Today Vintage's office was busy. Employees were running here and there, keeping everything ready.
Just half an hour later, the higher-ups of the company would be holding a conference, discussing the biggest project Vintage had ever taken.
However, the bustling excitement in the office had nothing to do with the conference and everything to do with the arrival of an enigma named Grace.
Grace was leading the project, Midnight Lily. She was a genius designer and how could Vintage not be proud of having a designer lead their project whose prestige equals that of a Hollywood star.
Who doesn't want to wear jewellery designed by Grace?
It was rumoured that Grace had designed the wedding jewellery of the crown princess of Vulgaria.
"You know she is just a designer, not some goddess coming to get worshipped,'' Lucian said the second he walked into the conference room and occupied the seat next to Gideon.
"You are thirty minutes early, Mr Spencer," Donovan kindly reminded Lucian with an extremely fake smile.
"I'm just punctual unlike some people," Lucian winked as his stare lingered on Gideon. The door to the conference room opened once again and he saw a group of shareholders entering with huge grins on their faces. "It seems everyone is extremely punctual these days."
Gideon resisted the urge to snort.
Fifteen minutes later, everyone with the exception of Grace was inside the conference room, waiting to start the meeting but that person was nowhere in sight.
"Late on the first day of work," Marilyn complained, showing her dissatisfaction clearly. "Is that why we are hiring her? This is complete unprofessionalism on her part."
Gideon lifted his water glass and calmly took a sip, showing no response to Marilyn's burst of anger.
"Baby," Lucian's sickening sweet voice was heard next. "It's not Grace who is late but us who came thirty minutes early. And we don't pay her for coming late but for her excellent services. Even if Grace shows a bit of professionalism, we have to tolerate it because she is the best of the best. And genius has a temper. We all know this."
"This is insane, Lucian," Marilyn was enraged.
"We can fire Grace and hire Hailey West. What do you say?" Lucian appeared a caring and loving fiance to everyone present there but Marilyn knew the truth better than anyone.
She pursed her lips and refrained from making any comment. Hire any woman Lucian had slept with? No way!
Donovan had a dire urge to throw this annoying man out of the conference room but he controlled himself for his sister. He was giving her face by tolerating Lucian, the bastard. Did they not know how many women had Lucian slept with? And Hailey West was one of the long lists.
Gideon had his eyes set on his phone screen as it flashed with a message ten minutes later, he signalled his assistant to bring out the files and hinted to everyone that the meeting was going to start at the fixed time.
At this moment, nobody knew what was happening. Was Grace coming or Hailey West would lead the project?
Exactly at 9.30 am the door to the conference room opened and a woman dressed in a red business suit emerged with her two assistants.
"Thank you for waiting, everyone," They heard a feminine voice and shifted their gaze to find a woman followed by two assistants. "Shall we start the meeting?" She smiled at Lucian who grinned back.
Lucian stood up to introduce her. "Everyone, please welcome Grace."
Donovan felt his soul leaving his body as he once again encountered a new avatar of Melody Hawthrone. No. No. Melody Callahan.
Marilyn's eyes were wide as saucers. She couldn't form words to say.
And Gideon? He was calm and collected as if the woman in his front had nothing to do with him. He gestured to start the meeting. From start till end, he didn't say a word.
Even after the meeting ended, the shareholders and higher-ups were welcoming Melody for joining Vintage, he just nodded but didn't say a word.
"Call Lucian Spencer and Melody Hawthrone to my office now!," These were the words Gideon had said to his secretary while leaving the conference room.
"Melody Hawthorne?" The secretary asked Gideon's Assistant in confusion.
Assistant Brett shrugged. "Old habits die hard." He patted her shoulder in sympathy. "Just call Mr Spencer and Grace to Mr Hawthrone office."
…
"Lucian Spencer, what the fuck are you planning?" Gideon burst out as soon as Lucian entered the office.
Outside Melody was sitting in the waiting room drinking coffee. "Miss Grace, are you not going in?" The secretary asked her. She couldn't help but look at the woman elegantly sipping coffee, dressed in a red suit, looking at the drama unfolding inside Gideon's office. Although she was wearing red, she didn't look ostentatious but enchanting.
She shook her head realising which direction her thoughts were going. It wasn't her fault. This woman was well...very attractive.
"Ah, they need some cooling first, " Melody took a drink of her coffee and pointed at the door where Gideon was shouting at Lucian. "An advice, don't put sugar in Mr Hawthrone's coffee today."
"Mr Hawthrone doesn't drink coffee," The Secretary immediately said with a polite smile.
"Of course, he doesn't drink coffee but he does when he is enraged. If you don't believe me ask Assistant Brett," Melody kindly offered her advice. She stood up when she saw through the blinds that they were much calmer than before. She only entered when Lucian left. "Thank you for the coffee."
"Husband, you called for me?" Melody smiled brightly at him as she entered.
Gideon had to take a deep breath to think of a retort. This woman was lethal!
Those dark abyss-like orbs were twinkling like the brightest stars in the night and cherry red lips were stretched to form a wide smile.
"I have been missing you a lot since this morning," She said next. "You don't believe me?" She had a look of being wronged on her face. Her lips formed a pout and pointed at her waist. "If you don't believe me just look at my waist. How thin it is! I lost so much of my weight while missing you my beloved."