His breathing was harsh as he spoke, "Thank Goodness. I thou it you wouldn''t be in."


    "What is it this time?" I asked numbly. I couldn''t even think straight anymore.


    "The Luxe vogue logistics and warehousing partners called," he said as he spread out papers on my table. "They''ve raised their f*es so they''re demanding a year''s f*e in advance or we could as well look for other partners."


    Grace and I exchanged nces. Grace abruptly stood up. "I can''t do this right now. I can''t! You''ll meet in the conference room," she erupted and stormed out of the door.


    I watched her leave. It was insane, all of these things that were happening. It was all happening in a blur that it was hard to keep track.


    "Tell them we would pay," I told the ountant. "They should give us some days." Then I muttered under my breath, "this isn''t the best time to start sourcing for new partners. Luxe vogue is literally in ruins."


    I dragged my feet to the conference room when the time for the meeting came. There were just the HR manager, two shareholders, the ountant, Grace and


    1. me.


    The shareholder who called for the meeting went straight to the point. His face was squeezed in rage as she spoke, "What is this I hear of you losing employees and your partners pulling out?"


    "It''s just a minor issue that we are working on. It will be sorted out soon and they wille to work and partner with us again." I tried to assure him.


    But he was adamant. "Soon?!" He erupted, "Soon? Is it until you finally go bankrupt? Till thepany is seized and closed down?"


    "I assure you, we are not going bankrupt, M-" the ountant tried but he was interrupted.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    "I don''t want to hear assurances! I want to see results!"


    "Mr-"


    "Don''t call my name as yelled


    give you three days! Three days! If I don''t


    se pred new then th afraid of what will do Then he stormed out.


    The rifter shared we had remained solemn and rained silent all the while slowly rose from his test. He pinned me with an unthomable gaze, "I We give you an umum but I want to see improvement." 1 Forend a smile and nodded. "Thank you.


    After the door closed behind him, we all exchanged nces. We just broke a recard


    We just held the shortest meeting ever!


    Secondster, everyone solemnly exited the conference room. So it was just Grace and


    I turned to Grace, she had remained silent all through the meeting. "Are you okay?"


    The question had slipped out of my mouth before I knew what I was saying. It was the most stupid question ever.


    She scoffed, her gaze pinned on the table, "I can''t believe you just asked me that question " Then she raised her head and looked at me, "What do we do, Sydney?


    My heart broke as I looked at her, her eyes were red and they glinted with unshed tears. Then I realized that she must have cried in her office beforeing for the meeting "Grace" I cooed and quickly pushed my chair back. I rushed to her side and sat in the seat beside hers. I faced her and held her hands.


    "We have to remain strong, babe," I squeezed her hands infort, "This is just a phase."


    Tears slid down her eyes as she just looked at me then in seconds she was sobbing seriously. I hugged her head to my chest and gently caressed her hair.


    As I listened to her cry and absentmindedly patted her on the back and rubbed her hair. I wondered what was happening. The supplier''s words came back to


    me and I tried to figure out who could be behind all of this. What was their aim?


    Grace''s trembling voice brought my attention back to her


    eyes were


    already putty as she turned her gaze to me, "I remember apany wanted to


    acquire us before." She s


    acquire us before." She sniffed and I frowned.


    That ther