Sarah's POV:
I had drawn a gown with countless star bowties; I thought it was such a crazy idea and it would look funny on a kid, so I shoved it to the side and asked Unise to throw it all in a bin. So how did it end up with Nel?
"What do you mean?" Nel asked with a frown.
"I drew that."
"Elma, stop those old tricks of yours; we are getting tired of them," she scoffed, and I gritted my teeth.
"How could you present my design as yours? You didn't draw that, and you know it."
"Elma," Anthony called, but I didn't pay attention to him.
"That's my design; I spent my time drawing that. Unlike you, some people work and do not flex around." Nel wasn't backing off.
"Look how you say that with so much pride." I couldn't believe her audacity.
"Elma, stop" Anthony stood up angrily, and I frowned at him.
"I am not the only one shouting, so don't shout my name," I said with a tone filled with pain. It hurts to have your creativity stolen; she could have at least given me credit for my work.
"Nel, excuse us," Anthony said, and Nel nodded before walking out of the office. I bit my lip, trying so hard not to burst into tears. Anthony walked towards me before gripping my hand.
"We agreed that you would stop with this attitude of yours; you can't keep owning others' work."
"But it's my work."
"Is it?" he sneered before holding the drawing paper.
"Since when do you draw this way? Smooth edges, soft, and accurate lines? Give me a break, Elma; I know you so well"
"And Nel? Does she draw that way?" I asked, and he was speechless. Then he clicked his tongue.
"I don't know about Nel, but this design isn't yours, so stop causing a fuss or you will be out of the KC event," he warned before returning to his seat.
How could Elma's husband not trust her?
"Anthony…"
"Just leave and get to work." He didn't raise his head to look at me. A teardrop finally rolled down my cheeks before I wiped it off quickly and left.
I didn't go to my office; instead, I went to the restroom, which was easy to find. I turned on the tap and splashed water on my face, but this time my tears didn't hold back; they came rushing down like they were on strike.
I clutched my chest tightly. I have been drawing designs for years in my book at home, but it has never been stolen by someone. I always saw news of an artist stealing another artist's work.
Now I understand the pain; it hurts a lot. I had thought it was trash and thrown it away, and then Nel took advantage of that. "A woman of high standard, my foot," I sneered before splashing water on my face again to wash off my tears.
"A crying lady, that's so common." A voice echoed from behind me. I jolted in fear and turned to find a tall man with black, messy hair and brown eyes standing there.
He had such an amazing and cute look as he walked out of one of the cabinets. "Go on, don't mind me," he said, and I felt embarrassed before picking up a tissue and wiping my face.
"Elma Wistold, without makeup, you look stunning," he complimented, and that's when I realized that this was a restroom.
"What are you doing in the ladies restroom? Are you that disgusting?" How disgusting could this man be, from his outlook, he looked so responsible.
"I think you are mistaken."
I pulled the door open before looking at the sign; it was boldly written there that this was a male restroom. Now I felt embarrassed. I smiled sheepishly at the man, and he chuckled before we both walked outside.
"Jacob Martinez" he extended his hand for a handshake, and I accepted it.
"Elma…"
"I already know your name, Sarah," he said, and my eyes widened in shock. I felt my throat run dry. Who was this man?
"Don't be nervous; I have been friends with Elma for a long time, and I was the one who told her about a girl who looks like her, and Elma is currently in Alabama," Jacob explained, which means he was by Elma's side. So I sighed in relief.
"Oh"
"Why were you crying?" Jacob asked, and I shook my head in denial.
"Something minor; I cry easily, so never mind," I said while we walked towards my office.
"Seeing you cry reminded me of Elma a few years ago; she always cried in the restroom, a female restroom, of course," he added, and I chuckled.
"Can we pretend that didn't happen?" It was so humiliating, he nodded and stopped on his track.
"I am here to see Anthony, and after that, we will grab a coffee like we always do Elma," he said before walking toward Anthony's office.
I walked back to my office and thought of calling Elma, but she had warned me not to. "Ma'am," Unise called out as she walked in while holding a cup of coffee.
"For you," she placed the coffee on the table. That's when I realized it was cocoa coffee. Why does everyone offer me cocoa coffee without asking me?
"I am not in the mood for coffee."
"Oh, I am sorry." Unise carried the coffee and turned to leave. "Unise," I called and she turned to me.
"From today on, please serve me any other coffee except cocoa coffee."
She nodded in agreement before leaving. I don't even want to think of the state I landed in just because I took a bite of chocolate. Or when I sipped cocoa coffee, it nearly killed me.
Then Unise peeked from the door. "Mr. Martinez is with Mr. Wistold," she said, and I nodded. I already knew that.
"Remember how much Anthony hates him?" she asked, and I raised a brow, confused.
"Why does he hate him?" Jacob seemed like a nice person.
"You have such a short memory; two weeks ago , you got so drunk, and when you saw Jacob at the company entrance, you immediately kissed him. No one still talks about it, but we won't forget that," she explained. Elma was the one who kissed him, not me.
"Whatever," it was none of my business.