Liam.

"Hey mom, I heard you asked to see me." I greeted, taking a seat beside her and I'm quick to notice that she had a very serious look on her face.

"Yes I did and what I have to say to you is very important son but you may not like what I'm about to tell you," she replied nervously and her tone scares me a little.

"You're scaring me mom, what is it?" I ask worriedly, she sighs.

"As you may have noticed, the fabrics that were used for the upcoming collection cost us a lot including the other expenses and that has taken a toll on us financially…," she said and I chimed in.

"What's the problem mom? Get to the point," I asked impatiently, noticing that the stress lines on her forehead are more visible and her eyes look tired.

"Various shareholders have been complaining about how terrible our financial situation is because they had suggested we use cheaper fabrics for our next colle

Gabriella.

"Good morning Martin." I chirp happily hoping that today wasn't gonna be like yesterday and the day before because for reasons best known to him, he'd become distant and snobbish and I didn't like where our friendship was heading.

"Morning," he replied coldly, throwing his car keys on the kitchen counter.

"Aren't you going to work?" I asked with raised eyebrows, my heart skipping a beat when I see him with luggage.

"Are you m...moving out?" I asked, my eyes already preparing for the waterfall that was going to flood out if he nodded affirmatively.

"No, I'm only going on a business trip and I also took permission to take a few days off to clear my head. I'll only be gone for a week. Take care," he responded dryly but I wasn't having any of that.

"What exactly is your problem with me Martin? You've been acting like a dick for the last three days. You don't talk to me, you 

Gabrielle

"You are really starting to scare me Gabrielle!" Mom yelled furiously, walking into my office with her arms crossed and I could tell from her facial expression that she wasn't joking.

"What exactly did I do wrong this time?" I retorted rudely and she frowned.

"Mind the way you talk to me young lady." She yelled in my face and I almost rolled my eyes at how dramatic she was being when I hadn't even said anything.

"Whatever mom. May I at least know why the hell you're yelling at me?" I asked impatiently and she unfolds her hands and starts pacing around impatiently.

"You have been playing nice girl with your sister for way too long and I'm starting to get worried. Did you know that bratty sister of yours has been offered back her job at 'AT' and to top it off there are rumors that she and Liam are going out!" she spat out and I frowned.

"So what mom? How is that any of my b

Liam.

"Hey mom, I heard you asked to see me." I greeted, taking a seat beside her and I'm quick to notice that she had a very serious look on her face.

"Yes I did and what I have to say to you is very important son but you may not like what I'm about to tell you," she replied nervously and her tone scares me a little.

"You're scaring me mom, what is it?" I ask worriedly, she sighs.

"As you may have noticed, the fabrics that were used for the upcoming collection cost us a lot including the other expenses and that has taken a toll on us financially…," she said and I chimed in.

"What's the problem mom? Get to the point," I asked impatiently, noticing that the stress lines on her forehead are more visible and her eyes look tired.

"Various shareholders have been complaining about how terrible our financial situation is because they had suggested we use cheaper fabrics for our next collection but you know doing that will only make us lose more buyers and that would be much more detrime

Chapter 18.