Chapter 17
A month passed slowly and unlike before Xavier’s workload increased tenfolds it was just a hellish day when he received a call from “Stars“– the international brand from France called him this morning
“Mr. Stone we apologise but we will not be able to proceed with our venture any longer
Those words made Xavier’s eyes widen as he scrambled from his chair before standing aghast in horror!
“What do you mean you will not be able to continue it?! I have spent millions of dollars just for the supply chain, talked to my partners and have taken a hefty loan-”
“Mr.Stone, you will understand what we are saying if you see the designs yourself.” With that the angry brand manager of ‘Stars‘ hung up without listening to another word.
Among the papers that were scattered across the conference table, files stacked messily on top of one another Xavier found the designs he had meticulously prepared with the help of tens of top designers of Avalon yet as soon as he flipped through the pages, he was horrified to see plaganised ideas from another brand.
At this moment he realised that the ‘Stars‘ brand was not wrong, infact they were quite kind to him for not suing his company and dragging him to legal office, resorting to just cancelling the contract.
“This! Damn it! Bring me the dress designer this instant Xavier’s voice thundered as he commanded his secretary in a scary tone and soon the entire office members were called in a conference.}
The secretary gave Xavier a nervous look before Manager Kim finally spoke.
“Sir the stylists have not made these dress designs.”
“What the hell does that means?” Xavier looked raged making another employee say nervously.
madam who o
ordered us that
“Sir, the stylists have been ordered by Madam Julia to follow her. T–This plagiarism wasn’t their fault…it was madam she went to Italian Fashion school and knows much about it so she wanted to make this deal under her own name.
“Why the fuck would you listen to her?” Xavier fumed to which manager Kim smiled.
“Sir, you gave Madam Julia ten percent shares in Avalon Enterprises as a wedding gift, doesn’t that makes her our boss whom we are “bound” to listen to in your absence?“1
Xavier stood in such fury that he couldn’t help but stay quiet and feel his blood boiling
“She wanted to compete with Miss Ana” The soft interjection by an employee made all the murmurs die down instantly as the crowd gasped.
Xavier pinched the bridge of his nose, his jaw tight.
“I need a meeting with the board tomorrow I am going to introduce some changes.
“Yes, sir.“”
He didn’t wait for a reply. He grabbed his coat and walked out of the office X
The house was quiet and calm when Xavier walked in and his mood deteriorated further, there was no excitement or hope to enter one’s own home as Xavier realised that now I was not present to run up to him and embrace him before gently taking off his coat.
In a month of manage he went as soon as he woke up and retumed late because of the work pressure but Julia being “fragile‘ could not wait for him and ate first and went to sleep
There was always food left on the dining table for him to serve himself and eat yet Xavier never complained thinking that Julia was soon going to be a mother and needed rest.
It was at this moment Xavier’s foot caught on something soft. He looked down to find a Gucci dress, crumpled on the floor like a discarded napkin.
His eyes scanned the room and saw how lavishly it was decorated, even the vase and ashtray costed hundreds and thousands of dollars. “If Ana was here I would not end up like this.” a small whisper left Xavier’s lips before his eyes widened as if he just realised what he had spoken
That if I was here I would support him in such difficult times.
That if I was here he would never fall down to such pits.
“No Julia is my wife now.” Shaking his head Xavier steeled his heart.
*Julia?” he called out sharply.
No answer.
Xavier went to the kitchen thinking that she must be cooking like usual, at least she presented his favorite dishes everyday and Xavier had nothing to complain there.X
The lasagna she cooked yesterday with so much love tasted just like his mother’s..Julia could do that but I, who had been his girlfriend. for ten years, could never get that recipe right !!
Xavier’s anger cooled a little as he thought that I might be talented in design but Julia was equally talented in cooking and it wasn’t entirely her fault that the could not succeed in something she wasn’t best at.
“Julia- who the hell are you?” Xavier’s smile turned into a scowl as instead of Julia, a chef with a stark white apron stood professionally preparing the dishes, and as soon as he saw Xavier, the chef bowed deeply
“Sir, I am Master Lee from Italian dining Pleased to meet you, did you like the lasagna yesterday? The chef’s smile was wiped out when Xavier looked at him in shock and rage.
Your ago. I
The maid nodded meekly. “With her friends. The usual group from the film set.” He didn’t even wait to hear more.)
