"Do you have something else you want to say?" Ava asked, staring past Kyla at Nathan.Nathan looked from Kyla to Ava, then shook his head and continued to walk out of the office.There was a scowl on Nathan's face as he walked towards the elevator. It was probably her former boss's kids that Nora had told him about the other day, he thought.- Meet me out front; I'm on my way down. -Nathan sent a message to Mike as he rode the elevator down to the lobby.A few seconds later, he stepped out of the building and climbed straight into the car."So, how did it go?" Mike asked as soon as Nathan got in."Not so well," Nathan replied.Mike looked back, his brows squeezed in a puzzle as he asked, "Are you fine?""Why won't I be?" Nathan asked sharply, his brows going up in question."Nothing," Mike replied quickly before adding, "You just look flustered, that's all.""I am fine, and coming here was a bad idea. I need you to send up a report of what my request is," Nathan replied in a hard voi
By the time they left Elegance and Style, Nathan had made up his mind on his next step."Where are we headed to, Mr. Crawford?" Lucas asked.Mike looked at Nathan through the rearview mirror and saw the resolve on his face."We are going to see the head of Creative," Nathan said, looking at Mike through the rearview mirror too."Now? We didn't make an appointment," Mike interjected as Lucas pulled out of the compound."Well, make one now, but I sure as h*ll will see her today," Nathan snapped."Oh boy," Mike muttered under his breath.He knew whatever had happened up in that office was the sole reason for Nathan's foul mood."Should we hope for the best from Ava, or do we have to look for textile somewhere else?" Mike asked.Nahan looked out the window, unsure how he was supposed to say he had been the one who didn't bring up business while he was up there."I'm sure she is smart enough not to allow personal grievances to affect business," Nathan responded."Okay, as good as that soun
For a split second, Nathan's mind was blank as he stared at Ella on the ground. It had happened so suddenly that he couldn't process what he was seeing. The shock slowly gave way to panic as he rushed to her side, heart pounding in his chest."Ella?" Nathan called out, finally shaking out of his trance, and he bent down beside her."Ella? Wake up?" Nathan said, pulling up her upper body into his lap.Her eyes remained shut, her body only moving from his consistent shaking of it. Nathan's hand trembled as he felt for a pulse."Ella! Is anyone out there?" Nathan called out as he pulled out his phone and dialed the emergency number.As if on cue, the door to Ella's office opened and Mike came rushing in."Mike, get the door, and here tell them we need an ambulance," Nathan shouted as he lifted her into his hands."What happened?" Mike asked, his face filled with concern as he rushed over to get the door.At that point, Ella's PA rushed out to meet them, her face filled with horror at the
There was a moment of silence on the other end, and Ava wondered if the call had been terminated."Hello?" Ava said again as she pulled the phone from her ears to check.There was some background movement right before Ava finally heard Oliver speak."Hello Ava, sorry about that; a client's baby picked up my phone by mistake," Oliver explained."Okay, that's fine; for a moment there, I had a lot of weird thoughts," Ava replied."Sorry about that. Did something come up?" Oliver asked."Well, not really; I was just calling to check in regarding the contract with the Sage group," Ava explained."Oh, okay, yes, I got it from them, and I was just going to head over once I finished with this client," Oliver explained."Hmm, okay," Ava muttered in response, before adding, "You know what? Why don't I come over and save you the time, since I have an appointment around there later today?""Okay, that would be splendid," Oliver replied."Alright, see you later then," Ava said."Sure, see you soon
"Mom, I want to stay with you," Thomas insisted as he grabbed onto Nora's hand.They were standing by the car, which was supposed to take him to a kids program."Paula is going with you, baby. I already told you Mummy has a lot of things to attend to today," Nora explained.Thomas pouted and replied, "Can I go with Uncle Tyler?"The smile on Nora's face faded as she replied, "What have I always told you, Thomas? Do not talk about Uncle Tyler."Thomas's lower lip trembled as he nodded and said, "Yes, mummy."Nora sighed, bent down to his height, and pulled him into a hug. She could not afford to have him around the house today. There were a lot of things she needed to get done."You are going to have fun, okay? Paula will get you whatever you want, alright, baby," Nora said.After another few seconds of persuading, Thomas finally got into the car, and Nora watched the car drive towards the gate.As she got back to the living room, Nora paced the length of it, running the text from last
Nathan stared at Ella, unsure of what to make of her words."I am trying to tell you the reason I wanted to pull out of the project and not be the one who does the design," Ella explained."Okay, make this make sense, Ella," Nathan replied, still not getting what she was trying to say."I am sick. Well, you know that now, but I have known for a while, and that was the reason why I was skeptical about doing all the designs for the project," Ella continued, looking at the monitor beside her.Nathan's face became blank at her words as he stared at her with open confusion."You mean you knew all along and you didn't say a thing?" Nathan asked, his eyes narrowed in question."I'm sorry, I kept it from you. I know that's not good for business, but I will try to make it up to you," Ella replied quickly."Damn it, Ella, I am not talking about the project. I am more concerned about your health. I would have found another alternative faster if you had told me, and I would not have pressured you
Noah walked into the store, surprised to see Nora standing there with a look of uncertainty on her face."Hello Nora, Nice to see you are one of my client base," Noah said with a smile."Yes, I mean, you sell only the best," Nora said, a nervous smile on her face."Good day, Mr. Noah," the attendant greeted."Hi, are you showing her around? If yes, I would do that so you can get to other customers," Noah said."No, I was…" The attendant started to say."Yes, he was, and yes, you can show me around," Nora quickly cut in."Okay, then it's settled then," Noah said with a smile.The confused attendant looked from Nora to Noah and decided it was best he stayed out of it."You have such a lovely store," Nora complimented."Thank you, I can't agree less," Noah replied."I hope I'm not taking your time. You must be here for a reason, and I'm sure it is not to do the job of an attendant," Nora stated.Noah smiled and replied, "Well, yes, but I sure can take time out of my busy schedule to atte
"No, that's mine; give it back!" Jenna shouted at the top of her lungs as she ran after Jordan."Not, it's mine; Mom gave it to me," Jordan shouted back at her."Jordan, give it to her," Angel shouted, supporting Jenna."No, I will not," Jordan replied, grinning at them.They were at the back of the house, playing in the small back space."Jordan, give it back," Jenna said again, her eyes narrowing as her little chest pushed up and down."No," Jordan said, shooting out his lips at them.Angel jumped on him, pushing him backward while Jenna snatched the doll from him."See," Jenna said, shooting out her tongue at him too.Angel laughed, pointing at Jordan's face as he sat there in defeat."Hello guys, who wants to go out?" Bella asked, sticking her head through the back door.They all looked back at her and chorused, "Me!""Okay, get in here now and stop screaming the whole neighborhood down," Bella shouted."Where are we going?" Angel asked Bella when they got to the living room."You
Mr. Clark was at a loss as he stared at her, unsure of what she was asking."Could you repeat what you said?" Ava asked."I said they are requesting a refund," Mr. Clark replied."Yes, I heard that. It's the part of the money that I did not get," Ava responded."Oh, okay, it's a million dollars," Mr. Clark said again."How were we unable to make a delivery worth that amount?" Ava asked, looking around the room.The room fell silent as everyone stared at Ava. The department involved didn't know how to respond as it was their first time dealing with the new CEO."Is there no one who was in charge of it?" Ava asked."There is, um, that would be the head of the team," Mr. Clark replied."And who is that?" Ava asked."That is me, ma'am," someone said with their hand raised.Ava looked over and saw an elderly lady. She looked to be in her mid-forties."Okay, could you give me a rundown of what exactly happened?" Ava asked."Yes, I could," she replied."Hmm, please tell me your name," Ava re
The sun was up and the skies were clear, creating a beautiful backdrop for the day ahead. The gentle breeze rustled through the trees, bringing a sense of calm to the morning.Ava rolled to her back, staring at the ceiling as she thought about all that had happened yesterday."It's a new day to start fresh," Ava grumbled as she reached for her phone on the nightstand.Just then, it started to ring, signaling an incoming call. When she checked the caller ID, it was from Lilly."Tell me you found out who it was," Ava stated."Not yet, but it seems we would have to reveal a statement ourselves if we do not want people to think otherwise," Lily stated.Ava closed her eyes for a minute, her thoughts racing at what her next steps should be."Is there no way we can just deny it later by our work?" Ava asked."From what I saw, this is pretty high level, and if that brand chooses to come out into the limelight, then there is no amount of convincing that would correct that," Lily stated.Ava op
By the time Ava got home later that night, it was already late."Mummy," Jenna grumbled when Ava went to kiss them good night in their room."Love you, sweetheart," Ava muttered before closing the door behind her."Would you like Lucy to get anything for you?" Bella asked."No, hmmm, I'm full; I don't think I can stomach anything right now again."Alright, so how did it go?" Bella asked."you tell me, how did it go on your end? Were you able to go with Brad?" Ava asked."Yes, we were, and it was a lot of fun," Bella said with a wink."That sounds interesting, or did something else happen?" Ava asked."Yes, something did happen," Bella said with a grin."Spill, what is it?" Ava asked curiously."Now, remember what I asked you about in the garden at the back?" Bella asked."In the garden?" Ava muttered, trying to clarify."Yes, I was able to get an opportunity today. Guess who we saw at the program," Bella stated."Who did you see?" Ava asked.After a moment of thought, Bella shook her
Brad looked at the picture with him once again and then at the amused look on Amber's face.The picture was of an island with mountains surrounded by a lot of trees."Bella, it's a deal then," Brad said, looking up at her.Bella looked distracted as she looked past them at something."Bella?" Brad called, waving a hand in front of her."Hmmm, yes, of course, it's a deal," Bella said."Good, I'll get to work with other tables then," Amber said as she walked away.Bella glanced back again before returning to her table."Are you okay?" Brad asked."Yes, I am," Bella responded."Okay," Brad replied and got to work.Bella kept glancing back, her eyes fixed on him. For a minute she had thought it was Jordan, only for her to realize it was Nathan's son."Aunt Bella, see," Jordan called, showing her the start of his work."Good, don't worry. Ms. Amber will come check it, okay?" Bella said to him with a smile."Okay," Jordan said, returning to his painting.Over at Thomas's stand, he looked co
"Ava! Watch out!" Noah called out, pulling Ava just before the doors closed.Ava looked horrified as she realized she had been standing in between the door."What were you thinking?" Noah asked, his face filled with concern as he stared into her eyes."I wasn't, obviously," Ava mumbled as she stared at the door."Are you okay?" Noah asked."Yes, I am. What was I thinking?" Ava muttered, finally stepping away from Noah's hands."You should know better than to be on your phone when you should be focused on where you were going," Noah cautioned."I was lost in thought," Ava mumbled, smiling as she added, "I'm sorry, I scared you.""It's fine. Are you sure you can do dinner tonight?" Noah asked."You already made plans; I would not want to ruin…" Ava tried to say."Plans can be changed; you obviously have your mind on other things at the moment. Would you like to go for a walk?" Noah asked.Ava smiled and nodded, "Yes, thank you."They walked out of the building, the night air blowing gen
When Ava looked up from the files she was working on to check the time, her jaws dropped in surprise."How did that happen?" She asked herself, looking towards the glass wall at the city.She beeped for Kyla to come in as she stood up to stretch. She walked over to stare out at the city, looking at the chaos of traffic below."You wanted to see me," Kyla said as soon as she walked in."Yes, how did it get so late?" I've been staring at so many files that I didn't know it was this late," Ava said.Kyla smiled and replied, "Yes, time flies faster when you are busy. I tried to check in on you earlier, but you were so engrossed in the files that I had to step back.""Oh, I don't think I had lunch today," Ava muttered, staring at her wristwatch."No, you did not," Kyla replied."Going forward, no matter what I am doing, make sure I eat," Ava said.She was sure the fact that they were still getting to know each other and probably didn't want to get on her nerves was why she had not interrup
"Who?" Brad asked, looking back at her."It's Ms. Amber," Angel said, still looking in the direction she was pointing."Amber? Are you sure?" Brad asked Jenna, trying not to look bothered."Yes," Angel shouted again, looking up at him."I saw her too," Jenna added.Bella looked from the kids to Brad, and a plan formulated in her mind. This was the chance she had been waiting for."Okay, why don't you guys wait here while I go check to see if it truly is your dance teacher?" Bella said."Okay, can she come sit with us?" Jenna asked, looking from Brad to Bella."Well, of course, if that is what you all want, but that is up to her," Bella replied before leaving them.Brad struggled to focus his mind as he turned back to the kids. "Okay, why don't we wait for Aunt Bella over there?""Okay, Uncle Brad," Jordan said."Jordan, hold the ladies; we do not want them wandering around now." Brad instructed."Okay, Uncle Brad," Jordan replied, extending his hand to hold Angel and Jenna.They walke
"No, that's mine; give it back!" Jenna shouted at the top of her lungs as she ran after Jordan."Not, it's mine; Mom gave it to me," Jordan shouted back at her."Jordan, give it to her," Angel shouted, supporting Jenna."No, I will not," Jordan replied, grinning at them.They were at the back of the house, playing in the small back space."Jordan, give it back," Jenna said again, her eyes narrowing as her little chest pushed up and down."No," Jordan said, shooting out his lips at them.Angel jumped on him, pushing him backward while Jenna snatched the doll from him."See," Jenna said, shooting out her tongue at him too.Angel laughed, pointing at Jordan's face as he sat there in defeat."Hello guys, who wants to go out?" Bella asked, sticking her head through the back door.They all looked back at her and chorused, "Me!""Okay, get in here now and stop screaming the whole neighborhood down," Bella shouted."Where are we going?" Angel asked Bella when they got to the living room."You
Noah walked into the store, surprised to see Nora standing there with a look of uncertainty on her face."Hello Nora, Nice to see you are one of my client base," Noah said with a smile."Yes, I mean, you sell only the best," Nora said, a nervous smile on her face."Good day, Mr. Noah," the attendant greeted."Hi, are you showing her around? If yes, I would do that so you can get to other customers," Noah said."No, I was…" The attendant started to say."Yes, he was, and yes, you can show me around," Nora quickly cut in."Okay, then it's settled then," Noah said with a smile.The confused attendant looked from Nora to Noah and decided it was best he stayed out of it."You have such a lovely store," Nora complimented."Thank you, I can't agree less," Noah replied."I hope I'm not taking your time. You must be here for a reason, and I'm sure it is not to do the job of an attendant," Nora stated.Noah smiled and replied, "Well, yes, but I sure can take time out of my busy schedule to atte