15

RACHEAL'S POV.

After what seemed like an hour, Juliet's call came through, informing me what HR had done so far regarding the pre-conference call.

It was at the last bit when I asked Juliet to change the physical mode of the meeting to digital.

I was planning on letting Arielle, Sarah, and Rayna come over; it should be easier anyway now that Rayna's school is on vacation.

"I should suggest this to Sarah later".....I muttered under my breath giving myself a mental note to do just that.

Elegantly my wide-leg pants hugged perfectly to my hips doing justice to my hourglass body.

Exuding confidence and admiration, I marched forward straight to my office. Immediately, I reached my store, arranging my things as usual, in order.

As Juliet came in to announce the start of the meeting any moment from now, I felt some waves of panic crashing into me;

"you can do this, Racheal; this is just purely business, no attraction, and no lust for revenge right now... it's just a conference call, remember!" muttering, convincing words beneath my breath while huffing, relieving myself of unnecessary stress.

" Should I let Juliet postpone the meeting instead, or perhaps let her take it over?"

I heaved a sigh of relief the moment I heard the voice that had always been a rhythm soothing the nervous me.

"Sophia!!....."I called in excitement marching towards her before pulling her into a hug.

Her eyes crinkled as she grinned widely...

" So what do we have here?" She teased, even when she knew what I was going through.

I looked around before I could reply to her, which didn't go unnoticed by Sophia, who dragged herself past me, waving her hands in a gesture stating *worry less*  before sinking herself in my office couch, making herself comfortable.

" Rayley said she is coming later and Arielle, of course, is within the vicinity......Seem she still hates you for haven't been coming around to check on her," She retorted immediately after noticing my rolled eyes before chuckling, leading to boisterous laughter.

" You got to see yourself right now.....of course she is safe" She teased me more while I pouted like a child... yeah, this is the relationship I built with Sophia.

..............

unmuting my audio while turning off my video cam;

I shuddered under the tension of the voice resonating through me, and I felt relieved immediately that I realized I was not on video.

" Pleasure holding this meeting with Miss or Mrs......?" Noah's voice trailed off intentionally, leaving the last piece for me to answer, which I shrugged off rudely, earning a scoff at the other end.

The way he smirked didn't go unnoticed, but I decided to ignore it; if I was on video, he would have noticed my baleful glance.

" I could remember my assistant telling me this is a business meeting emphasizing the meeting and not a conversation over tea!!" I responded with a disgruntled, which I know was audible enough for him to hear because I could see his furrowing brow.

" You are acting tensed, Miss/Mrs?... I think I should just call you by your business name instead, RA?" he added after waiting for a reply from me which met with my silence instead.

Trying to disrupt the eerie feeling followed by my rage, I smirked mischievously, raising one of my brows as some thought crossed my mind.

I can't believe Noah could be as juvenile as this; the Noah I spent almost my years worshipping and serving will never leave a chance for unnecessary commentary.

He is just too arrogant that he wouldn't even spare me a glance......

What a turn of events seemed like. It's my turn now; I promise to let you feel every single heartbreak you gave me. This is a quest I must achieve before revealing myself to the public. I thought with a vicious smile evident in my facial expression.

" Your P. A has managed to convince me why I have to sign off a deal with you but I think I will have to hear from you directly why I shouldn't feel insecure now that Modernmuse enterprise has just broken off the liaison between you two"

I scoffed in satisfaction as I noticed his stiffness, his expression flickering between doubt and confusion.....I can barely notice his displeased expression as he had them spread across his face.

Awkward silence swept across the room, which he broke with a reassuring smile, asking me not to worry since they would be getting it solved before the launching of the necessary materials would commence.

" My model's looks are my concern and priority. My brand has always been top-notch, so I wouldn't want to risk that for any mistakes, Mr. Gordon!!" I retorted in a flat tone, evident of pity and mock, not leaving the warning part.

" Mo-m, Mo-m......!!" Before Noah could reply to my declaration, Arielle's outburst caught me off guard leaving me dumbstruck and tongue-tied

I can't thank my fate enough as realization down on that the connection has gone off logging him out and leaving me wondering if he heard her or not. I heaved in relief as I pulled my daughter into a hug calming my rising heartbeat.

" You got mom worried, Princess," I said while pulling out her cheeks in the process. I couldn't love her less; without her, I wondered what my state could have been; she lit up my darkness.

I raised my head to the open door, revealing Rayla and Sophia, who had left me for my meeting.

I noticed Sophia's dull mood even though she tried to hide it by asking me how my meeting went, which I shrugged off by flying my hand across while mouthing later.

" Mom, I bumped someone and she seemed feisty and arrogant....."

I confirmed at the spot that Sophia was hiding something. Immediately, she tricked Ariella into playing with Rayla.

" Sophia I know you are hiding something.....I am cool, you can say it" I tried reassuring her.