The Return (De Laurel Trilogy #1)

Prologue

Disclaimer:

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2021 by empraaang

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review.

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"Madame Olivia? Miss Elliana Spark called and said that she wants to see the possible designs of her wedding dress tomorrow. She wants to pick one as soon as possible. She explained that the wedding was moved a month earlier." My secretary, Allie said whilst entering my office, holding a tablet and a stylus. 

She had been my secretary for almost three years, so I had a lot of trust in her to just barge in my office she needed to tell me something, or when I just need to sign a document. I couldn't say that Allie was unattractive. 

She had blonde hair and blue eyes. The 'typical white girl' as some might say. She was a breadwinner of her small little girl, Alice. The baby daddy was a coward, leaving her so she was the one who had to fend for the both of them.

"What was the date that I gave her to do so?" I asked, not looking up from the sketch I was working on. It was a woman's suit that I had for my upcoming line.

It became pin-drop silence so I assumed she was checking my schedule or time table at her tablet. 

"In two days, madam." She answered, now looking up. The silence was around us, making it both awkward and calming. I did a little 'click' sound with my pencil before answering. 

"There you go..." I responded flatly. "There's the answer to whatever her complaint, favor, or whatever you call it was." 

"What?" She looked lost and confused. She stepped a bit closer, as if doing so was going to change my answer. 

"Alliana, if I said I would give or show it two days from now, I mean it. You know I do not like it when people alter my decisions and schedules." I looked up to her who was now slightly frozen because of my tone. 

"I understand, madam. I will call her and let her know that her original will be followed." She nodded, over-enthusiastically. 

"Is there anything else?" I now asked with composure. 

"No madam, that was all." She answered, not scurrying away to her cabin, just in front of my own. I shook my head, now continuing my work with no interruptions. 

At least that's what I thought. 

A few moments later, my phone rang with a specific ring tone, so I immediately knew who it was calling. My twin brother, Oliver De Laurel. 

Oliver was a model working in Los Angeles because he said, and I quote, 'I'm getting tired of New York. It's where I grew up it.' I guess he wanted to step out of boundaries, or whatever that means. His words, not mine.

"What do you need?" I asked, placing my phone in between my head and my shoulder, as I was still working on the sketch earlier. 

[Hmph. Is that what you think of me, dear sister? That I call you if I need something?] He feigned her. Not my fault, but he usually does. Or, he got in trouble or something. Ever since his career took off, he had been busy. So, it was weird for him to call randomly.