The Collaboration

Ann felt the need to hide from her mother, but no matter how far she tried to run, she couldn't escape her mother's influence.

This brought to mind the familiar saying, "You can run, but you can't hide," highlighting the inevitability of facing the consequences of her actions.

All her life, she had been anticipating the moment when she would meet her in person, and the day had finally arrived. Instead of having a happy reunion, why did it become very awkward?

Long had she envisioned this day, playing out the scenarios in her mind countless times.

Yet, now that the moment finally materialized, an unexpected wave of dissatisfaction washed over her. Confusion and disappointment clouded her thoughts as she pondered the cause of this unexpected feeling.

Lea and Sophia's manager both received a phone call from the assistant marketing director of MegaWorld Department Store.

The call was to inform them about an upcoming meeting to discuss Sophia and Ann's collaboration.

==

In the opulent Tan Mansion, as the morning sun filtered through the grand windows, CEO Tan strode into the lavish living room to find Sophia, passed out from a night of excessive drinking.

Her disheveled appearance and the remnants of the previous night's revelry painted a stark picture that greeted him as he checked on her.

"Albert gently shook his wife, Sophia, as the morning sunlight filtered into the room. "Sophia! Sophia! Wake up!" he said urgently.

"Your manager just called to inform you about a crucial meeting with Ms. Ann to discuss a potential commercial collaboration." Sophia rubbed her eyes and quickly sat up, realizing the importance of the upcoming meeting."

Sophia slowly opened her eyes, still feeling the drowsiness clinging to her. She was in that hazy state between sleep and wakefulness, struggling to fully comprehend anything that Albert Tan was saying.

It took a couple of seconds before it registered in her mind. "Ouch! My head hurts so bad; get me a painkiller, please!" she requested from her husband.

"Is something bothering you? You seem different lately. Ever since we returned from meeting the new spokesperson of the Mega World Group, you've been acting strangely. Are you upset about having to share the spotlight with someone new? Please, talk to me about it. I want to help you through this." Albert Tan expressed concern.

"I told you that I would give you whatever you wish for as long as it's within my capability. So, getting rid of that girl is nothing. All I have to do is call and talk to Chairman Go, and it will be settled," he told her endearingly.

"Whenever you're ready, just let me know. All right! That young woman doesn't hold any significance. She's an unfamiliar individual from a foreign country," he added.

'She probably slept her way to get where she is now; looking at her, anyone can tell that she's a beauty with no brains.' So Albert thought, not realizing that he had spoken it out loud for Sophia to hear.

"What did you say? Repeat that and see if I don't file a divorce from you in a heartbeat." Sophia retorted, anger showing on her beautiful face.

"Huh?" Albert scratched his head, confused.

"You better leave that girl alone, you hear me! If I ever hear that you or your spoiled daughter did anything to that poor girl, wait and see what will happen." Sophia threatened him.

Albert Tan was afraid of what she had just said. He knew her temperament very well, and he knew what she thought she would do. She might file for divorce and leave him, but he would never let that happen in this lifetime or the next.

He rushed to her side and hugged her, coaxing Sophia a little, and asked her in a sweet, low tone of voice, "If that's not the case, then why are you in this state? Tell me… you know it pains me to see you like this. I will do anything; just say the word!"

Sophia just now considered her actions and realized that she was overreacting. It's not good for Albert to start suspecting her relationship with Ann Wen, so she changes the subject. "Why are you still here and not at the office?" Sophia asked, kissing Albert.

"I'm on my way to work. I just came to check on you and tell you that I love you, my dear wife. I'm also relaying the message from your manager." He kissed her back and turned around to leave for work.

As soon as Albert left, Sophia grabbed her phone and called her manager. "I'm hungover right now. I need to relax to clear my mind. Make an appointment for me at the salon and invite Ms. Ann Wen and her manager ASAP." She instructed her manager.

Sophia had so many things that she wanted to talk to Ann about, but she didn't know how to approach the subject without Ann being suspicious.

She needed to find a way to get close to her without being obvious while also being careful of the people around her. Her husband and stepdaughter should not suspect anything.

It was not a good time for them to know about their actual relationship. However, she will tell them when the time is right.

Ann made the first step of getting closer to her without being obvious. But, like her mother, she would also do everything in her power to make sure she had a smooth transition. 

Sophia couldn't shake the thought from her mind. Did her Mother ever find the right moment to reveal to Ann the existence of her long-lost mother?

***

Sophia was incredibly famous in Asia. She was referred to as the 'Diva,' and even though she was now older and recently married, she was still as beautiful as ever.

She was and still is a goddess in the industry. Men, women, young or old, worshiped the ground she walked on. Salon owners fought for the privilege of her using their service, which was a free advertisement with benefits.

Sophia received VIP treatment wherever she went.

However, it was an entirely different story with Ann; she was a nobody in Asia. A newbie, just like Lea said so.

Ann and Lea arrived at the Salon. It was a prestigious and luxurious-looking facility. As soon as they walked in, a hostess greeted them.

"Hello, welcome! To 'The Island Resort,' how may I help you today?" the receptionist asked them while looking at them from head to toe, appraising their value.

Lea did not miss that look the girl gave them; she was about to give her a tongue lashing when Ann gave her a warning look and decided against it. 

"Someone invited us to come to meet them here today. " Lea did not mention a name. 

"I see," the girl replied, uninterested, not even looking at them. Instead, she was just looking at the computer in front of her. "And who is this person that invited you?" She asked but further thought, 'Yah! Right, like you would know anyone in the elite circle,' not realizing she had said it out loud.

Ann, who was standing behind Lea waiting, suddenly looked up and was about to say something. When a voice from behind her said, "You're here!" Sophia and her entourage followed behind her.

When the receptionist saw the person embracing Ann, she immediately changed how she addressed them and became an entirely different person.

"Madam Sophia! Welcome! Everything has been prepared, and we're just waiting for your arrival. Please go this way!"

Sophia just ignored her and continued hugging Ann, who was feeling very uncomfortable at the moment. "Let's go have a girls' day and pamper ourselves. We'll get massages first, then facials, manicures... oh… and we will give you a makeover, how's that!" Sophia asked Ann excitedly.

Lea: '...?'

Ann: '...?'

Sophia's entourage: '...?'

They were all wondering what was going on with Sophia, but no one dared to say anything, or else there would be hell to pay.

The owner of the salon was informed that the 'Diva' had arrived. He rushed right away to where they were; he must make sure that nothing goes wrong. He always took care of Sophia, no matter how busy his schedule was.

However, this time, he did not anticipate what was about to happen.

The owner of the salon always took pride in personally providing Sophia with the best service.

Whenever Sophia's Manager called and made an appointment, he would make time from his busy schedule to squeeze her in.

Today was no exception, he had another appointment scheduled with another socialite, but he ended up telling his assistant to attend to her.

The owner prayed that the socialite would not make an issue and cancel at the last minute; it would be a significant loss as part of his clientele.

=====

Ann was suffocating from Sophia's embrace, but she didn't want to offend her. One way or the other, she needed to find a way out of her embrace.

"Hmm... M-Ms. Sophia, I'm sorry!" Ann said while wiggling out of Sophia's hug. "I appreciate your offer. I truly am flattered. However, I have important things to do. Could we do this another time?" Ann said, putting a distance between them.

Sophia was disappointed, and it clearly showed on her face, but she agreed anyway. "How about we do brunch then? I did not get a chance to grab a bite, and I'm famished right now. So what do you say?"

'What's going on with Sophia?' Everyone was wondering as they watched her acting weird.

Once again, Ann tried to reason with her and declined the invitation.

Before Sophia could utter another word, Ann received a phone call from Jeff.

"Hello! Are you finished? I want to eat you! N-no! I mean, I would like to eat with you! 'Lunch' is what I mean." Jeff finished his sentence with a light laugh.

Ronald, standing not far away sipping his coffee, almost choked when he heard what his boss had just said. 'God! I pray that no calamity ever comes between these love birds, or we ' the little pawns' will be suffering from a torturous death for sure,' He thought while looking at Jeff seriously.

"I'm finished! I will be leaving now, alright?" She made sure her voice was loud enough for everyone around her to hear.

"Ms. Sophia, once again, please accept my sincere apology and thank you for the thought. It's what counts. Goodbye, and enjoy your day!" Ann said, then walked out without waiting for a reply or looking back at the person still standing in shock.

'How does it feel, Mother? It's how I felt when you abandoned me without looking back. The difference then was that I was just an infant and didn't know anything.' Ann was almost in tears while in deep thought.

'But I lived through it all my life. The feeling of abandonment, a constant companion.' Tears were now flowing in her beautiful green eyes.

'Whereas, you just now found out how it feels, Mother-dear?' Ann thought to herself, full of self-pity, sadness, and triumph.

Lea sensed that something was going on, but she couldn't put her finger on it. 'Ann will tell me in good time, as she promised, and she has all the time in the world; she's not in a hurry at all.'

=====

Sophia didn't understand her feelings at that moment: 'What happened? Why did she suddenly change her mind? I was sure she would be willing to spend time with me today.' She was at a loss and didn't understand what happened.

'Why would she come all the way and suddenly say that she has another engagement? That's unheard of. Something must have happened before my arrival. I need to find out.' Sophia thought.

The Owner of the establishment was speechless and clueless. He just stood there, waiting for Sophia to begin the treatment.

On the other hand, the receptionist knew she was in trouble after putting two and two together.

"Let's get the F-k-out of here!" Sophia ordered her entourage, then walked out as well, enraged.

She didn't need to ask what happened; she could see it from the receptionist's worried looks.

The owner realized what was happening and went running after Sophia, apologizing.

"Ms. Sophia, please forgive us just this once! I will take care of that receptionist right away. I beg you, please!" The owner was pleading earnestly to Sophia.

"We will see! If Miss Ann decides to forgive you for what happened, then I will follow suit and forgive you as well. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"

"I understand the gravity of the situation, Ms. Sophia, and I am fully committed to apologizing to Miss Ann in person. I am prepared to humbly express my remorse, and if necessary, I am willing to kneel down to convey the sincerity of my apology," the owner declared emphatically.

The receptionist who had previously shown indifference towards Ann and Lea, now realized that she would soon be terminated from her job. Overcome with emotion, she started sobbing uncontrollably.