Chapter 12
1142 Words
As soon as the designs were finalized, preparations for the fashion show began in full swing.
Just like every other season, Serena's life was once again consumed by early mornings and late nights.
This time, however, there was a new challenge—negotiating with the event's main sponsor. Apparently, this had been specifically requested by the sponsor.
The day of the negotiation arrived, and to signal the importance of the meeting, Serena stepped away from her usual stiff, businesslike attire, which hid her curvaceous figure.
Instead, she donned "Dreamscape", the centerpiece of this season's collection.
Pushing open the door to her office, Serena was surprised to find her notoriously late boss already lounging in her chair, his legs casually crossed.
"Mr. Renard, am I late?" Serena instinctively glanced at her watch, only to see that she still had time—enough for a cup of coffee, in fact.
Julien's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Darling, you've never disappointed me."
"Disappointed you how?"
"I was just wondering what you'd wear today—your usual stiff business suit or something with a bit more allure."
"Such a dull man," Serena replied flatly, her face betraying no emotion.
"I've always been a boring man. Haven't you noticed?" Julien's voice was laced with suggestiveness as he slid into the seat beside her, invading her space.
"Mr. Renard, this is an office. Please behave yourself," Serena said coolly, but her mind was already wandering—if she were to file a s****l harassment claim, how likely was it that she'd win?
"So, you're saying as long as we're not in the office, I can misbehave?" Before she could roll her eyes at him, Julien was on his feet, flashing a mischievous grin.
"Get ready. I'll be waiting for you in the car." He winked at her, clearly enjoying her irritation, and strolled toward the door.
Before shutting it, he stuck his head back in. "And don't keep me waiting, darling."
If looks could kill, Julien would've dropped dead on the spot—probably hundreds of times over. Fuming, Serena returned to her desk, her teeth clenched.
What an insufferable man, she thought. There really are all kinds in this world.
Moments later, a knock at the door heralded the arrival of her secretary, who walked in carrying a thick folder.
"Here are the documents you'll need for today's meeting," she said, placing the folder on Serena's desk.
But the secretary lingered, clearly hesitant to leave.
"Is there something else?" Serena asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, um... Rena," the secretary began, nervously wringing her hands together, "do you think Mr. Renard might... like you?"
"Like me? What do you mean?"
"I mean, haven't you noticed? He asks about your preferences and interests when you're not around.
From what I can tell, he's definitely interested in you."
Serena stared at her for a moment before speaking. "You must have a lot of free time on your hands."
"What? No, I'm not—" the secretary stammered, clearly confused by the sudden shift in tone.
"If you're not busy, why are you wasting your time discussing irrelevant things with irrelevant people?" Serena's tone was calm, but there was an underlying tension—like the calm before a storm.
"I just thought—"
"I don't want to hear about this again." Without another glance, Serena opened the folder and began reviewing its contents. "That will be all."
"Yes, ma'am," the secretary replied, thoroughly chastised as she shuffled out of the office.
Time ticked by until the silence was broken by the familiar ring of Serena's phone. She picked it up. "Yes, who's this?"
"Darling, you've left me waiting far too long," Julien's unmistakable voice came from the other end. Serena rolled her eyes, but checked the time—she was cutting it close.
"I'm on my way down," she said, hanging up before he could reply.
As she did, she heard the obnoxious sound of a loud kiss come through the receiver.
She shuddered, wondering if this man found his cheesy behavior remotely charming.
Gathering her things, Serena headed down to the parking lot, where Julien's voice immediately called out, "Serena, over here!"
She spotted him leaning casually against his car, a woman—Donna—wrapped around his arm. Ignoring both of them, Serena climbed into her own car without a word.
The two cars, hers and Julien's, drove in tandem into the underground parking lot of the sprawling Stratosphere Luxe headquarters.
The air between them was thick with silence, neither acknowledging the other's presence as they made their way to the elevator. Donna, usually full of chatter, also remained uncharacteristically quiet.
Serena kept her gaze fixed elsewhere, deliberately avoiding the all-too-familiar gaze of Julien, who seemed to be visually undressing her through her clothes.
As the elevator doors opened, a bright voice called out, "Julien!" A young man with an infectious smile stepped forward.
"You little rascal, look at how tall you've gotten!" Julien beamed, playfully punching the young man's arm.
"Hey, my brother is waiting for you inside," the boy replied, his eyes flicking momentarily at Serena, a flash of surprise crossing his face before he looked away.
The group followed the boy down the hall until they reached the conference room, which was notably empty.
"Sorry about that. My brother will be here any minute," he said, offering an apologetic smile before leaving them alone in the room.
"This is a subsidiary of Stratosphere Luxe," Julien explained, seeing the curiosity in their eyes.
Donna's eyes lit up as she watched the boy disappear down the hall. "Wow, so young," she whispered, barely paying attention to Julien now as her gaze followed the boy. Meanwhile, Serena sat silently, her expression impassive, offering nothing.
"Serena, are you nervous?" Julien's voice was teasing, as if he expected her to be intimidated by the importance of the meeting.
"No," she answered simply, her confidence unwavering.
Julien raised an eyebrow, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Of course not."
"And me? You didn't ask if *I* was nervous," Donna chimed in, pouting her lips in mock indignation.
Julien chuckled softly. "Ah, my dear, you're not nervous either, are you?"
"Obviously not!" Donna replied, moving even closer to Julien, as if to demonstrate her lack of concern.
He responded by squeezing her chest in a show of dominance, but his eyes remained on Serena, as though daring her to react.
Serena, however, kept her gaze out the window, unfazed.
Frustrated by Serena's indifference, Julien's hand became more aggressive, provoking Donna into a series of breathy gasps. Serena remained the only silent witness to their display.
Just as Donna's blouse was halfway undone, the conference room door flew open with a loud bang.
Serena's head snapped around, her eyes locking with the newcomer's—and her heart skipped a beat.
It was him.
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