Nemesis, I'm not yours | COMPLETED.

Chapter Six

Isla

[Starz Fashion, Meeting Room]

My assistant, Janet and I sat in the meeting room fifteen minutes before the clients were to come. "What's the company name?" I asked, reviewing the files in front of me.

"Outfittings. They're a fashion company under the Dorato Group," Janet replied, organizing her notes.

"How long have we worked with them?"

"Outfittings is new. As for Dorato, they've been with us since the beginning. Remember the girl I spoke to you about? The one that reminded me of you? She's their CEO."

I sighed, leaning back in my chair. "Anything specific I need to know about them?"

"Only that she and her brother will be coming."

I felt a pang of curiosity. A woman who reminded Janet of me? Only one person came to mind. Ruth King and her brother, Xavier. A few minutes later, my suspicion was confirmed. A moody and downcast Xavier walked in, followed by his overly excited sister.

Xavier and his sister seemed shocked to see me there. "Ruth King, CEO of Outfittings and President of Dorato. This is my brother, Xavier King," Ruth introduced, stretching her hand out for Janet to shake it.

"Please sit. I'm Isla Frost. I also go by the name Ebony Black, CEO of Starz Fashion and COO of JustIs," I said, watching their reactions. Ruth's jaw dropped, and she kept looking around the meeting room.

"What's wrong?" I asked, amused by her surprise.

"Is this like a prank where the real Ebony walks out soon?" Ruth asked, disbelief evident in her voice.

I laughed while Janet adjusted herself uncomfortably in her seat. "I went for a meeting with Jack and met them," I explained.

Janet nodded, understanding. "Let's get straight to the point," I stated, my tone shifting to business. "Why have my first investors come to me?"

Ruth immediately took a business-like posture, causing Xavier to roll his eyes, which I found oddly endearing. The heck?! I can't find him cute. I'm losing my mind.

Ruth cleared her throat. "Ms. Frost, Isla," she began, her voice steady but with an undercurrent of vulnerability. "We've come to you because we need help. Outfittings is a new venture, and we want to create a unique fashion line that stands out in the market. We believe with your expertise and reputation, you can guide us in the right direction."

I leaned forward, intrigued. "Go on."

She continued, her enthusiasm growing. "We have a vision for Outfittings. We want to merge sustainable fashion with cutting-edge designs. Our goal is to create a brand that not only appeals to the fashion-forward but also to those who care about the environment. We've done our research, and your approach to innovative design and ethical practices aligns perfectly with our vision."

I glanced at Xavier, who was watching his sister with a mix of pride and annoyance. He caught my eye and quickly looked away. Focus, Isla.

"And how do you see us collaborating?" I asked, turning my attention back to Ruth.

"We'd like you to be our strategic partner," Ruth said earnestly. "Your team can help us with design, marketing, and production. We need someone who can mentor us through this process and help us avoid common pitfalls."

I considered her words, feeling a mix of excitement and responsibility. This was a significant opportunity, but it also meant a lot of work. "Why should I take this on?" I asked, testing her resolve.

Ruth's eyes sparkled with determination. "Because we have a chance to make a real impact in the fashion industry. Together, we can create something extraordinary. And because... I believe in what we're doing. I believe in our vision."

Her passion was palpable, and it stirred something within me. I glanced at Janet, who gave me a slight nod. I looked back at Ruth and Xavier. "Alright," I said finally. "I'm willing to consider this partnership. But I have high expectations. You'll need to be committed and ready to work hard."

Ruth's face lit up with relief and gratitude. "Thank you, Isla. We won't let you down."

Xavier, who had been silent throughout, finally spoke up. "Thank you," he said, his voice sincere. "This means a lot to us."

I nodded, feeling a sense of anticipation. This was the beginning of something new and exciting. "Let's get started then," I said, a smile tugging at my lips. "We have a lot of work to do."

As we delved into the details of our potential collaboration, I couldn't help but glance at the determination in Xavier's eyes which aroused some weird emotions in me. I was happy to notice Janet taking notes for me. Can't have a guy ruin my name. But how was he able to do this? Last time I remembered, I hate him.