away—but not in the way they once did. Before I could respond, he stepped into the shower.The water hissed to life, and I waited until the steam blurred the bathroom door before pulling out the report. My smile faded. How would Frank react to this news? The shower turned off, and Frank emerged, water dripp
"Yes, she's no regular jewelry designer. She's also the only girlfriend our boss ever publicly acknowledged dating. I heard that she's his first love.""Gosh, but isn't it heard that our boss and Ruth have some—?""Certainly not! She was only a mistress!""Haha! What an idiot. She thought sleeping her way to success would get the boss's heart."I clenched my fists. My nails pressed into my palms, but I didn't say a word. My marriage was known to Frank's family and him only. No one had guessed the truth; everyone had assumed I was Frank's mistress because we worked together so intimately. Frank never denied the rumors, and I never tried to refute them. When he insisted on having me promise we'd never confess our marriage, I complied without hesitation.The elevator doors opened, and we all entered. Manda and Lili glanced at each other before they went on talking."If I were her, I would quit on my own. It looks like the boss has someone he likes. It is so shameful to hang around him li
I arrived at Josephs & Co. Jewelry Company, ready to go ahead and develop the business my late father had left in my custody. I had hardly stepped out of my car when I heard a voice that was all too familiar calling my name."Lydia."I turned and found Frank gazing at me with a nostalgic look on his face. I frowned and let my car keys fall into my branded handbag.I was wearing a short white skirt and a statement jacket, along with white pointed stiletto shoes that morning. My hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail, accentuating my beautiful facial features. "Mr. Lanka, what brings you to my company this early morning?" I asked."I've been trying to call you many times, but my calls were not being answered. Lydia. I mean, Miss Josephs, we need to talk," Frank said."There's nothing to talk about, Mr. Lanka. I think I made myself very clear the last time: Our partnership is over," I replied coldly. I was determined to cut Frank out of my life entirely.The last few days had demonstr
"Miss L? The famous reclusive fashion designer?" Frank arched his eyebrow and questioned, his tone barely camouflaging his incredulity.The tension in the room was charged, and one could cut through it with a knife. Everyone's eyes were on Lydia, anticipating her response.Lydia, meanwhile, remained indifferent, her face void and bereft of any show of emotion. No one knew what she was thinking.Seeing Frank stare at Lydia with such curiosity in his eyes, Dera gritted her teeth and held the arms of her wheelchair tightly, her heart racing. She had the premonition that she would not like the outcome of this meeting.In accordance with expectations, Lydia took a deep breath and eventually admitted, "Yes. I am Miss L."Gasps and subsequent whispers circulated through the room among the employees. Others had opened their jaws to the floor and stretched in astonishment.How did anyone have knowledge that the lady they blamed for copying was the very same elusive world-famous fashion designe
Days went by.Finally, the competition deadline had arrived and everyone was waiting impatiently to see the new works of the two women.During the last week, only news regarding the competition between the famous designer and the daughter of two famous designers was being circulated in the entertainment and business channels, so everyone was waiting impatiently to hear the outcome.That morning, on my way to work, I bumped into Dera Pete. I rolled my eyes and, grumbling to myself, said, "Just my luck to bump into this annoying woman just as I am arriving at work."Dera was not going to provide me with any opportunity. She came to a stop in front of me on her wheelchair and spoke to me tauntingly, saying, "Miss Josephs, you may have an opportunity to lose the match before we go to the conference room. It would be embarrassing if you made yourself a laughing stock by copying my design and presenting it to everybody again.""Why are you so upset on my behalf, Miss Pete? Don't worry, I am
I couldn't believe the nerve of that woman. She had the audacity to call me a thief when I was the victim whose work she had stolen. I shook my head in disappointment as I walked through the main office, trying to ignore the whispers and stares from my colleagues."This scandal won't do our company any good. I've already seen the stocks falling," said a voice."Yeah. I don't believe that both of them came up with the same thing. One of them is definitely lying.""Who do you think will win the competition? Miss Lydia was confident in the meeting room.""Clearly, it's Miss Pete. We all know Miss Pete is a famous designer, but Miss Josephs is nobody who got rich overnight after her parents rescued her from poverty. There's no way she would win," said Bella Smith."I don't think it's right that you criticize Miss Josephs when you don't even know her. Why don't we just wait for the contest and let's see what happens. Then we can judge," said one of the few individuals who were in my corner
As predicted by the genius designer, Dera Pete. Her design is so beautiful and original.""Dera Pete's comeback is so powerful! Wow! I need to buy jewelry with her design right now!"I grinned when I read the posts on the social media platforms. I was again making the headlines of jewelry news after all these years, and it filled me with pride. Frank's jewelery store had introduced some jewelry pieces using the new design done by me. The moment the jewelry was put up for sale, they sold out in minutes. Many customers were looking for the new jewelry design and even ordered special to have more jewelry created. News was everywhere on social media. I was in the news once again for my wonderful designing skills.Frank was in a good mood because of the good news. Although it caught him by surprise since I had not shown it to him before taking it to the production team, the response was so encouraging that he did not mind."I did not know you have already finished your design," he said whi
"Lyd, you've just made it, dinner is almost ready," my mother, Freya Josephs, cried out as soon as I stepped into the mansion. I smiled and replied, "I'm so fortunate, can't wait to dine."I was working extra hours to ensure I completed the design before the deadline, and therefore I had asked my parents to bring the children back from school."Mommy, you're home!" Precious hurled herself into my arms and Jack did the same."Hey, my sweethearts," I hugged my two children and a warm smile creased my face.My heart was content whenever I laid eyes on my children."How was your new school? Do you like it?""It's the best school!" Jack replied with a stern face. "Don't worry about us, Mommy. We are taken care of well by Nana and Papaye and the teachers in school are so nice." I let out a breath of relief. I had worried my children were being bullied at school but all went well.Seeing my parents, I said, "Thanks so much, Mom and Dad.""You don't need to thank us. You are our daughter," re
"Lycia." I snarled clenching my teeth. "Dare to call me a Bitch?"I had only been joking her after I accused her of stalking me, but I never expected her to call me one.Enrage surfaced in me as I stared at Lydia."Don't scumbags do things like this?" Lydia asked with politeness. "You have no need to get that close to me, Mr Lanka. Respect yourself and be professional."My teeth would grit as I turned away from Lydia. I sneered and retorted, "Don't be so full of yourself, Miss Lydia."Lydia let out a sigh of relief. Me coming this close made it hard to keep her hatred in check and she didn't want to expose herself."I'm not full of myself, but I do expect both of us to be professional and not cross any lines," Lydia said firmly.I glared but did not say anything because I was trying to calm down from the shame of having been rejected."Why did you come back to my office, anyway? I'm closing up," Lydia informed me.She did not like that I continued to show her attention. I was trouble.
I promised to marry her, Papaye," I answered.Dera was offended as she had arranged to see me. If I left her behind, I could not live with myself.Lanka frowned at me. He did not know why someone as smart could let a woman get the better of me. "Mr Lanka, it is rude to come into my office without knocking," Lydia said curtly."Lydia Josephs," I insisted Lydia's full name, "I have something to verify with you.""What is it? If it has something to do with work, I'm already at work on my first design and I'll give you notice when I am through," Lydia replied. "Lydia. No, Ruth exactly. I need to discuss your identity," I said staring sternly into Lydia's eyes.Upon hearing the name Ruth again, Lydia couldn't help but roll her eyes. She didn't get why I was so fixated on knowing her name. "Mr Lanka, I've told you many times. If you have mental issues, please seek treatment at the hospital, I am not a doctor."I appeared to expect Lydia's response. I smiled at Lydia, slowly took out my phon
"He still thinks the world revolves around him," I complained to myself.Frank had already left, but anger was still burning within me. I returned with a new name to leave my past behind and start fresh, but it seemed I got entangled with Frank and Dera once more.My eyes flashed as I recalled the thug's words before he torched the warehouse. Someone had wanted me out of the way, and I could only assume that it was Dera.With Frank now fawning over me with undue attention, I knew it was only a matter of time before I was Dera's target again."I had to keep away from Frank as much as I could in order to protect myself and my children," I rationalized. If Dera found out I had Frank's children, heavens only know what she'd do to them. Dean caught sight of my face and inquired, "Do you know Frank?"It was strange the way the man seemed to follow me wherever I went.I went back to the present after that question. I smiled and answered, "How can I be familiar with such a famous man? I was j