Stephanie’s pink So Kates cracked through the marble hallway as she approached her corner office. The sleek doors bore the company’s logo, in bold letters: Denver's Architectural Firm.
This was her family's legacy, the empire her grandfather built from the ground up. Yet Stephanie knew she could never live up to the Denver name.
Her brother was sure to take the mantle from her father and grandfather when the time came. All Stephanie wanted was a piece of the pie, to be recognised.
She had once had the big office, with the glass windows overlooking the city, managing a big team, with several people at her beck and call, but now she was reduced to nothing.
She adjusted her blazer, a soft blush pink that matched her heels before settling into entering her office. Her assistant, Kara, greeted her with a smile. They shared an office.
“Morning, Miss Denvers. The meeting will be starting in 30 minutes and Mr. Denvers wants to see you after.”
“Let me guess,” she said with a sigh, taking her seat, “Another lecture about my limits?”
Kara smiled sympathetically. “He didn’t say, but…”
“Yeah, I know. Thanks, Kara.”
Stephanie focused her attention on the documents on the table as her assistant went to and fro, preparing for the meeting.
"You know, Kara, you don't have to stay down here with me. You can achieve greater things, and there are better opportunities." Stephanie sighed.
Kara turned with a small smile, "I know, but I'm not leaving you. You gave me a chance when no one would, so I'm sticking with you."
Stephanie smiled, "Thank you for being with me. I just wish our circumstances were different."
"Me too."
They both turned back to what they were doing and prepared for the meeting.
*****
The team meeting was brief, her involvement limited to reviewing a small-scale residential design. Her ideas were met with polite nods but no real discussion. She knew her family still saw her failure from two years ago as proof she wasn’t ready for bigger projects.
Stephanie wearily made her way back to her office and buried herself in her work. Sketching designs for a boutique café renovation. It was a small project, uninspiring compared to the towering skyscrapers her family was known for. It was also beneath her capabilities, but she poured her heart into every line.
She was so lost in her work that she didn't notice Kara trying to get her attention.
"It seems you are not beneath obeying my command." A commanding voice said.
Stephanie tensed before raising her head to see her father at the doorway. He stepped inside, his presence imposing and shrinking the already small room, so she found it difficult to breathe.
He looked around her office with a little disdain, "You're late with the café designs."
"They'll be ready at the end of the day." Stephanie said, keeping her voice as steady as she could.
"They should have been ready yesterday."
"There was a slight problem. Things needed to be tweaked." Stephanie explained.
Her father nodded, "Don't disappoint me, child. You're still recovering from your last .... oversight."
Anger bubbled within Stephanie, and she clenched her fists so tightlyrangshe was sure her nails were going to live indents.
She nodded, "Understood."
With a nod, he turned and left her office, taking with him his imposing presence.
"Oh my goodness, he never ceases to scare me." Kara breathed out as she placed her hand on her beating chest.
"Let's just hurry with the floorplans."
Kara nodded, and they both got to work.
*****
By lunch, Stephanie's mood was a mix of frustration and determination. Her phone rang, and a smile bloomed on her face when she saw who it was.
"Hi, baby gal." It was Liana, Stephanie’s cousin and best friend.
"Hi, darling. How's it going?"
"Everything is just fine." Liana replied, "How about you? How's work?"
Stephanie heaved out the biggest sigh ever.
Let me guess,” Liana teased, “Uncle Sam is keeping you away from the big pie?”
“More like chaining me away from it,” Stephanie grumbled.
“Don’t worry. Your big break will come. Meanwhile, how about we meet at our fave spot and grab lunch? My treat.”
“Deal,” Stephanie said, grabbing her pink clutch and strutted out of her office in her high heels.
*****
Stephanie and Liana sat facing each other as they shared an ice cream. Liana, who was part of The Denver Architectural Firm, was an interior designer and a very good one.
"I don't know, LiLi, how long are they going to hold the past over my head. I made a mistake 2 years ago, and I'm still paying for it." Stephanie bemoaned.
"They are still giving mini projects?"
"Can you believe it? Stephanue huffed, "I went from drawing high-end apartments to drawing bedrooms and cafés."
"I think it's time you speak to your father." Liana advised.
Stephanie shivered, "He still scares me."
"Me too."
And they both burst out laughing.
"I'm glad you asked me out. The work was getting in my head." Stephanie smiled at her favourite cousin.
"You welcome, Steph."
They were interrupted by the ringing of Stephanie's phone. Excusing herself, she headed to the washroom to answer the call.
"Sorry about that, Kara just wanted to let me know that she has sent the designs to my dad."
"So you're free for the day." Liana's eyes widened with excitement.
"It would seem I am." Stephanie answered with a grin.
"Shopping!!" They both squealed.
Giggling, they paid their bill and headed to their cars.
Stephanie was glad for the distraction. She knew Lili was right and that she had to go see her grandfather and talk to him, but for now, she was going to drown herself with shoes and clothes that would make her closet weep for mercy.
**********************************
Hi guys, thank you so much for reading,'Heels, Dreams, and Blueprint'.
This is the first ever book I've written on wattpad, and I'm excited to show it to the world.
I love to write, but they mostly end up in my notebooks. So thank you again for giving my book a chance.
If you have any advice, please don't hesitate to let me know. Thank you.
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Chrissy✨️✨️
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Heels, Dreams & Blueprint
RomanceA fashion-obsessed architectural engineer from a wealthy family has one goal: to join her family's prestigious design committee. But there's a catch-her traditional father insists she must get married first! When she meets her best friend's brother'...
