6. Orion Ashbourne
*SAME DAY, NEW PLAZA*
Handling this business is not easy. Not a single day passes without this thought crossing my mind, and everytime I am left in awe of my parent's dedication and hard work to bring Ashbourne Atelier to this fame - a reminder that keeps me going.
My schedule for the next 2 months is already so full that sometimes it gets overwhelming.
But once I am home, tired and sleepy, and mama welcomes me back with that wide smile, stays awake for me and patiently waits till I am done eating the food - all this work feels worthy of it.
Anyways, today, I was here for a visit along with my team. One of our branches in New plaza was receiving constant complaints from customers for the past two days and even after Atlas, my PA, personally looked into it, there was nothing out of the ordinary.
So I shortened today's board meeting and directly came for the branch visit unannounced only to find that I had hired the wrong staff.
Before entering, I stood at a distance, observing the store and interactions. And it wasn't long before I understood where it all went wrong.
The previous branch manager had to leave this job for his personal family issues and thus a new manager was hired on short notice. Who turned out to be a wrong choice.
She was ignoring one of my esteemed guests and instead entertaining some jewellery laden teemagers - a big mistake to begin with.
And to top it off, even the staff members were following the stupid manager and copying the same thing.
"Hello Mrs. Glynn." I greeted the middle aged lady who was about to walk out from the shop.
"Orion? What a pleasant surprise!" Mrs. Glynn actually looked happy at our meeting.
"Yesterday itself mama was talking about inviting you home. She recently visited Frostford and bought you Château Margaux. Or better, why don't you join us for lunch this weekend. It's been some time since I last saw Mr. Glynn." Mama always made sure that she gave importance and was very much attentive to people around her, something I was still learning.
"Such a sweet child. I will contact Mrs. Ashbourne soon." Mrs. Glynn said with a smile.
"So what would you like to see? Last month itself we launched a limited edition set named 'Eterna'. How about you have a look at it?" I asked skillfully while Atlas gave a small signal to my team who in no time took control of the branch and brought back more than ten pieces of bracelet, all from the latest premium collection.
Within seconds, we were already seated comfortably, looking at all those stunning pieces. This team sure needed a raise for today's performance.
"This one is from 'Solara' - we already launched the necklace and earring set from the same." And before I could finish my statement, the set was already in front of me.
"This looks beautiful!" Mrs. Glynn praised 'Solara'.
"Would look even more beautiful if you tried it on Mrs. Glynn." She actually had flawless skin compared to her age.
But yes, almost every single woman in their circle was the same, though none better than mama. She was the best.
Within half an hour, Mrs. Glynn happily left our shop. Time for some action.
I hadn't given a single glance at the staff and manager there. It was already terrifying enough for them.
"Find me a capable team within the next two hours. I don't want to see a single face out of this again. Also send the person who had hired them to my office tomorrow morning." I said, about to walk away.
"Mr. Ashbourne, I am sorry. I didn' realise that Mrs. Glynn was an important figure. She was wearing such simple clothes. How was I supposed to know that!" The manager said, already disappointing me more.
"You decide the importance of a human based on their clothes? Seriously? And you thought those two girls were more important because they came in with loads of jewelleries? Leave now." I was already done with them.
Usually I am never this harsh, not to females at least. But this one did everything to do that. She was almost about to sever our ties with the Glynn family.
I can never let such people take care of my business even at ground levels. Ashbourne was the blood and sweat of my parents. It couldn't go down at hands of such incompetent individuals.
"Sir please-" the staff and manager were pleading but I was already done wasting my entire hour over this stupidity.
"Atlas." I said and he knew what to do.
I walked out, remembering I had a meeting scheduled after lunch. Should I have my lunch here itself or go back to work? I unlocked my phone, scrolling to have a quick glance at recent emails. I guess it would be better to-
And I just stopped midway.
'Did I actually see her?' Before I could question myself, I already took two steps back, turning to my right and there she was.
Was this some kind of romance book? I hadn't even seen her properly and I stopped in my tracks. I hadn't felt such a strong connection with anyone up until now. My feets stopped even before my brain could process. I knew this would sound weird but I think this is what people called Destiny.
She looked so pretty, looking at those candies with such contemplation as if her life depended on it. How adorable!
Someone called her out and it wasn't long before she turned her back to me, going in the opposite direction.
Before I could understand, I was already walking inside the mart, stopping at a faraway corner, watching her surrounded by her friends I guess. But they were blocking my view. I walked ahead, but maintained enough distance to only hear her speak.
Now that I remember, I have never heard her speak. Okay enough thinking, I should remain silent to listen to her voice.
"Found yourself a sugar daddy or what?" What were they saying? She had been back facing me so it was hard to interpret what she was thinking.
"You have always been such a slut Aurie! But I never knew you would resort to such a cheap trick of killing your own parents!" Jesus they can't be serious? How can someone speak so rudely? And that too about her parents. What is wrong with these kids? I can already feel my blood boil at those statements.
"Go away bitch! We can't be breathing the same air!" The boy pushed her hard on the floor, as all of them laughed at her and that was it. I have never been so furious my entire life even at the biggest of failures but this was infuriating.
I was already jogging my way towards her cause I saw someone push her hard. They were definitely not friends for sure.
"Speak up whore!" One of the girls said.
How could they speak so badly! It took all my self control to not push that girl away. I simply pulled her away from them, trying to make sure she was safe.
And god she was literally shivering. She couldn't even breathe properly. She felt so small, wrapped in my arms that I had no other wish than to protect her from all the darkness forever. It just broke my heart to see her in such a vulnerable state.
"Are you alright?" I asked gently, hoping I could comfort her a little.
I had never been close to any female in my entire life. Forget having someone in my arms, I hadn't even side hugged anyone yet. A little handshake was my limit. I didn't even know how to console someone. But for her, it just all came naturally. It was as if she was meant for all my protection and care.
But instead of answering, she started shaking even more badly and before I could process she was already crying.
'God!! Someone please tell me what in the world I could do to stop her from crying. I can definitely not bear that-' and she just gave a slight push, freeing herself from me and running away.
'What to do-'
"Sir?" I heard someone.