Christian and I broke from our trance, and I found myself yawing my gaze in the direction of my dad, annoyed for some reason. “Yeah, no kidding.” My tone was blank, earning myself wide eyes from the said man who looks as though I have offended him, or so he feigns.
“This girl,” Dad tutted, shaking his head as he threw Anderson a look. “You heard her, right? She just said I am old, didn’t she?”
Anderson didn’t answer, but he did throw a look at me before he looked back at my father with a small, barely visible smile. But, I have seen his indifferent expression way too much, I know when he smiles, even if it is a faint one, and he just did.
A slight chuckle from Christian reminded me of our current situation. He still had his arm on my hips in a possessive way, and then he whispered in an amused tone. “I got to get going.” His lips brushed my temple as he pressed a soft kiss there, the slight action making my insides tingle. Then, he pulled back to meet my gaze, offering me another one of his boyish smiles. “I’ll see you later?”
My dad did not give a chance to respond as he grumbled again, “Let’s go, boy. I don’t have all day.” He then pinned his pointed look at me, “You, head back home with Amy or go do whatever it is you do on Fridays.” With that said, he turned around and started making his way out again.
Christian pulled himself away from me, offering me a small grin before he turned around and hurried to meet up with my father’s steps as the three men left, leaving me alone, and that was the last I saw, or heard of them…whatever they ended up doing. I am fairly certain Christian is still alive though, right? Well, hopefully.
“Just call him if you are so worried,” Amy’s knowing words came, pulling me from my train of thoughts. “A simple phone call will suffice and get rid of your worries.”
I blinked, snapping back to reality, my fingers still lingered on a particular dress amongst that in the dress rack I was going through in the mall, turning my head around to look at her. “What? Call who?” I feigned ignorance, as if I was not caught in the broad daylight thinking of a man I told myself not to bother myself with.
Amy, who stood a few feet in front of the awaiting mall attendees tasked with serving me during my shopping there turned her head to the side, aware of their presence before she met my gaze again. Instead of saying the name out loud, and risk giving an opening for a rumor turned scandal to begin, she opened the folder in her hand instead pulled out a black card from there, extending it out to me.
I glanced at the black card with a number there, gold plated, then met her gaze again with my blank ones. “What is this?”
“His number.” She stated, like it is the most reasonable thing ever. It is not.
My eyes narrowed at her slightly, “Forget it,” I waved it off, turning around to carry on with my task. “I am sure he is still alive.” I muttered to myself, trying to shake off his thoughts so I can focus on my current work. It is Saturday, but I am out to survey the mall where our newest clothing line is, since we have a fashion brand under us. Then, I turned around to face the line of workers there, my expression yawing serious again. “Let’s get to work, ladies.”
I ignored Amy’s eyes that gave a look that showed she did not buy my words, but she did not press it. Instead, she placed the card back where she pulled it, closed the folder, then followed behind me as we carried on with our survey. Work comes first anyway.
And like I said, no news means good news? Right? There is nothing for me to be worried about.
***
Isabella Montague.
Following my order, time seemed to past by pretty fast as I took a stroll around the mall, examining the clothes on show and making inquiries about every single one that caught my attention, to ensure the smooth moving of the business. I did not decide to take time off my weekend to go there just to brush through it and dismiss when there is potential issues. That is not how I do business, I dedicate everything of mine into it, and I have even more motivation to do so now following my father’s announcement at the Shareholder’s meeting yesterday.
“Whoever increases the Group’s sales by 40% in one year will be the one to take over my position as the Chairman,” He declared, in front of everyone in the room, so there will be enough witnesses should anything go wrong. “This still stands whether I am here or not. Should there be a situation where I am unable to stand before you during those months, a business professional shall be appointed as interim Chairman till the one year elapses and the winner emerges. And when they all fail to meet this set criteria, the business professional shall be the one who takes over as Chairman of Montague Groups.”
Such a big announcement, huh? It is no wonder why it threw my step mother and half-brothers off guard because there are so many things that could go wrong. There are more things likely to go wrong than right with his announcement, and it has left everyone wary, and on their toes.
“Do you think we can make it?” Amy’s worry filled voice came for the first time, as we had come to a stop in front of the changing room where I await the models to step out in the dresses so I can evaluate it. We hired a new, renowned designer, and are planning to host a fashion showcase soon with her.
She of course had to pass all the tests despite her high image. Still, I had my doubts, or you can call it business intuitions. I need to see it all under all circumstances before I can push forward with the clothing line for the fashion showcase.
My gaze was set on the folder given to me, which contains sketches of the dresses that will be on the models about to walk out, but I did hear Amy’s words loud and clear from where she stood by my side, while I am seated. I did not spare her a glance though, having other things to worry about than second guessing myself. “We have to.” I said, my tone firm, and filled with determination, unlike hers dripping with worry.
I heard her sigh, her worries practically rolling off her in waves. “Even if we increase our sales to 50%, the highest impact it will leave is 20% for the Group in general.” She tried to reason, as if I did not know that already. “And in the past two years, our sales have only creased up to 38%. It will be extremely difficult to achieve that in 12 months.”
I flicked to the next page of illustrations, my voice a murmur when I responded for I was far too engrossed in the work I have to give much worry to her thoughts. “Then we increase it to a 100% if we have to.” I said, casually. “We can do it. We have to.” It is not like I am not worried, but will worrying solve anything or increase my sales?
No. That is the answer. What can help me though is for me to work my ass off every chance I get so I can meet the required target. That is what will help, not worrying every minute of the day and freaking out.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.