Chapter One

'Gabby can I see you for a moment?'

Lot looked up from typing the mails on her laptop before sending them out to clients.

This was her work, her life and her illustrations were her soul. If the illustration was flawed she had to start all over. She wanted less than perfection when it comes to whatever she was doing.

"I'll be right there", she said to Laila her partner and also the Co. CEO to their company. Company was too big of a word if people asked because they were only four working at there presently. But to Gabby, if you wanted something you had to manifest it and work towards it, nothing was going to be handed over to you on a platter of gold if you don't work for it.

"Give me a minute to finish up, I need to get this mails delivered before the end of the day".

Laila was her roommate back in college and since then they've developed a deep bond. Laila and Gabby had a thing for fashion and Gabby was good with the illustrations. So it was not a surprise when they decided to team up to start their own company. And though their company GALA enjoyed popularity and success, amongst fashion brands, they couldn't afford to slack. It will ruin all their hard work and they didn't want that.

She had given up everything to start this company, she had no intention of ruining her hard work. All Gabby wanted now was to expand her business to  employ more workers because things were becoming too much for the employees present to handle alone.

As she sent the last mail she thought of everything that happened, the hurdles she had to go through, it seemed only fair she became successful she had no time to Reminisce on past mistakes if anything she had to forget them.

Smothering a sigh, She made sure all the mails were sent. satisfied she briskly shut down her laptop.

Rotating her chair Gabby turned towards Laila, smiling as she caught Laila looking at Tom's photo on her phone, Tom is Laila's boyfriend, they had been together for a long time now. Gabby always wanted what they had but after a heartbreak, she completely gave up on love or so she thought.

Laila looked up to catch Gabby staring at her phone.

"Why are you smiling?" Laila asked

"I couldn't help but  notice your beautiful lock screen" Laila laughed. Gabby always teased her on how she bagged a handsome boyfriend not like Laila wasn't beautiful, they were both beautiful and they were a match made in heaven.

" on a serious note, I got a mail from Lee's Conglomerates"

"Ignore it".

"Why? If I may ask LEE is one big brand and working with their fashion line would help with boosting our business more"

"You know why, and you know I don't want to talk about it"

"Whatever your reasons are Gabby, please put this company first"

"Fine" Gabby said crossing her arms. Laila snickered, then grinned. As she had won in the argument.

Gabby needed Laila to get off her back and she was right, this would be a great boost for the company.

"I have another good news" Laila said.

"Spill already"

"I just got a mail from Forbes, they wanted to feature us on Forbes 30 under 30"

Astonishment vibrated through Gabby

"Tell me you are joking, the fucking Forbes. This is really good Laila"

Forbes was a magazine famous for features of articles on finance, industry, investing and marketing topics.

For Gabby and Laila this was like their first Oscar or Grammy, it would not only help their career but also help in publicizing their company.

"I know right, imagine the surprise on my face when I saw it" Laila said and several moments later they sat face to face grinning at each other like two giddy fools.

"It's our time Laila" she whispered

"Damn right it is" Gabby whispered back.

An article about them would really help GALA a lot. Their company would be tagged one of the most successful business ever known and so far they were on the right track.

"I need to go for lunch, since Andrew wasn't available to go get lunch for me"

Andrew is Gabby personal assistant, who took the day of for a health check up. So she had to do everything herself today, which included getting her lunch herself.

"Alright" Laila muttered.

Sliding into her blazer, Gabby headed out to the restaurant that was close to her office building.

"Oh Andrew look what you made me do" she grumbled.

She knew she was insensitive towards Andrew, but he always came through for Gabby, he did all his work as a PA. Andrew was a cancer survivor so he usually did a six month interval check up to make sure his cancer didn't resurface. It still made her angry though, she had to get lunch herself because she hated having to talk to strangers.

As she exited her office building, Gabby couldn't help surveying her surroundings for anyone she might know. It was a habit of hers that started after she was chased  away from home by her parent, for not following their dream of becoming a doctor. She wanted something different for herself but their selfishness didn't make them see past that. it was always about them and how she brought disgrace to them. She didn't hate them but she didn't want to see them either.

She didn't want to get involved with anything that had to do with her past, including her parents.

She walked into the restaurant towards the far corner that housed one of the best tables because of its generous view. Which meant one thing VIP.

The fuck

Gabby stood transfixed in her tracks. Startled stares swept over her like ants marching over a picnic blanket. But she couldn't move. She couldn't stop herself from gazing at a major version of her past life, the one who got away.

Her heart beat, pumping pain and rage at the same time.

She couldn't do this again, four years had passed and this man, the man she gave her heart to still had the same effect on her.