MARIANNA

After giving my gratitude speech, I do a curtsie and walk down the stage to the changing room behind. A radiant smile is plastered on my face as a result of today's success. I am happy with the progress so far. To be candid, I am grateful for the team I have.

The moment I step into the changing room and settle in, I signal for the models' attention.

"Hey, guys. Thank you so much. Today was a success because..." My talk is interrupted by noise just by the entrance.

"You're not allowed to go in there, Sir." I hear my assistant say. Who could that be? Besides, this is a changing room.

"I am here to see your boss." What is he doing here? I turn around to speak to her.

"It's okay, Karmen. Let him in." She sighs before making way for him. I watch Lucas walk towards me, not missing out how his eyes keep checking out the place.

"I must commend you. You did a good job out there." I don't need your commendations.

"What do you want Lucas?" I ask him, folding my arms on my abdominal area.

"Your show was great." Cut the long talk, please.

"Thanks. So, why are you here?" Still folding my hands, I emphasize my question by raising my eyebrows.

"I am here to help you." He says.

"And you think I need your help, because?" I ask him.

"Look, if you don't want this, I could take my leave." This man has grown arrogant over the years. Dealing with him is tedious, honestly. I heave a deep sigh, because I am honestly tired and just want to listen to what he has to say and also, I need his help.

"Alright. Give me some time. Please, wait for me outside."

"No, here is fine." He doesn't even wait to listen to what I have to say before he turns his back on me. He walks to a chair and sits down, raising his eyebrows as if challenging me to speak. Not wanting to give him a satisfaction for the sort of reaction he expects, I ignore him and go back to the models.

"Sorry, guys. So, thank you as today's success also rests on your hands. Everyone would be getting a tip." The smiles on their faces shows how happy they are with this little piece of info.

"Go clean up and you're excused." I could feel his eyes on me but I just shrug it off. They all leave to attend to their various businesses. Now you would think I went back to Lucas immediately. Nope, two can play this game. I decide to text Marvin.

Hey.
-Me.

Sweetheart, are you done?
-Him.

Yes, I am.
-Me.

Alright. I'm still waiting for you.
-Him.

Meet me outside the changing room now, please. Something came up.
-Me.

Sure, hun.
-Him.

Love you.
-Me.

I love you too, sweetheart.
-Him.

"I thought you would never stand up from there." His voice drips with sarcasm as he speaks.

"Let us go." I say, ignoring his tantrum. Yeah, I choose to call it a tantrum.

"Hey, babe." Marvin holds me in his hands and kiss me, the moment I step out.

"Hey." I respond softly, leaning into him.

"What's he doing here?" Marvin says in a low voice. I almost forgot Lucas was behind us.

"Babe, that's what came up." I say in a calm tone, looking back at our subject of discussion.

"I don't want you anywhere close to him." He lowers his voice to say that. Well, Lucas, you could say he's not listening to us as he bops his head to what I think is music.

"Hey, babe. I will be fine. Trust me." I tip-toe to give him a peck.

"Call me if there's need for me to intervene." He says in a stern voice.

"Love you." I say.

"I lobe you too." We share a hug, after which I signal to Lucas for us to leave, not missing out Marvin's scrutinizing gaze.

•••••

"So, your fiance. He is insecure, huh?" The elevator dings behind us as we began walking to his office.

"No, he is not." I reply with a scowl on my face, even though he could not see it.

"Why wouldn't he be? Considering our past." Cocky bastard. I wanted to say, but just shut my mouth.

"He isn't." I don't even know why I am answering this clown. He opens the door to his office and we get in.

"Oh really? How about this?" And in a swift motion, my back is pinned to the wall. Lucas leans in and locks my lips in a kiss. I know I shouldn't have let that happen but I guess my body has a mind of its own.

You are cheating. You are messing up the good thing you have. That is my conscience speaking.

"What the fuck? Are you stupid?" I ask him, clearly pissed as I forcefully stop the kiss. My body might have reacted but it doesn't change the fact that he made a stupid move. Especially with the fact that he knows I am engaged to be married.

"I didn't kiss myself alone. You responded." He shrugs while speaking.

"You made the move, asshole. You know I am engaged."

"Engaged, not married." He answers cooly.

"What is wrong with you, for fucks sake?".

"You will tone down that voice or else."

"Or else, what? You won't help me? To hell with you." I say in annoyance and storm out of his office, in rage. I am tired of having to put up with this bull-crap.

"Marie." He calls out, calmly. I feel his hand above mine, stopping me from pressing the elevator buttons. My breath hitches a little as a result of the close contact but I shake it off.

"I am sorry." Well, I didn't see that coming.

Three words

Just

Three

Words

....and I find myself forgiving him.

"You try that next time and it won't be funny."

"Alright. Let's get down to business." And so, we walk back to his office. This time, I make sure to sit as far away from him as possible.

"So, my mom tells me you need my help amd from her tone it sounds seeious." He starts with a serious face. I clear my throat before speaking.

"There are chances I could lose all I have because I have a mole in my office."

"That's nothing new. Can be solved. When did you discover this?"

"Some months back." I state.

"Can I get a precise description?"

"Two months, actually." I respond.

"And what's the moles target from your observation?"

"The company's designs." He raised his brows, urging me to continue.

"Okay, so two months ago, I found out that some of our designs had leaked to my biggest competitors; Xynony, when they were released in their monthly collection. Same thing happened last month. It was just few designs. However, this time, the case was different. All the designs made for the launch were stolen and released before hand, all branded Xynony. Thanks to my team, another set of deaigns were drafted from scratch to finish. I personally had to keep all details to myself to secure this one, else who knows? There might have been a fourth theft incident."

"Alright. So, you want me to help you crack the case?" He asks me.

"Yes. I do."

"And my mom couldn't help with that?"

"She said she couldn't and suggested you helping."

"I'll send my security team to get footages from yours, if you don't mind." I nod my head in agreement. At least, we could start here.

"I advice you don't mention our discussion to anyone. I mean it."

"Alright." When the silence and awkwardness in the room starts to become uncomfortable, I speak up.

"Thanks for agreeing to help me out, Lucas. If you don't mind, I would like to take my leave."

"Sure." Finally, there's a headstart.