Carmel sat there looking at the drawings, examining them all over again. What caught her attention was the way its sides were marked.
It was very notable and that kind of markings was customized for one of the best designers in the country.
She gaped and looked at the man in front of her.
How could he tell her to make something better than a top designer?
If no one saw it as a punishment, she saw it as one.
"I can't do this, sir. It has been perfectly designed already and it would be an insult to redesign it less good than her designs." Carmel refused but the man was expecting it.
Nathan looked at her for a few minutes before clearing his throat. "You want to be forgiven for bumping into me without apologizing, drawing while I was right in front of you. I'm doing you a favor by asking you to redesign this. Many of those in your department would jump at this opportunity."
"I'm sorry sir, but I am not them. I'll be frank. Yes, I design but my designs are nothing next to Nadia's designs. She is one of the top ten designers in the country for a reason." Carmel dropped the file on the table before her gently.
Nathan pursed his lips and gave her a pressing look. "If you were given the job of designing and not the position you are in, will you run from an opportunity like this?"
He lifted a hand to press on his brows and sighed, looking as though he was helpless.
"Excuse me. I might not be able to design just as good or better than Nadia's designs but I can still make my designs and that doesn't say I'm weak or anything." Carmel clenched her fists.
"If you aren't weak, then take it. I'm telling you if you don't leave this office with these designs to redesign them, you should pack your desk along with you.
"This design is your ticket for a long time in this company. Nothing else would have stopped me from firing you the instant I stepped into your department." Nathan said coldly. "If it was a customer you bumped into without apologizing it would have cost the company more than you can pay for."
Carmel took a deep breath, trying to keep her cool. Anyways, she brought this upon herself.
Like Alexa told her earlier that finding a job of this nature wasn't easy at all and they worked hard for months to finally get into the company.
"If the designs are as good as I want them to be, you will remain in the company but if not, you will be dismissed or placed in a smaller position. Make your choice." Nathan stood up, making her look at him in utter disbelief.
Nathan stood at the window, looking outside the office at what was happening in the outside world. He was using that to give her time to think about what he just said.
Should she gracefully walk out of the company or take up the challenge?
Nathan was expecting her to walk out because who would dare want to design Nadia's designs better than Nadia herself?
"I'll do it," Carmel announced and he turned to look at her with raised brows.
He was inwardly surprised but even more, he was pleased. Maybe she was crazy but Nathan just nodded and gestured for her to pick up the file.
"I can't finish the five designs in the given time. Can I have two days extra?" Carmel asked and Nathan nodded gently. "Thank you."
"You can take your leave," Nathan said as he sat behind his desk and Carmel left his office finally. She could take a breath of freedom again.
Carmel decided to take the stairs back to her department and she tried to calm herself that she could do it. "You can do it, Carm. It's only some designs right?"
"Some designs? Are you nuts? You want to design better than a top designer. You must have hit your head this morning." Another voice in her head said.
"Carmel." Alexa's voice pulled her out of her inner battles and she didn't even know she had entered her department. "Are you okay? What happened?"
"I'm fine Alexa. I'm just in big trouble. I'll tell you about it after work." Carmel whimpered as she sat back on her desk.
She sat there all day with her head on her desk, trying to think but she couldn't think of anything till she could feel a slight headache so she decided to stop.
"So tell me, Carmel." Alexa nudged her as they walked down to the bus station after work.
They had both worked extra time and they would be catching the last bus together.
"Boss asked me to make a new version of Nadia's designs that were bought by the company a few days back. He asked me to make them better than the one Nadia drew herself. I'm so dead." Carmel whimpered as they stepped into the bus which arrived immediately after they got there.
"Well, that's pure death. But don't worry, I might have some cash to lend you after he kicks you out of the company." Alexa patted her back gently.
"You're not helping at all." Carmel groaned slightly.
The bus stopped at her stop and she got out of the bus after saying good night to Alexa. She walked lazily towards her building and as she looked up, she badly wanted to fly into her room but she just dragged herself into the building.
Luckily, the elevator was repaired the previous day and now it was working perfectly. She didn't have to climb up a million and one stairs.
When she saw the elevator was about to start closing and she couldn't afford to wait again, she quickly rushed into the elevator, tripping as she fell forward.
She shrieked thinking she was going to plant face down on the floor. But instead, she felt an arm wound up around her waist, holding her stable.
"Are you always this clumsy?" A familiar voice called and she looked up to see the owner of the voice.
She was shocked.
It was Nathan.