"Vincent, you are hurting me." Abby said cowardly as she tried to break free from his grip.
"I want the truth, Abby. Where were you last night?" Vincent asked coldly.
"I-I was-I-." She stuttered.
Before she could talk, an employee opened the door and walked in.
"Sir, you-." The employee said, unaware of what's going on.
Her voice alerted them of her presence. Vincent loosened his grip on Abby's arm and looked away from her.
"I'm sorry, Sir! I didn't mean to interrupt." She apologized sincerely.
"It's okay, Ida! You didn't interrupt anything. Abby and I were just talking. Weren't we, Abby?" Vincent said convincingly and glanced at her with a smile.
A roaring lion turned into a sweet bunny in a minute. Abby nodded her head nervously and didn't make eye contact with him.
"What brings you to my office?" Vincent asked calmly.
"I came to inform you that the investors are at the conference room waiting for you." The employee said.
"Okay! I'll be with them shortly!" Vincent replied and she nodded.
She walked out of the office and left the two as they were.
"You know, I hate hurting you. I don't like it one bit." Vincent said sweetly,
"But somehow you keep pushing me to do it. I don't want you to see me as the villain here. I was only worried about you that I hardly had any sleep last night. You know I love you and wouldn't do anything to make you cry."
He smiled at her but she couldn't see it. She had her eyes on the tiled floor. He tried to pull her close to him but she took a step backwards before he could touch her.
"What? Aren't I allowed to hold my fiancée anymore?" Vincent asked plainly.
"I-I have to go back to work now. I have a lot to do today." Abby said nervously.
"Okay! See you later!" He said and gave her a peck on her cheek.
Abby forced a smile on her face and maintained it until he left the office. The smile disappeared and she sighed sadly. She headed for the door and turned the handle.
"Abby!" A lady called her.
She was already outside and was closing the door. She turned to her side and saw her friend. She forced a smile and waited for her to get close.
"Genevieve!" Abby said, glad to see her.
"I thought you weren't coming today." Genevieve said, walking towards her.
"Why won't I? It's not like I have a choice." Abby said plainly.
Genevieve glanced at Vincent's office as they walked passed it.
"He scolded you, didn't he?" She asked curiously, knowing the obvious.
Abby bit her lips and didn't reply. Her silence gave her away.
"He is a jerk. I can't believe you agreed to marry him." Genevieve said disappointingly.
"I have to. Can't let Dad's company go down the drain. This fashion company is his life. He worked really hard to make it grow. I have to keep it going even if it means getting married to a man I don't love." Abby said.
"Sacrificing your happiness for a legacy isn't right. Your dad had his fun. His company was among the top three in the fashion business and still is. Don't you think you're being a little harsh on yourself? You deserve to be happy with the man you love and not spend the rest of it with a worthless man like Vincent." Genevieve said.
"You shouldn't talk about him like that. He is still your boss and could relieve you of your job if he finds out." Abby cautioned.
"I don't care!" Genevieve said and rethought her decision,
"I actually do. I still need to pay the rent and the bills."
"I have some sketches for the fashion show next week. Do you want to see them?" She added.
"Sure! I hope they are better than your previous designs." Abby said with a chuckle.
|•••VINTAGE DESIGNS•••|
"Ding!"
The doors of the lift slid open and Rex walked out of it. He had one of his airpods on and his phone in his hand. He was on a call with his brother Albert, Kathy's father.
"Like I said, she did it without my permission." Rex said as he walked to his office.
"She probably has her reason for doing so." Albert said.
"Yeah, a stupid one!" Rex replied dryly,
"She cares more about the media and publicity than our relationship."
"Hm! But did you really want to become a father? Parenting isn't easy, you know." Albert asked doubtfully.
"If I didn't,I wouldn't be furious with her." Rex said as opened the door to his office and walked in.
"Hey, babe! Could you check on your dad? I want to go and have my bath?"
Rex overheard Jackie's voice on the call.
"Yeah, sure!" Albert replied to her.
"Switch the video call." Rex said.
"Okay bro!" Albert replied.
Rex held the phone in front of him and waited for the call to switch over. It took a minute to connect and Rex could see Albert clearly. He was lying on the couch and had a bowl of chips next to him.
"Where are you?" Rex asked.
"I'm in the living room." Albert said as he picked a chip and put it in his mouth.
"Al, I hope you aren't eating those chips?" Jackie said from the background.
"No!" Albert replied with his mouth full.
"Who are you talking to?" She asked.
"Rex!" Albert replied.
"Is Kathy with him?" She asked.
"No, Jackie. She is at home with Lucky." Rex replied,
"Your daughter really has a sweet tooth."
"I'm not surprised. She got it from her dad." Jackie said.
"No wonder she is always happy to stay with you. You always spoil her with gifts." Albert said and Rex chuckled.
"Where is Dad? Is he close?" Rex asked.
"No! He is at the field with Joshua." Albert said.
"Who is Joshua?" Rex asked curiously.
"Dad's new prodigy." Albert said and Rex nodded.
"Oh!" Rex said.
Rex reminisced on the night he spent with Abby. Her laughter made him smile unknowingly. Albert looked at him askance and smirked.
"Seems like someone has a new girlfriend." Albert said cheekily.
"Oh, no! It's nothing!" Rex said.
"A thought, huh? So who is she?" Albert asked.
"It's no one!" Rex denied,
"I have to go now. I've got work to do."
"Okay, Rex! I'll call you later!" Albert said.
Rex nodded and ended the call. His secretary opened the door and walked in.
"Good morning, Mr Rex!" He greeted, holding a black file in his hand.
"Schedule." Rex said dryly, going straight to the point.
"You have a meeting with the board of directors at eight; The new fabrics will be delivered and will be ready for inspection and a lunch date with Miss Emma." He read while looking at the opened file.
"A lunch date with Emma?" Rex asked coolly.
"She called me and wanted to book an appointment but I told her you'll be busy throughout the day." He said.
"You may go now!" Rex said dismissively.
His secretary nodded and left the office.