Chapter 2
The next morning, I showed up at the design department right on time.
As I approached the break room, I heard laughter and chatter coming from inside.
"Did you guys hear? Ms. Shaw and that new guy from Valloria actually booked a room together at the hotel last night."
"Seriously? Are you for real? What about Alex?"
"What can he do? Alex has been chasing after Ms. Shaw for five years, and she hasn't given him the time of day. He's her permanent backup."
"Exactly. Noah's a big deal in the Vallorian fashion world, plus he's handsome and smooth. Alex just sits in the office all day sketching. He's a total bore."
I stopped at the door, my hand hovering over the handle.
Madeline said she had to keep up the persona of a single, attractive CEO to match the company's style.
So for the past five years, all my kindness toward her made me look like a total simp in everyone else's eyes.
The sound of high heels echoed down the hallway as Madeline walked over in a sharp business suit.
Noah was right beside her, the two of them so close they were practically glued together.
When Madeline saw me standing at the break room door, she paused for a split second before acting as if nothing had happened.
"Alex, perfect timing. Come to my office," she said.
She led the way to the CEO's office.
As Noah walked past me, he deliberately bumped my shoulder.
"Get out of the way, you mutt," he sneered in Vallorian.
I brushed off the imaginary dust from my shoulder and followed them in.
The office door closed behind us.
Madeline settled into her executive chair, fingers interlaced on the desk.
"Alex Carter, there's something I want to discuss with you," she said.
She called me by my full name.
Whenever she wanted a favor or felt guilty, she'd switch to business mode like this.
Madeline said, "Noah offered a lot of valuable input about the company's future. Plus, he has an extensive network in Valloria,"
She paused, her eyes fixed on me, gauging my response.
"I want to hand the design director position over to Noah. You can move behind the scenes and focus solely on your designs. After all, socializing isn't really your strength, and this role has been exhausting for you," she said.
I stared at her in silence.
Madeline was always fair. She never bent the rules for anyone.
Even though I was the one who did almost all the heavy lifting when it came to the company's core designs, I'd put in countless late nights and long days to earn the design director position.
No one knew that better than she did.
But now, Noah walked away with the job, thanks to a single word from her.
I didn't argue or beg. I just nodded.
"Alright, I agree," I said.
Madeline was stunned.
She'd obviously come armed with a whole list of things to say to calm me down; maybe even bracing herself for a full-blown argument.
The way I agreed so fast completely threw her off.
"You really agree?" Her voice wavered.
"Yeah," I replied.
I took off my ID badge and set it down on her desk.
"I've been feeling pretty burnt out lately. I think I need a break. I can get the handover done today," I said.
Madeline gave me a suspicious look.
"Alex, don't be mad at me. I'm really doing this for the company. You'll always be the one I rely on most behind the scenes," she said.
I was so sick of hearing that kind of crap. It made me want to puke.
I turned and headed for the door.
As my hand touched the doorknob, I paused.
"Ms. Shaw, I'm sure you'll lead the company to new heights," I said.
I headed back to the design department and started packing up my stuff.
All the important design files were saved on my own cloud drive.
The only things left on the office computer were some throwaway drafts and basic layers.
The handover was done in record time.
HR didn't even bother with the usual pleasantries. They stamped the paperwork without a word.
I knew Madeline was behind it all.
She was in a hurry to clear the way for Noah.
After leaving the office, I sat down on a bench by the curb and dialed an international number.
"Richard, it's me, Alex," I said.
The old Vallorian man on the other end of the line was so excited his voice cracked.
"Holy crap, Alex. You've been off the grid for five years, and now you finally call me? Do you have any idea how many people have been losing their minds trying to find you?" he exclaimed.
"I'm launching my own brand," I said.
I looked across the street at the Shaw Group Headquarters, my tone calm.
"Handle the startup capital and registration for me; use the fastest route possible. I want everything ready within ten days," I said.
"No problem. The moment you step back into the game, every investor in Eurosia will be fighting to get a piece of you," Richard replied.
That night, Madeline didn't come home.