Fated Connections

Chapter Three-unveiled

As soon as the next elevator arrived, Jennifer stepped inside and practically ran toward the café. She didn’t dare waste another second. The new cup of coffee wasn’t for her—she hadn’t even thought of getting one for herself—but for Ms. Ella. By the time she hurried back and set it on Ella’s desk, it was already 8:45.

The sting of Ella’s words cut deeper than the clock. Incompetent. She had been insulted in front of everyone for something so trivial. That word, coming from the woman who had stolen her designs for years, felt like the cruelest joke of all.

Jennifer swallowed her frustration, forcing her hands to stay still as she clutched her sketchbook. She couldn’t let anyone see her break. Not here. Not now.

In the quiet of the restroom, she opened her sketchbook across her knees, reorganizing the designs she had poured herself into. This was her secret ritual—the only place she could safely touch her work without Ms. Ella looming over her shoulder.

The door creaked open, and two women entered. Jennifer froze in the stall, ears sharpening.

“Did you hear?” the blonde said as she leaned toward the mirror, reapplying lipstick.

“What exactly?” her friend, a slightly plump brunette, asked, tugging at her hairpins.

“The CEO is already here,” the blonde whispered, loud enough to carry.

Jennifer’s breath caught.

“You’re joking,” the brunette scoffed. “No one’s even seen his face. There are no photos online, no interviews. He avoids public events and only comes here twice a year. Why hide like that?”

Jennifer edged closer to the door, her heart racing. She’d wondered the same thing a hundred times.

The blonde leaned closer to her friend. “I heard the Cruz family is… broken. That he had a traumatic childhood here, and that’s why he avoids this city. Something to do with his brother.”

“Brother?” the brunette blurted, too loudly.

“Keep your voice down!” the blonde hissed. She glanced around before continuing. “Yes. The father left the entire empire to Sebastian, the younger son, and the older one got nothing. Out of anger, he cut ties with the family and left the country. People say that’s why Sebastian avoids this city—too many ghosts.”

The brunette frowned. “That’s cruel. No wonder the brother left. The rich live in a world of betrayal and lies.”

The blonde smirked, flipping her hair. “Maybe. But I’d give anything to have Sebastian Cruz look at me, just once.”

“Please,” her friend snorted. “He may not even be as handsome as people claim.”

“I don’t care. He’s the richest man in the country. That’s enough for me.”

Their laughter echoed as they left, leaving Jennifer frozen in the stall, mind buzzing. Two sons? A childhood scarred in this city?

She pressed her palms to her face, shaking off the thoughts. It wasn’t her problem. She had her own ghosts to deal with. For now, only her designs and him approving them mattered to her.She was going to make a mark in this company she thought to herself.

By the time she checked her watch, it was five minutes to nine. She gathered her sketchbook, squared her shoulders, and stepped out.

The elevator doors opened onto the 70th floor. Jennifer had never been here before. The air itself seemed sharper, colder, as though it belonged to a different world. She followed a small group toward the conference room, their voices hushed but eager.

“It’ll definitely be Ella’s designs,” one man said confidently. “She’s the best this company has.”

"Yeah, I even heard her telling someone that she made all those designs herself that the members of her team were lazy. This was why, none of them were getting promoted" The only lady among them said.

Jennifer’s stomach dropped. She’d suspected as much—that Ella had been taking credit for her work—but hearing it confirmed out loud twisted like a knife. Not once had her name been mentioned. Five years of designing most of the collections, and to them, she was invisible.

She entered the meeting room quietly. It was a round table setup, similar to others she had seen, but everything here radiated power: the rich mahogany, the golden trim, the single commanding chair at the head of the table.

And there, at the center of attention, was Ms. Ella, laughing lightly, soaking up the praise. Jennifer clenched her fists beneath the table, fighting the urge to scream the truth.

Instead, she slipped into the farthest seat, out of Ella’s sight. From her bag, she pulled her sketchbook and placed it on the table. This was her moment, and she wasn’t going to let it pass—no matter how badly her hands shook and how nervous she got.

The door opened, and the Chief Creative Editor walked in. He was a man Jennifer had admired since college—strict, sharp, but fair. He had risen from the bottom on nothing but grit and discipline. His lectures had once inspired her to dream of interning here. And now, somehow, she had made it. She just wanted to be like him, someone who out of nothing rose to head the most luxurious fashion brand in the Country. She wanted to make her mark in the Fashion industry like he did and would have gotten promoted if only Ms. Ella had not taken credits for her designs.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, his deep voice commanding the room, “the CEO will arrive shortly. Please take your seats.”

The chatter died down instantly.

“Do I know you?” a voice murmured beside her.

Jennifer flinched. The man next to her, middle-aged with kind eyes, was watching her curiously.

“Um… I’m the new senior designer for Team Five,” she lied quickly.

“Ah,” he said with a chuckle. “Well, welcome. This meeting will shock you. Just wait.”

Jennifer smiled weakly and glanced across the table. Ella was already poised, lips curved into her signature confident smirk.

Moments later, the doors opened again. A ripple of silence fell as Sebastian Cruz entered, his assistant trailing behind him.

Jennifer’s world tilted.

It was him. The man from the elevator. The man who had caught her, then dismissed her with ice in his voice. And above all, the man who she had slipped hot coffee on.

Sebastian Cruz.

Her stomach lurched. She couldn’t look away, no matter how hard she tried. The words "I slipped Coffee on Sebastian Cruz" kept repeating in her head. She was so scared and worried what if he does not accept her designs. He definitely remembers what happened this morning. It is not like it's everyday he gets Coffee slipped on him by a poor employee.

The meeting began. Designs were presented one after another, each manager eager to impress. Sebastian’s face remained unreadable, a mask of cold detachment. No flicker of approval. No hint of interest.

When Ella stood to present, Jennifer’s jaw tightened. Ella spoke eloquently, confidently, as though every stroke of pencil, every idea, had been hers. Applause followed, admiration circling the table. Everyone seemed captivated—except Sebastian. He barely glanced at her work before returning to silence.

Still, Ella returned to her seat, smug and certain of victory.

At last, the Chief Creative Editor rose. “After much deliberation, five teams will have their designs chosen for the summer collection. The last team to be selected is—”

“I have designs to show.”

The words burst from Jennifer before she could stop herself. Every head turned toward her. Ella’s eyes narrowed in fury when she realized it was Jennifer but she also had fear in them, while Sebastian’s expression hardened, irritated at the interruption.

Jennifer stood, legs trembling, and carried her sketchbook to the assistant. He recognized her, offered a faint, kind smile, and passed it to Sebastian.

Sebastian glanced at it, then set it aside.

Her heart cracked. Of course he wouldn’t give her a chance. Not after this morning. Humiliation burned her skin as she returned to her seat, head bowed.

Was this it? After all the Courage she had to put on to enter this room. What will she tell Grandmother and Gwen who she had promised Good news.

But then, the Chief Creative Editor picked up her sketchbook. His brow furrowed as he flipped through the pages, his eyes widening with each turn.

“What’s your name, young lady?” he asked.

Jennifer blinked, startled.

“He’s asking you,” the man beside her whispered, nudging her.

“Jennifer Brooks, sir,” she said, her voice barely steady.

“And which team are you from?”

“Team Five, sir.”

“I see. Why didn’t your manager present these?”

Jennifer forced a smile. “We… had two concepts. Ms. Ella presented the first. I wanted to present the second myself.”

A lie, but a necessary one.

The editor nodded slowly. “These are remarkable. Fresh. Bold. We’ll go with this.”

Her breath caught. Did he just approve her designs? Was he just impressed by her? Her whole world was spinning and she was very happy, she just wanted to Scream.

“You did this all yourself?” he asked.

“Yes, sir.” She quickly replied with a very big smile plastered on her lips.

“You have talent, Miss Brooks. Congratulations.”

The room buzzed with surprise. Ella’s smile vanished, replaced by pure rage.

He then gave her room to present her Concept which she happily did.

Jennifer, trembling with relief, gave her presentation. This time, people listened. Really listened.She presented each one of them with confidence because these were her designs she drew each one of them by herself she was very proud of all the hard work, time and dedication she had put in. By the time she sat down, her designs were no longer invisible, She was no longer invisible.

The meeting ended shortly after. Sebastian stood, delivering a few curt words before leaving without once looking at her.

Jennifer gathered her things, her heart still racing. Maybe, just maybe, her life was about to change.

But then, his assistant appeared at her side.

“Miss Brooks,” he said quietly. “The CEO would like to see you.”

Her blood ran cold.