Chapter Twenty Four
Just as Tasha was about to answer Robbin’s question, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen, his face immediately growing serious. “I have to take this,” he uttered, stepping away for some privacy.
Tasha exhaled slowly, grateful for the temporary reprieve. Her mind raced as she watched Robbin disappear into the room, his voice low as he answered the call. She hadn’t been ready to talk about Daniel. Five years of running, hiding, and keeping secrets couldn’t just unravel in a single conversation, especially not now, with Robbin.
Moments later, Robbin returned, his expression unreadable. He tucked his phone into his pocket, glancing at her with a mix of concern and something else she couldn’t quite place.
“I have to step out for a bit,” he said, his tone clipped, “Something came up.”
Tasha frowned. “Is everything okay?”
Robbin nodded, but his eyes betrayed him. “Yeah, just… business. I’ll be back soon.”
He walked to the living room, leaned down to give Ethan a quick pat on the head and headed for the door.
(THE PRESENTATION)
Tasha stood in front of the mirror, making a final adjustment to her gown before the presentation. Her nerves were steady, and she felt prepared for what was coming. Claire was running through the final details of the presentation on her tablet, ensuring everything was set. She were just about to head out when the restroom door opened behind her.
Venessa walked in, eyes scanning Tasha from head to toe. There was something off about the way she stared, her expression unreadable yet tense. Tasha caught the look but chose to ignore it, focusing on her own reflection.
“I hope you’re ready for this,” Venessa said, her voice sharp as she stepped closer, pretending to adjust her own dress in the mirror beside Tasha.
Tasha didn’t take the bait. “More than ready,” she replied coolly, keeping her eyes forward.
Venessa smirked, then in an exaggerated move, stepped back and ‘accidentally‘ caught the hem of Tasha’s gown with her stiletto heel.
Rrrrrip!
The fabric tore loudly, and Tasha gasped as the satin at the side of her gown shredded, leaving a gaping
tear.
“Oh!” Venessa exclaimed, eyes wide with fake innocence. “I’m so sorry, Tasha! It was an accident. These floors are so slippery, you know? Whoops.”
Tasha’s heart raced, but she clenched her jaw, forcing herself to stay calm. She looked down at the ruined dress, then back up at Venessa, who was barely hiding a smirk.
“Accident, huh?” Tasha said slowly, her voice low but filled with ice. “How convenient”
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+25 BOAS
Chapter Twenty Four
Venessa shrugged, pretending to fidget with her dress. “You can’t blame me for being clumsy, can you? But… maybe you can still salvage it? Or, I don’t know, maybe I could lend you a jacket or something?”
Claire, who had just walked in, froze at the sight of the torn dress. “What the hell happened?” she asked, wide–eyed.
“Venessa,” Tasha muttered through gritted teeth, “was being clumsy.”
Claire shot a sharp glare at Venessa, who simply shrugged innocently. “Really? Right before the presentation?”
“Better get it fixed quickly,” Venessa added with mock concern, “the presentation’s starting in less than ten minutes.”
Tasha took a deep breath, her mind racing. “I’ll be fine,” she said tightly. “Claire, help me find something to patch this up.”
As they walked out of the restroom, Claire whispered, “That was no accident. What’s her problem?”
Tasha’s eyes narrowed. “It’s a long story, but she just made it personal.”
Minutes later, Tasha returned to the conference room, the tear in her dress barely visible after Claire’s quick thinking and some fabric tape. Venessa was already there, standing confidently as though nothing had happened.
As she approached the stage, she threw one last look at Venessa. “Let’s see who’s really ready for this,” she whispered to herself.
The large conference room was filled with the hum of conversation as top executives from both Paris and New York, Investors, clients, and partners took their seats. The lights dimmed, and the massive screen behind the podium lit up with the company’s logo. It was the moment Tasha had been preparing for, a grand presentation that would define her career and solidify her place in the business world. Robbin stood near the back of the room, keeping an eye on everything. His calm presence was a comfort, even though Tasha hadn’t been able to speak to him much since their conversation the night before. She spotted Claire seated near the front, giving her an encouraging nod, then there was Venessa, looking composed but surprised.
As the presentation began, Tasha stepped up to the podium, her heart racing but her mind laser–focused. She glanced at the audience, a sea of powerful business leaders, all waiting to hear what she had to say. This was it.
“Good morning, everyone. Thank you for being here,” Tasha began, her voice steady and strong. “Today, we’re presenting the future of our partnership, a vision that will not only push boundaries but redefine the way we approach the market.”
The first slide of the presentation appeared behind her, a sleek, dynamic visual that grabbed everyone’s attention. Tasha launched into her speech, outlining the strategy her team had developed, their vision for the next five years, the upcoming fashion contest and how they intended to lead the project to success.
Just as she was hitting her stride, the doors at the back of the room opened and a tall, familiar figure walked in. Tasha’s eyes widen with shock.
