Chapter 4 Refused To Come Back

Brenda had been restlessly pacing in anger ever since Auden had stormed out of the office, demanding Evelyn be brought back before the day's end.

"Who does he think he is?" Brenda's pacing came to a sudden halt, her nostrils flaring as she turned to face her team.

"He fired her just yesterday and now he wants her again today. What kind of man is he?" Brenda's voice dripped with frustration as she expressed her anger.

"I won't bring back Evelyn! She's moved on and he can do whatever he wants, for all I care!" Brenda exclaimed.

The rest of the team shared Brenda's displeasure with Auden's actions, but they were powerless to do anything other than obey his orders.

"Miss Brenda," their youngest team member and only male, Orson, spoke up softly, approaching her with a sympathetic expression.

"We all know how much you value Evelyn and in fact, we all know you found her a new job immediately after she was fired yesterday. That's how much you care for her," Orson said gently, bringing tears to Brenda's eyes.

"However, Miss Brenda, if you continue to refuse to bring back Evelyn, it could jeopardize your job, and even ours. Our new chairman is ruthless and he won't hesitate to let all of us go at once. That's how heartless he can be," Orson stated convincingly, earning a nod from the other two women on the team. Brenda, on the other hand, clenched her jaw in anger and stormed off.

Meanwhile, Evelyn and Quinn seemed to be getting along famously as they worked side by side.

Evelyn was deeply focused on the sketch she was creating and was completely unaware that Quinn had abandoned his own work to admire hers.

"You're incredibly talented, Evelyn. Where did you get the idea for this dress? It's already stunning even without any color," Quinn praised, still fixated on Evelyn's flawless strokes with the drawing pencil.

Evelyn's lips curved upwards in a gentle smile, her silence speaking volumes as she put the finishing touches on her work. Suddenly, the sound of the entrance door swung open, startling both of them.

"Well, well, looks like our first client of the day has arrived," Quinn said with a grin, leisurely making his way out of the office and towards the lobby.

Evelyn stood up, a smile still playing on her lips, and followed behind him.

As they reached the lobby, both Quinn and Evelyn were taken aback to see Brenda standing there.

"Miss Brenda," Evelyn exclaimed, surprised, as she closed the distance between them.

It didn't take long for her to sense the distress in Brenda's eyes. Gently, she took her hands in hers and asked, "What's wrong, Miss Brenda? Why are you here?"

Quinn, already anticipating Brenda's reason for being there, chimed in, "Don't tell me you're here to fetch Evelyn."

Brenda let out a heavy sigh, covering her face with her hands. "I don't know what to do, Quinn. He said I have to bring Evelyn back before the end of the day," she explained, her words coming out in a flustered rush.

"What do you mean, Miss Brenda? Why is he suddenly interested in me?" Evelyn asked, her face contorting in distaste.

Brenda took a few steps back and sat down on the couch in the lobby before speaking. "He saw your sketchbook on your desk and was drawn to your designs," she revealed.

Evelyn rolled her eyes and scoffed, "I need my sketchbook, Miss Brenda. How can I get it?" Her irritation was palpable.

She despised the fact that Auden had laid his eyes on her work.

"Your sketchbook is with him, Evelyn. And he's not giving it back until you come back to him," Brenda said softly.

"Over my dead body, Miss Brenda!" Evelyn's voice rose in anger as she moved away from her spot and marched towards Brenda.

"Miss Brenda, I'm sorry, but I detest that man. You should've seen how he insulted me yesterday in the parking lot. And can you believe that it was him who splashed water on my dress?" she continued, her emotions bubbling to the surface.

Brenda's eyes widened in disbelief. "What did you say?"

"I am telling you, Miss Brenda. I accused a man I saw in his car, believing him to be the driver, only for him to appear from nowhere and admitting that he was the driver. And yet, he showed no remorse. So how can you expect me to go back to him?" Evelyn's voice trembled as she spoke, trying to keep the tears at bay.

Brenda slowly rose to her feet, her mouth opening to speak but no words coming.

"Evelyn..." Brenda started, but was quickly interrupted.

"No, Miss Brenda," Evelyn wiped away her tears, only to have more fall. "I refuse to go back to that monster!"

With those words, she turned and stormed out of the room.

"I haven't met that man, but I already despise him," Quinn said, loud enough for Brenda to hear.

***

Brenda entered Auden's office with his permission. She stepped inside slowly and saw him smiling to himself as he flipped through Evelyn's sketchbook.

To him, there was nothing more beautiful than Evelyn's designs. Each one had a unique meaning that only he could sense.

"I'm sorry to inform you, sir, but Evelyn has refused to return to Glamour," Brenda spoke up, growing irritated by the small smile on Auden's face.

"I sent you to bring her back because I knew she couldn't refuse you," Auden replied, still engrossed in the pages of the sketchbook.

Brenda's hands clenched into fists as she fought to control her anger. "Well, it seems I have disappointed you then. She did refuse me."

"Then tell me, Brenda," Auden leaned back in his swivel chair, meeting Brenda's eyes with a calm gaze.

His features were strikingly handsome, with fair skin and sharp, distinguished features. Yet, there was something cold and indifferent in his demeanor that made people inexplicably drawn to him.

Brenda gulped, unsure if it was his piercing gaze or if she had simply never taken notice of his charisma.

"What must I do to win her return? Should I just marry her off?" His smirk stretched into an absurdly large grin.

Brenda's gaze widened, her voice rising as she cried out, "Mr. Bernard!"