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The line went quiet for an uncomfortably long pause. Gavin waited with a self–satisfied smirk, fully expecting Cecilia’s enthusiastic response.
To his surprise, an unfamiliar woman’s hesitant voice came through, “Mr. Foster? Cecilia forwarded this call to the office line. She didn’t want to be disturbed during work hours. Would you like me to have her return your call?” Gavin was left utterly speechless.
The phone never rang back. When the clock hit five, Gavin decided to check in person. The elevator chimed at the 17th floor -Project Division. David came rushing over, flustered. “Mr. Foster, what brings you here?” In the past, a simple phone call would’ve been enough.
“Just passing through,” Gavin replied casually. His eyes swept across the busy office. But Cecilia was nowhere in sight.
“With just a few staff members, Cecilia’s been handling the Jewelry Exhibition all by herself. Booking venues, checking with guests, everything,” David explained, his eyes darting between Gavin’s expression and the office. “Should I go find her for you, Mr. Foster?”
Gavin’s face fell for just a second before he caught himself. “Who said anything about her? She doesn’t work for me anymore.” He turned and walked away, leaving David standing there, completely confused about why the boss had even come by.
*****
The next morning, Cecilia walked into the break room to grab a cup of coffee, only to find Stella rummaging through her labeled supplies. “What are you doing?” Cecilia’s voice could frost glass.
Stella batted her eyelashes innocently. “Cecilia,” she said in a sugary voice, “I’m in charge of Mr. Foster’s coffee now. He hasn’t complained, but I just want to make sure I’m doing it right. I wouldn’t want to bother him with my mistakes.”
Cecilia’s gaze locked onto the mess of coffee beans scattered across the counter. “None of my business,” she said flatly. “Were you raised in a barn? This is the Project Division. Take your coffee drama back where you belong.”
The break room noise brought coworkers crowding in. “Still mad at me, Cecilia?” Stella’s eyes filled with tears. She shifted nervously, voice trembling. “I just wanted to thank Mr. Foster for helping me through school. I’d never try to replace you.”
Then she lifted the steaming coffee pot with both hands. “I made this to say sorry,” she said softly. “You’ve always made Mr. Foster’s coffee perfect. Could you show me how?”
The moment the words left her mouth, Stella pretended to trip and lunged at Cecilia. Cecilia moved aside quickly. Stella bumped into the counter instead. The hot coffee spilled all over her hand, leaving a bright red burn mark.
“Stella!” Gavin’s sudden appearance sent coworkers scattering. He dashed over, yanking Stella’s hand under the faucet. As she shook in pain against him, his face darkened. “This looks bad,” he muttered. “We’re going to the hospital now.”
“It’s nothing, really,” Stella sniffled, wiping her eyes. “My own fault for being so clumsy.” She hiccupped, looking up at Gavin with watery eyes. “I only wanted Cecilia to show me how to make it right like she does.” Her voice trailed off into another sob.
Gavin held Stella closer, his voice softening. “I know you meant well.” Then his head snapped toward Cecilia. His face hardened when he saw her cold stare. “This how you treat coworkers? Keep your personal issues at home. You walked away
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from the secretary job. Don’t even think about coming back.”
Cecilia didn’t get angry. She just watched coldly as Gavin helped Stella leave. She knew exactly what Stella was doing, the same old trick. But suddenly she called out, “Wait.” Her sharp voice cut through the quiet room.
Gavin stopped and turned, giving her that superior look he always had. “What, rethinking your decision?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. “Play nice with Stella, and maybe I’ll think about bringing you back to the secretary team.”
Cecilia kept her tone light as she gestured to the coffee–stained counter. “Just a friendly reminder for Ms. Yates. This mess needs cleaning before my team can use the break room again.” The casual jab hit its mark, sending Gavin’s temper flaring.
“Remember this, Cecilia,” Gavin snapped. He had been ready to offer her way back, but not anymore. If she wanted to be stubborn, he would just wait to see the day she came crawling back. “Call the cleaners to fix this mess.” He grabbed Stella’s uninjured arm and marched out.
The whole project team crowded around, eager to see how Cecilia would react. Cecilia took a deep breath, then flashed her phone with a casual wave. “Break room’s closed. Coffee’s my treat this afternoon.” Once everyone had their drinks, they began the meeting.
“Let’s invite Professor Jacqueline Collins,” a team member suggested while reviewing the guest list for the Jewelry Exhibition. “She’s well–known here and abroad. Mixing established designers with new talent would really highlight our ‘Heritage‘ theme, and draw bigger crowds.”
Cecilia gave a firm nod. “Good thinking. I’ll take care of reaching out to Professor Collins myself.” She made a quick note in her planner.
Cecilia arrived at Jacqueline’s house with a bottle of fine wine. She waited in the living room until Jacqueline appeared at the staircase. Cecilia rose to her feet. “Good afternoon, Professor Collins,” she greeted respectfully. “I’m Richard Jordan’s daughter. You remember me, don’t you?”
“Of course I remember you,” Jacqueline said, her face lighting up with a kind smile. “Your father always spoke so proudly about your design talent.” She gestured to the sofa. “Please, have a seat and tell me what brings you here today.”
Cecilia handed the professor a folder. “I’m here with an invitation from Foster Group,” she explained. “We know you even turned down the National Expo. But I’m hoping you’ll make an exception for us.” She smiled apologetically. “To be honest, it’s partly because we’re showing several of your pieces.”
Jacqueline studied the proposal carefully, nodding in approval. “This is quite thoughtful,” she remarked, looking up at Cecilia. “But tell me, dear, with your father being such a brilliant jeweler, why didn’t you follow his path? You clearly have the eye for it.”
Cecilia shook her head with a small smile. “Just one piece, actually.” She flipped to the last page, pointing to a photo of a delicate sapphire pendant carved into a young girl’s form. “This is ‘A Wishing Girl‘, my only creation to date.”
Jacqueline’s face lit up. She grabbed Cecilia’s hands excitedly. “I was at the auction. We all wondered who made it.” Her grip tightened. “I could tell a woman shaped this. The details were so full of heart. When it sold for that shocking price, I was so disappointed not to meet the artist. And here you are.”
“After Dad died, I quit designing,” Cecilia said with a genuine smile. “This exhibition is my final project before I leave, and I want to display my own work. Professor, it would mean the world to me if you could come.”
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“Absolutely, count me in,” Jacqueline said, reaching out to squeeze Cecilia’s hand. “Your father would be so proud to see this.”
As they wrapped up their meeting, Cecilia fidgeted with her pen. “Professor, before I go,” she took a quick breath, “do you happen to remember who ended up buying my piece at that auction?”
Jacqueline tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Let me think. Ah yes!” Her eyes brightened. “If my memory serves me right, it went to the Hall family. The bid caused quite a stir at the auction house that day.”
Leaving Jacqueline’s house, Cecilia dialed Chloe. “That bastard ex of mine used to talk about the Halls,” Chloe said. “Their heir has been abroad for years. When the first son died, old man Hall trained up the younger one. Word is he’s back now, but good luck getting near him. Half the city’s probably lining up already.”
Cecilia’s tone was firm. “I have to reach the Hall family, no matter what. My only creation is in their collection.” Chloe immediately cheered her on, happy to support her friend’s mission.
Cecilia ended the call and headed straight for Hall Group’s headquarters. Walking up to the front desk, she pulled out her business card with practiced ease. “Good morning,” she said smoothly. “Is Mr. Hall available? I’d appreciate a quick meeting.”
