Chapter 43
As soon as Niamh walked into the office, her eyes landed on the striking paper bag sitting atop Monica’s desk.
If she remembered correctly, Marina had brought that very bag into the office this morning.
It was a signature bag–the kind that holds a Chanel scarf.
“Do you need something?” Monica looked up at Niamh, her face etched with impatience.
“Team lead, I just wanted to ask about the designs I submitted…” Niamh tried to choose her words carefully. “I don’t think all ten of my designs are so bad that none of them should make the cut. I was hoping you could give me some feedback on where I went wrong?”
Her tone was humble, but Monica just rolled her eyes.
“If you have time to question me, maybe you should use it to improve yourself. Look at Marina–she’s about your age, also a newcomer, and she got three designs approved. You couldn’t even get one through!”
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“And you still have the nerve to ask me what’s wrong? Do you think I’m your college professor? If your work didn’t pass, figure out the reason y
pass, figure out the reason yself. Or maybe go learn something from Marina–raise your standards a little.”
“Team lead…”
“Don’t waste my lunch break.” Monica waved her off. “Why don’t you use your own -lunch break to reflect on what went wrong.”
With that, Monica swept past her, practically ushering Niamh out of her office.
During lunch, most people left in little groups to grab a bite or window–shop nearby. Niamh was the only one who stayed behind.
She couldn’t eat.
Sure, Monica’s criticism/stung, but what bothered Niamh most was that she couldn’t figure out why all ten of her designs had been rejected.
She’d already studied the three designs Marina got through, and honestly, she didn’t
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think hers were any worse.
“Is my taste really that outdated?” she muttered, sinking into self–doubt.
“Working so hard you’re skipping lunch too?”
Niamh turned at the sound of the voice. Peter was standing behind her.
“What’s going on with these designs? You look like you’re carrying the weight of the world,” he said, leaning over to peer at her computer screen.
Niamh explained everything–how not a single one of her ten designs had made it past the first round.
“I feel like I’ve let you down. I’m too ashamed to eat, she sighed, cupping her face in her hands. Peter’s expression grew more serious by the second, and Niamh thought for sure he must be disappointed in her.
Just then, Genevieve came back to grab something from the office. From the doorway, she caught a glimpse of Niamh and Peter together. From her angle, it almost looked as though Peter was embracing Niamh from behind.
Lunchtime ended, and Niamh still hadn’t managed a single bite. Hunger gnawed at
her stomach.
While making herself a coffee, she noticed a crowd gathered in the hallway, buzzing with excitement. A tall, well–dressed man stepped out from the throng.
Jonathan was visiting FY for a business meeting that day. He knew Niamh worked there now, so when their eyes met, neither of them seemed surprised.
Niamh didn’t greet him. Jonathan ignored her too.
To everyone else, they were just strangers passing in the hallway.
Niamh noticed the bouquet of blush–pink roses in Jonathan’s arms–no doubt
meant for Marina.
By now, her coffee had gone cold. She took a sip; it tasted even more bitter than
usual.
When she returned to the office, she heard Genevieve and Melanie chattering excitedly before she even reached the door.
“Marina, your boyfriend is the CEO of The Thomas Group?”
“You kept that one quiet!”
Marina didn’t confirm or deny anything; she just clung to Jonathan’s enormous
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bouquet of pink roses and smiled shyly.
Niamh didn’t want to go in. She turned and pretended to head for the conference room to fetch some files, only to find herself blocked by someone.
Jonathan stood in front of her, tall as a wall, leaving her no way out.
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Chapter 44
