MY SISTER'S BOYFRIEND (CHAPTER THREE)

I woke up the way I had fallen asleep—uneasy. My eyes snapped open before my alarm finished its first ring. I groaned, reached over, and shut it off with more force than necessary. For a moment, I lay still, staring at the ceiling as if I could will the day away. Then reality hit. The meeting. Anastasia. Mr. Delgado. I pushed myself up, my hair falling messily around my face as I looked at my room. Clothes draped over chairs, papers scattered across my desk—a life that never seemed to slow down. It wasn’t just a messy room. It felt like a timeline I couldn’t escape. My mother’s absence. The silence after the funeral. The arguments I had learned to swallow. Kaleb’s name lingering in the back of my mind like a bruise I never stopped touching. I exhaled sharply and looked away. “Not today,” I muttered. I dragged myself into the bathroom. As the water hit my skin, the world blurred for a few precious minutes. No Veronica’s voice echoing through the house. No Celophine’s sharp remarks. No father pretending I didn’t exist. Just steam, silence, and the steady rhythm of my breathing. By the time I stepped out, I was already multitasking, my phone in one hand and a towel in the other. I reviewed the meeting agenda, checked my reminders, confirmed appointments, and messaged Anastasia while requesting the last-minute files I needed from the assistant group chat. My fingers kept moving even though my mind was still waking up. Next came my outfit: tailored trousers, a silky tucked-in blouse, and the only pair of stilettos I owned. I applied light makeup, carefully concealing the dark circles beneath my eyes, then pulled my hair into a sleek ponytail.<img src="/media/inline_insight_image/file_00000000be44820abed44c16c615227c.png"/> A final spray of perfume, and I was ready. The house felt too big, too loud even in its silence. I moved quickly, almost as though slowing down would make me visible to the wrong people. I didn’t want to see my father, hear Veronica’s passive-aggressive remarks, or feel Celophine’s judgmental presence. Thankfully, no one stopped me. No one even noticed me leaving. Outside, my cab was waiting. I slipped inside and shut the door, as though sealing myself off from an entire world. The driver, a man in his forties with a calm face and tired eyes, glanced at me through the rearview mirror. “Good morning, ma’am. Where are we headed?” I kept my eyes on my laptop. “Vux Luxe.” My voice was flat. My mind was already elsewhere. I started responding to emails….. rescheduling some appointments Anastasia couldn't meet up with today. I tried calling the manager of Maison Revere again, but the result was the same—ignored calls and unanswered messages. It was like repeatedly crashing into a wall that refused to move. My jaw tightened. I closed my laptop halfway, then reopened it, as though staring at the screen long enough would force a solution into existence. “No time for this,” I whispered. My fingers hovered above the keyboard as a decision formed. After the meeting, I would leave the office early, go home, and finish the designs waiting for me. I still had no idea where to begin, but I couldn't afford to stop trying. Outside, the city moved as it always did—fast, loud, and indifferent. Inside the cab, I sat in the middle of it all, already fighting a day that hadn't fully begun. When the cab stopped in front of Vux Luxe, I paid quickly and stepped out, straightening myself as though the building demanded it. One deep breath in. One controlled exhale. Then I moved. The reception area was already buzzing with early-morning activity. I had barely passed the desk when Pearl called after me. “Miss Hale!” I turned. She held up a neatly arranged stack of documents. “These are the files you asked for. Everything is sorted.” My expression softened. “Thank you, Pearl. You’re a lifesaver.” I flashed her a quick smile and continued toward the elevator. It was 7:00 a.m. sharp, and I was already rushing. The elevator doors were beginning to close when I hurried forward. “Please, hold it!” Someone inside pressed the button, allowing me to slip in. Slightly breathless, I smoothed my blouse, determined not to look as though I had just sprinted through the building. Then a familiar voice spoke. “Just the person I wanted to see.” I turned. Mrs. Steel stood beside me, as composed as ever. “Oh, hi, Mrs. Steel.” I straightened. “I haven’t seen you in a while. How’s the baby?” Her expression softened. “The baby is fine. You need to come and see us soon, Theresa. You’re always too busy.” I gave a small, polite laugh. “I will. I promise.” Then her tone shifted, bringing business back into the conversation. “Have you finalized the theme for the event? I need to start running ads and reaching out to platforms.” I hesitated for half a beat. The question landed heavily because I knew how much remained unresolved. “I’ll get back to you on that,” I said carefully. The elevator doors opened, and I stepped out immediately. There was no time to slow down. I headed straight for the boardroom. Everything had to be perfect. I placed Miss Anastasia’s coffee exactly where she liked it, arranged the files, aligned the notes, and prepared the laptop. I checked every detail twice, then once more because control was the only thing I could afford to hold on to. Satisfied at last, I returned to my office. A few minutes later, the atmosphere changed. Whispers. Subtle movements. The quiet shift in energy that announced an important arrival. I didn't need to see her to know. Anastasia had arrived. I stepped out immediately and approached her. “Good morning, ma’am.” She barely paused. “Has Delgado arrived?” she asked sharply. “And is the room ready?” “Yes, ma’am. Everything is set.” That was all she needed. --- The meeting began with Mr. Delgado flipping through the documents in front of him. With every page, his expression grew harder. “I’ll be honest, Miss Young. I’m beginning to question this partnership. The event theme is yet to be finalized, communication has been poor, and my board is asking what exactly we’re getting in return for our investment.” Anastasia folded her hands on the table. “Your concerns are understandable, Mr. Delgado, and I take responsibility for the communication gaps. However, withdrawing your funds now would mean walking away just as we’re preparing to put your company in front of the right audience.” “And what makes you so certain this event will be worth the investment?” Anastasia glanced at me. “Miss Hale?” I straightened in my seat and brought up the presentation. “Our strategy goes beyond hosting an impressive event, sir. We’re targeting high-value clients, relevant media platforms, and carefully selected influencers whose audiences align with your brand. The campaign will build awareness before the event, create engagement during it, and continue generating interest afterward through follow-up promotions.” Delgado studied the screen. “And how does that translate into actual business?” “We’ll track qualified enquiries, potential partnerships, audience engagement, and measurable sales where the data allows. That will help us determine what works and how to improve future campaigns. We’d rather attract the right people than fill a room with people who have no interest in your company.” He leaned back, considering my response. “That’s a good presentation, Miss Hale. But presentations don’t guarantee results.” “No, sir,” I replied calmly. “But a clear strategy, the right audience, and measurable objectives give us a better chance of achieving them.” Anastasia picked up where I left off. “We’re also prepared to establish clear milestones, provide weekly progress reports, and submit a detailed promotional schedule and budget breakdown for your approval. You’ll have greater visibility into how your investment is being used, and we’ll be accountable for the deliverables we agree on.” “And if you fail to meet those milestones?” “Then we’ll address the shortfall under the terms we agree upon,” Anastasia answered without hesitation. She held his gaze. “I’m asking you to give us the opportunity to deliver, not to trust us blindly.” The room fell silent. Finally, Delgado closed his folder. “Very well. The funds will remain with Vux Luxe, subject to the agreed milestones. I want the revised event theme, campaign schedule, and budget breakdown within forty-eight hours.” “You’ll have them,” Anastasia assured him. Delgado stood and extended his hand. “I hope your results are as convincing as your words, Miss Young.” Anastasia shook his hand. “They will be, Mr. Delgado.” As he left the boardroom, I released a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. Anastasia turned to me. “Good presentation, Theresa. Your follow-up report should be on my desk before noon.” “Yes, ma’am.” I nodded, already reaching for my laptop. For once, I hadn’t simply assisted someone else’s vision. I had helped save a deal. The tension in my chest loosened a fraction. One problem down. Several more waiting. I swallowed and steadied myself. “Excuse me,” I said politely, stepping back. Anastasia gave a small nod without looking at me, and I slipped out of the boardroom. Outside, I nearly collided with someone. “Katherine!” She stood in front of me wearing oversized sunglasses despite the mild weather. I blinked at her. “Why are you wearing shades?” She groaned, pressing one hand to her head. “Girl… are you hungover?” There was a pause. Then she gave a reluctant nod. I laughed under my breath. “Come on.” We walked into my office, where I handed her a cup of coffee and some tablets. “You’re unbelievable,” I told her. She accepted them gratefully. “You’re my savior.” As she sipped her coffee, she glanced around my office. “So… that dinner.” My smile faded slightly. “It was nothing,” I said quickly. “Veronica just wanted to introduce her boyfriend to the family.” Katherine studied my face. She clearly didn't believe me, but she was too tired to push. “Alright,” she said slowly. “If you say so.” A brief silence settled between us. Then she leaned forward. “You going home?” I nodded. “Yeah. I need to finish some work there.” Katherine frowned. “Theresa, you need to actually let yourself design. You’re holding back.” I said nothing. Her expression softened. “That design you always hide? That’s the one you should show Anastasia. That’s your voice.” My jaw tightened. “No,” I said quietly. “I’m not ready to show that part of me.” Katherine didn't argue. She simply watched me, as though she could see the words I was refusing to say. I stood and smoothed my blouse. “I’ll be fine and you're going to tell me all about yesterday” She rolled her eyes. Leaning forward, I kissed her cheek. “See you later. And shut my office door.” Then I left. The doors of Vux Luxe closed behind me, and for the first time that morning, I wasn't heading toward another meeting or rushing to meet another deadline. I was going home. Quietly hoping no one would be there to disturb the version of myself I was still trying to understand.

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