**Another New Day at Berry's Beauty**
The photo shoots have been completed, and the magazine is already in progress. Felicia, the secretary, has called in some of the team leaders for a brief meeting before they start their activities for the day.
**Aliya's POV**
I observed the three team leaders behaving as if they were in competition with each other, hardly speaking to one another. There was the makeup unit team leader, the fashion design team leader, and the clothing team leader, and then there was me, the stylist. While I memorized their behaviors, Miss Felicia walked in, capturing everyone's attention. She was wearing a new pair of red heels, white trousers, and a black shirt, along with a new curly wig. Her face seemed to light up, not from her makeup but from the bold red lipstick she had applied.
"She has a new man. She must have stayed over at his place, and he's rich," I thought to myself.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Miss Felicia abruptly interrupted my thoughts after she sat down and noticed I was distracted.
"You look bright today," I quickly replied, trying to dismiss my earlier thoughts.
"Yes, I know, but your face looks rather dull. I hope you aren't getting tired of your new position already?" she asked, causing the three other team leaders to chuckle.
"Not at all, Miss Felicia. Today is the memorial day for my dog; he was special to me and died from eating my spicy food," I responded. I noticed their smiles faded as they looked at me in disbelief.
"This is a new week, and it isn't the time to remember dogs who died from spicy food. Don't bring bad energy into it; one mistake and I will inform the CEO to take you out," she warned.
"Like you can. I earned this position to be close enough to bring you down," I thought to myself while nodding blankly, pretending to understand.
"I'm sure Aliya will perform well this week, Secretary. She has worked longest among us at the company," the fashion design team leader defended.
"I hope so because she seems to be getting a lot of attention these days compared to the four years she spent unrecognized," Miss Felicia replied harshly.
I grinned, contemplating whether to go easy on her or not, as she was beginning to get on my nerves again after 3 years of defending a client that wrongfully gave me a slap; she must have forgotten.
"Alright, let's continue with the meeting for the first day of the week and discuss how we're going to approach it. It will be brief," Miss Felicia stated
****
**Amanda's POV**
Amanda spun around in her office chair, lost in her thoughts.
"What should I do to make him mine, regardless of whether he's in love with me or not? We could really help each other in business, especially with the red carpet event approaching. I need to be up there with him, while everyone watches us with admiration."
I halted the chair, considering my options. "The best way is to create a scandal between us. I just need my mom to play her part for me," I concluded.
Quickly, I grabbed my phone to message Reuben.
"Hi, Reuben. Let's have dinner together today; I discovered a new restaurant with great food," I typed and sent, hoping for a positive response since it was the first time I was initiating something with him.
When I heard the notification, I eagerly checked my messages. It was from him: "Okay," he replied. I almost shouted with excitement as I shared the restaurant's location with him.
"He must have taken an interest in me after the family dinner," I thought.
"What am I going to wear for dinner?" I wondered excitedly.
**Reuben's POV**
"She must be excited; it's not bad to have a change of scenery this evening," I said, dropping my phone.
"Do I let her in?" Cece asked, noticing I was done with my phone.
"Let who in?" I replied.
"Were you even listening? The girl you had your last scandal with is waiting at the reception. She wants to return the jewelry you bought her as a bribe to make her famous. She says the scandal is working negatively for her, so she wants you to take it down," Cece explained.
"Tell her to throw the jewelry in the trash and pay me back for all the hugs and kisses she stole from me on camera without my consent. Charge her ten million dollars for that; if she can't pay, she should leave my office before I create another scandal with her, my way this time," I told Cece.
"Wow, you are so heartless," Cece said as she got up from the couch, lollipop in hand.
"You're still standing here, manager," I said.
"I'm deeply sorry, Boss," Cece replied, though I knew she didn't mean it. She walked out the door to relay my messages. I continued reviewing the portfolio of new clothing material design concepts that had been submitted to my desk for verification and signing before they moved forward with manufacturing.
A few minutes later, Cece walked back in.
"Did I get my ten million dollars?" I asked.
"She left with the jewelry," Cece informed me.
"That's what I figured. They always love it when it's easy and free," I said.
"You should have seen her face; she's probably cursing you in her mind right now," Cece chuckled.
"Well, that's not new for me," I replied.
"So, you're scheduled to have dinner with Amanda tonight? Should I cancel the dinner with the model you had set up before?" Cece asked.
"Yes, I'm the one who was going to pay for everything anyway, so I'm going to go with the one who will pay for me," I told her.
"God, I love being your manager. It's almost like signing a deal with the devil; I have to become arrogant now because you are," Cece said, looking excited.
"You're my manager because I can bring you down easily if you mess with me. You're two-faced; you work with anyone you can get something from," I told her. "Now let's get back to what we have planned for the new week."