Chapter 20: 15.𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠

"The new NYX collection is already a hot topic in the City , The marketing team should keep up their work promoting our launch" Alice speaks

There's not much time left for the launch and it's hectic around here , everything is set yet everyone is stressing awfully too much. NYX has a main head building and many groups under it , these different groups have various jobs . Our group is responsible for the designing and presenting.

Everyone is gathered in the meeting room , as Alice, our studio manager, is talking about the next tasks we must carry out. Everyone is focused and listening and even taking notes . Whereas Adam is snoring beside me .

I kicked his leg making him wake up and groan in frustration "why can't you let me sleep!"

"You are in a meeting for God's sake , how can you even sleep in this situation?" I say

He sits up straight, stretching himself out "I was racing last night so I slept really late-" his words get cut off as he yawns "you were racing last night?" I try to keep my voice low as there are many people beside me

He nods

"Since when are you going there without me?" I ask. When we were in university we both stumbled upon a bike racing group. A guy organizes this event where many racers come to show their talent. It's a type of gambling and illegal. I shouldn't have gone there, it was the worst decision of my life but now it became a way to let out my anger

After graduating I didn't get much time to go there but the organizers always tries to call us as they make money from us

"I just went there to watch but they forced me. What could I do?" He replies

"That's why I am trying to avoid them, you should too" I advise him . When I first visited the racing event I knew this isn't something normal, this is done on an international basis and related to many other illegal stuff. Getting trapped here is easy but setting yourself out is not.

On my 17th birthday Aunt Lia gifted me my bike, I wasn't interested in racing until I saw it. Adam's uncle owned a racing track and we used to go there to have fun and race against each other but we got invited to race against international racer some of them are popular faces

The organizer of that event is Jeff who is the CEO of a company which manufactures cars and bikes . It was a shocker and he knew about me too and maybe that's why he favors me and excuses my rebel behavior towards them

"I know I won't repeat it but you can't always ignore them you need to make it clear -" Adam stops

Alice is giving him a death stare "I want you to focus Mr. Adam" Alice calls him out

"Yes mam" He grinds saluting her

The meeting finished after an hour. Everyone was tired just by sitting there, everyone exited the hall to resume their work. Adam is the first one to rush out

"Liam I need a word" Alice asks , She is standing in front of the presentation board which is scribbled with NYX plans

"What is it?"

"We need to book a venue for the after party" she informs

"After party? After the launching event?" She nods in confirmation "this is so sudden? They didn't say anything about this"

She sighed "The stockholders want an after party"

My eyes fall on the bowl of almonds kept on the table. I take a few of them "They don't even attend the event but they want an after party?" I scoff

"They are important people, we should at least do this much" she says and I roll my eyes at her statement "We are the one who are working day and night for this , we should also get a party" I protest

"It's for everyone from the employees to the employers" she confirms but I still don't like the fact that those guys are demanding a after party at the last minute, half of them doesn't even know about fashion yet here we are

"So you need to accompany me, I have selected a venue and I arranged a meeting with them this afternoon" Alice says stopping me from taking more almonds

"Why me? You are the Studio manager and I am just an illusion"

She sighs again "Correction Head Illustrator Liam and you are also the future heir of NYX , you should make more appearances for people to know" she reminds me

I take a few more almonds and toss them in my mouth "I am still not the heir yet " I say "You are the eldest son-" she pauses "nevermind it's your family matter I can't say anything"

People assume that I will take up all the responsibility soon but I don't think that time is anywhere near me. It's just been a year since I graduated and I am not ready for it . And why only me? Even Lucas and Mia can take NYX but it depends solely upon our mother

"Okay Let's go"

I was thinking to meet Stella but I guess it's not possible today

Alice has been managing this firm for the last 5 years and joined it 7 years ago. She is the best in her job and knows what to do in every crisis. When I first came here I was surprised with her passion towards NYX. She has a daughter who just turned three .

Alice booked an appointment with a famous hall which is near to the venue for the launching event. Many parties take place here , it looks like a elegant place . A giant piano kept aside and a huge chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The aesthetic of this hall is pastel brown, it doesn't look less than a palace where royal balls used to take place.

"What do you think?" Alice asks me as we are exploring the place

"I think it will reach the expectations of others" I continued, "What about the theme and dinner?"

She nods while scrolling on her iPad "The dress code is formal obviously, no color code . As for food the banquet provides all types of cuisines , we can select from it"

We hear footsteps and turn around. A man around his 50s dressed in a formal suit enter the room followed by a girl maybe his assistant and two other guys behind

He smiles seeing us

His assistant comes forward to introduce us "This is Leonard Aurther the owner of this banquet hall and -" when she was about to introduce us , the man stops her "I know, this must be the Manager of NYX and this pretty lady must be your assistant, it's nice to meet you" he forwards his hand towards me

I stop myself from frowning at his actions

"Liam Williams" I shake his hand "and you are mistaken, I am the head illustrator and this is our Manager Alice" I point out

Hearing me his smile drops . Alice moves forward and greets him but he doesn't respond to her back . Alice and I pass each other a glance while Leonard is glaring at his assistant making her tremble

He has some issues

"It's rare for a woman to be a manager and handle a whole firm, that too under NYX. That's impressive for a women" he empathize the word woman too much

Alice's mouth is hung open with his sexist comment . Old man with old thinking

"She is the real talent in our firm without her we would just stumble" I say back

His eyes twitched at my sentence "Of Course when a woman is around everyone wants to showcase their talent while she can just sit and watch them. It's a nice privilege . Am I right Ms. Alisa?"

He is forgetting that NYX was also started by a woman . Does he have short term memory loss? That he can't remember names?

He intentionally calls her with a different name, Alice's grip tightens around her iPad , she is raging with anger but controlling it

"It's Mrs. Alice, Mr. Aurther" She states

"Does it matter? Alice ? Alisa? Same thing or do you want me to call you Alice from wonderland? " he laughs

This man is getting on my nerves

"Did you like our venue? Should we go with the booking details procedure?" He questions

"I have a few questions regarding the arrangement- '' Alice says but he interrupts her "women asks too many questions. Everything is set and perfect here what problem do you have?"

"These are common questions Mr. Aurther, which every customer asks before booking. It's a huge event not a child's play" I snap "and as the owner you should listen to your customers. It's a basic thing"

He was taken aback with my sudden voice range "you seem to take my joke too seriously, here have some water" He says passing me and Alice a glass of water which his other assistant brought "make it quick I have another meeting" He says to Alice

Alice asks and inquires a few things about the food and furniture arrangements but he couldn't keep his mouth shut and answer directly. His every other sentence contained a criticism against Alice. When I tried to stop him, he behaved for a while but wasn't letting go off his shitty behavior

How does his assistant tolerate him?

After a lot of self controlling from almost breaking his jaw somehow the discussion was finished and we confirmed the booking

I asked Alice many times before signing the deal whether we can change the venue but apparently other are already booked or not big enough so we had no choice

Leonard and his assistants are standing afar from us talking about something it's mostly him talking and others listening with his head down

Alice and I are watching them from afar waiting to get a copy of the agreement

"That guy is a Huge Narcissistic, sexist and -"

"A total Egoistic?" I complete for her

She nods and takes a deep breath "My blood pressure was raising with every second I talked to him"

"We are living in the 21st century, how are people still sexist in this period? Unbelievable!" She yells

I look at the coffee in her hand which she didn't take a sip from but just holding it . Even mine is left untouched "you know coffee can't cause much harm" I say looking at her coffee

She frowns and looks at her hand then back to me. I smile at her "It's just coffee right? What harm can it cause?" I say again

She stares at me for a few seconds in confusion but picks up on what I was trying to imply "You are mischievous aren't you?" She chuckles

"Learnt from the best" I shrugged

She walks in the direction where Leonard is standing , I follow her . "Mr. Aurther! I forgot to ask!" She gains his attention. Alice was a few steps away when she intentionally trips and her coffee falls on Leonard's expensive suit . It's layered enough not to burn him yet he screams

"Oh my I am so sorry, I am so clumsy" Alice apologizes

I didn't know she can act this well

His other assistants were shocked but couldn't control their laughter. "Are you laughing at me?" He yells at his assistant and raises his hand before he could touch her "Mr. Aurther are you alright?" I ask and crash my cup on his chest spilling more coffee on his suit

He pushes me back "Sorry the floor is slippery, I didn't mean to" I say

He doesn't speak but stride off the main door and his assistants follow him .

"Wait! Here you can contact me for anything" Alice passes her card to his assistant. She looks at her in shock but smiles and whisper a 'thank you' and follow Leonard out

"I feel good" Alice comments

I smile and look at the mess we created, the house keeping comes and starts cleaning "we are really sorry" Alice apologizes to them sincerely this time "and thank you for your work" I appreciate them

"Do you think he will cancel the agreement?" I ask Alice and she shakes her head "No, if he does he needs to pay us compensation, it's his company's policy" she explains

"Good job" I raise my hand

"You too" she says giving me a high five

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Author's Note

Heyy everyone, hope you all are doing well

Thank you for waiting for the chapter

As I said I will post twice a week

-Monday and Friday

Hope you all liked the chapter

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I am stopping myself from revealing everything about Lucas and Jasmine's book 😭 but I will drop small hints

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-Have a nice dayy