A Close Call with the CEO
Odetta Lawrence has a secret, she is posing as Olivia Reyes, a renowned breakout fashion designer. The world was finally recognizing her for her talents but not as her true self. She falls in love with the distrustful bigshot CEO of Luxe Textiles, Edward Cummings and Edward is falling for Olivia, but what happens if she lets her heart lead? Will she give up her career for love or love for her career? *** I hear she assaulted a local in Delhi, what a racist. _Exes15 Olivia scoffed tossing her phone into her purse and zipped it up clapping her hands together. "If you'd like, I'd put up that outfit," He leaned on the wall. "Maybe buy it off your hands," She spread her arms to keep them apart, Edward just had the best way of endearing her and she stood her ground. "You...you will?" She nearly forgot about the headlines. They walked together on the beach, she held her hands together. "I appreciate that," She bit her lip. He stepped in front of her and she stopped "I could grab my boat_" "Yes, I'd love to sail," Tasha stepped in wearing a green wrap up bikini and fabric around her waist, she rolled her eyes when Dante nudged her and she blushed. "Quit bugging me alright?" She said and bit down a laugh then blinked at Olivia. "Poor dear, I'm so sorry about that guy...," Olivia fidgeted locking her fingers, "Nevermind," Edward held her shoulder and she disliked his advances. "I know, he was really good looking, I guess you never can tell," She ranted holding on to a bunch of keys and sighed. "The boat," "Right," She said and they roamed to the docks. Olivia watched a crab wrestle with a broken shell and she saw another empty one. "Are you gonna give it or live in it?" He cackled unknotting a rope, he had help with the sails and she tossed it in the water. "No thanks, I'm fine, it's a really nice boat," "Thanks, it's just a rental," He said and he stepped inside stretching his hand. "No, thanks I got it," She stepped up and her other leg was stuck in-between. "Help," She crossed over. "It's slippery," He said and made it to the controls after he released the sails. "Are you sure you know how to sail? Because I'm concerned_" "You had to stand and watch me do a safety check. Olivia, there's a lotta things I had to learn," He said and twisted the keys and the jets rumbled spewing a stream of water. "Hang on," He said and she reached around his side. "This is not funny," She said leaning on his shoulder and he was the least ridiculous at the moment. "Here we go," Edward stirred the boat and he was aware of the direction of the wind and set sail across the shores till he was sure they hit the water. The smell of salt lingered in the air and he set his hand above his eyes at the distance. Olivia was wistful and held on, she couldn't think of the last thing to worry her, maybe a sail was what she needed the whole time. The water wobbled and the sky was getting grey and he picked up speed warranting another grip from Olivia. He felt a drip on his skin and she yawned. In a moment, the turbines gradually stopped spinning and her head rose stepping away from him. A smile returned to his face when he was sure they were safe, the island was just a few metres away, he would drive there in a moment but still, they had to enjoy the view. She sat down on a chair wistful about her dad's trips. "It's been a while since I've been on a sail," "Not long enough," He went to retrieve two glasses and handed her one. "Been a while since I've had a drink," She swivelled. She sipped and her eyes popped at the sweetness. "Apple juice?" He laughed. "I figure if we did, then none of us will be leaving this boat," She imagined careening and Edward laying on the edge, wasted and she shook her head. "Better safe than sorry," She crossed her legs
Chapter 6: The Unveiling 1
Cameras flashed outside of the dim windowpane of the limousine. Tasha Limelight was in a green designer dress and held a loose fabric over her elbow. Her fingers pushed on the car door and her entourage let her out.
Her sari gleamed with rhinestones and she brushed her thick strands off her face to wave at the audience on the red carpet. She didn't have time to stop by and do a rally. She had to seek out Edward before the Mansion started to fill up. "Carry my bags, these straps are killing me," She shrugged it off to give it to him.
She said but to the paparazzi, it was only a friendly conversation. Her escort followed her to the background with Mode Magazine trademarks and Luxe Textiles. She waited for the flashes to end.
Tasha Singh was difficult to beat in the fashion industry. She had calibre and didn't wait for trends to go on before she could put her hands to good use. Other than that, she was the biggest partner/ shareholder in Mode by 25%.
This Unveiling was for the breakout designers and she put the tip of her shade on her lip and she speculated why Edward would put on a show for an anonymous user if she was not going to show up anyway.
She mingled with other officials from Mode and Luxe and blew air kisses, her voice grew high pitched by the minute at the new faces that appeared.
Riding on social cues and the lot. "Ugh," It was only a matter of time before he came out already.
She found Edward's breakout a little confusing agreeably but she reckoned he was looking for a new outlet without new stakeholders buying interest in his company. She admired that.
Her eyes skimmed the lavish property that was his old property and a fountain was running over at the centre of the foyer.
There were guests well-dressed in tuxes and tailor-made gowns. Jewellery gleamed everywhere and she put on her shades, taking a glass of wine. "I'll meet you in the car," She drank from her glass and declined the meaty appetisers. "I'm a vegetarian,"
Another waiter offered veggie rolls and she gladly accepted.
The roll was halfway to her mouth when Edward arrived sauntering down the steps.
He shook hands and glimmered flirting and she grimaced at Brooke Hall or Cosby lingering by like a lost widow.
Her glass shook as she took some and her lips curled as he pecked her on the cheek.
She wore a strapless black pencil dress with a great silhouette, her blonde hair was
styled like that of Marilyn Monroe. She wore shades too.
If she knew better, she even took on a resemblance with her pale skin and resplendent smile.
Some of the men were flocking her and she seemed upset about it and entrusted herself to Edward's care. He led her away to the pool party.
Tasha supposed that this pity party was not over yet. She held up her strap and nodded at the important guests and journalists from other fashion publications. Without much further delay, she was being flocked.
***
"Oh Edward, I don't think I'll be able to go on,"
He smiled wryly as they stood by the luminous pool on the patio where the swimmers dawdled with a beach ball.
It was a cold Saturday at night and he supposed the wind would cool her burning cheeks down. She was under duress and brushed her hair back. A sigh escaped her lips.
"I wanted to turn in initially. But it happens I was right," She shook her head. "I'm not sure I can move on without David,"
"You're making conclusions too fast,"
Her eyes flickered. "You of all people don't know how it feels like," She tapped his hand down.
"Before you go into details about my grotesque sex life. You're right, I don't understand and I don't understand why Brooke can't have a good time,"
She scoffed "You men are all the same,"
"Slow down, Brooke, slow down," He kneaded her shoulders.
Her eyes watered and he saw a smile break out and she stepped around at David Cosby arriving with the gazelle of a supermodel, Yvonne Stacey.
She was recognized across the states. She was tall and flapped her straight brown hair aside from her face.
Her brown eyes were small and she had a narrow nose and slim pouty lips. She was sporting a coral evening gown with her white purse slung on her slim square shoulders.
And there was David Cosby, a handsome man clocking on his late fifties. His greyish hair was combed back from his full face, he had sharp eyebrows and hazel eyes behind glasses, he had quite a large nose and a devilish grin that caused Brooke to swoon a little taking Ed's arm.
He wore a white tux and a diamond ring gleamed on his bejewelled fingers.
She was especially furious at his new younger bride. "You had the_"
Edward placed a gentle hand on hers and she huffed keeping silent.
"Cummings, Brooke darling, what a pleasure to be here. I and my babe were about to take a swim,"
"It's nice to meet you, Madame Brooke," Yvonne stretched a hand to her and her hand lowered when Brooke disregarded her gesture.
She glanced at David who stepped up.
They were about the same height and Brooke looked sceptical.
"I apologize again that the separation was on short notice but we can all look back and laugh someday, huh?" He held up his hand and she had the impulse to throw him into the pool herself and shuddered to shake his hand.
"Attagirl. Meet Yvonne,"
Her eyes moved to Yvonne "Forgive my manners," She laughed and hugged her.
"He's actually fifty-nine,"
"No need to go into anymore reveals darling Brooke, she's seen it all,"
"Charming, I think Brooke and I'll be proceeding to the foyer,"
"Good idea, Eddie," David suggested and Edward nodded to Yvonne and left to attend to more guests.
Tasha shoved a suitor aside "I'll be leaving now. Yoohoo, Edward?!"
The strange man looked stunned when she walked past him quickly.
"Tasha, I never thought you'd miss it," He hugged her.
Brooke met her with air kisses and she swooned. "I need a lozenge,"
"There are seats provided you stay away from any more alcohol,"
"You bet your million dollar bill I will, god, you sound like my ma," She rolled her eyes and he grinned as she left with an assistant. Mei. She brushed her scarf around her neck and her shoulders hunched when she put on her spectacles. "Take me home, I can watch live,"
Edward faced Tasha, one of the International Relations Board members for Mode. She grinned helping herself with a glass and another for him.
"I'd like to stay clear-headed tonight," He dismissed a cocktail drink.
Her smile hardened pulling out the second glass she held behind her. "Oh look at that, more for me," She consumed it.