Chapter NineteenClarissa nodded satisfactorily, staring into Lana's determined eyes. "That's my girl. We are so over nasty cheats and ex-husbands, okay?" She affirmed and Lana giggled before nodding.Clarissa knew everything about Lana's life back in Oakcrest city. When Lana had returned home and they'd met once more, it was clearly seen that she was not okay.She was not the bright bubbly Lana that she was before she had left. Clarissa was furious that this was because of Damien Romero, her ex-husband.Even though Clarissa had the energy of a child and was as refreshing as fresh dew, she was the one who normally left men begging in herrelationships.No man would dare to try to break her heart. They'd be getting their three legs broken by her brothers, instead.A tentative knock sounded on the door and the two ladies turned to it. The handle turned and Diego poked his head inside. Relieved to see that Zaire was gone and it was now Clarissa in there with Lana, he walked right in to
Chapter Twenty"Pierre Evans, the world renowned mentor and fashion designer will be at SERENE'S fashion show!"Vera stood aside with a triumphant smile on her face, as Damien's head whipped up to stare at her.He narrowed his eyes at them, obviously thinking they were lying, but then he really did not focus on the trending news nowadays.But if Pierre Evans had really appeared...Nine years ago, when the fashion icon had vanished into thin air, the industry desperately searched for him but no one could find him.Pierre was an independent designer himself. He refused to be contracted with any company for any periods longer than six months.And if he did, the company had to be among the top five in the country. Once Pierre contracted with them, they remained in that top five due to his influence.Pierre Evans had worked for MAGIC TOUCH for just three months when Laura was alive but it was memorable. He focused more on mentoring their designers, helping them to make outstanding designs.
Chapter Twenty OneThe night was well lit both with the moonlight as well as the lights emanating from the huge dome where SERENE was holding its fashion show.The show proved to be a big affair with all influential and respectable members of the society in attendance. An hour before the show started, the dome was already filled up, with the invited VVIP members seating primly inside on reserved chairs.Over the years SERENE has proved to have amazing designs that were sought for at any opportunity. So no one wanted to miss it.They knew SERENE was getting its designs from ALLURE and also Muse. This caused a lot of dissension in the fashion industry, with everyone saying Muse was being unfair working for a few selected people.But no one had seen this talented fashion designer so their anger and envy were not well-aimed. The fashion icons in the city could not also reject her designs because they were top notch.So they took every opportunity to make sure they are available when her d
Chapter Twenty-two.At the instruction from Zaire's assistant, Diego steered the car around the dome to the second entrance which was behind it.This was so she could avoid the press and the crowd. Lana thought that was quite okay.She did not want to meet with the press. They could take pictures all they want when she's on the runway.The crowd watched the limousine roll down the road and drive past them. They could not see the occupants of the car but apparently, no one thought to follow it.Lana breathed a sigh of relief at that"My God, the place is so full!" Clarissa said, her eyes wide with wonder "What's this, Broadway?! SERENE never had this much audience before.""Pierre Evans be doing wonders" Lana whistled as she also stared in awe.She could not help but feel her chest puff up with pride. She was going to be wearing a dress designed by the man who could pull such a crowd.That was freaking awesome!The next instant, her palms became sweaty, and her breathing ragged. She in
Chapter Twenty-ThreeWhen Pierre Evans finished his speech, Damien was glad to see that he was in good health. He had feared the man would not want to venture into fashion designing again after so many years.But again, he had designed for SERENE, so there was no harm in trying to get him to design for other companies.When the show started, he was immediately amazed by the outfits just like everyone else."Thank God, we came out for the show. I can't believe I was going to miss this!" Vera exclaimed, her mouth open as she watched the models."Exactly, Mother. I can feel my senses tingling. I don't think I've ever seen such exquisite designs before!" Rina breathed by her side, her eyes wide as she took in every detail of the outfits being paraded by the models on the runway.Surreptitiously, she brought out her iPhone and took a few pictures, as the models went by. She caught Damien glaring at her when she looked up, and gave him a nervous smile. "Thank you so much for bringing us ou
Chapter Twenty-Four"Lana!"Damien yelled as he walked backstage. The place was huge and crowded. The occupants of the huge room stared at him, their eyes wide with surprise.They wondered why the C.E.O of MAGIC was there yelling for a certain Lana.Wait, who was Lana?"Lana!" Damien yelled again, his eyes scanning every inch of the room but she was nowhere to be found.But she literally just walked in here, dammit, he thought in frustration, his hand raking his hair.How did she disappear so soon?"I must find her!" Damien was breathing hard as his head swam with those thoughts. His fingers were clenching and unclenching as he stood helpless, in the middle of the back room, with everyone else stealing surreptitious looks at him.A woman walked up to him smiling nervously. "Hello, sir". Mira said tentatively "do you perhaps need help? Maybe I can do something?""The woman in the finale dress tonight. Where is she?!" Damien asked, staring at her directly in the eyes and Mira blinked.S
Chapter Twenty-Five Lana laughed, a mirthless sound escaping from her lips as she marvelled at Rina's stupidity. "How stupid can you be, Rina? Why would I want the attention of my Ex who is nothing to me?!" She said, her voice calm and mocking. She was totally enjoying seeing Rina lose control like she was currently. The little fool still thought she had feelings for Damien. "Damien can rot for all I care," she said those words staring at Damien directly and Vera snapped. "Shut up, you whore! Rina is right about everything!" She yelled, wagging a manicured finger at her "you must have planned this with the C.E.O of SERENE to embarrass my son!" "Mother, Enough!" Damien growled, his eyes closed in frustration. "Damien! What is this nonsense?!" Vera hissed, as she walked closer to him, her long black dress swishing the floor, threatening to trip her. She looked around at the crowd and spoke loudly "you're really doing this over this golddigger and lowlife?!" Damien's jaw tensed an
Chapter Twenty-SixLana walked out of the dome, blinking back the tears that was threatening to spill down her face. Even with Zaire's jacket draped over her shoulders, she was shaking terribly from the night cold and from what had just happened.Standing by the side of the tarred road, they were almost blinded by the headlights from Lana's Limo, as it rounded the corner and drove towards them.The car came to a stop in front of them and Diego jumped out of it, and went round to the owners spot to open the door.Clarissa walked in to the car and scooted over to the other side, before settling down comfortably. She bent her head and stared out at Lana, wondering why she wasn't coming in yet.Shrugging out of his suit jacket, Lana turned and handed it back to Zaire "Well then, this is it. Thanks a lot for tonight, Zaire."He looked at her sheepishly, his green eyes boring into hers "I'm sorry about what happened tonight, Lana. I never knew the Romeros would honor the invitation this ti
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty-SevenNews of Gary's arrest spread like wildfire around the company.People were shocked at his involvement but they were even more surprised at his refusal to give up the names of his partners involved in the criminal act.Everyone felt that was a foolish move.He could reveal his partners names and perhaps have some of his charges dropped."Who do you think his partners must be?""I heard everyone who worked in the bay area were fired. Some of the production team members as well.""Well, its better than being jailed.""That's right. They got off easy, I think. Who knows if they were really oblivious to what was going on.""They must have had some hand in it. They are probably among his partners. Junior sales manager Gary could not have done that without their help.""You mean former junior sales manager. We have a new junior sales manager now, did you forget?"These were the words the employees discussed as they went about their work and in their group
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty-SixThe door to the sales office creaked loudly as Gary slowly pushed it open.He walked calmly into the office and came to a dead stop, as everyone turned to face him immediately.The Regional Head was standing with his legs apart in the office, and his hands clasped behind him, like some sort of military commander.Flanking him on both sides were the members of the internal audit team, looking as neatly pressed and put together, with not one hair out of place or a rumple in their clothes, as though they had not just finished a grueling three weeks task.A task that could have taken them three months, and had taken the original internal team a couple of years. The other employees in that office stood behind their desks, nervously clutching their hands and giving each other side looks.Their gazes flitted from the Regional Head to Noah and back to each other. The tension in the office was palpable and they could not wait to get past the suffocating mome
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty FiveGary's eyes widened in alarm and they reddened in the next instant from fury."What the fuck!" He snarled, "Why am I the only one taking the fall? Are you fucking with me right now, Maya?!""Because that's the only way you can save your head! God, are you stupid or something?" She said, throwing up her hands in disgust, "I should have known better than to warn you. I'd have just let your head be blown off in the streets because you deserve it!"Gary scoffed, "That's freaking bullshit." He said, a tiny smirk curving his lips, "You don't scare me and neither does he! I'm calling his bluff."Maya laughed in disbelief, then slowly blinked in confusion as Gary puffed out his chest, tucking his hands deep in his pockets.He was really serious!Her jaw twitching with anger, she jabbed a finger in his shoulder, "Don't say I did not warn you," she snarled, "I'd like to see you so smug when you're six feet under."She stormed off, and Gary watched her, his ey
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty FourAs the internal audit raged on, everyone in the affected departments was on edge.The air was thick with tension.It clawed up people's throat and pressured them into seeking religion, making preparations in case they turned up unemployed...Everyone was on edge but no one more than Gary and Maya.They had no idea of the contents of the reports that Noah had drafted out for the regional head.But the rumors flying around the company claimed Noah had practically given the Regional Head everything he needed.It was said that the Regional Head already knew who the culprit was and was bidding his time because the culprit was a big fish.Gary knew he was no big fish but those rumors kept him awake for days, tossing and turning in bed with worry.His mind kept going over everything he did with the Deluxe products for the past three years, the precautions he was sure he took, the way he made sure nothing would point back to him..."But were they really eno
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty-ThreeThe discovery of the siphoned goods and the part Noah played in the big reveal spread like wild fire across the company.Everyone marveled at how he was able to pull it off himself.It was said that the reports he provided made the internal audit to move more smoothly than ever.The audtors knew where to go, who to ask questions, what questions to ask based on what Noah had provided.This earned him considerable respect in his department as well as the company. The golden haired mystery man was not as dumb as every one thought he was.Infact, he was being accorded honor by the regional head, who made sure every thing was done to the letter, following Noah's instructions."We cannot misuse such valuable information. Its time to fish out those perpetrators and clease out Romero Solutions," The regional head had declared before he gave Noah a determined look, "If this turns out successful, headquarters will be really pleased with you, Noah."And that
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty-TwoThere was stunned silence in the Regional Head's office as Noah made that statement."Wh...what did you say?" The regjonal.head asked in shock and disbelief, "The batches for the deluxe products are being siphoned?! By who?"The regional Head voice was rising by the minute, and his hands curled into fists on his seat."I don't know about that, sir." Noah said, carefully choosing his words else he let something slip.He did not intend to reveal the one behind the crime, mainly because he did not know who the mastermind was.Secondly, he had no evidently of the ones he suspected. These little details will be brought to light when the Regional Manager sets the auditing team to work."When I noticed a pattern of weight discrepancies as well as other inconsistencies in the record, I had to check for myself." He continued but was stopped by Fred."What do you mean, inconsistencies?" The man asked, "What did you discover in the records?,""There were a lot
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty OneGary quickly rushed after her before she could get to the door and drew her back sharply."Hold on, you little bitch," He snarled as he accidentally grabbed her hair as well and pulled her back.Maya winced in pain as she felt strands of her hair being pulled from the scalp, "Ow!" She cried out in agony, "Let me go. At once!""Not until you explain what you mean by that little statement which you just uttered," Gary fired back heatedly."I meant exactly what I said, you piece of trash, " Maya said as she mustered her energy and stomped on his toe with her heeled foot."Ahh!" Gary cried out in anguish as pain exploded in his foot. He let go of her hair at once and doubled over in pain, trying to hold his throbbing toe but it was much too painful.Maya, seeing as she was free from his hold, turned back and stared at him in disdain, "You think I won't take protective measures for myself? You've got to be joking, Gary." She spat out, "You take care of an
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty "Something of utmost importance?" The Regional Head repeated in puzzlement, "What could that be?"Maya's heart slammed in her chest as she heard Noah say those words. Franticaly, she glanced at Gary who had also gone a little pale.A look of terror passed between them and they immediately knew what the important news Noah had for the regional head was."Stop him!" Maya seemed to say with her eyes, glaring at Gary and making motions with her head towards Noah.She was so agitated that she could not stand still. She had been so eager to want to leave this place earlier but now she wouldn't leave for all the world.She had to stay to hear what Noah had to say to the Regional Head.Quick as flash, Gary stepped in between the Regional Head and Noah.Smiling nervously, he started speaking, "Regional Head sir, why don't you allow the Senior sales manager to take you to his office, while you wait for the reports on the audit?" He turned and nodded to Fred, who
Chapter Two Hundred And Twenty Nine"Infact, these has got to be the best results I've ever seen in a while."Everyone stared in amazement at the Regional Head.He was giving Noah a warm and approving smile, while patting him heartily on the arm."You say they are the best reports that you've ever seen?" Fred asked as he stepped closer to the Regional Head."But that's inpossible," Gary uttered through gritted teeth, "He has no qualifications. How is he able to prepare the best reports you've ever seen?"Everyone almost groaned in annoyance at Gary's stupidity and shamelessness.Maya rolled her eyes and stomped her foot impatiently on the marble floor.It was bad enough to stand here like some kind of lackey, and watch the regional director do his job but now she had to listen with her heart in her mouth, hoping that Gary does not let any information slip."He talks too much," she thought angrily, biting her lower lip in annoyance, "if he dares to say anything concerning the deluxe pr