His breathing was harsh as he spoke, "Thank Goodness. I thought you wouldn't be in.""What is it this time?" I asked numbly. I couldn't even think straight anymore."The Luxe vogue logistics and warehousing partners called," he said as he spread out papers on my table. "They've raised their fees so they're demanding a year's fee in advance or we could as well look for other partners."Grace and I exchanged glances. Grace abruptly stood up. "I can't do this right now. I can't! You'll meet in the conference room," she erupted and stormed out of the door.I watched her leave. It was insane, all of these things that were happening. It was all happening in a blur that it was hard to keep track."Tell them we would pay," I told the accountant. "They should give us some days." Then I muttered under my breath, "this isn't the best time to start sourcing for new partners. Luxe vogue is literally in ruins."I dragged my feet to the conference room when the time for the meeting came. There were

SYDNEY'S POVAs expected of a company as large as GT Group, the executive office quickly prepared the contracts and proposals and brought it for Mark to review.I watched the man who brought the documents stand beside Mark and explained some things to him. "This is the termination of the acquisition proposal. We need your signature here," he pointed to somewhere in the paper, "and there."Mark nodded, as he went through them first. One in a while, he would squint his eyes and ask that something be explained and why it was done in a certain way and the man would explain everything to him then Mark would nod, seeming impressed.I was quite surprised when he claimed that he didn't know that I co-owned Luxe Vogue and Atelier Studios with Grace. If I was not raving mad, I would have burst out with laughter at the expression on his face when he tried to piece everything together.I had merely stormed here with the thought that he was doing all he was doing to cripple our company and buy it

SYDNEY'S POVFEW DAYS LATER"GT Group is really optimistic about Luxe Vogue," the reporter shook his head as the other one enunciated about the turn of events for Luxe Vogue. "It seems the company still has a promising future!""Of course," the other man said enthusiastically, "GT Group has invested a huge sum in the company and have you seen the rapid rise of their stock in just a few days? It's crazy, I tell you." Then he turned to the screen, "The men's clothing line of the Luxe Vogue is the new big fish. Investors are rushing at it, companies want to partner with it and their stock price keeps rising by the minute!"My gaze shifted from my laptop's screen to my office door that was just banged open. Grace burst into my office, her face alight with joy, "Sydney! Have you seen this?" She had her iPad in her grasp."I'm currently watching it," I laughed, my insides bursting with joy.She set her iPad on my desk as she took a seat on the other side. "Girl! Our company is the talk of t

I got dressed in a simple little black dress, my feet were clad in nude heels with a matching purse. I part my hair in two and let each side frame my face. Lucas was finely tucked in a fine tuxedo - we decided to match colors so his tuxedo was black, with a nude shirt underneath.My and Lucas' arms were linked as we walked to the entrance of the auction. The security at the entranceway searched us with a beeping machine before we were allowed in.The auction house was already flooded by people when we got in and If Lucas had not specially had a seat reserved in his name at the VIP section in the front row, we probably would have ended up standing throughout the event. One of the ushers led us to our seats.As we approached our seat, I felt Lucas' hold on my hand tightened. I had been slightly distracted by the beautiful artworks on display but now that I looked ahead, I saw that the seats that the usher was leading us to were side by side with Mark's.Mark, whose attention wason an ug

I pressed my palm on the partition, willing it to swallow me as Mark intently stared at me in silence, the rage on his face made my heart skip beats. I could almost hear the fast beating of my heart as I tentatively watched him, panicked."You're in the lady's restroom," I uttered helplessly. Perhaps, he'd get to his senses, realize he was where he wasn't supposed to be and leave but he just gave me a blank look."I'm well aware," his voice came out low as though he was refraining from lashing out.I swallowed and my mind raced as I tried to come up with what to say to break the silence and hopefully make him leave. His stare was getting uncomfortable, it made me want to run far away from him and tuck myself safely in Lucas' arms.And didn't Lucas say he'd keep an eye on him? Why didn't he call me when he was coming?"You hung up on Bella," I said very causiously, hoping none of my rapidly thought dialogues wouldn't further anger him."I do not give a fuck who I hung up on," he snarle