SIX

"I THINK it's about time we consider expanding D&M Agency," Geneviève opined with certainty the moment the executive committee meeting started.

Doris wasn't in the best state of mind, not after that humiliating and infuriating ordeal yesterday. Everything still felt surreal to her. She still couldn't believe she'd been stood up by that... that...

Inhale and exhale, Doris! She mentally instructed herself. There was no point calling him derogatory names. Be the bigger person.

But no matter how much she breathed, it still couldn't calm the rage and hurt she was feeling that kept bubbling out of proportion whenever she envisioned him having a laugh in his hotel room while she sat at the restaurant for over four hours waiting for him.

ASSHOLE!

There she said it.

Today wasn't it for her. Particularly not to discuss business matters. Work was the last place she wanted to be at today, she'd just wanted to stay in the comfort of her home, wrapped in her thick duvet cover and lick her wounds till she healed completely but Geneviève had requested an executive session to discuss matters among themselves before bringing them to the board of directors.

And here she was in her office, struggling to keep her mind focused on what was at hand and what wasn't.

"We can go far beyond just being a modeling agency," Geneviève continued. "We could consider branching out into other areas of the entertainment industry, like acting, singing, or even creating a production company. Diversifying our portfolio and creating a larger presence in the entertainment industry."

Doris exhaled. The gust from that breath transmitted her frustration in an undeniable billow. "Come on, Geneviève. We've talked about this before..."

"Just hear me out," Geneviève interjected, holding up a hand. "We could start by organizing a division within the agency that focuses on representing actors, singers, and other performers. We could move further to establishing a production company that develops and produces content like movies, television shows, and music. We could even get into the business of licensing characters, brands, and merchandise. I mean, we've had success within the modeling industry, it's about time we start looking at ways to grow and expand the business."

"I know you want what's best for the agency and so do I," Doris responded calmly. "But we're just two years in the industry, now is not the time."

"There is no set timeline for when an agency can consider expanding," the other woman replied with no hesitation. "See the big picture of where this could lead us. This expansion could make us one of the most successful modeling agencies in the world, with offices in cities all over the globe. We could even branch out into the digital world, with a digital division that represents influencers and social media stars. Can you not envision that?"

"Yes, I can," Doris said with a gentle nod. "But with that being said, it is generally not wise for a new agency to try to expand too quickly. It is important we establish, first, a solid foundation within the modeling industry before branching out into other areas. Doing so too early could spread the agency too thin, and could lead to problems down the line."

"Besides, expanding the agency will require a lot of money. We will need to have more than enough resources to invest in the new division and venture. Hiring new staff, creating a new office space, and probably even relocating the entire company... and much more." Doris slotted in with emphasis. "Even as much as we're successful at the moment, we can't cater to that yet."

"If huger capital is the problem we could get outside investors, take out loans," Geneviève suggested relentlessly.

Doris' ebony brows snapped together. "Outside Investors can provide much-needed capital for the expansion, and can also bring valuable expertise and connections but the same investors can also come with absurd strings attached, such as a say in the agency's decisions and before you know it we're lost at our initial purpose," she replied instantly. "And loans? Do you know how risky taking on debt is? What if it doesn't work out as planned and the agency is unable to repay the loan? We could end up in serious financial trouble and probably hit bankruptcy."

Realizing her voice was skyrocketing, Doris drew in a long breath, collecting herself before she continued, "Geneviève, expansion is not a guarantee of success, and there is always the potential for setbacks and challenges. That is why we need time to network, build relationships, and organize rigorously for it and make it successful. I'm not saying this is a bad idea, I'm only saying it's too early. Your heart is in the right place but if rush things we could find ourselves caught up in a tornado of damages we may not be able to control. For now, it's a NO for me. And I'm sure a number of the board will agree too. We'll get there eventually but not now."

A silence stretched that was heavy and long and almost suffocating.

The argument had died down, but its effects hung in the air like the heat of a scorching day. It was as if all the energy from the clash of words had seeped into the atmosphere, suffusing the room with an uneasy tension that was almost tangible. No one spoke, and yet the silence was so thick that it felt like the entire space was throbbing with unspoken thoughts and feelings. The air felt like it had been sucked out of the room, leaving only a heaviness that weighed on their present.

And when the knock on the door came it sounded incredibly loud, ricocheting in their ears.

"Come in," Doris called.

Doris' secretary, Annie, surged in all smile and giddy. She didn't even bother to read the tense atmosphere in the room. Whatever was making the little brunette that excited was top-notch.

"Uh. . . Ma'am? You have a visitor," she half-squeaked. "She's requesting to meet the president of D&M Agency."

Slowly, Geneviève began to stand from her seat. "Okay, duty calls. I'll receive her in my office. . ."

"Actually," Annie cut in, "she's not requesting for you, Ma'am." Then she turned her gaze to Doris. "She specifically said she wants to meet YOU, Ma'am."

Doris frowned in confusion. "Me. . .?" she responded slowly.

Annie nodded. "Yeah!"

Doris was still confused. Not many people knew she was the actual President of the D&M Agency. Except for the board of directors, major staff, and a handful of models.

Oh! And there was Brad too.

She frowned. "Who exactly is asking to meet me?"

Annie brought both her fists to her mouth and a scream came muffledly from inside her tight lips. "I'm sorry," she said finally. "I pinkie-sweared not to tell you."

"Okay, fine," Doris yielded. "Let her in."

Annie left and a few seconds later the door opened again but this time it wasn't Annie that came in.

Wide-eyed, Genevieve slowly rose from her seat, her hands flying to her mouth. "No way. . ." she gasped. "Evelyn Rodriguez Lyndon. . .?!"

Doris too was on her feet. No adjective in the English dictionary could describe the expression on her face.

Evelyn Rodriguez Lyndon. . . The billionaire fashion designer. An epitome of self-made success. She had started with nothing but a vision and a love of fashion and had built an empire from the ground up. Her designs were a reflection of her passion and creativity, and her business acumen was just as impressive as her talent.

She exuded confidence and power, yet her demeanor was warm and approachable. She was the kind of person who knew how to make others feel seen and valued, and it was this quality that led to her success.

She was often described by the media as having a sixth sense of what people wanted to wear. She could intuit what would be popular before it even hit the runway, and her collections were consistently on-trend. Yet, she always found a way to put her own unique spin on the latest fashion, making her designs stand out from the rest. When she walked into a room, it was as if the air around her was charged with energy. Her presence was electric, and people couldn't help but be drawn to her. And yet, despite her success and acclaim, she remained humble and gracious.

And to crown it all up, Evelyn Rodriguez Lyndon just happened to be her best friend.

She couldn't believe she was beholding her best friend in the flesh after four years.

"Mon Dieu!" Geneviève exclaimed, rushing to her side. "I can't believe I'm breathing the same air as you." She stretched forth her arm. "Geneviève Moreau. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm a huge fan."

Evelyn smiled warmly and grasped her outstretched hand, giving it an affectionate squeeze. "The pleasure is all mine."

"I'm never going to wash this hand," Geneviève whispered dramatically, holding the said hand against her chest.

Evelyn let out a good-natured giggle and then, her eyes met Doris, who was grinning guiltily where she stood.

"Uh. . . Geneviève. . ." Doris said. "Could you please us the room?"

Geneviève glanced from one woman to the other. "Oh! Oui."

When she left, Evelyn glared at her in feigned annoyance. "I hate you, Doris Evans!" she said, shaking her head.

"Evy!" Doris squeaked in elation. She spread her arms, closing the distance between them.

"Don't you even dare come close to me?" Evelyn said, behind clenched teeth. "Don't you dare—"

Doris' arms wrapped around her best friend, squeezing her tight in a bear hug. "Oh, Evy! I miss you so so much."

Evelyn scoffed. "Oh, yeah! You do now?" She said. "You left for four years without contacting me? Four. Freaking. Years! And now you miss me? Wow, Doris, you are dripping with absolute decency."

Doris laughed out loud and heartily. Some things never change. Oh, how she'd miss her friend's snarky attitude.

"Come. . . Sit," she said, leading her to the couch. She was virtually dragging her while Evelyn followed her reluctantly behind.

When they got seated, Evelyn proceeded to complain. "I still can't believe you've been under my nose all these years," she muttered. "You must have really wanted to hide away from me so badly."

Doris giggled nervously. "How did you find me?" Then the smile left her face instantly when it dawned on her. "It was Brad, wasn't it?"

Of course, it had to be him.

Evelyn, her best friend, was married to superstar Jason Lyndon who also happened to be Brad's best friend.

Evelyn had been the reason she'd met Brad in the first place.

When Evelyn had been on the quest to find her sister's murderer, she'd convinced Doris to get closer to Brad and obtain any form of information she could use to put Jason—who she'd suspected was her sister's murderer— behind bars.

But instead of getting any useful information from him, she'd fallen head over heels with the ice-hearted lord and crashed her heart.

Now that she thought about it, Evelyn was partially to be blamed for her broken heart.

"Brad knows you're here?" Evelyn asked surprised.

"Wait! It wasn't him?"

"No! I hired a private investigator to find you," Evelyn said. "When you disappeared four years ago, I thought you probably needed space or something, but as the years went by, it started to get scary. I had to find you."

Since Evelyn had married her superstar husband, the two women had had no contact. Doris was guiltily aware that she was totally responsible for that.

Doris flashed her bright dentition. "How are my nieces?"

"Oh now you know you have nieces?" Evelyn narrowed her eyes. "I know what you're doing, Dee. Don't change the topic. Why did you fall off the face of the earth? Why haven't you. . .?" She paused. "Hold up, how did you know I had daughters?"

Doris let out a snorty laugh. "Dude! Everything you or Jason do, even the slightest thing, is considered a hot topic for the media," she replied bluntly.

Evelyn blinked. "Anyway," she waved a hand. "Why haven't you reached anyone? Not even me?"

"Well. . . About that. . ."

Just then, the door flew open and a little dark-haired boy darted into the room with Annie in pursuit right behind him.

"Mummy, mummy, mummy!"