Taming Demi's Mom (ONGOING)

Chapter 46 2.2

{VICTORIA}

UPON entering the building, Jackson's secretary was already waiting for me on the opposite side of the entrance. I immediately approached him. My heels were making a sound with every step, catching the attention of passing employees who would all smile at me, a gesture I reciprocated with a sweet smile.

"Good morning," I greeted him with a smile.

However, he didn't return my smile. "Good morning too. Let's start the briefing," he replied.

Jackson's secretary is too formal in conversation, and until now, I still don't know his name. He seems to inherit that kind of formality from Jackson.

"I realize I don't know your name yet," I mentioned to him in the middle of our walk.

He paused for a moment and looked at me, slightly adjusting his glasses.

"I'm Hans," he introduced himself briefly without even offering his hand to me.

We then proceeded with his short briefing, although it wasn't necessary since, even after many years, I still remember the rules and regulations of the company as well as my role as the head fashion designer. There have been some changes. Previously, I was just a fashion designer assigned to wedding gowns, while Jackson handled suits. But that's no longer the case. Now, as the head fashion designer, I'm responsible for designing both suits and gowns.

The location of my office has also changed. My office is now on the 14th floor, and I have the entire space to myself. I'm not certain, but it feels like I'm the only person on the 14th floor.

After Hans finished briefing me, he left me alone inside my office. My name is already displayed on the nameplate on the desk table and on the top part of the door outside.

I sat on the swivel chair, unable to resist looking up at the ceiling. I wonder what Jackson is doing upstairs. Our floors are consecutive, and only one wall separates us. Should I sneak out and go to him? But if I do that, he might get mad at me more, and he might even fire me on my first day of work. I couldn't risk this chance.

I decided to distract myself by reviewing the trending wedding gowns and suit designs for the current year 2023. Oh, and by the way, it's already Christmas. We're in the month of December, and today is the 7th day. There are just a few days left until Christmas, but the temperature is still hot and sunny in the morning, turning super chilly in the evening. Usually, snow becomes visible around the 10th to 15th day of the month, lasting until the end of January.

After reviewing the trending and popular designs, I tried sketching new designs of wedding gowns inspired by what I'd seen. Somehow, I found enjoyment in what I was doing.

I OPENED the glass door of the meeting room. They all looked at me, their smiling faces suddenly turning serious. I know they were not happy to see me.

After a while, they averted their gaze. I entered and closed the door behind me. I took a seat at the front, but they still avoided looking at me, as if deliberately keeping themselves busy.

Despite the awkwardness, I couldn't help but feel delighted that all five of them are still complete.

"I'm sorry," I softly uttered to them.

A heavy silence enveloped the entire meeting room. They all paused because of what I said, and everyone turned their gaze towards me.

I lowered my head. I couldn't sustain eye contact with them for long. I felt overwhelmingly guilty.

"I'm sorry for disappearing for so many years. It's just that I've been caught up in the middle of an unexpected situation, and I needed to rely only on myself to get out of it. I was so focused on fixing the mess I was in that I almost forgot about the important people around me. It's my fault, and I'm truly sorry. I didn't mean to cut communication with all of you; it was just that I wanted space from everyone, and I don't know how to explain it. I hope you all can consider giving me a second chance to redeem myself. I hope you can still accept me as your friend," I told them with teary eyes, avoiding direct eye contact.

"And I didn't mean to hurt Jackson. It's just that."

Suddenly, I felt Vine's hands on both my shoulders, gently lifting me up. She hugged me tightly, and that's when I broke down in tears.

"Shhh. Whatever's going on between you and Sir Jackson, we'll leave that to both of you. We're only upset because we thought you had forgotten about us. Imagine, you didn't reach out for almost three years. We've missed you so much," Vine expressed, comforting me.

"I thought, Vine, you told us after one year that's when we'd talk to Victoria. You even called for a meeting the other day just to say that. You were the first to think of it, and now you're the first one not sticking to the plan," John commented on Vine's actions, prompting Vine to pull away from our hug.

I couldn't help but laugh at what I had just learned. We were behaving like children having a petty argument.

"You better watch out, Regala," Vine threatened John. Regala was John's last name.

My suspicion about something brewing between them when I was away might be correct. They could be in a relationship now.

"Forget what you heard, Victoria," John pleaded, joining his palms together as if in prayer.

We all laughed inside the meeting room. I noticed some employees and staff outside were also glancing at us, given the glass walls. Only the office rooms here didn't have glass walls.

"Fine, let's pretend I didn't hear anything," I said, still laughing, to John.

I sat back in my chair, and Vine returned to her previous seat, casually giving John a hard slap on the arm. Instead of having a meeting, we ended up chatting. I'm glad they didn't ask me to share details about what happened between Jackson and me or my life after returning to New Orleans. Instead, they had a lot to tell me.

I learned that Vine and John were indeed in a relationship. Darius was still single, while Sarah had found the man who captured her heart. They were engaged and set to marry next February, just two months away. I'm fortunate to have arrived just in time, so I'll be able to attend her wedding. Ariel remained the same, a wife and a mother of three sons. Two were in college, and one worked as a pattern maker on our team. He wasn't here today due to sick leave, so I haven't had the chance to meet him yet.