Chương 36: Usurper

Layla

"Mr. Halloway, sir, Mr. Thompson is here to see you. He's in your office." Danny's secretary, Jenny, says, making us stop as she eyes him worried.

"Thanks, Jenny," Danny replies, pulling me closer by my shoulders and kissing my temple. "Ladybug, I'll see you in a bit. Let Felix know I'm in a meeting and to start the meeting without me. If I'm done before you guys are over, I will join you, ok?" he smiles, caressing my cheek before he turns and leaves.

I can't help but feel like this meeting will be a disaster without him.

I hurry toward my office, grab my portfolio and notepad with my designs and go on over to the meeting room. Everyone is already seated; I glance around for an empty seat, and to my dismay, the only set I see besides the CEO's chair is the one next to Sasha.

I groan inwardly, closing my eyes and begging for a miracle. My sister sees me, smiling and gesturing for me. "Layla, over here," she says, making the girls move a seat and making room for me. "Thanks," I whisper in relief, making her chuckle.

"Of course. I'd hate to see you suffer throughout the whole meeting next to the gold-digging man-eating sash!" she whispers back, making me chuckle.

"Lay, sweetie, wasn't Danny with you? Where is he? We need to get this meeting started." dad says, making me turn.

"Oh, I forgot. He is in a meeting with a Mr. Thompson, I believe?" I say, wondering if I remembered the name correctly.

"He asked for you to start the meeting, and he will join us later if his meeting concludes before ours," I say with a smile.

"Uh, ok. I guess we can start then. Hugo, what are your requirements for this next collection?" Dad asks Hugo as he comes in and sits on Danny's empty chair. "Well, as you know, the holidays are near. And this year, besides proms coming up, and winter formal, Bastian and I were discussing the possibility of taking it to the next step." I l9sten with intrigues.

He gives us examples of what Bastian is looking for, and it's perfect. The designs he wanted for his sister and the collection were just what I had been aiming for, styles that are Cassidy-worthy. I feel content with my designs, and I know she will love them.

"Now, I know we are used to designing mainly for young adults, but he has a point... We need to think of women in general. Designs that will appeal not only to an eighteen-year-old but a young at heart who wants to look her best at a high school reunion. To look her best at a luncheon or an orchestral concert with her beau." Hugo's eyes gleam with excitement as he goes on.

I knew working with Bastian was a great idea, and I'm so glad he's back in the states. "Now, I know the competition is heavy in the fashion industry, but I am confident that you girls are the best. I am happy working with every one of you girls, and I will ensure to include a few designs from each of your creations. So! Without further ado, let's get started; I want to see all of your tabs, and we will pick the best ones. Afterward, I will help Sebastian choose the best ones to include in our winter collection." I sigh and look at my sister with a smile on my face.

She hugs my shoulders and whispers in my ear. "I know who's going to have the most designs... You! You have been working like crazy, and I saw your designs the other day in your office; they are gorgeous. I know Cassidy will love them." she says, making me blush.

"I'm just glad I can help bring the company back on its feet," I say, making her smile. "I am so proud of you, little sis," she says, making me smile warmly. "Awe, thanks, Karly. I love you."

"I love you too, ladybug."

The girls begin to hand their designs to Hugo, and he smiles as he observes one design after the other.

"Oh, I like these... Ooohhh. My... Sasha, I was not aware of this talent. I mean... I know you're talented, but MY GOD! I have never seen you design like this." he says, making her smile from ear to ear, looking at me as if trying to prove herself.

"This almost looks like something our ladybug would design. No offense. But it looks like having your office moved across from her has been a benefit for you. Your skills and techniques have improved in such a short time. Ok, I like this one, and this one, and oh... I love this one. Uggh! You know what? I'm keeping your entire pad. I need Bastian and Cassidy to see them. You don't mind, do you?"

"Of course not. By all means," she says happily. Hugo sets her designs on the side and stretches his hand out for the next girl, and so on until it's my turn.

I'm nervous, and my hands are shaking. I looked at my designs one last time before handing them to him while he finished with my sisters. But my heart drops. There are blank pages, and many of my designs are missing—especially the ones I designed for Cassidy to wear for her upcoming winter formal.

"No... No. This... This can't be!" I whisper frantically. My face feels hot, and I feel like crying.

"What's wrong?" my sister asks in a whisper, making me feel like breaking down. "My designs... They're gone."

"What?" she spat out loud, making everyone turn. "Karly," I scold her, making her give Sasha a threatening look.

"Gone, my ass! I have a feeling I know why Hugo loved those designs Sasha turned in.

"You know, I thought it was weird that she didn't come down for lunch. I bet she fucking stole them."

"Yeah, but we don't know that. We haven't seen the designs she entered until Hugo places them on the board. And how can I prove they're mine? I hadn't signed them."

"What? Layla! You know you have to mark them with your signature visibly so they know it's yours. How can you've been so careless?" she whispers, making me close my eyes, regretting not signing them.

"Great job, Karla. I'm taking four of your designs and showing them to Sebastian. I know he will be so happy with the designs we have so far. Now, ladybug..." he looks at me tenderly, making me want to run out and cry.

"Your designs, baby girl. I know you will not disappoint. Our best designs last quarter were a big success thanks to your talented mind. I can't wait to see your designs." he says, making me close my eyes, handing him my notepad, and hanging my eyes in shame.

He begins with a gleam in his eyes, but soon, and very slowly, his smile begins to fade. And he slowly ponders, looking at me and back to the designs, and clears his throat. "Layla, all these designs are beautiful, but... Where are the rest of them? You only have ten designs; I asked for twenty."

I don't have an answer, and I'm left speechless. Sasha looks at me with her head held high, and I feel like slapping the smirk off her face, but... I need to stay calm. "I... I'm sorry, Hugo. Some of my designs are, misplaced. I... I don't know where they are."

"What do you mean?" he asks, making me feel a little. Everyone's eyes are on us, and the room fills with an awkward silence.

"What I mean is..."

"Never... Nevermind. I will use three of your designs and have Bastian decide soon as he is here."

"We'll meet in five, so I can put them up before Bastian gets here," he says, making everyone stand. I can't help but run to the bathroom and throw up.

My stomach feels awful, and the vile left in my throat makes it feel raspy. We come back to the room. But I feel like this day is going down the shithole for me.

I feel so distraught that I don't bother looking at the board with all the designs taped to it. I sit at the same place, ready to get this day over with.

A knock at the glass wall by the entrance makes us turn. Danny and Bastian stand at the door. "Please, come on in," Danny says with a smile, gesturing for Sebastian to enter.

"Hello, hello! Are you guys ready for me? Oh, ladybug! Good job, baby! Hugo picked most of your designs!" Danny says, winking an eye at me.

That's when my blood begins to boil, and I see my missing designs with a fake signature on each of them, making me stand on my feet as I make my way to the board.

I snatch one of my designs off, making Hugo look at me curiously. "Ladybug?"

"Who's signature is this?" I demand angrily. The rest of the girls return, giggling, but soon stop as they see me pissed off.

"Uhh, what?" Hugo is baffled, but I have a feeling I know what's going on.

Karly was right... Someone stole my designs.

"Who the hell signed my designs as theirs?"

"Excuse you! But those are my designs. You can see my signature on the bottom, and the day I designed each one." Sasha is so sure she can get away that she has a stupid smile on her face.

"You? You stole my designs; these are mine!"

"Whatever. These are clearly mine, Hugo! You know I would never do such a thing; Layla is just mad that she didn't finish the assignment."

"My ass, you wouldn't! These are my designs!" I busted out, getting angrier.

"Alright, alright. Everyone, please calm down. Layla, sweetie, relax and take a seat. We can resolve this." dad says, trying to calm all of us down. But I was far too angry.

"Clearly, there has to be an explanation for all of this.

"Felix, how are we going to be able to know who's telling the truth?"

"Easy!" Danny says, standing up.

"I can tell you," he says, making Hugo tilt his head in confusion.

"Clearly, someone has decided to usurp my wife's designs, but what they don't know is that Layla always leaves hidden signatures on her designs. But I know how to spot them."

Sasha's eyes widen, and a smile forms on my face as my sister, Karly, takes my hand and makes me sit down.

"Take a seat, ladybug. This will be fun to watch."

"Indeed," I say, giving Sasha an angered but happy smile.

bình luận bình luận của 0

Bình chọn

GỬI QUÀ TẶNG

Load failed, please RETRY