It has been four months after everything had happened and everyone seems to have returned to their normal way of life. Well, except for Lia who was not finding it easier to win Alexander's heart. It all seemed like the harder she worked, the more someone was behind the scenes, scattering her plans. Once again, she has been humiliated by Alexander and this is the height of it all.
"Ahh," she screamed and pushed down all the breakables in her room. Her once well-arranged hair looked disheveled. She threw the glass cup she was holding against the wall and everything came crashing down. Her room looked like a disaster zone, but she couldn't care less. The pain she felt from being humiliated by Alexander every time they met was worse than her messy room.
"What are you still standing there for? Clean this up," she screamed at the servants close to her, transferring the anger to them.
"Is all this necessary?" Gina, her close friend asked.
She had gone to the A.R. Corporation to meet Alexander again, but this time around, she was not allowed to go past the security at the reception. She was asked to come on appointment only and this could only be possible if Alexander gave the order. She gritted her teeth, seething anger.
She turned to Gina with bloodshot eyes. Gina swallowed hard, knowing how dangerous Lia could be when she was angry.
"Don't misunderstand me, Lia," she started, trying to make damage control. "All I'm saying is that you've been all over Alexander since the day his car almost hit you and he compensated by sending you to the hospital and even going as far as giving you a face. If you're being honest with yourself then you will know that is the truth. You wouldn't have met Alexander on a personal ground. I mean, you both have nothing in common. You're just doing this because you think you're the only woman who he has tolerated so much. You've been going around pronouncing yourself Alexander's girlfriend even when he didn't acknowledge you publicly." Gina continued, aware of the anger Lia was trying to suppress.
"What am I even saying?" she continued, "Alexander has never shown himself to the public. Have you ever seen any pictures of him on the internet? No? So what makes you think he's interested in you? Humph, dream on. And don't forget that you have another dirty secret with you, what you did to Isabel. He won't be with someone as dirty as you are. Listen…?
"Enough," Lia roared, interrupting her. Her voice sent the servants scampering away. "Enough with all your speeches." She yelled, breathing hard. Gina's words have hit where it hurts.
She hated being reminded that she had nothing in common with Alexander, that she met him just because he saved her life. She sighed. At least, she's his beneficiary.
But she didn't know how Gina came about what she did to Isabel, and it was already too late to deny it. She can't even afford to go against Gina or she will expose her. Talking about Isabel, she had blocked her and destroyed any evidence that might lead to her.
…
"Hatcha," Isabel sneezed, who is talking about her? She stared at the massive building of A.R. Corporation. The building towered over the city, the glass exterior reflecting the morning sun. Indeed, it was the city's pride.
She had submitted her application to almost all the prestigious fashion design companies in City X even when she was sure that she was perfect for the position, but every time, she received a rejection mail.
However, her mother had suggested that she apply to the company that bought Golden Couture, their once-family business; at least she might be employed, and she would be able to maintain the styles and design that it was known for. In her mother's words, "You might be able to bring back the Golden Couture name and keep the legacy alive, at least, for the sake of your father." She gave it a shot and here she was, for an interview.
She walked into the reception and after stating the reason for her presence, she was directed to wait for her turn. She sat down amongst the other people who were also there for the Same reason and tried to calm her nerves. Her palms were getting sweaty. She closed her eyes and tried clearing the negative energy in her thoughts.
Soon, she was called in and after what felt like eternity, she emerged. The nervousness that was all over earlier had vanished as she was now filled with a happy spirit. She had gotten the job. She could hardly believe it. Once again, her dreams of being a designer were rekindled.
Quickly, she put a call to her mom and Ava and shared the news with them. Her face filled with a smile. The smile widened as her mom couldn't stop congratulating her. Her father must be proud of her now.
When the call ended, she looked up and that's when she saw him. The man from that night. Her heart skipped a beat. Why would he be here of all places? Wait, does he work here? Her eyes widened at that thought. Does that mean she will have to see him every day? She shook her head lightly. No. She has to find a way to avoid him at all costs.
She couldn't very well quit her new job after all her hard work, but the thought of working with a man who had taken advantage of her while she was drugged and seeing him every day was not something to be proud of.
She looked away and looked back again, but he was not there; only the sleek black Rolls Royce reversing to leave the company was seen. She was left rooted at the spot. Her heartbeat increased with every second. It couldn't be him. Maybe she was just thinking too much or it could be a mistaken identity.
Her thoughts drifted to that night. She could still remember his face clearly. Probably because he was the most handsome man she'd ever seen or because he was the one who took her innocence. Either way, she can't forget him in a hurry. Again, she shook her head in denial. That couldn't be him. Maybe a lookalike. She mentally reminded herself to research more about the company – A.R. Corporation.
Inside the Rolls Royce sat Alexander. He had seen a resumé with her name and had made P.A Ivan did some background searches only to discover that it was her. She had applied to different companies but was turned down, and here she was, in his. He had wanted to give her the job without her going through the hurdles of the interview but decided otherwise.
When he saw her design samples, he was surprised. But then, something caught his attention. The designs looked like Golden Couture's styles. Then he remembered the words of P.A. Ivan, "The A.R Corporation has taken over the Golden Couture clothing….." "She is the daughter of Mr. Anderson, the former owner of the Golden Couture. He's dead anyway and the company was taken over by his brother before it hits bankruptcy…" Golden Couture is her family's business. At that moment, his heart softened.
'Why didn't she get any job in the whole of City X?' Alex thought. She has good blueprints and her designs are top-notch. She even majored in design while in school. Suspicious.
"Get me information on why she wasn't able to get a job in other companies," Alexander's cold voice came through in the quiet Rolls Royce.
"Noted Boss," P.A Ivan said and wrote it down.
"Arrange her office to be comfortable for her and get the latest work equipment for her…." He gave out a series of instructions as P.A Ivan noted them down.
"Boss," P.A Ivan started after Alexander was done. Alexander grunted as a cue for him to continue. "Lucien Wolfe is back." P.A Ivan announced while looking at him through the rear mirror.
Alexander's face didn't change at all. If anything, he seemed to grow even more dangerously calm as if he had been expecting this news.