Chapter 27: Nina
Chapter 27: Nina
Lillian's call woke me up at exactly 7:15 am as I rushed out of the bed into the shower. I didn't sleep a
wink last night as I kept thinking about Michael's mom's words to me.
The driver had dropped me off at home yesterday, I cried myself to sleep still now.
I quickly rush through the shower and walk into my closet, the flowery gown Michael bought for me
stares at me taunting me. Tearfully, I grab it and throw it into the trash can as I pick a more suitable
dress for work.
Driving into the parking lot at work, I rest my head on the steering as I try to bring back my heavy
breathing to normal. Lilian's call this morning has been brisk, asking about my health and telling me
that Michael has called her yesterday.
Ever since yesterday, I have been avoiding his calls, I can't believe his mom would stoop so low to lie
that I was with Austin. If that is what she wants I'm going to give it to her.
Thankfully, I and Austin didn't break up and no one saw me with Michael. We are just going to go back
to normal.
I pull the key out of the ignition locking the door, I turn to walk into the building. Immediately the door
slide open I walk in, I was the center of attention as everyone turns to look at me congratulating me on
being the face of Lush beauty.
How news travels fast! I can't believe all of this happens in the span of four days. It felt like forever, I
mouthed them a quick 'thank you' as I rush into my office before I will be moved to tears in front of them
and embarrassed in their presence.
Walking into my office floor I saw Divine going through a magazine which has my picture in the front. I
rush to grab it from her as I look at the picture surprised. It was a picture of Michael and me at the
modeling shoot. I remember Andrea telling me that it was for business purposes.
"Where did you get this?” I ask Divine as I look at her curiously. She cowered in my presence, fear
oozing out of her eyes shocked by my tone.
" Answers me” I screamed shouting at her. I've never lost my temper so much at someone like I am
right now.
"I gave it to her" Deborah Melton's voice rang in my ear as I turn to look at her walking out of the
elevator to me.
"I figure out it will be nice to give you in person but knowing how you are with me__________” she
shrugs and comes to stand beside me “I know you will refuse, that's why I gave it to her" she continues
slowly look down on me with disgust.
"But why?" I asked shocked, while she was laughing at me like I was crazy to have asked her that
question.
"You are the face of Lush and this magazine " she grabs the magazine from Divine who turn to walk
away giving us some privacy.
" Is the yearly magazine of the Thompson's Empire, the face of Lush beauty is always showcased on
the cover page along with the C.E.O"
She continues looking at me smiling"I've always been there for the past six years now until now" she
said with a faraway look on her face probably reminiscing about her past glory.
I walk past her into my office closing the door gently as I sat down with my head bowed in the chair. I
didn't know she has followed me until she sat down on the chair opposite me staring at me curiously.
"What do you want from me, Deborah? Haven't you done enough?"I said to her tired from all of this
game she has been playing with me. I wish I've never met her.
"I'm sorry if my present disturb you but I'm just here to warn you as a friend," She said sweetly still
staring at me.
I turn to look at her curiously. What is she here to warn me about? It is on Mia Walker issue? Has
Michael been arrested?.
She stood up suddenly and turn to leave" Wait!” I called out to her. I want to know what she's here to
warn me about.
She turns to look at me with a coy smile "Yes?"
“What are you here to warn me about?"I said fearfully as I chastised myself for showing her that her
word affected me.
She smiles and walks to me as she leans down on the table staring into my eyes “Calm down Nina,
what's the fun in there if I should tell you all about it now? " She straightened and wink at me" but one
thing I'll promise you is that it's going to be exclusive news on Melton's media" She walks out of the
door leaving me to wonder what all this is about?.
I bowed my head in frustration as I paced around my office afraid of what to come. I don't even know if I
will have the strength to fight it.
I heard a knock on my door as I rush to my seat and straightened my dress"Come in" I called softly to
the person knocking. I didn't prepare for the person that walks into my office.
Mr. Melton smiled at me as he sat down on the chair which his daughter has vacated a short while ago
holding the same magazine Deborah has shown to me earlier.
I braced myself for what was to come as I smiled nervously at him, Was this the warning Deborah
Melton was talking about? But how is this going to be an exclusive?.
“ Miss Miller?” His loud voice cut me from my thought as I turn to give him all of my attention.
“I'm sure you are probably wondering why I'm in your office right now and not you in mine. Right?” he
said looking at me. I gulp nervously as I nodded at him to continue.
"Firstly, the interview about my daughter's wedding will be held on Thursday this week," He said looking
at me to see if his word sinks into me.
" Yes sir" I reply nervously, my heart beating rapidly more than the normal way. Are they still getting
married? Is this exclusive?
“Good.Now back to the second thing that brought me here" I block out my thought as I struggle to listen
to what Mr. Melton was saying.
"This?" He said and held up the magazine to my eyes"this is not following our norms here and to think
that you knew that my daughter was the face of Lush beauty and you still went ahead to take over her
position. You will be sack! ” He said as he stood up to leave looking at me" but not immediately I expect
you to clean up your desk on Friday, after the interview. Goodbye Miss Miller” He walks out as I
slumped down on the chair crying. I can't believe my life has finally come to nothing.
"That's what you get for aspiring to be like the elites in the society," My subconscious said sarcastically.
I don't need her lectures right now. She ought to be with me right now not the other way.
"Is it a crime to love?. The only mistake I made was falling in love with Michael" I cry out loudly
shouting at her to keep shut. I have forgotten that she was unseeable, thank God I was in my office
right now, people would have thought that I was crazy talking to myself.
" That's is what you get for aiming at the moon when what you seek is among the stars," She said
again but this time in a parable. I ignored her. I don't even understand what she is saying, who is the
moon? and who is the Star?.
I pick up the intercom "Divine, come into my office with your notepad” I said and hung up straightening
my dress as I get ready to work. It's better to make use of the little time I get to do something
productive than to be crying over spilled milk.
Divine opened the door and walk in slowly still scared from this morning"You sent for me ma'am" she
said bowing her head afraid to look me in the eyes.
I felt sorry for her, to be honest, I was not myself this morning "I'm sorry about this morning" I said
looking at her she looks at surprised "I'm not always like that, let's just say I woke up on the wrong side
of the bed"I apologized to her as she offers me a small smile.
"It's no problem ma. I've forgiven you" She said smiling.
"Really?.Thank you. Now let's go back to work. What are my schedules for this week?”
She looks at the notepad and shakes her head "None that I know of”.
“Ok. That's good, I need you to schedule an exclusive interview with Mr. Melton's daughter and son-in-
law on Thursday" I said has she scribble fast on her notepad.
When she was through she looks at me"Anything else Miss Miller?".
"No. That will be all for now Divine," I said as I get ready to type the questions for the interview on my
system.
"Ok, ma'am," She said as she turns to walk out leaving me with my work.
"Uh…..Divine" I said looking up at her as she pauses before opening the door. She turns to look at me
expectantly "Yes, ma".
“Thank you for everything," I said to her. She smiles and nodded then walks out as I get ready to work
my head out.
Thirty minutes later, I raised my head upward and look at the time, surprised to see that it was past 5
pm already. How time flies, I pack up my things and walk out of my office to my car.
I was about to open my car door when my phone suddenly rang, I took it out of my bag to see that it
was Michael's calling. My breath catch in my throat as I quickly enter my car, away from the view of
passers-by.
I was scared of what to say to him. I dropped the phone on the chair and pulled out of the parking lot,
driving to my house.
The phone rang again the second time but I still ignored it as I wonder what to do. Should I just leave
this country back to Italy or what should I do?.
“Maybe you should end it with him once and for all since his parents are not in support of it, instead of
getting back together and fighting tomorrow," My subconscious said as she looks at my pathetic self
probably wondering why she was not me right now. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
"No!" I scream I don't think I can do that. I can't bring finality to our relationship. It will break my heart.
"No, what," she said harshly" Can't you see it? you are not meant to be together. You both are two
worlds apart. Even though you have millions of dollars in your account right now, you will still be that
little poor and naive girl in his parents’ eyes" She said bitterly. She honestly hurt me because she's
saying the truth. I guess it's high time I wake up from my slumber I and Michael can never be together
maybe, it's time I give it the final decision it needs.
I pulled over into my driveway and walk out of the car. I run into my apartment avoiding Deborah. I
wouldn't want her trouble this evening. Immediately, I saw her standing on her balcony with a cup of
coffee in her hands glaring at me.
I punch in the code to my apartment and immediately slumped down on the couch resting my feet on
the center table to relax. I made a mental note to speak with my dad concerning working in his
company since he has been pressuring me to ever since he acquire Pandora.
I was damn tired and exhausted to do anything. I stood up and went into my room, without changing
out of my work clothes, I fell on the bed, I will probably sleep off this way but I don't care anymore. I
don't know the plans that tomorrow have for me, but I'm too tired to fight anymore.