418 A visit from an enemy

Wednesday

Sabrina came to work today to join her employees Madison, Nicole, Charlie, Delphine, and Angela at the new location which opened its doors on the previous day.

This place is closer to downtown, and it has larger square footage that allows them to have several distinct spaces on the main area of the studio that provide different environments for the clients to visualize various styles. At the back, they have a design workshop with samples and offices that are used for meeting clients when they need a consultation. Everything is more spacious and equipped with high-tech gadgets such as the table that is actually a large touch-screen (clients love this interactive experience).

Charlie is the interior designer who works for Sabrina, and Delphine handles administrative tasks, and the two of them are usually in the back offices, but because this is their first open-open day at the new location, they all gathered in front and are buzzing with excitement.

Yesterday afternoon, they had an opening party where clients were invited for snacks and beverages, but today is the first day they are in business as usually.

After the initial morning chatter, Charlie, Delphine, and Sabrina went to their offices, leaving Madison, Nicole, and Angela at the front.

Madison and Nicole are in charge of working the floor and providing guidance to Angela who is still learning how to greet customers and provide services they request.

Angela is smart, but this is her first real job, and she does not want to mess it up so she decided to observe and do things only if Nicole and Madison ask her for something, until they declare her as ready to serve customers.

Angela is Ashton's sister who decided to enroll at the University of Washington. Enrollment opens in two months, and until then Angela decided to get used to life in the city, and to work while preparing for the entrance exam.

Mr. and Mrs. Grant (aka Angela's parents) were not excited about this idea, but Angela persuaded them that she will study hard, handle her finances, and that they don't need to worry about her because she will be studying at the same place where Ashton works while staying with Sabrina and Ashton in their apartment.

Angela plans to save money and get her own place soon (that is why she is working), but she didn't say that to her parents because she didn't want them to worry about her. She is twenty years old, but for them, she will always be their baby.

Sabrina was excited while looking at her new office. It is in a better location compared to the previous one, and larger, and it smelled fresh of new furniture. This move signifies that the FD Studio is doing well and that her hard work is bearing fruits.

She also wants to hire a few more people, hopefully before the baby comes.

The bell sounded as the door opened, and Madison, Nicole, and Angela turned to greet the customer (or their potential future coworker).

They saw two young ladies enter, both seemed overdressed to look for a job, so they assumed they are customers. The lady who walked in front looked like a young heiress or a business owner, while the one in the back appeared to be an assistant, and they guessed right.

Angela stood behind Madison and Nicole and observed how they interact with customers.

"How can we help you?", Madison asked with a smile.

"I am here to speak to Sabrina Anderson.", the lady responded.

"Are you here for a job?", Nicole asked while thinking if the first candidate for the interview is a male or a female. She thought it's a guy, and this is definitely not a guy. Also, how can she work in the warehouse with those long nails?

The lady snorted. "Job? No."

"Oh, do you have an appointment?", Madison asked while Nicole checked their schedule on her phone, to make sure they didn't forget about this client.

The lady was getting impatient. "No, I don't have an appointment. Is Sabrina here or not?"

Madison and Nicole kept their professional smiles on. They are used to handle clients who are high-maintenance, even though after that they are emotionally drained.

"She is here, but she has an appointment in two minutes, so I am not sure if she can see you.", Madison responded.

"I will not take long."

Nicole thought that it's not up to them. She can tell Sabrina who is here, and Sabrina can decide if she wants to meet with this woman or not. "Who should I say that is looking for her?"

"Kylie Sanders. I am an old friend of Sabrina's."

Madison and Nicole froze. They don't know Kylie in person, but they heard stories about how Kylie Sanders used to be a partner with Sabrina, and that she leeched off Sabrina's talent until Sabrina had enough and left. That is why Sabrina started the FD Studio on her own.

Why is this woman here? To congratulate Sabrina on the new space? Based on Kylie's snappy attitude, it does not look like it. The woman behind Kylie didn't say a word, but she does not look friendly.

"Please, give me a moment.", Nicole said with a tight smile and walked into the back while tugging Angela to follow after her.

"I will talk to Rina, tell Charlie and Delphine to be ready if there is any trouble.", Nicole said to Angela in a whisper when they were out of Kylie's earshot.

"Trouble?", Angela asked with a mix of confusion and panic.

Nicole gave Angela a knowing look. "This woman is competition, and she does not look happy that Sabrina upgraded her business."

"Oh…", a sound escaped Angela's lips and she went to fetch Charlie and Delphine.

Nicole returned to the main area with Sabrina.

Charlie and Delphine were in one of the areas, pretending to adjust the table lamps while keeping an eye on Kylie.

"How can I help you, Kylie?", Sabrina asked. "Do you need my design services? Or did you come here to steal my ideas?"

Kylie made a face at Sabrina's sharp words. Sabrina was always nice and pleasant, and this was neither. But this made things easier because Kylie didn't need to beat around the bush.

"I want you to stop what you are doing.", Kylie said.

"What am I doing?"

Kylie rolled her eyes. "Don't play naïve, Rina. You know very well how your smear campaign is hurting my business." She looked around. "I see you are doing well for yourself. Is it because my biggest clients switched to your side?"

"How I see it, if anyone switched, that is because they can figure out who is real and who is fake. Don't tell me that you came here thinking that I would solve your business problems. If you think I will do that, you are out of your mind. Please, leave.", Sabrina said and rested her hand on her belly.

Only then Kylie noticed the bulge. "You are pregnant."

"Mhm…", Sabrina confirmed with a hum. "And I am married also. I don't have the time to play games and sabotage others because other than my family, I focus on my business."

"If it's not you, then it's your husband.", Kylie said, assuming that Sabrina's husband is someone with influence.

Sabrina felt the rage swell inside her. How dares Kylie come here and drag Ashton through the mud?

"Get a life, Kylie. My husband is teaching at the University, and he does not even know that you exist. So, unless your clients are his students, he can't persuade anyone to leave your business. And before you accuse my brothers or friends, each of them has their own lives and no one would bother with you. I am sure that over the years you made more than one unhappy customer or maybe it's a competitor you crossed and they developed a grudge against you. As for me, what happened between us was a long time ago, and I let it be. If I wanted to get back at you, why would I wait five years? Considering our history, you are brave to come here and throw random accusations. Don't you think that I might do something now that you provoked me? It does not need to be much." Sabrina made a face like she is thinking. "I can mention to my existing clients how your services are shit. They will do the rest of the rumor-spreading. Luckily for you, I am in the business of interior design, not gossips. But if you keep on pushing my buttons, I might change my mind about it. Unless you attack me, I will not bother with you. I would appreciate it if you do the same and pretend that I don't exist."

Kylie paused while thinking that maybe it's not Sabrina. She is pregnant and Sabrina was always timid and minding her own business. That is why Kylie was able to take advantage of Sabrina back then.

Kylie wondered if she was rash to come here. Provoking Sabrina is not a good idea, considering that her business grew to this point, and also the backing her family provides.

Kylie plastered a fake smile on her face. "Well… as long as you know not to hinder me, I will not bother with you."

Kylie left the FD Studio with her assistant one step behind her.

"Are you OK?", Nicole asked Sabrina with concern obvious in her voice.

"Yeah. Thanks.", Sabrina responded. She needed a minute (or more) to compose herself, but the first interview candidate arrived, and she forced herself to focus on the task in front of her.

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