Old acquaintances

Trying to ponder over what Xavier had been rambling on the entire time. I felt totally baffled and knots formed in my stomach as several pairs of curious eyes stared at me, some of them encouraging me while others had a stern look challenging me to even complete the first line.

New clothing line, elite groups, commoners, profit.

Perfect.

I formed a mental note of the key points Xavier accentuated throughout his speech.

"So, everybody we all know, in the golden era, clothes were considered as something to cover ourselves," I initiated, clasping both of my hands together. "But now the time has changed and so do our requirements. Clothing is considered a fashion statement. Every day the trend keeps changing so does the daily clothes we come across."

"The point is, most of the entrepreneurs here are eager to define themselves, to create their own image and be a trendsetter. Well, that's the dream of every fashion designer. Most of them indeed had flourished in that aspect but not everyone. So, have you ever imagined what essential points they have missed? A factor that could even help them raise the market value of their designs?"

I waited for the genius response from the listeners. Everyone seemed to be divulged in their own thoughts, they even came up with their guesses, but none of them seem to be even close to my point.

After five minutes of guessing, I proceeded to write the answer, no one has ever guessed.

"Price. The alliance of Walker Enterprises and Knight Empire is trying to establish their very first clothing line, and in order to do so we need to target every single individual. Give preference to everyone equally rather than pointing out one group. Not everyone is a millionaire, who could afford the prices of esteemed products. But, if we develop the product and sell them at affordable rates with good quality, both parties get satisfied."

I concluded and then waited for a reaction, but nobody moved. I almost gasped when the whole atmosphere filled with cheers and claps.

"What if we are not interested Miss Williams?" Asked Mr. Rivers, with a challenging look but I saw something else in his eyes.

"Well then, I assure you Mr. Rivers the alliance is capable enough to reach heights. It's up to you whether you take it or leave it." I said, mirroring the challenging look he gave me.

After ten seconds of staring-contest, Mr. Rivers smiled. "I must say Miss Williams, you know your points very well. That was indeed a very enlightening message that most of the top-notch companies must follow. We seek to satisfy our consumers, not alienate them." Mr. Rivers shook my hand, and I just couldn't help but keep smiling at his words.

Chris walked towards me with a sly smirk on his face, saying, "I thought you were joking when you talked about your negotiation skills in the interview."

"Well, I was not." I said, still smiling.

"I'm impressed, Evelyn." He said, giving me a pat on the shoulder.

I glanced at the only person who was now seated in his plush sofa. Even though he had a stern look on his face, I could completely decipher him being impressed with my words.

"Miss Williams got the very common point here that we were not thinking about. Good job." Another man, probably in his forties, joined the conversation.

"Well, gentleman, I declare the meeting adjourned."

They shook hands and sealed the deal. I thanked Mr. Rivers for giving me an opportunity to voice out my thoughts and he blessed me with a good future.

Xavier scoffed from behind him. What the hell was his problem? It was okay for him to praise me, if not then he could keep his hatred to himself rather than showing it in front of everyone.

"Okay, what is your problem?" I asked a very pissed off Xavier, who briskly walked to the exit door.

"Stay out of my way, Miss Williams." He huffed under his breath. With a scowl on face, I stepped in front of him, blocking his way. His cologne consumed my brain, stalling my thought process.

"I get it that you hate me very much. But at least we can stay professional and not dwell up on our pasts in front of someone else."

"Look who's talking!" He scoffed, shaking his head and glaring at me.

Our bickering was soon interrupted by Mr. Rivers who cleared his throat.

"Miss Williams, sorry for the interruption but is it just me or my wary thought? I wanted to ask, are you related to Rose Raymond?"

A lump formed in my throat. Soon my fingers shivered, and I felt myself hyperventilating.

"Yes, I'm Rose Williams' daughter." I mustered a calm look, my heart thudding violently as I waited for him to decipher my words.

"Oh my! You are Rose's daughter? Well, I should've known. You look just like her. Now that I can pretty much understand where you've got that fire from. She was indeed the ray of sunshine, and a very good friend of mine."

A chilling sensation travelled up to my spine and I pressed my lips, trying not to let the flow cascade from my eyes.

I was startled as a hand clamped my own. Glancing at the source, I saw Xavier squeezing it with a calm look on his face.

"Be in touch, kiddo. My wife would be more than happy to meet you. Well, of course, if you could?"

"Sure, I'll meet her whenever you want me to." I spoke.

Mr. Rivers patted my arm, and a few treacherous tears made their way down my cheeks. The warm hand that once comforted me disappeared as he turned me to face him. But I didn't want to show my teary eyes to him, so I wiped them off harshly before looking at him.

His hands were on my shoulder, and he said, "You both have so much in common."

"W-Who?" I asked.

"Who else, Alexander and you. He always used to wipe off his tears before looking at me, just like you."

A smile formed on my lips listening to his name and habits. God, I miss him so much. I wish I could meet him soon.

"And the most amusing thing you both have in common is that you both snort like pigs when you cry."

My eyes widened and his smirk deepened as I said, "What? No!"

"Let's go, shall we?" He asked and I nodded.

Well, that was not bad. He did try to console me after all.

Right now, we were inside Chris' car, on our way back to the hotel. I haven't eaten anything in the morning, so I was feeling immense hunger.

"The meeting went well." Chris said, scrolling down his phone.

"Yeah." Xavier said who was sitting on the passenger seat, reading the file of the agreement. "But it was just the first step. We still need more polishing for the contract."

"Well, it's Carolina's birthday today and we all are invited, plus we should celebrate our verbal agreement."

"Why didn't you tell me earlier? I'd have greeted her. Now, she is going to eat my ear." Xavier said, a frown taking over his forehead. I was just silently listening to their conversation without adding anything.

"My apologies mate, but I did come to you before departing to California and you were wasted." Chris said, which made me think of the day when he helped me with my cramps.

Wait, wait. Wasted? But he was fine when I left.

"And Evelyn, you're going with us." Added Chris.

"I can't, Chris. I don't want to be an intruder." I said and their heads turned towards me.

"You're not an intruder and besides she knows you." Reasoned Chris in a soft voice.

"But-"

"Who is your boss, Evelyn?" Chris eyed me with a calculative gaze.

"You."

"Then consider it an order." He said, turning his eyes back to his phone as Xavier and I exchanged a look.

.

.

.

The dress Kat packed for me was a black bodycon dress with spaghetti straps. The dress hugged me tightly, showcasing each and every one of my curves.

After knowing that I was going on a business trip to California, she bought it for me from one of those crazy expensive brands. The past Evelyn would kill to wear a dress like this but not me. I couldn't wear such body-fitting clothes anymore, it happens when you lose confidence in your body.

I knew it was showing a bit of my protruding stomach and the cellulite of my thighs. In the last few years, I was too busy juggling between different jobs that I never cared about how I look.

I didn't do anything to my red curls except applying a shining serum. And for make up, I chose a light layer of foundation and a reddish blush on my pale face. Completing my look with a crimson lipstick and wore the only pair of black heels I brought with me.

While running my fingers through my curls, I heard a soft knock on the door. I treaded towards it and finally opened it, revealing a very annoyed Xavier, dressed in black satin button-up shirt with matching jeans. His creased forehead relaxed when his eyes zoomed on me and slowly, his eyes trailed downwards, assessing me from head to toe.

Despite my every attempt at finding out about his feelings, he ignored my attempts and brought his eyes back to my face, the crease once again appearing on his forehead.

"Chris asked me to drive you to the venue." He said in a blank voice, and I gulped.

Dreading about being in a closed proximity to him again. It would once again cause destruction inside my heart and mess inside my mind. I wanted him to like me, to find me beautiful, instead of realizing how he loathed me.

"Sure. Let me grab my purse." I said to which he nodded and walked out as I trailed behind him.

Well, why was I getting the feeling that this night was going to be the longest night of my life.