CHAPTER 18

" Miss Vartins! "

Miss Linda called out in a harsh tone. Julia's heart skipped a beat, she slowly turned to see Miss Linda approaching her with a frown on her face.

"Why are you coming to work by this time? Is this how you plan to behave once you take over from my sister? "

Linda asked in a strict tone.

" No ma'am, I'm sorry. "

Julia answered, bowing her head in shame and regret.

"The meeting was adjourned due to circumstances and your absence is one of them."

She says angrily.

" I... I ..." Julia stuttered, unsure on what to say.

Miss Linda looked at Julia from head to toe as if she just noticed something.

"And what happened to your pretty face, you look pale and dry, you're not right this morning. As a fashion designer you're supposed to look your best."

Linda spoke to her in a subtle tone.

"I had a rough night."

Julia simply said.

"That's not an excuse, You're my favorite Julianna, so don't disappoint me. I need you to be your best, so please, no more fuck ups. Okay? "

Miss Linda requested.

" Yes ma'am. "

Julia responded with a nod.

She stood faced down.

" Please don't let this happen again." Miss Linda commanded.

"Yes ma'am, this won't happen again." Julia promised.

" Good. " Miss Linda said and walked away.

Julia eyes widened in shock when she heard a man snap his fingers at her face.

" Hey, Julia? Are you okay? "

He asked while staring at her.

She was brought back from the world of her imagination to the real world. By the sound of the man's voice. She realized she had been standing, staring into space. And her encounter with Miss Linda never occurred.

" Huh?" Julia mumbled absent mindedly. She blinked twice and sees Mr Robert, the head coordinator of Lorenzo designs. A thirty something year old bald man, dressed neatly in a white suit and black trouser.

His long, large, beard decorated his face. And made him look like Irish version of Santa Claus.

He stood before Julia and said.

"Where were you? Miss Vartins, I've been trying to call you, You're lucky, Miss Linda is not around and the meeting will hold next week Monday.

What happened? "

His last words ringed a bell

command in her head.

She spoke in a haste like a machine programmed to deliver a lie.

"Sorry I'm late, my fiance' was involved in a car accident last night and I had to be there with him at the hospital all through the night, while he fought for his life. "

Julia said with forged emotion.

"I understand, but why didn't you call us."

He asked, not believing her story.

" It didn't cross my mind at that time, I was too busy trying to solve my personal problems, I'm sorry about that."

Julia confessed another lie.

"It's okay, just don't let this happen again"

He commanded.

" It won't. " She promised.

Mr Robert sighed and shook his head thoughtfully.

" Follow me, let me take you to your new office."

He says Politely as he moved into an elevator, Julia followed behind him. She sighed in relief.

" Thank God, luck was on my side today. phew! I'll never have a hangover again."

She voiced in her mind.

Today was indeed her lucky day.