Divorced Heiress
Chapter 73

The project started off on the right foot despite the problems surrounding my family and the lack of viable solutions other than marrying Alexander again. The Innova and LC staff who would work on the collections were already well settled in the company, which put my mind at ease in that regard. The door of my office opened after a couple of knocks, and my father's face appeared in my field of vision with Tristan in his arms. I smiled at him before inviting him in.

-Are you busy?- He asked as he sat in the chair across from my desk. I stopped typing on my computer and looked away from the documents in my hand to pay attention to him.

-I'm never too busy for you. Have you finished your outing with my baby?- I asked, looking at Tristan playing with the toy dinosaur Alexander had given him.

-Of course not, we're just taking a break. Later, I'll take him to Patrick's workshop with Alexander. He wants to see the designers in action.- My father said. Tristan enthusiastically nodded in agreement, and I looked at them with surprise, but mostly at my father, who seemed to be getting closer to my ex-husband.

-Someone there is going to follow in the family's footsteps.- I said, putting the name of that man on the backburner.

-Yes, Mom, Patick is going to teach me. Do you want to come with us?- Tristan's invitation left me frozen, not knowing what to answer. Honestly, these days I'd been avoiding Alexander because he was always insisting on talking about an "us" that no longer existed. -I would like to, but I have a lot of work to do.- I pointed to the papers on my desk, and his eyebrows furrowed just like his little hands did every time he wanted to convince me. -Please, Mommy, come with us, it'll only be for a little while.- His pleading voice moved me a bit. I looked at my father, who raised his hands as if he were washing his hands of any guilt.

-Don't look at me like that, I have nothing to do with it. But I do think you should go, you know, spend a moment with Tristan. The work can wait a few minutes. Come on, dear, join us.- My father said. Tristan fidgeted, agreeing with my father, and after a few long seconds, I nodded.

-Alright, you've convinced me, but it'll only be for a few minutes.- My son shouted excitedly and high-fived my father, who looked at him amused.

-I didn't teach him that.- My father said with a laugh, and there was no need to ask who had taught him that. -Before we go, I came to tell you that I'm organizing a gathering at the villa for your birthday.- I looked at him confused, but soon realized that I had completely forgotten about my birthday, and of course my father wouldn't let such an important date for him go unnoticed. He was definitely going to celebrate it.

-Dad, there is so much to do, I don't have the head to celebrate my birthday. You know we have the Dubois issue breathing down our necks, the project that has started off wonderfully, there is a lot of work at the company.- I excused myself, hoping he would give up on the idea, but in his eyes, I could see that he wouldn't change his mind.

-How can I not celebrate your birthday? You would do the same for Tristan. We're both parents, and as parents, we want to celebrate such an important moment. It's not every day you turn thirty, and besides, I have a gift for you that can't wait.- He said. I let out a long sigh seeing his excited face at the idea. I couldn't snub my father like that. After all, it would only be a gathering at home.

-Alright.- I finally responded and stood up, touching my neck that had been hurting since this morning. -Let's take that walk to the workshop, and then I need to talk to Vincent.-

-He'll surely be with us. The test models are about to arrive, and he needs to be present.- My father said. I nodded, feeling less uncomfortable if he was with us.Tristan jumped off my father's lap and ran towards me to take my hand and walk as fast as his legs allowed. My father followed our steps until we reached Patrick's workshop, where he was sitting talking to Alexander, Julian, and the two designers representing each company.

-Hey, Ales!- Tristan let go of my hand as soon as he saw his father sitting, who immediately turned to hear his sweet voice and embraced him when the little one ran to him. -Look, I brought my mom.- I stood a considerable distance away, watching my son who looked so happy in Alexander's arms.

Alexander's eyes lingered on me more than they should, and I gave him a forced smile as a greeting. -Finally, your mother came out of hiding, well done. He said shamelessly to my son, who looked at me with amusement on his face. -Good morning, Sarah, you arrived just in time.-

I gave Alexander an expressionless look and smiled at Julian, who got up from the seat where he had been sitting this whole time, his gaze fixed on me.

-Sarah, I'm glad you're here. The trial models are about to arrive, you can take my seat to be more comfortable.- Julian spoke without taking his eyes off my face, and the smile on my face widened before I spoke. -Thank you, Julian.-

I walked towards him, under the watchful eyes of everyone present, until I reached the chair he was holding for me. -It's great that there are still gentlemen around.- I took a seat next to Alexander and in front of Patrick, the latter had a look of complicity which I ignored, as I knew what was going through his mind and his great imagination. -You're welcome, Sarah.- Julian responded, staying standing by my side.

The workshop was engulfed in silence for a few seconds, during which I casually glanced at the fabric samples on Patrick's desk, until someone cleared their throat to get attention, and then I heard the cold and deep voice of the man sitting next to me. -Well, Sarah, my seat is more comfortable, sit here.-

His words amused me, but I maintained a serious expression on the outside. What was this about? I was already seated and I was not going to change seats just because he said so. Without taking my hands off the fine fabrics, I looked at Alexander, finding his cheeks slightly flushed and a frown on his face. I took a deep breath, and my hesitant gaze momentarily rested on our son, who looked away from Alexander and looked at me, waiting for my response.

-Thanks, I'm already comfortable.- I replied simply, briefly returning my eyes to his face and focusing my attention back on the high-quality fabrics.

Silence returned, but it didn't last long, as Vincent's voice echoed throughout the workshop, filling my chest with relief. I could relax more with him here.

-Good morning, everyone. The models have arrived. He said in a serious voice, the one he used when he was working. My body turned slightly to have the best possible view of the entrance for the long-awaited models. -You can come in.-

The nine trial models entered one by one, all tall, thin, and very well-groomed. Now all attention was on them, and discreetly, I released the breath I had been holding since the moment Alexander spoke to me.

-Welcome, we were all waiting for you, come in, come in, walk, I want to have a look at you.- Patrick jumped up from his seat and approached the women, inspecting them from head to toe as he used to do.

-You look perfect, the designs will be a success, right?- He asked, turning to everyone, but especially to the two designers who would work with him.

After all, the three of them would carry out each of the designs for the two collections. However, I detailed each woman, while everyone was happy with the models and gave good opinions of each one, but there was a small detail that didn't convince me completely and even though it wasn't in the contract, it couldn't be overlooked, as this was what differentiated us from other companies.

-I'm sorry.- I apologized to Ada and Zafiro, the pair of designers who were delighted with the models they would work with. Immediately, everyone fell silent and watched expectantly for what I was about to say. -What sets Doinel apart from other brands is that we design for all sizes, where are the curvy models? Are they not going to be included this time?-

Vincent opened his mouth to speak when he realized it, but said nothing, while the rest looked at him waiting for a response or a solution, after all, he was still the president until my father decided.

-I didn't want to say anything before, but my daughter is right, who has been in charge of the models?- My father asked Patrick, the poor man turned pale with the problem and spoke quickly.

-Well, Mr. Doinel, we know that Ms. Boyer was in charge of the hiring, but since she is no longer part of the team, Paul has taken the trouble to do that job, I didn't know that he would dismiss the plus-size models, for a moment I thought it would be different because it was a three-way collaboration.-

Patrick informed looking worried and my alarms went off upon hearing that name.

I didn't know if Paul did it on purpose to sabotage the project or if he didn't know that we worked with all types of models, although the most likely option was the first one, since besides being a partner, he had worked for years in the company, impossible that he didn't know.

-Alright, I'll take care of this, you all continue.- I intervened before anyone said a word and got up from my chair, ready to go talk to Paul about the case and incidentally analyzing his behavior with me after having distanced him drastically. Keep your enemies close.

Before taking a step, Alexander stood up with Tristan in his arms, blocking my way and looked at me with a frown, he looked annoyed or worried, it didn't matter how he was feeling.

-You're not going alone.- He said without moving from my path and I had to take a breath to maintain my patience. I ignored his words and walked away from him, leaving through the other side.

Who did he think he was telling me what to do or who to go with?

-Does anyone smell that? It smells like jealousy.- I heard Patrick's amused voice when I crossed the door, leaving the workshop and that naturally uncomfortable atmosphere. I didn't pay attention to those senseless words and walked down the hallway while greeting the workers I crossed paths with, but I didn't get far when I felt a hand grabbing my arm and stopping the slightest movement. I turned my head in frustration and anger arose in my chest when I saw his honey-colored eyes.

-Could you please remove your hand from me? If it's not too much trouble.- I said without the slightest grace, burning inside as I looked at his hand still gripping my arm, however, Alexander didn't pay attention, he just loosened his grip. -Fine, don't do it. Where have you left Tristan?-

-I left him with Leonardo, I won't let you go alone into the lion's den.- He said and my brow furrowed almost automatically, my eyes couldn't hide the irritation that his mere presence caused me.

-Do you really think he can do something to me in my own company? You don't need to worry, I can handle this without being backed up by anyone.- I took the opportunity to free myself from his grip with a single pull, and as I turned around to continue my way, Alexander spoke. -At this point, Paul is capable of anything. Let me take care of you, can you trust me?- I closed my eyes as I forced a smile, then I turned back to him, met with the gleam in his eyes. Is that possible at this point?-

-Don't ask me for the impossible.- I said, not wiping the smile off my face, but his eyes fixated on my smirk and I immediately erased my smile.

-You don't have to worry about me, you never have, stop this game right now.-I said, unable to hide my anger any longer. He took two steps towards me with the corners of his lips slightly curved, forming a smile. Despite knowing he was doing it to intimidate me, I didn't back down, I stood firm in my position, challenging him with my gaze.

-Darling, I'm not playing any game, I care about the people who matter to me and you matter more than you can imagine. I have never stopped worrying about you, don't ask me to stop now because that will never happen, my love. He said so close to my face that I could feel his fresh breath subtly hitting my face. I was so astonished by the nonsense he had just said that I didn't have time to react when his lips left a fleeting kiss on the corner of my mouth. This son of a...

-Come on, we'll go talk to that idiot, I mean Paul.- Without further ado, he started walking towards Paul's office, leaving me astounded with no chance to refuse his self-invitation, and wanting to give him a good punch to make him stop being such an idiot. I clenched my fists in the air in an attempt to calm my growing anger.

-I have never stopped worrying about you. I repeated his words in a poor imitation of his voice. -Whoever doesn't know him, let them buy it.

I had no choice but to follow in his footsteps, still feeling in a bad mood. After all, I would only make a small complaint, it wouldn't be the end of the world. My heels echoed behind Alexander, just as he reached the door of Paul's office, he stopped to wait for me. -Ladies first.-He opened the door without knocking, as if he didn't care that Paul might be busy or simply not there. -I'm being quite the gentleman, they still exist.-

I passed him without looking at him, ignoring what he had just said. And when Paul saw me, he stood up from his seat with a smile on his face, which vanished when he looked behind me.

-Sarah, what a surprise to have you here. Come in, take a seat. He pointed to the chair in front of him. I barely glanced at it, but I didn't sit down, I stood there watching him. Did you have to come with this guy? -He asked, referring to Alexander, who stopped by my side as if he wanted to protect me from anything Paul could do.

But, I repeat, Paul was not capable of hurting me in my own company.

I opened my mouth to respond, but the words got stuck in my throat when I heard Alexander speak up.

-Of course, I have to be by my wife's side. We have been apart for a long time and now we can't be separated even for a second, right, honey? I almost choked on my own saliva with Alexander's big lie. My head turned without any care to look at him with surprise and confusion.

But what was this idiot saying?

I needed a lot, a lot of patience, because Alexander easily destroyed it.