Chapter 23
Chapter 23
RAVEL
(PRESENT TIME)
go for Rose hastened behind me with her pointed heels just to keep up with me. I’ve hinted a few times that she should more
comfortable heels, but she ignored my remarks and continued with the sharp pointed heels.
I will not to held accountable if she trips and fall, I’ve done my part by hinting at it. “We have all the models ready,” she
commented, updating me on the preparations for the exhibition, “Your sister Elenor agreed to open the show.”
I halted, which prompted Rose and Raymond to halt too. “How much did she charge?” I didn’t think she’ll agree to this, seeing
that she is still upset with me over my divorce with Hazel.
Rose bit her lips, hesitating which made me more suspicious. My eyes squinted, urging her to speak up. “She charged double
her usual fee.”
Of course, she did! That crazy bi tch. “There are thousands of models out there, tell me why we had to pay her double just to
have her model the jewels?”
“Because nobody pulls the crowd more than your sister Elenor.” Roses responded matter-of-factly. I resumed walking. “Have you
seen her Instagram account?” Why should I be checking Elenor’s Instagram page? “She has over four hundred million followers.
We need her for awareness.”
“This shouldn’t take much persuasion.” Raymond mumbled, “She’s your sister and you should be eager to work with her.”
“Shut the f uck up Raymond,” I hissed, “this isn’t your jurisdiction.” He muttered an apology that I’m certain he didn’t really mean.
“Move on to other things,” I instructed Rose. Raymond opened the door and we all stepped into my office.
“As for the venue, we’re yet to conclude on a particular venue.” She pulled out a flash drive from her purse and dropped it on my
desk. “We’ve gathered a lot of prestigious spaces in Seattle, but we need you to make the final choice.”
“Seattle?” Raymond queried, arching his brows. “The event is taking place in Seattle?” He blinked slowly at me. “Seriously? Of
all places, Seattle?” When I remained mute, he scoffed. “Who made the choice? I’m guessing it’s you.”
“What’s wrong with Seattle?” Roses demanded, her question directed at him. “Besides Mr. Southwark had nothing to do with the
choice of city. He simply did a blind draw and picked out Seattle.”
Raymond huffed. “I won’t be surprised if all the choices in the box were all Seattle.”
Choosing Seattle as the city for our next exhibition had nothing to do with me, but I won’t lie that I wasn’t excited when I picked
out Seattle. “This is strictly business Raymond, you have nothing to be worried about.”
“Business?” He crossed his arms. “Tell that to someone who doesn’t know you, sir. With you and Hazel in the same city, nothing
about it is going to be strictly business.”
He’s right, but I refuse to admit it. Ignoring his statement, I returned my attention to Rose. “Continue with the update.” I glared at
Raymond quickly, “And you better not interrupt again.” He may be close to me more than any other male out there, but I’ll not
have him interrupt business matters.
Knowing his limit, he relaxed back. “Apologies boss, I’ll keep my thought to myself.”
Rose took that as her cue to continue with the updates. Raymond didn’t utter any other word, he just watched us in silence as we
discussed business. “How is Elenor’s new product coming along?”
Raymond leaned forward, his interest perking at the mention of Elenor. If he wasn’t so wary of Anne, I would have assumed
there is something still going on between them.
“She isn’t doing that great,” Rose remarked. “I had a chat with Andrew as you instructed, and he told me that her sales level is
very low.”
Chapter 23
My sister is so da mn stubborn; that’s the only reason she’s not coming to me for help. “Despite the level of her Instagram
followers?”
“Having such followers with an incompetent strategic team is as good as useless.” Kaymond listened with keen interest, “f asked
for a sales report sheet but he refused to release it.” She continued, “I believe Ms. Elenor needs to work on her strategic
team.”
Pinching my brows, I racked my brain for a remedy for her. “Promote the product on her behalf.”
Rose’s eyes bulged. “What?!” Her eyes bounced between me and Raymond, but the latter remained quiet
“Promote her product on our page. Have the strategic team take it up.” Sighing, I leaned back. “Purchase the product from the
market and advertise on her behalf. I don’t care how you do it, make sure you push the product into the international market.”
Rose cleared her throat nervously. “I don’t think that’s a great idea, sir.” My gaze shifted from the artifact next to the bookshelf
and landed on her. “We make jewels, we have no business with the cosmetics world.”
“Are you undermining my order?” Am I being too lenient with everyone around me? Is that why they dare to question me?
“No sir.” She straightened her back, “I’m only giving a bit of business advice. Promoting another business whilst organizing an
exhibition isn’t a good idea either. Let me have a chat with Ms. Elenor, we can have our strategic team give them an insight on
how to handle the situation.”
“Fine,” I breathed out, relenting in my decision. “Have a word with Elenor and get back to me.” If I discuss this with her myself,
she’s never going to agree to it.
Rose stood and gathered her files. “I’ll be on it ASAP.” She bowed before walking out of my office. It didn’t take up to three
minutes before she walked out of my office, and the topic of discussion walked in.
Sashaying towards me, she glared at Raymond. “Of course, he’s here with you, birds of the same feather they say flap together.”
Her lips thinned as she stopped right in front of me.
Rolling me at her sarcastic statement, I gestured for her to sit. “He’s my personal security Elenor, of course, he’ll always be
around me.” Unlike some people, it seems my existence bothers someone.
Raymond stood up and bowed. “I’ll be right outside your office if you need me, sir.” Without a single glance at Elenor, not that
she cared, he stomped out of my office, banging the door behind him.
I didn’t bother asking what was up with the two of them. I already have enough drama going on in my life as it “What are you
doing here?” It’s unlike her to just drop by, not unless she’s on a mission.
Relaxing on her seat, she tilted her head and stretched her red-painted lips into a taunting smile. “I just got back from Seattle a
few hours ago.”
I tensed up instantly but tried not to let it show. “And? What business of mine is it if you decide to visit Seattle, Africa, or
Mercury?”
She chuckled. “Wait till you hear what I have to say.” My eyes narrowed as my mind pondered on what she could possibly have
in mind. “You know,” she started, leaning forward, “even after your divorce with Hazel, I always thought you still have the chance
to amend things.”
Withdrawing my fist from my desk, I rested it on the armrest and squeezed hard. “Did you come all the way just to say the same
thing you’ve been saying for the past two years?”
She shook her head. “Today, I came to tell you what your cowardice has cost you.” I stared past her head. “She moved on
Ravel,” My eyes snapped back to her face. “What’s that look in your eyes?” She taunted.
Earnestly hoping that she was just being her silly self, my face twisted into a frown. “What the f uck did you just say to me?”
“I said Hazel moved on.” She repeated. “She now has a boyfriend who not only loves her but also sees her worth because he
kept beeping her all through our dinner together.”
Chapter 23
“Who the f uck is he?!”
She blinked rapidly before bursting out a belly, eyes squinting laughter. “Are you seriously upset right now?” Shaking her head,
she stood up and grabbed her purse. “You’re angry that your ex-wife moved on years after you moved on? Need I remind you
that you’ve been f ucking June and taking her to events?”
“Watch what you say to me!”
“Or what Ravel?” Placing both hands on my desk, she leaned forward, bringing her face closer to mine. “If you seriously want to
find out who her boyfriend is, then you have to get on the next available flight to Seattle.”
My jaw clenched.
“You can’t eat your cake and have it back brother.”