Nine months too late: After divorce

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Despite the toes Sylvie had stepped on the previous night, her demand was met. Surprisingly.

She'd expected more backlash from Galen, but that morning, he informed her she'd be getting her own space in Astréa Label.

It was the best news Sylvie had gotten in a long while, even though her sisters-June and Astrid specifically-were not happy about it.

She got ready for work and when she reached the company, she was indeed, shown to her office. At least, she didn't have to work under the harsh scrutiny of Ms. Tasmin anymore, as well as various eyes staring at her all the time.

Sylvie should feel accomplished; a little better. But there was still this insatiable ache in her heart, a vacuum she needed to fill.

Her confrontation with Cindy the previous night had given her the confidence she needed to stand up to her family, but she wanted more. She wanted to cause Cindy more pain for what she'd done to her.

To think the bitch had opened up to her face the previous night and told Sylvie that she she'd betrayed her simply because she was envious? Her stupid envy caused her her kids!

Taking up her up phone, Sylvie re-texted the person she'd texted the previous night, asking if there were any new updates. After a few minutes, the person texted back, telling her there was still no lead but he'll be having one in a short while. Sylvie exhaled deeply, forcing herself to remain calm. She should trust him to do this. She really couldn't wait.

She kicked off with work, having so much to do. She had to work on the Timeless Tale designs in the production room, while sketching the Queen's birthday dress. She also needed to work on more personal designs. Sylvie had a lot to do, and despite the plenty staff assisting her, she knew it was still going to take a lot of time and effort.

Later in the day, she surprisingly got a call from her grandfather Sylvie could count the number of times her grandfather had personally reached out to her. It wasn't up to ten times in total.

Taking the call, she apologized for her 'audacity' the previous night and thanked him again for granting her request. But Galen told her that wasn't the reason he was calling, and that if he truly had a problem with what Sylvie had done the previous night, she'd have been out of his house by morning.

"I received information that a specific VIP client requires our services and needs someone over to show him some designs, but he wants it to be you, Sylvie. He wouldn't let anyone else come to him if it isn't you." Galen reported.

Sylvie's brows furrowed. Huh?

"Who's this client?" She asked.

"No idea yet. The only details I have is that of the referee who's connecting the deal," Galen answered. "Now, I see this as a little challenge and would love nothing more than to see it through. What do you think?"

Sylvie didn't know what to think. Why would a VIP client specifically request for her?

Anyway, she did accept the challenge in the end.

After a few minutes, the details of the meeting was communicated to her, and to Sylvie's shock, she was to meet him in Oasis.

Unease churned in her guts, but she waved it aside.

She got ready and left soon enough with two assisting staff.

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Sylvie was so glad she was finally overcoming her anxiety of being around people. Slowly, she was coming out of her shell, and she hoped to God that nothing would push her back in, Reaching Oasis, she and her team proceeded to the meeting spot which was in a small conference room. But the client wasn't there yet.

They continued waiting until Sylvie began to think that the wait was taking too long. The client should know how to keep to time.

Just when she was about texting her grandfather, the door opened behind her. Probably the client.

A small sigh of relief escaped her, but it was shortlived when she lifted her gaze to find Kage walking in, Raphael behind him.

She froze, her heart restarting. No. No way.

Color drained from her face as she watched him stride purposefully, making his entrance in a fitted black suit, each step revealing the dominating nature that likely stemmed from a brooding soul. Reaching the table where she sat, Kage took a seat across from her while Raphael stood behind him, his eyes scanning the place.

It took Sylvie some seconds to pull herself together. But it didn't stop her hands from shaking under the table.

Suddenly, her shock morphed into annoyance. Anger.

So, he was the client that had specifically requested for her? Why? Did he have something in mind? Possibly to get back at her for attacking his precious lover the previous night?

Anger coiled in her guts. But she pushed all violent thoughts away as she forced herself to remain professional. "Tina, please show him the book," she spoke calmly to the staff seated beside her, her gaze trained on the table. She could feel Kage's cold gaze on her. It seemed to burn a hole in her forehead as she wouldn't look up at him. As if sensing the awkwardness in the air, Tina cleared her throat before reaching for the book.

"I'd prefer you do it yourself, Ms. Price. Or is it Cheng?" Kage said, stopping her.

Sylvie's lips parted in awe. For the first time since he was seated, she forced her gaze to meet his.

There was no expression on his face, just total darkness. But something in her guts told her he must be there to make her suffer in some way.

Shame burnt her cheeks at the recollection that he'd seen the necklace the previous night. How foolish she had been. He's stopped caring for her, yet there she was, still wearing his necklace like it should mean anything to him. She hated herself for that weakness.

Biting her inner cheeks, she took the book from Tina and began opening the pages to him.

"I was told you wanted something classic. These are some of our best designs," Her voice sounded like nails as she spoke.

There was still a part of her that feared him and felt guilty for what she'd done to him, but there was an even bigger part of her that held a grudge against him now.

How could he date Cindy knowing she was the one that destroyed them!?

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She forced herself to remain calm as she continued showing and explaining each page to him. She was grateful her voice didn't come out cracked at any point even though majority of the time, she wanted to cry.

"If you call these your best designs, I beg to think Astréa Label is overrated," Kage suddenly said, cutting her off while she was explaining a particular page.

Sylvie paused, her brows arching when his words sank in.

She scoffed, finding it ridiculous. The designs in the book might not have been made by her, but they were definitely 'good'. Like, very good. It's impossible to say they were disappointing.

"I uh... Well, I don't know what to say, Mr. Hawkins. I thought you'd be pleased with these." She said, intentionally avoiding his gaze by staring at the opened page instead.

"Well, clearly, I'm not. Your designs are too regular."

Sylvie opened her mouth to speak but couldn't get any words out. The ache in her heart intensified.

Stay professional, Sylvie.

"Maybe I could bring more to you." She felt proud of herself when her voice didn't come out rough from the emotions burning in her throat. "We still have some really nice designs at the company and I'm sure you'll—” "Okay. But I bet they'd be as tasteless as this." Kage cut her off.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

The staff beside Sylvie reacted uncomfortably in their seats, the mood in the room shifting drastically.

Sylvie hoped her eyes weren't betraying any sign of tears as she locked her gaze on him. Right there, despite the cold glint in his eyes, she saw his dark amusement. He was enjoying this, wasn't he? He knew he was hurting her with his words and he liked it.

"You didn't call me over to go through the designs, did you?" Her voice wasn't as strong as she lowered her gaze from his face, closing the sketchbook. "You specifically requested for me because you wanted to hurt me. Why? Because your girlfriend and I got into a fight?"

The edges around Kage's eyes darkened. Then, to Sylvie's dismay, he smiled.

Kage freaking Hawkins smiled for the first time since she met him after four years!

But his smile was cold. Cruel. And hinted at something dangerous.

"I need the room with Ms. Sylvie." He ordered without breaking the eye contact he had with her.