CHAPTER 4

As Ximena stepped out of the car and into the Antonio Enterprises building, she straightened her shoulders and took a deep breath.

 The towering glass walls seemed to mirror her resolve. She was no longer the timid woman who had bent over backwards to please others. This time, she was in charge.

 Inside the conference room, the design team had already gathered, murmuring amongst themselves about the sudden meeting.

 When Ximena entered, silence fell, and all eyes turned to her.

 “Good afternoon,” Ximena began, her voice calm but commanding. “I’ve called you here because we are about to embark on a new project. I want bold ideas, something no one has ever dared to create. This collection must make headlines and redefine what fashion means.”

 The team exchanged glances, a mix of excitement and apprehension flickering across their faces.

 A young designer named Clara raised her hand hesitantly. “Miss Antonio, do you have a theme in mind? Or a particular vision for this collection?”

 Ximena smiled faintly. “I do. This collection will be called Nikki. It will symbolize rebirth, strength, and rising from the ashes. It’s not just about clothes; it’s about telling a story.”

 The room buzzed with energy as the designers jotted down notes and began sketching ideas in their notepads.

 “Remember,” Ximena added, her tone firm, “this isn’t just another collection. It’s a statement. Failure is not an option.”

 As the meeting concluded, Rafael lingered behind, his face lined with concern. “Miss Antonio,” he said carefully, “this is ambitious, even for you. Are you sure we can pull it off in such a short time?”

 Ximena’s gaze hardened. “We don’t have a choice, Rafael. We must succeed. I won’t allow failure.”

 Rafael nodded, impressed by her dedication. “Understood. We’ll make it happen.”

 That evening, Ximena worked late into the night, reviewing sketches and making adjustments. She barely noticed the time until her assistant knocked on the door.

 “Miss Antonio,” the assistant said softly, “you should get some rest. It’s almost midnight.”

 Ximena shook her head, her eyes glued to the design in front of her. “I can’t afford rest, Lisa. Not now. Every second counts.”

 Lisa hesitated but finally nodded and left the room.

 As silence enveloped the office, Ximena leaned back in her chair, exhaustion creeping in. Yet, despite her fatigue, a spark of excitement flickered within her. For the first time in a long while, she felt alive.

 The next morning, Ximena arrived at the office early, eager to see the first round of sketches. The designers had worked tirelessly through the night, and their hard work was evident in the vibrant, daring designs laid out before her.

 “These are brilliant,” Ximena said, her voice filled with genuine admiration. “This is exactly what I had in mind.”

 The team beamed with pride, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten.

 “Let’s finalize the designs and start production immediately,” she instructed. “I want this collection ready for the upcoming fashion week.”

 Her words sparked a flurry of activity as the team got to work. Ximena watched them with a sense of pride and purpose. She was no longer just surviving; she was thriving.

 A week later, Ximena’s schedule was packed with meetings, fittings, and promotional events. The fashion world was abuzz with rumours of Antonio Enterprises’ groundbreaking new collection, and expectations were sky-high.

 But amid the chaos, Ximena couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. She noticed subtle changes in her team’s behaviour—whispers in the hallways and nervous glances during meetings.

 That afternoon, as she reviewed fabric samples in her office, Rafael walked in, his face pale.

 “Miss Antonio,” he began, his voice shaking, “we have a problem.”

 Ximena looked up sharply. “What kind of problem?”

 Rafael hesitated before handing her a tablet. On the screen was a leaked image of one of their key designs from the Nikki collection.

 “How did this happen?” Ximena demanded, her voice rising in anger.

 “We’re not sure yet,” Rafael admitted, his expression grim. “But it’s spreading fast. Competitors are already claiming they had the idea first.”

 Ximena’s heart sank. This was sabotage. Someone within her team had betrayed her.

 “I want a full investigation,” she said, her tone icy. “Find out who’s behind this. And double down on security. This collection is too important to fail.”

 Rafael nodded and left the room, leaving Ximena alone with her thoughts. She clenched her fists, her mind racing. Who could have done this? And why?

 As the days passed, the tension in the company grew. The investigation revealed that the leak had been deliberate, but the culprit remained elusive. Ximena couldn’t help but suspect Tania’s involvement, though she had no proof against her.

 One evening, as Ximena prepared to leave the office, her phone buzzed with an anonymous message.

 “You think you’ve won, but this is just the beginning. Watch your back.”

 Her blood ran cold. The message confirmed her fears; someone was indeed targeting her, and they weren’t done yet.

 Ximena stared at the screen, her mind racing. Who was behind this?