Chapter 0040
Chapter 0040
LESLIE’S POV
+25 BONUS
Today is officially my first day as the new head designer at Hanson’s Fashion Company. The day I take on a responsibility that has always been my lifelong dream and It really still feels like a dream.
Sometimes, I pinch myself and expect to wake up in my gloomy room, Sam in the morning around the exact same time my alarm rings off the table and I get out of bed to prepare for work. But all I feel is pain from hurting myself–the good kind of pain.
As I push the door to my office open, I close my eyes for a second and take in the burst of air that is new and utterly refreshing. My office. It feels empowering to say that.
I finally open my eyes after giving the new air a moment to sink in, after giving myself the very first taste of the life I have always wanted. The life I gave up for Klan. At the thought of him, I pull myself out of that place in my head faster than a bullet.
I haven’t seen him since the incident at my father’s gala days ago. I have no reason to and thankfully, the partnership between him and my father’s businesses ends at the shopping mall which means I most definitely will not be seeing him around.
I open the windows of my new office and also throw the remainder of my thoughts about Kian out of it. I take in the detail of the office–simple yet colorful in a warm way rather than a blinding one, just the way I
like it.
Other office essentials ranging from a drawing board for my designs to a computer on the table makes my heart swell but none hogs all my heart the way the nameplate on my desk does. I ghost my fingers over the engraved letters of my full name and I can’t decide on a reaction–to smile or cry?
Someone knocks on the door before I can get sentimental. I place the nameplate down and turn around to find Travis by the door, sporting a smile and holding a vase of a plant that he hands over to me as soon as he walks fully into the room.
“Congratulations on your first day at work.” He says. I take the plant, studying it as I smile at Travis. “What’s this?”
“A gift. Thought you’d need something to make your office homely.” He responds. 1
“I know but what sort of plant is it? Never seen it before.” I say as I keep staring at the plant’s thick roots, leaves and stem.
His brows furrow, “I believe it is called a Jade plant?” He shrugs like he really isn’t sure, “I’m not sure but I asked the woman at the flower shop for a plant for good luck and she handed me this. Don’t you like it?”
“Of course, I do.” I say, unable to
me, I really do need that luck.”
stop myself from smiling at his thoughtfulness. “It’s lovely and believe
Travis inches closer to me, “Hey, is that uncertainty I hear in your voice?”
I set the plant down and look around, “I am happy to be here, Travis but I’m also scared…what if I’m no
good? What if I fall if Travis stops me by grabbing my hand in his.
“Hey hey, get out of your head Leslie.” He squeezes my hands as he says this, reassuringly. “I have seen
Chapter 0040
+25 BONUS
your designs, Leslie and trust me, I haven’t seen anything like them. You are talented, exceptional and… beautiful.”
Once upon a time, I wanted to hear those words from Klan. I craved his support but he never even looked. at my designs twice. Travis saw them all once and I still remember how his eyes sparkled at the sight of
them.
When I told him I did not want to be introduced as my father’s heiress anymore, he was confused but still went on with what I wanted and even convinced my father to make that announcement at the gala.
I think he fully understood when he saw my designs after that night, my dream and desire to make a name for myself rather than ride the waves of my father’s name.
Travis saw it as a good idea and my father had no choice but to agree to the fact that my true identity as his heiress will remain hidden. Which is why the name on the nameplate on my desk is Leslie Jackson much to his displeasure.
“Do not let your doubts tell you otherwise,” He continues, “You will do a good job, I just know it.’
That–even for only a few seconds–reassures me and I smile.
“Thank you Travis, for everything.” I say, I don’t know he has been so good to me but I am pleased to know there is someone who has my back at all times.
Travis stares at me in a way that makes me slightly uncomfortable, with eyes that slightly dilate and I can’t tell why he is looking at me like that. I just know no one has ever looked at me like that.
“Travis?” I call and he snaps out of whatever trance he was in right that second and smiles, the look in his eyes gone in a flash.1
“Sorry.” He says curtly. “You look good by the way, bright colors really suit you well.” He offers the compliment out of the blue and I think he means to say ‘better‘ instead of ‘well‘ but withholds it so it doesn’t come off as a backhanded compliment.
I know he is used to seeing me in dull colors during the years I was Kian’s secretary and that was the biggest part of my job that I hated. I love bright colors love how they make my skin pop but I had to stock my wardrobe with rather boring colors while I just stared longingly at the ones I really wanted through the mall’s show glass.
Now, I can wear what I really want. What I have on now is a bright blue pantsuit.
“I should leave you to work now. Also, I can’t wait to see your designs brought to life and I will make sure you get the best out of my textiles.”
Like Kian, Travis is also in a partnership with my father but his has been going on for years and is directly linked to this fashion company. He is the sole supplier of textiles and materials that cannot be sourced just anywhere and that means we have to work together sometimes if not all the time.
nod my head and smile again as Travis slips out the door.
Then I settle into my seat, breathe in, breathe out and get to work, ignoring the niggling voice at the back of my mind that asks me if this really is the end between me and my past.
Chapter 0041
