"Derek! Brother Derek! Over here!"
"That voice." mumbled Derek. "Sounds familiar."
Derek and Amanda turned their attention to the direction where the voice came from. Derek's eyes widened upon seeing who called him.
"Oh, my goodness! Madison! Hi!" greeted Derek.
Amanda waved courteously to Madison, then turned to Derek and whispered, "Boss, who is this woman? Do you know her?"
Derek whispered back, "That's Madison, my cousin from when I was adopted to the Smith family. She does not know my true identity yet."
"What should we do, boss?" asked Amanda.
"Follow my lead. I got this." replied Derek.
After collecting their coffees, Derek and Amanda approached Madison and joined her at the corner table where she was seated.
"Madison! It's been a while, how have you been? You look really good today." greeted Derek.
"Thanks brother Derek. I'm really glad to see you again. I have been worried about you since that day." replied Madison. She was tactful enough not to bring up the day her adopted brother was kicked out of the Smtih household.
"So, where have you been? Where are you staying? You've found a job I assume?" Madison queried.
"Woah, woah, woah. Easy there, sister. Slow down." replied Derek, amused that her adopt sister was still concerned for him.
"To answer all your questions, I've found a place to stay, nearby the business district. I've started a job as an administrative office staff here at the BDT mall. And since it's the weekend, I thought I explore the business district a little bit."
"I see. I'm glad to see you doing ok. By the way, who is this lady beside you? Is she your girlfriend? Hehe." teased Madison.
In truth, Madison was happy for her brother. To have a hot looking lady about her age, especially when she saw the way Amanda was dressed - A florescent blue dress showing all her sexy curves, sitting next to her brother, Madison could not be happier.
Hearing Madison teasing Derek, Amanda could not help but blush a little.
'His girlfriend? I wish I could say you were right, young lady. He is a nice person after all; and a great boss as well.' thought Amanda.
Derek could not help but chuckle slightly hearing Madison tease him.
"Haha, nice one sister. If only that was true. Allow me to introduce Amanda Walsh. She's the head secretary of the Quinton Consortium, the new owners of the BDT mall. In other words, she kind of like my boss. Ms. Walsh, this is my foster cousin, Madison Smith.
"Hi Ms. Amanda. Pleasure to meet you" Madison offered to shake her hand.
"Likewise, Madison." Amanda returned the favour.
Madison continued, "It's interesting that you mentioned BDT mall and Quinton Consortium, brother. I'm actually coming up with the design proposals for BDT mall and the breach resort to submit to Quinton Consortium."
"You don't say. That's amazing Madison." replied Derek proudly.
"I'm curious though. Why come all the way here to draw your designs?" asked a curious Amanda.
"I wish I can say that I wanted to have a first-hand look at the mall in its current state; but I'll be lying." replied Madison.
"What do you mean?" asked Derek.
"Well, this goes back to last night." began Madison. "My family had a discussion about submitting proposals for your mall and beach resort. Grandma Louise wanted my sisters and cousins to draft up proposals for submission. Whoever gets picked by the Quinton Consortium will be the new successor to the head of our family business."
Madison continued, "But she deliberately left me out. She told me not to take part. That is just so unfair. I have been working harder than those four leeches I call sisters and cousins and they get a chance to be heir to the throne over me."
"That was the last straw. So, I'm going to defy them. Expose them. Prove them wrong once and for all. I'm going to submit my designs and show my true worth; but I have to do this secretly. I have to take measures to make sure they don't see my work and steal it for themselves."
Amanda listened intently while listening to Madison's story. Yet something did not click right away.
"I understand and empathize with you Madison. I can relate to you in a way; but still, why come all the way here to the business district?" asked Amanda.
Madison replied, "Originally, I wanted to go to the shopping mall nearest to my place. On the way there, I found out that I was followed by my family car. Evidently, Grandma Louise sent someone to spy on me."
"I was lucky enough to ditch the family driver. After that, I had second thoughts of going to my neighbourhood shopping mall. I had to keep my distance from them. In a split second, I thought of coming here."
"No wonder. It's a good thing you came here." replied Derek.
"I agree with Derek on this. You made a wise choice coming here to do your designs." Amanda concurred.
"Just one last question. How do you intend to keep your designs away from your family?"
"Well, there's no need to worry about that Ms. Amanda. I have a very creative mind. I can finish my designs and submit it to your online link by the end of the day. Brother Derek can vouch for me." replied Madison.
"She's right. I have seen her work. A huge part of the family business's success comes from Madison. Just too bad she has not got the recognition that she deserved." affirmed Derek.
"Well good luck on finishing your designs little sis. Ms. Amanda and I have some business to attend to back at the mall. I believe you'll do great." said Derek.
"As do I, Ms. Madison. I look forward to seeing your design proposals." Amanda chimed in.
"Thank you, brother. Nice to meet you too Ms. Amanda. You see my submission by sunset." Madison replied with a sweet smile.
After exchanging contact numbers with each other, Derek and Amanda exited Starb*cks cafe.