Chapter 9
Kelly’s POV
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“What’s the problem?” I coldly asked Hayley after I reached the studio. She’s now panicking. Her assistant called me saying there’s a problem involving Lexi, our new model and our professional make–up artist.
She swallowed hard. “Miss Monroe, Miss Lexi refused to do the photoshoot today. She had an argument with our make–up artist and she insisted on finding a new one.”
I sucked my breath and started massaging the bridge of my nose. I saw Lexi sitting comfortably with a frown on her face.
Pierce and I were in the middle of divorce proceedings, but cutting the bond between us wasn’t as easy as it could have been, especially when we both valued the family and the company.
Still, working with Lexi was the last thing I wanted. I really wanted to tear the face of that evil witch, but business wasn’t child’s play. I’d got a whole bunch of employees under me waiting for their paychecks, and I’d got to stay professional.
Without further ado, I walked towards Lexi and stood in front of her. She lifted her face and looked at me with disgust. Her eyes were already judging me right after she saw me standing in front of her.
“You cannot throw a fit here and do whatever you want, Lexi.”
She shot an eyebrow up and slowly crossed her legs. She shooed her personal assistant and smirked at me. “Hmm? Acting like a bitch? I see you’re mad because your boss, slash best friend, is going crazy over me again.”
I tried so hard to ignore what she said. I took a deep breath and looked her in the eyes. “Act like a professional, Lexi.”
“I am professional, Kelly. I just don’t like your stupid make–up artist.”
I shook my head and reminded her, “Then you should talk to us in advance or bring your own makeup artist. If it delays the shooting process, you will be in breach of contract and we can ask for compensation.”
I gave an ultimatum and turned my back on her. I was about to leave when she spoke again…
“Pierce knows this, you know? He allowed me to do whatever I wanted.”
Annoyed, I faced her again. “What did you say?”
She faked a smile and turned her back. I gritted my teeth as she walked towards the dressing room.
My blood was boiling in anger when I went back to the company. I went straight to Pierce’s office and saw him sitting on his swivel chair while massaging his temple. I slammed the door but he didn’t lift his face. He took a deep breath and spoke.
“What is it, Kelly?” He knew that I was the one who came?
Nevermind! I’m not here for that anyway.
I marched in front of his table and pressed my palms against the table, bending forward a little.
“Lexi is acting like a bitch during the photoshoot, Pierce. She had an argument with our make–up artist and refused to give us a filing. Changing the model on the fly is enough of a hassle, and she’s still making us more problems.”
He slowly lifted his face and I was taken aback when I realized how close our faces are. I swallowed hard and withdrew my position. I stood in front of him as I felt my heart racing. Damn it!
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06:23 Tue, Sep 2 R
Chapter 9
“Not now, Kels. My head is aching.”
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My forehead creased. “My head is also aching, Pierce. Your bitch of a woman is trying to provoke me.”
“Kelly, please! I already have much on my plate. Lexi has just been back and it’s normal to be sensitive in a brand new environment. Could you show some empathy and stop calling Lexi names? Please!”
He was looking at my face with frustration and anger. He’s never yelled at me like that. It’s not that we’ve never had a disagreement, but he’s never been this out of temper. And now, just after a few days that witch returned, he had changed so much. He never defended me so fiercely, even during our marriage.
I balled my fists as I felt tears form in my eyes. His expression immediately softened when he seemed to realize what he said.
He pulled himself up and walked towards me. I moved away and forced my tears back when he attempted to touch my arm.
He sighed. “I’m sorry for raising my voice. I’m just…really stressed today. We just signed the divorce papers and Dad’s already threatening. And Grams. You know her. She won’t talk to me ever again once she learns that our divorce is already in process.”
I looked away and sucked my breath. He’s right, that’s a big problem. However, it couldn’t cover the truth that his so–called first love is spreading darkness in the studio. I can’t believe he allowed this to happen.
“I’ll talk to Lexi again. I agreed to work with her on her terms because you know, her popularity would be a great help to us. Don’t worry about her.”
I turned my back and walked towards the door. Before I opened it, I spoke again…
“I’m gonna get my things later. I’ll move out today.”
“Kels, don’t add more salt to the wound. I’m still trying to figure out how to tell my family. Don’t make a move that would push me to the cliff.”
Annoyed, I faced him. “The divorce is in process, Pierce. Don’t you think it’s too shameless for me to stay in your house?”
“Kels…” His eyes were hooded and he looked sick.
I just shook my head and turned my back on him. I’m planning to completely exit his life and cut all my connections with him but when I opened the door, I felt like my heart almost stopped beating. Standing in front of me was Pierce’s younger sister. She was standing frozen behind the door and when she looked at me, tears cascaded down her cheeks.
“Y–You’re leaving my brother?”
I sucked my breath. “Phoebe…”
She’s just 16 years old and she’s very close to me. She’s also like my younger sister and I treasure her too.
She sobbed and turned her back. I was so shocked when she suddenly ran away. Pierce appeared behind me and looked at me with a worried face.
“Why is she here? She should be at school,” Pierce asked.
I shook my head. “I don’t know!”
“Damn it!” He cursed and started running. I closed the door of his office and followed him. I want to run too but that would be dangerous for my baby.
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06:23 Tue, Sep 2
Chapter 9
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When I reached the entrance of the building, I talked to the guard and he immediately told me where Phoebe went.
I kept on looking around as I walked around the vicinity. I’m worried about Phoebe. I can’t believe she would hear that. Damn! I shouldn’t have said that.
“Phoebe!” I called as I looked at everyone on the street.
My eyes widened when I spotted her. She’s running and Pierce is after her. My eyes widened even more when I saw a car approaching when Phoebe crossed the street.
“PHOEBE!” I screamed and ran as Pierce ran after her too.
My ho
almost stopped beating when I thought the car would hit Pierce who hugged Phoebe. I screamed in fear and was almost breathless when the car stopped on time. The driver cursed Pierce and he just ignored him while checking on his
sister.
I walked towards them with shaking hands. Pierce brought Phoebe to the sidewalk and I immediately squatted in front of her.
“Phoebe, why did you do that? That’s so dangerous.”
She sobbed and shook her head. She pushed her brother who was trying to hold her in place.
“You are leaving my brother. You two are liars. You told me you will never leave each other. You lied to me. You lied to us! You said you were in love!”
I looked down and bit my bottom lip. I don’t know what to say. I can’t even look at Phoebe.
Pierce called their family driver. When the car came, Phoebe immediately ran to the car, still crying and angry. I stood on the sidewalk watching the car leave and disappear from my sight. Pierce stood back beside me and looked at me. From the corner of my eyes, I saw him staring at my face.
“Kels…” He seemed to want to say something to me but my blood boiled in anger again when I heard that familiar annoying
voice.
“Pierce, I was just about to go to your office.” Lexi got out of her car and smiled at us. A fake smile to me.
“You seemed to leave your tie at my place. I thought I’d return it to you sooner so your good wife wouldn’t get misunderstood.”
Tss! Was that witch hinting at me that Pierce was with her the whole last night?
I turned my back and walked out without any interest in hearing what sweet moments they had shared. It’s none of my business now.
Damn I won’t stay in this hell loner I hope that hitch falls into a manhole soon
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