Chapter 79 Stay Away From Him
Christina felt a strange pang of unease as she scrolled through her call log, seeing the long gap since her last conversation with Nathaniel. A whole week had passed, and yet, it didn’t feel like much had changed. Despite their turbulent encounters, especially the one with Francis, Christina couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.
She didn’t know if it was her nerves or just the pressure of her work, but the silence between them left her unsettled. Had Nathaniel been distant? Was he upset with her? She was still trying to wrap her head around his behavior and the tension that seemed to follow them everywhere. After all, he was an important figure in her life now, but how much of that importance was tied to his dominance and control?
Sighing, she turned off her phone, not wanting to dwell on the uncertainty. The store was busier than usual today, with several customers browsing the latest collection. Christina threw herself into her work, responding to inquiries, managing the inventory, and overseeing some of the finishing touches on her upcoming designs. Her focus was sharp, but the nagging thought of Nathaniel lingered in the back of her mind.
Later that afternoon, Christina received a message from the public relations department about a meeting with Radiant Corporation’s top executives. As usual, Julia’s name appeared in the list of attendees. Christina’s stomach tightened at the thought of working with her again. After the recent video call, she knew Julia had high standards, but there was something almost antagonistic about the way she operated.
Christina sighed again, trying to push aside her thoughts of Julia and focus on the task at hand. After all, this meeting could provide a valuable opportunity to make a lasting impression. She couldn’t afford to let anything distract her.
When the meeting finally arrived, Christina arrived at the Radiant Corporation offices, dressed impeccably, and prepared for the presentation. As she made her way through the polished halls of the company’s headquarters, she felt a familiar sense of calm settle over her. She had done this countless times before, but there was something about today that felt different.
Inside the conference room, Julia was already seated at the head of the table, exuding her usual poise and control. Christina took a deep breath and walked in, ready to present her work. The meeting began smoothly, with Christina showcasing her latest designs and explaining the inspirations behind them. She could tell that Julia was impressed, but there was still something about her demeanor that felt cold and calculated.
Once the presentation ended, Julia leaned back in her chair, folding her arms in a way that made it clear she was assessing Christina.
“These designs are decent,” Julia said, her voice smooth but lacking any warmth. “But I’m afraid they still don’t meet the standards I expect. You’re capable, Christina, but I need to see more. More depth, more creativity. These are good, but they don’t excite me. And I need excitement.”
Christina’s heart sank, the weight of Julia’s words heavy in the air. She had poured her heart into these designs, yet it seemed like they were never enough.
Before Christina could respond, Julia added, “You have three more days. Make them count.”
Christina nodded, fighting back the frustration building inside her. She couldn’t afford to let Julia see her struggle. “I’ll do my best,” she said through gritted teeth.
As the meeting wrapped up and she stepped out of the building, Christina felt the pressure mounting. She had three more days to prove herself, but at what cost? The stakes were higher than ever, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more at play than just her designs. The dynamic with Julia was complex, and she had a sinking suspicion that there was something personal behind it.
The thought of Nathaniel surfaced again, but this time, Christina pushed it aside. She had a job to do, and for now, that was all that mattered.