Chapter 1 New Designs
LJ JEWELRY COMPANY, PITTSBURGH.
Alexis grinned to herself in delight at the sight of her beautiful designs on the screen. For three months, she had worked hard on creating some set of designs for their new summer jewelry collection. However, she had been skeptical whether it would turn out well. Most of her best-selling jewelries are the ones that keep her up at night the most. Still, the feeling never appears familiar at the intake of every new project. Her grin disappeared immediately at the faces of each of her design team members. Even though they had their eyes glued to the screen, none of them was giving off any form of excitement, it worried her.
“Hey.” Alexis whispered to her personal assistant, Jada. “What's going on in their minds?”
Jada had a mischievous smile on her face. “They are definitely smitten.”
Looking around to affirm it herself, Alexis nodded, probably she was thinking too hard. Despite being the CEO of LJ Jewelry Company, she prides herself in doing the best of works. The design team all have designs and ideas for the summer collection. However, Alexis always insist on presenting an individual work just in case someone feels too shy to work with a group and most importantly it's all to boost her employees confidence.
“Damn!” Joel, her very first employee whom she started out the jewelry company dream with muttered. “This is a work of art. What in the world goes on in your pretty head, ma'am?” He joked.
She squinted her eyes playfully. After working together for so long, she and Joel have maintained a healthy friendship and only him has the guts to call her a pretty head being the boss without Alexis taking offense to it.
“Give me my flowers because I deserve it.” A round of applause resonated the entire space as they all mumbled noisily, praising Alexis for always giving her all to the designs.
After a final consensus had been made as regards the designs slated to be up for the new collection, the meeting was brought to an end. Alexis stretched loudly, feeling her bones crack at the effect of her body movement. Creating new designs takes a huge toll on her, especially when they are working towards a particular collection. Sleepless nights become countless, and she has to survive on caffeine. But then, Alexis loves her job as it's her most cherished possession and would never let it go for anything.
When she had chosen to open up a jewelry company six years ago after her final year in the New York fashion school, she had expected her parents to be against it. Considering the number of times she had whined into their ears about wanting to be an international fashion icon. Her love for jewelries became notable when every odd and incredibly nice jewelry mesmerized her. She was influenced the more due to her elder sister, Athena's obsession with jewelries. It wasn't a surprise when she became one of LJ jewelry most cherished clients.
Speaking of which, she has been avoiding her sister for an entire week all because Athena keeps insisting on celebrating her twenty-eight birthday on her behalf. Anything that has to do with going out to meet people and discuss things outside the jewelry business, Alexis wants nothing to do with it. This had prompted her to instruct Jada to never allow any of her family members, her sister to be precise, into her office. It was easy to bypass them at her house, all she needs to do is check through the door camera to know who the intruder is and do what she knows how to do best, ignore the unexpected visitor.
“What else do I have to do today?”Alexis asked Jada as they made way to her office.
Jada hummed as she scrolled through the tablet in her hand. “Actually, you are free for the rest of the day. I guess this would enable you some sleep after such a long while.” She smiled sweetly.
Alexis snorted playfully, “I doubt if I would be able to, I need to be sure the goldsmiths have been contacted and that they haven't changed our assigned workers. Those people can be funny. That reminds me, help me make that call and get back to me. From next week, I would supervise the production.”
Jada didn't bother to ask why Alexis would bother when they had a team assigned to do the job. She has always been meticulous and likes to follow through on every aspect concerning the company. Never backs down and thinks a job is beneath her, unlike other bosses.
“Alright ma'am.” She said, opening the door for her to walk in.
Alexis looked like she had seen a ghost the moment she stepped into the office. Not only was Athena chewing Alexis special gum that she had sacredly and carefully kept in her purse to keep prying hands away, even though such an instance was rare. Her best and long lasting friend, Yvonne, was raiding through her jewelry samples placed on the table she loves to regard to as her legendary show of Fame and Success. There in lies her best-selling jewelries and awards. Not to forget the FORBES magazine that had her named as one of the richest under thirty CEOs in America. Out of everything on display, featuring on FORBES had been one of her major dreams.
“Here she comes, the woman of the hour!” Yvonne mumbled in her awful singsong voice, grinning widely.
Athena paused in her chewing, feeling victorious at the look of frustration on Alexis face. “See how happy she looks to see us.”
Staring in horror, Alexis clenched her fist, trying hard to calm her breathe. “What in the world are these two doing here?” She asked, directing her question at Jada.
Jada gulped hard, “I thought they could come since you have the rest of the day free. Also, it's almost lunchtime.”
Gritting her teeth, Alexis was unsure of what to say to Jada but she manage to mouth a get out. Jada hurried out of the office, leaving Alexis with her nightmares. She slumped into a chair. “I really don't like seeing you two. Why won't you just let me be?” She whined, her face squeezed together like she would cry.
Yvonne laughed hysterically. “You prompted us to act this way, after refusing to see any of us. You should have been expecting this.”
“There is no need to explain things to her.” Athena made a loud sound with her mouth, popping the gum, as she stood up. “Anyways my love, we only came to invite you for lunch. Don't you think it's so sweet of Jada to give us a chance at spending a quality moment with a loved one?”
“Shut up!” Alexis moaned. Jada was definitely going to get a piece of her for throwing her under the bus.
"Come on, girl, you know you want to.” Yvonne urged, helping Alexis to grab her bag.
Sighing into resolve, Alexis let herself get dragged out of the office. The rest of her day has been hijacked and there is no rescue coming.