"Riley, why are you here?" Adele asked as the woman walked through her office doors at the fashion house. It wasn't like it was a problem, but she usually called before coming, which was a bit unexpected. However, instead of answering her, Riley smiled and walked over to her pulling Dele into a hug.
"I missed you. Seeing you behind the desk in work mode, and I was wondering... if I could have my job back?"
"Sure, you can start back modeling whenever you like...."
"I-I was thinking more about my former job... as the face of Köhler Fashion." She spoke, making Adele put down her pencil and look up at Riley as if she had lost her mind. Riley knew being the face of Köhler was off-limits after what happened. Why she asked Adele had no clue, but it wasn't about to happen, and that was final.
"You know I can't do that."
"Why not? What happened was like three years ago. Surely the fashion industry isn't still holding that over my head. Plus, I can't just sit around doing nothing. If I do, my mind will wander to Adriel and ways to get him back. I know now that I can't have him and want him to be happy, but I know there will always be a piece of me that always want him back. Please, I'm begging you for this."
"I can see that Ri, but it's not that simple. Xylia and Ava are the faces of the company now. There is no turning that around. I can give your modeling job back, and maybe you could go back to school and take up something you like on the side. Being the face of this company is off limits... sorry." Adele said as she watched Riley's face. The girl frowned as she started tapping her feet against the marble floors before sighing deeply.
"That's not fair. I know I was the one that fucked up, but to be punished like this. Why must things be so fucking hard for females? Anything we do causes us to be blacklisted, and it's not fair... Xylia and Ava are pregnant. Being the face of the company right now will make them look bad because of their age. I'm the one for this, and you know it."
"Mhm... did you look bad when you were eighteen and pregnant in front of the camera? No, you embraced it, and they are doing the same. They are young, but a statement. No matter your age, don't like anything stop you...."
"What about the lingerie line...."
"And I'm going to stop you there. You know Nova appointed Amoy as the face of that after she stepped down. That's not my line to decide who the face was, and yes, I helped Nova with it, but it was up to her to decide who her successor should be. Nova chose Moy leave it as that. Riley, you can take the job I am offering or find something else."
Riley took another deep breath as she closed her eyes. Adele knew she was trying her best not to go off about the situation, for which she was proud of the girl. Still, she needed to understand things happened for a reason, and she was that reason. Riley had to learn that her actions had consequences, and they were finally sitting in.
"Fine, and there was another thing I want to speak to you about. Also, please make sure it stays between us.
"Sure, only if it is not something that needs to be discussed with someone else."
"You know what... forget about it. Before you stopped me and said spill it. It has nothing to do with your son. I think I embarrassed myself enough last month. I'm going to do right by my babies, Josiah, for one. I messed up badly with him and need to make it right. If I can't, I need to ensure Amoy will be there for him the way I couldn't. Thank you, by the way, Ma Dele. I promise you I won't take this for granted." She spoke, standing before walking over and kneeling in front of Adele before pulling her into another hug. Dele hummed, hugging the girl back as she felt her tears drip onto her arm.
