New love

Present time.

“Mommy mommy! Here’s your lunch for today!” Gio handed me my lunch.

“You're now taking care of Mommy ahh? Thank you, big boy.” I kissed his cheeks and his two little hands.

“I'm a big boy already, Mommy?” He cheerfully asked.

“Yeah coz your turning 5 next month, right?” I ruffled his brown hair.

“Yeah, mommy! And mommy, you know what, the guy who looks like me came yesterday and he said that he will be here on my birthday!!! He will bring..”

I was shocked.

“What?” I raised my voice.

Gio was taken back by my voice.

“Sorry honey. I was surprised that you have a visitor without Mommy knowing.” I glared my brother who is now slipping his foot on his shoe.

“What? The guy deserves to know.” Claude said. “And he is one of my boss business partners. So it's hard not to see him ..”

“Have you ever know how to shut up?” I pointed my finger on him.

“What? He’s a spitting image of this little squirt.” - Claude

“Uncle, what’s squirt?” -Gio

“See? He is like his son. Dumb as always.” He laughed

“My son’s not dumb!” I yelled at him.

-

The month of October is the season where everybody is busy with the new design collection for Christmas

Ahh. Christmas...

..another project.

It still early to feel the spirit of Christmas.

“Boss. Can I talk to you?” I knocked on his door.

“Sure sure. You have new ideas?” His eyes are sparkling.

“Yes. The creative team already came up with a new idea. But I'm here to talk to you but not related to this.” I said

“Sit sit.” He offers me a sit in front of his table.

“Ms. Alvarez offers me a position in her company.” I started.

“Oh.” I see the sadness in his eyes. “You know, angel. I'm not going to stop you if you want. Maybe it's your chance to spread your wings and become a well-known designer.” He said.

“But Boss. I really love working here. I decided to turn down her offer. I want Pragma to become famous because of the people you trained.” I said.

“My angel, thank you for thinking that way. I really appreciate it. We will build Pragma on our own.” He said with happiness on his aura.

-

“Cara and Yasmin. You and your team, I'm going to assign you to Women's clothing.” I said

“Migs and Patrick. You know where is I'm going to assign you right? Men's clothing”.

“Gemma! You will be assigned on Kids clothing.”

“I want you all to be finish before December 22. Got it? We have 3 months to go!”

Someone raised a hand. “What our color motif?”

“Good question.” I pointed.

I pulled 3 different colors: White. Red. Green.

“What do you think?” I asked. “You want a traditional Red-Green Christmas motif or White Christmas for a change?” I grinned.

“White Christmas is good for lovers!” Cheered by someone.

“Red and green for kids!” From Gemma’s team.

“How about Red-White, Pure White, and Green-White?” I asked.

They all agreed on the colors.

“Multimedia, I want you to create some background effect regarding our theme: Pragma: Lost Love at Christmas. I started explaining the theme.

“The songs should be mellow but upbeat. Okay? Just instrumentals, for the start, while on during runways, you can change it into any upbeat songs, I mean broken-hearted song with a remix. I’ll just send you guys some examples later”.

“Okay. Let's roll!” I dismissed the meeting.

“Good job, Jia,” Boss said. “Now, you have a guest waiting in my office.” He stopped and looked at me. “First, you have to retouch, you look haggard. I don't want to disappoint my guest seeing you like that.” He winked.

I look myself in the mirror. Yeah. I have a dark circle around my eyes due to my work and organizing Gio’s birthday.

I have invited my cousins and their kids, my friends and also co-workers.

I want to see the smiling face of my son. I want the best for him.

I put some concealer on my eyes and some powder and lip tint on my lips. I loose my burgundy hair from a bun and it turns out in cute loose curls.

I knocked on the door. I heard Boss said to come in.

There I saw a man in a black suit with brownish hair colored. Dignified on his look but once he saw me, his eyes turn playfully.

“I didn't know Mr. Pierre has a beautiful employee here.” He teased.

I have a hunch. He’s hitting on me.

I smiled and bowed my head to the man. “Nice to me you, ahh-“

“Roberto. Robert Button. But you can call me Roberto. I don't want to feel awkward for you calling me bu my last name, Mr. Button. It's like you're talking to my old man.” He joked.

Button. Where did I hear that Family name? I started thinking.

“He is the son of Altaria Group if you forgot, Jia,” Boss said.

It's like a bulb that pops up in my head. The Button family. What is he doing here?

-

Roberto asks me for a lunch meeting for his proposal.

“I want you to design for our garments for our next Grand Party of 6 well-known companies. For me and for my dad.” He said.

Two suits next month, Gio birthday party, and 10 dresses for Pragma fashion show. Can I do it?

“If the price is right.” I gulp the wine.

He smiled. “Great! My secretary will pick you up tomorrow morning.”

“Why?”

“Uhh. Coz you going to work inside my Villa?” He looks at me innocently.

“No. can't do. I have to go home after I take measures of you and Mr. Button.” I waved my fork on him.

“Why? Cant, you stay in the Villa?” -he looks me in disbelief.

“My son will be waiting for me,” I said.

“Oh.” He choked on his wine. “How old is he?”

“He’s turning 5 next month” I proudly answered him.

“You have a son but I don't see any ring on you.” He stared at me.

“Well, my man cheated on me before I learned that I was pregnant. You got a problem with me working now?” I return his intense stare.

He was back from his thinking “No no. I didn't say that. I’m just shocked that how can he leave you for another woman if you look like a hell of a goddess.” He blushes.

I snorted. “Well, that’s life. It doesn't mean that I have pretty-faced, I will live like a hell of the goddess. men will not be contented on just a pretty face.”

He looked me with longing “yeah but you're not just pretty. You're everything between.”

I nearly choke. Heh, men.

“Thank you, Robert.”

-

Robert insisted to drive me home, he also wanted to see Gio.

We were welcomed by my Mom.

“Oh. You didn't notify me, Jia, that you have a guest.” Mom said. “Come come.”

“Mom. He drives me home and wants to see Gio. Where’s Gio?” I asked

My mom went back inside outhouse to call Gio.

Gio came running to me with a man I didn't expect to see.

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