Divorced Heiress
Chapter 98

I was beginning to despair with every passing second without receiving any notice of Richman's arrival at Villa Doinel, where we had agreed to meet after ending the call. He assured me that he had the evidence we needed, my lawyers were also waiting, and I felt embarrassed by Mr. Richman's significant delay. -I apologize, I will call him again.- I apologized to my lawyers, who didn't seem pleased with the time they were wasting sitting on the office sofa, doing nothing but staring at each other. With my cell phone in hand, I walked out into the hallway, not knowing where to hide my embarrassed face.

I took a deep breath, trying not to lose my mind with this whole situation. There was no reason to; he assured me he would be here, and even though more than an hour had passed, I was still waiting, at least for a smoke signal or a carrier pigeon. I was being too optimistic.

I dialed his number for the seventh time and waited hopefully for him to answer, as his phone was on which gave me a glimmer of tranquility. However, I began to doubt as I received no response. It was getting to be too much for me. I had to forcefully restrain myself from complaining out loud about this paper lawyer, but it was inevitable that I would jump in frustration in my place, while glaring at the screen of my cellphone as if it were to blame for my misfortune. -Mama, are you okay?-

I heard Tristan's adorable voice behind me, and I immediately regained my composure so he wouldn't see me in this state of despair.

His innocent eyes looked at me with curiosity, making me understand that he had witnessed my little outburst. I forced a smile on my face, pretending that I hadn't been on the verge of collapsing just moments ago, and I crouched down to his height. -Yes, sweetie, I'm fine. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in your classes with Maga? Please don't tell me you ran away.- I quickly changed the subject, avoiding him from saying a word after seeing his mother in that state.

-Maga is preparing hot chocolate for me because I'm learning to count. Do you want me to count for you?-be asked in such an adorable way that it would be a crime to deny him, as he counted the numbers from one to ten with the help of his fingers.

I couldn't help but curse the Dubois, because at this moment, I should be enjoying everything my son had to teach me, not waiting for an idiot who would be a key piece in getting everything back to normal.

-Tristan, he's over here. I'm sorry, Sarah, I know you asked not to be disturbed while you were in the office Maga appeared with the hot chocolate she had prepared for Tristan, interrupting his counting.

-Don't worry, it doesn't matter if it's my son.- I said sincerely because, even though it was brief and for a very short time, seeing my son managed to calm me down.

-Anyway, I'll take him back to his classes. Let's go, Tristan.-

I nodded my head and left a kiss on my son's forehead, but his little arms clumsily wrapped around my neck, giving me a hug that I didn't know I needed until this moment.

-I love you, Mom.-

A huge smile appeared on my face, and I hugged him tightly, showering him with kisses that elicited h

et laughter.

-I love you with all my heart.- I said when I let go, and he happily went off with Maga to go back to his activities.

I sighed as I watched my son until he disappeared from my sight. Definitely, Tristan was my best calming agent, but its effect wasn't as long-lasting as I would have wanted, as I immediately remembered that the lawyer still hadn't shown up and I called him three more times. I decided to walk towards the exit, as if I was going to find him outside at any moment, while still calling him.

A car stopped at the entrance of the house, and a sensation of relief completely enveloped me, but it vanished as soon as it came when I saw that it was Abby who arrived in Bastian's car. My friend frowned in confusion when she saw me, and I knew what was going through her mind.

-What are you doing there? Weren't you supposed to be with...?- Abby trailed off, realizing that Bastian was present, and her frown relaxed as if she understood why I was here, instead of being locked in the office for who knows how many hours with Richman and my lawyers, as I had told her an hour ago when she went to meet Bastian.

-Don't tell me...-

I nodded, confirming what I couldn't say aloud, and she hurriedly approached my side, leaving Bastian in the car, casually taking some shopping bags out of the back seat.

-He hasn't arrived and he's not answering my calls.- I informed her in a low voice, with the anguish lodged in my chest.

-I have a bad feeling, Abby. Either he regretted it or your family found out and... God, I don't even want to imagine it.-

I made my best effort to hide the concern from Bastian, erasing the unpleasant images of the lawyer from my mind.

-We're going back to square one, Abby.-

-That son of a...- Abby couldn't hide her frustration, but she stopped on time when she saw Bastian approaching with the bags in his hands.

-No, no, no. Let's not jump to conclusions, we'll find out right now. Anyway, if he regretted it, we'll make him regret it for real with the recording we have of him, it has to serve us for something, let him rot in jail as an accomplice.- -Sarah, you look more stunning than ever.- Bastian's voice silenced us, and I acted naturally, moving away from Abby with a forced smile.

-Stunning? Yes, especially today when I was on the verge of madness because nothing was going as expected.- I thought. -Where did this bad luck come from?-

-What nonsense you're talking, Bastian, I'm just the same as always.- I said, still smiling and making a great effort to prevent a nervous twitch from appearing in my eye, although my cheeks were starting to numb from smiling too much.

-Bastian, I'm sorry, we won't be able to continue working on our project for now. I have to solve an urgent matter with Sarah. Would it be alright if I come to your house when I'm free?- Abby spoke, taking me by surprise, and I indiscreetly looked at her without being able to stop smiling.

I had no idea what her crazy head was planning, she didn't even take the time to explain to me what was going through her mind, and I was worried about everything that was coming from her at this point. It was risky, everything could get worse if we acted impulsively.

-Of course, Abby, after all, you're doing me a favor.- Bastian agreed, after a few seconds in which he examined us quickly with his eyes.

-Everything's alright, right?-

I enthusiastically nodded in response to his question, pretending that nothing out of the ordinary was happening.

-Why wouldn't it be? It's women's business. See you later. Oh, I'll keep the shopping bags, thanks.- Abby took the bags from his hands without any care, leaving Bastian worried and confused. However, he left without saying a word.

-Can you tell me what you're planning to do?- I asked through gritted teeth, watching Bastian as he drove away, still smiling thanks to my tense cheeks.

-I'll leave the bags in the room and we'll go. I'll tell you on the way. She replied when Bastian's car started to move away, and her gaze stopped on my face before taking a step towards the house.

-Wipe that smile off, you're scary.-

As soon as Abby disappeared upstairs, I ran to the office to apologize to my lawyers and ask them to postpone the meeting with Mr. Richman. They were understanding despite the time I made them lose, and they left right away. I didn't waste any more time and went out to prepare the car while waiting for Abby.

After listening to Abby's plan on the way and continuously calling Mr. Richman without any success, I parked outside the building and couldn't help but look at it nostalgically before getting out of the car at the same time as my friend.

-They're not going to let me in.- I said for the umpteenth time, following my friend's steps to the entrance of the imposing building, remembering that I had decided not to set foot in this place again while that jerk was in charge of my company. -It won't look believable.-

-I'm frustrated with your negativity, of course it will look believable. You're going to visit your fiancé, when Paul finds out you're at the company, he won't hesitate to come looking for you, and that's where we'll come into play.-

Abby's plan sounded perfect coming from her lips, but I couldn't stop thinking about the obstacles we would encounter on the way, not to mention the stress that had been torturing me since morning. I wasn't sure if this would be an impediment or if it would be favorable for the show we were going to put on.

Upon entering Doinel's reception area, I felt a chill run through me from head to toe and memories of this place immediately surfaced, forming a lump in my throat. I still didn't know how my father fell into his trap, and the worst part was that I had no idea how to recover the company.

I had exhausted all my resources searching for a solution; it was practically impossible. The only way was for Paul to return the shares on his own, and he wouldn't do it without an ulterior motive.

The entry wasn't a problem since I was still a shareholder and had a good relationship with the employees. However, insecurities arose when we reached the floor where we would carry out the plan.

After asking Cristina about her boss, she told us he was in the workshop assigned to LC, where I found him focused on inspecting the meticulous work of his designer. I was surprised to see that the trial models were already wearing the collection designs. Alexander took finishing the collaboration ahead of schedule very seriously.

-Just fix the small error, everything else is fine. He instructed his designer, and I smiled at how composed and committed he was to his work.

-Where is Monica? It's the only dress left to try on. Does she plan on coming whenever she feels like it? I can't tolerate this. It's delaying the work. If she doesn't arrive in ten minutes, we'll find a replacement. This is not a game. Are we playing? We're not playing!- Okay, maybe "composed" wasn't the right word.

-Uh, I didn't know your ex-husband had that kind of character. If I didn't know him, I would think he's a ruthless and unkind person.- Abby whispered beside me, and I agreed with her. However, I began to understand Alex.

It couldn't be easy for him to work in the same place as Paul, under pressure to finish the collaboration as quickly as possible, and constantly living with the fear that that wretch would hurt us. In some way, he felt responsible for the problems surrounding me. We needed a break.

-Look, Alexander, I'm tired of talking to her to make her meet her schedule, and you know who's the only one who can do something about it. You can't fire her. Plus, we'd be left without a trial model, and that wouldn't be the best idea at this point.- The designer calmly spoke, not taking her attention off the dresses, as if she was already used to Alexander's temperament.

The latter pinched the bridge of his nose, looking annoyed by the woman's response.

-The only thing you can do now is relax and wait for Monica. You know what? Call Ms. Doinel. She's the only one who can change your mood. Oh, but you don't need to call her. She's here.-

I gave a kind smile to the designer, who unexpectedly locked eyes with me with excitement. Alexander froze before releasing his nose and looking at where the woman was looking.

His eyes showed his confusion at my presence, but it didn't prevent the corners of his lips from curving into a slight smile. It seemed to be true; I managed to change his mood.

-I'll be right back.- His voice sounded softer than a moment ago, and he didn't wait for a response as he approached me, still looking at me as if I were a hallucination.

-My fairy, what are you doing here?- He asked when he reached my side, and I couldn't help but release a light and silent laugh at his drastic change.

-My fairy? What kind of magic do you have, Sari? You just turned an ogre into the sweetest man. Can you give me the recipe? I need to see if it works on a reserved playboy.-

I looked at Abby with an unfriendly expression, and she motioned to lock her mouth with a key.

-I'm sorry if I've come at a bad time. I... I started to say.

-You've come at the best time. You have no idea how stressed this collaboration has made me, but seeing you has relieved me.- Alexander interrupted me just as I was about to tell him the purpose of my visit.

A tingling sensation settled in my chest upon hearing his words, while a smile involuntarily appeared on my face.

-Are you okay? Is Tristan okay?- Alexander asked with concern, placing his warm hands on my waist, leaving a pleasant sensation wherever he touched.

Abby left the workshop, and I knew she did it to avoid making a comment about Alexander's change in mood.

I opened my mouth to respond, but my words were interrupted by that voice that I disliked. However, I ignored the bitter taste in my mouth and focused on executing the plan to the letter, as we managed to catch Paul's attention, just as Abby predicted. -What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with your best friend forever?- I turned to look at Abby, who rubbed her finger on her forehead. That was the signal.

-Best friend? Ha, I could never be the best friend of a spoiled heiress who has everything she wants with just a snap of her fingers. Oh, there you are, Sarah Doinel, come here and show your hypocritical face, don't hide behind your unfaithful ex-husband.- Abby spoke pretending to be angry with me, and it sounded so real that if I didn't know the truth, I would believe she was serious.

The best actress for the best show.

-Can you tell me what's going on? Why is she saying that? She wasn't like this a moment ago, what are they planning? - Alexander asked, clearly confused, in a low voice, and I looked at him with a reassuring smile.

-Remember when I played along with the engagement? I need you to do the same now and not go to separate us.- I replied calmly, and his brow furrowed as if he couldn't understand what I had just told him. -Separate her? What are you talking about, Sarah, don't do something crazy, please. If it's what I'm thinking...-

I held my smile for a few more seconds before turning with a serious expression towards the unhinged Abby in the middle of the hallway, leaving Alexander speechless.

Let the action begin.