Nora's phone buzzed, displaying Pascal's name on the screen. She answered the call. His tone was more serious than usual, and he addressed her by her full name instead of his usual playful "girlie.""Nora, why didn't you redo the designs for the swimsuits?" Pascal's voice was curt, leaving no room for pleasantries."I did," Nora replied, trying to keep her frustration in check."Well, they're not up to par. You had submitted the same designs back with little or no alterations. You better get on it, make the necessary improvements and leave them on my table. I have instructed the security to let you in" Pascal's voice instructed, and the call ended abruptly, leaving Nora with a sense of urgency and a tinge of annoyance. Confused and concerned, Nora made a quick decision. She sent a text message to her mother, informing her that she was heading back to her office. The unease gnawed at her as she walked into the office building.Inside, she was met by Israel, the chief of security. Desp
. Nora's brow furrowed as she scanned through the messages. "I... I don't remember replying to these," she admitted, a mix of surprise and bemusement colouring her voice.Greg let out a sheepish chuckle. "Seems like there might have been a mix-up," he said, rubbing the back of his neck with an apologetic smile.Nora chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Looks like it," she agreed, feeling a combination of amusement and chagrin."Well, in that case, would you like to go out on a date with me tonight?" Greg asked, his gaze sincere and hopeful.Nora's lips curled into a genuine smile. "I'd like that," she replied, her eyes meeting his with a newfound sense of excitement. In the midst of this unexpected turn of events, there was an undeniable feeling that this Mix-up might just be the start of something interesting.Nora found herself in a perplexing situation, having just agreed to meet Alexander but now facing a promising date with Greg. She was drawn between conflicting interests and t
Nora was taken aback by his appearance – he was dressed in a finely tailored grey suit, quite unlike his usual shirts and sweaters. Nora, with her keen fashion sense, could instantly recognize the quality of the suit even from a distance.Greg's overall demeanour seemed altered too. There was something about him that she couldn't quite put her finger on, a certain air of change that hung around him. She felt an urge to approach him and strike up a conversation. But before she could act on that impulse, two elegantly dressed men approached Greg. They exchanged greetings and promptly led him to a reserved area of the restaurant, clearly a more private space. That put a pause on Nora's intention of talking to Greg.Her focus was abruptly shifted when Alexander's voice cut through the air, drawing her attention. "Hello, doll," he greeted as he took his seat across from her. "Lost in thought?" he asked, his voice playful. Nora realized that she had been deep in contemplation and missed his
Nora's eyes remained fixed on him, her expression a mix of curiosity and scepticism. "Sweetie, you know it's not good to eavesdrop, right?" Alexander spoke his tone light, accompanied by a friendly smile. "I was talking to Cindy about a surprise I am planning for a friend," he continued, trying to defuse any suspicion in the air.Cindy was Alexander's sister, who used to be fond of Nora. Nora's gaze held steady on him, her eyes searching for any signs that might betray the truth. She studied his face intently, looking for clues, for anything that might suggest he was hiding more than he was saying. After a moment of silence that felt longer than it was, Nora finally looked away, breaking eye contact. Her thoughts were a whirlwind, and her emotions conflicted. She wanted to trust him, to believe that he had changed, but the scars from the past were still fresh. "Alright, Alex," she finally responded, her voice a mix of caution and resignation. "Just remember that words are easy. It's
Amanda Johnson's heart ached for her daughter, her pain a tangible weight in the room. Her love for Nora was immense, and seeing her suffer brought tears to her eyes. The memories of Nora's marriage to Alexander were etched with turmoil, and Amanda knew it was time to reveal a hidden truth."Nora, sweetheart," Amanda began, her voice tremulous but determined. "Your father and I made a difficult decision years ago, one we felt was best for you in the midst of your pain." As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes. She recounted the events they had concealed from Nora – the harrowing time when Nora was in the hospital, broken and struggling.Amanda recalled the moment they had gone to face Alexander's parents, a memory that played out vividly in her mind's eye. It was as if time had not dimmed its intensity.The ambience of Alexander's parent's house was a display of opulence – a sprawling estate complete with a grand pool, a jacuzzi, and even a tennis court. Security personnel guarded th
Nora's patience was wearing thin as she folded her arms protectively over her chest and scrutinized Patience. She couldn't fathom the audacity Patience displayed, but then, she knew that audacity stemmed from her amorous exploits with almost every man at Sandra Spears Fashion House who cast a longing glance her way.She was sleeping with Sandra Spears' husband and Pamela's husband, Nora wondered whose bed she was also gracing. "Patience, it's far too early for these games. Step aside," Nora began to assert herself, but before she could continue, Patience interrupted her."And what if I don't?" Patience challenged, her tone dripping with insolence.Nora sighed, her irritation evident. "Fine, I will humour you. What is it you want to discuss?"Patience, ever the provocateur, replied with a sly smile, "Oh, just how you have a peculiar talent for appearing at precisely the wrong time and in the most unwelcome places."The confrontation between the two women had an air of tension, as Nora
"Yes, it was," Greg confirmed with a smile. Nora, clearly taken aback, struggled to find words. "How? I mean, you looked and dressed differently," she finally managed to say.Greg leaned in, his smile unwavering. "I had a meeting, so I decided to dress differently," he explained. When Nora remained silent, Greg added with a hint of humour, "Those are preloved. I mean my outfits, I got them from a vintage store that sells designer outfits. "Their waiter arrived with their order, effectively breaking the awkward silence. Nora seized the opportunity to change the subject, offering a charming smile. "So, you also shop for preloved clothes. Vintage is definitely the way to go to look fabulous on a budget," she remarked.Even as Nora smiled and tried to engage in the conversation, her reservations about Greg still lingered. However, she chose to accept his explanation and pushed aside her lingering doubts, feeling that she might be becoming overly paranoid.Nora flashed a playful smile as
Nora turned around, and behind her was Alexander. He had a sly smile on his face, "Hi", he said with his hands in his pocket. "You scared me", Nora said. The street light partly illuminated where they stood, so Nora was able to partly see him.Nora's heart was racing as she faced Alexander in the dimly lit street. She couldn't believe her ex-husband had shown up like this, and with that smirk on his face."What are you doing here, Alexander?" Nora asked, trying to keep her voice steady despite the anxiety bubbling up inside her.Nora's words were firm, and she maintained her composure. She had worked hard to establish a new life for herself and Graycen after their divorce, and she wasn't about to let Alexander disrupt it."I have been waiting here for you for hours. I just needed to see you and talk to you", Alexander said. Nora exhaled, she wasn't even aware she was holding her breath. "Alex, we are divorced and have separate lives. You can't just show up at my home unannounced", No