Mimi's POV
She decided not to go to campus, to gibe Bontle some space so she could calm down. One thing Mimi knew was that Bontle was a sensitive and sweet person. She knew that she was still hurting from her parent's separation and she was ashamed to reopen her wounds.
Mimi went to Michael's suite and she didn't know how she was gonna tell him that Kayla was back in the city. She suspected that he was still in love with his ex wife and that's what scared her. She just fervently hoped that Michael wouldn't go back running to his ex-wife. Lately they had been distant. Besides the sex she realized how little they had in common.
The passion between them was not as powerful as the first time they met. They were currently eating breakfast and he was engrossed in his phone.
"Michael..." She called for his attention. He didn't even raise his head to acknowledge her, rather he continued to furiously type at his phone.
"Mimi I have to respond to this email urgently, whatever you have to say has to wait." He said impatiently.
He didn't meant to brush her off but he had some pending emails that had to be responded to before business hours.
"What do I have to do to get your attention? There is something I have to tell you" she snapped frustratingly.
Lately she felt that Michael looked right through her. Sometimes even when she tried to entice him with a sexy lingerie he would claim to be busy. There was once a point when Michael never had the ability to resist her no matter now busy he might have been.
The past couple of weeks he claimed that the shareholders were a little skeptical about him after the news of his divorce and affair broke. She couldn't help but think that maybe he was blaming her. He claimed that he was working extra hours to gain back the shareholders trust. She could literally feel him slipping through her grip.
"Can't it wait?" He asked impatiently without taking his eyes off his phone. She took a deep breath and a few bites of her breakfast.
"Kayla is back" she said after an unpleasant silence.
His fingers automatically stopped typing on his phone and once again the room was painfully silent. She held her breath waiting for what he would say. Her anxiety was escalating with every passing second.
"Since when?" He asked. His voice not betraying any emotions.
"I saw her around noon today when I went shopping with Bontle." She risked a glance towards his face but his face was bare of any emotions.
"Okay" He said getting back to whatever had his attention on the phone.
"Okay ? Is that all you gonna say?" Mimi enquired. She wanted him to show emotions, whether it was anger, frustration, betrayal or anything.
"What do you want me to say Mimi?" He asked losing any interest he had on the conversation.
"Something, anything. We are talking about your ex-wife here, who you haven't seen in months." Mimi was frustrated with him.
"Exactly Mimi she is my ex-wife. I don't have to know about her whereabouts or what she is up to. I have to get to the office." Michael stood and retrived his briefcase from the floor. He didn't even kiss her goodbye. This was what frustrated Mimi more.
Kayla' s POV
The following morning Kayla prepared for work. She had called a staff meeting in order to get the update of what they have been doing in her absence. She knew it was impractical but she took Ayanna to the office with her. The baby sitting agent she called told her that they would be able to send someone over the following day. She had no choice but to improvise. She settled on wearing a simple short jean dress while her daughter was wearing a simple blue cotton dungaree. One thing she loved about her job was that it didn't entirely require her to wear anything formal.
Kayla ready to conquer the world.
Her company was situated in the heart of the town. It was a three floored building located in CBD. She enjoyed working in the middle grounds were fellow fashion designers, pattern makers, stylists and seamstresses worked on bringing the designs to life. Working in the middle grounds always gave her motivation and inspiration. She also loved the smell of new fabric, she loved the feel of it and she loved bringing her own designs to life.
The lower ground consisted of a big boutique were multiples of their dresses were displayed. The sales clerks, retail buyers, merchandisers and others worked on this floor. The upper grounds consisted of offices including hers. The accountants, production manager, technical designer, human resource and others are located on the upper floor. The only times she was ever in her office was when she has some papers to go through.
Kayla arrived at her company to find the staff of AGLAEA DESIGNS AND COUTURE busy running around. The boutique was getting ready to open for business day so the stylists were working on dressing the mannequins. Annie, the receptionist was already at her station, she greeted Kayla chipply and she gushed at how wonderful she looked. Before long, Annie saw little Ayanna and she couldn't stop complimenting the little angel.
As always Ayanna managed to steal the attention from her because within a few minutes her staff members started circling around her to sneak a peak at the baby. Ayanna loved all the attention she was getting. She happily giggled as a small group started forming around her.
Kayla went up to her office after visiting the boutique and the middle grounds. She took Ayanna from her stroller and placed her on her lap ready to feed her. She got interrupted when suddenly her door opened and Valery entered. Valery was surprised to see the boss already at her desk with a half unbuttoned dress. Kayla explained the situation and asked to not be disturbed all morning until the meeting.
After she fed Ayanna she read the report that the account manager and the production manager sent. She had spent the night before reading the report from the technical and creative designers. So far she was satisfied with what she saw. Ayanna fell asleep after being fed so Kayla spent all morning concentrating on work.
Valery, her personal assistant volunteered to look after Ayanna when Kayla went into the boardroom for the meeting.
During the meeting Kayla couldn't help but be impressed with the work that her staff did in her absence. Each office presented it's report and she was impressed. What impressed her more were the unique dresses that the production team had managed to create. Her junior designers had put on a lot of work to produce those designs.
"I am truly impressed by how all of you kept the company running in my absence. With all your hardwork and dedication we are close to landing a big contract. Mrs De Punt has contracted me and she want to meet to discuss a great business deal with me." Kayla said ecstatically. Nothing made her happy like the smiles that broke on her staff's faces.
"Mrs De Punt from Vola boutique?" Sarona, a member from graphics asked. She couldn't keep the excitement out of her voice.
" Exactly that one." She said flashing her a dazzling smile.
"Oh my God. She is like a legend. It would be so amazing to see our designs in South Africa. Imagine celebrities like Nomzamo Mbatha, Gail Matabane and even Somizi wearing our designs. This is like a dream come true." Amo, the textile designer said dreamy.
"We are going to have to prepare for her arrival on Friday. Her secretary has made all the arrangements for her arrival and sleeping arangements. Our main job is to wow her with our designs. Let's show her why we are the best company to work with her. I trust you will use this opportunity to prove yourself. Remember you are not only marketing the company but you are also marketing yourselves."
By the end of the meeting, the office was buzzing with excitement. The spirit was high and positive and she couldn't be more proud. By lunch time she decided to go work from home because Ayanna was getting cranky. She had reports to go through anyways and they didn't require her to work strictly in the office.