Hidden By Her Sister, Loved By The Billionaire

Vindictive

Sage POV

"Elaine you may leave now and shut the door," she said as the other woman nodded and hastily left the room, shutting the door softly behind her.

She studied me. I gritted my teeth. "Is something the matter Sage?" she asked, her tone overly sweet "has something I've done upset you?"

If I let her see how much this was affecting me, Sapphire would only continue to torture me, I thought blankly. She sounded as though she was enjoying herself. I didn't understand how she had turned her personality around so quickly.

"No Sapphire," I said evenly as she gave me a disappointed look "you have the right to make any decisions you wish."

"I do, don't I," she said gleefully, swinging on the chair, giggling slightly "You can't imagine how good this feels Sage. To be in charge, to do what I want. How do I find out what the profit for the last quarter is and how much loss we have?"

Naturally. She was going straight for the money. I kept my voice calm, even as disgust washed over me. Perhaps Sapphire had a good reason for asking. Maybe, I thought hopefully, she would show an interest in the company and begin to get as passionate as I was for it.

"We have an accountant and payroll office," I said calmly "on the ground floor. They should be able to supply you with the information you're after."

She nodded and then licked her lips. "Sage," she said dramatically as I tried not to cringe at the shrillness of her voice "I'm thirsty. Go and make me a coffee and then grab me something to eat from the staff room."

I sighed. "Is there a particular kind of coffee you would like?" I asked meaningfully. I was not going to make a coffee and then be forced to make a second one, because she had failed to inform me of her preference. Sapphire smirked, reading my mind. "Cappucino" she purred "but make sure it's skim milk, because I have to watch my figure. This body doesn't just come naturally you know" she said regretfully "and whatever snack you get, make sure it's low fat, no sugar, no carb and dairy free."

I started. What did she want me to get her? Air? She was already turning back to the computer though and powering up the laptop, her fingerprint automatically unlocking it, like all of the Silverspoons fingerprints did. I shook my head in disbelief and got up, making my way woodenly out of the room.

I felt the stares as I made my way towards the staff room, conveniently located towards the back. I could hear Elaine speaking to the other employees who were looking mutinous as I went towards the small kitchenette, grabbing a mug and beginning to use the coffee machine. Elaine came in, looking both ways and then sighing as she noticed that Sapphire was not with me.

"Miss Sage" she said quietly as I looked at her in surprise "the employees don't like the idea of having to change suppliers or change their designs to be more economical. It's not as your parents would request" she said and I nodded, looking at her sadly.

"I know, but my sister is in charge now" I said.

"But it should be you" she insisted, even as I glanced towards Sapphire's office uneasily "you're the one with ideas, the one who puts in the proposals and the one who negotiates with the suppliers and the stores. Why did your parents make Sapphire the CEO when she's never shown even an ounce of the passion you have?"

"I don't know" I told Elaine sadly "but this is the way it is. I'm sorry" I whispered, feeling guilty as I took the mug and grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl "I really am."

"As am I" I heard her voice say quietly behind me "the company would have been better off in your hands."

Back in the office, I sat down at the back, watching quietly as one by one, the designers entered the room, drawings in hand, eyes filled with fear as they sat opposite Sapphire, who would tap her finger on the desk and watch without expression as they placed their design or concept on the desk. So far, Sapphire had not been impressed with a single one and I flinched as the current one was violently swept away by Sapphire in a temper, the young designer cowering in her chair.

"Are you stupid?" Sapphire hissed as the poor girl looked up at her "This won't work. It's all wrong. Nobody is going to want to buy such a pathetic and ugly-looking design" she added, twisting her lips as the girl's eyes went shiny with tears "it's a complete travesty and unbecoming of Elite Fashion. Can you even call yourself a designer?" she demanded hotly.

"I'm sorry Miss Sapphire" the girl stammered, "I thought that the jacket would work well with..." She didn't get to finish.

"You thought wrong" Sapphire shouted, her voice filling the room and spreading out to the other employees "All of you are useless" she screamed "Completely useless. You have one week to come up with new designs, and anybody who doesn't come up with anything good is fired" she shouted, as the girl began to quickly gather her papers up "fired, do you hear me" she roared.

The girl went running out the door sobbing as I put a hand to my mouth in shock.

"Sapphire" my voice was admonishing but Sapphire turned on me next.

"That includes you."

I blinked. Sorry, what did she mean by that? I looked at her questioningly. She raised a brow. "You think I don't know that at least several of the designs in the store were personally created by you?" she said haughtily "Either help the employees or design something that we can use yourself but either way, I expect some designs on my desk by the end of next week at the latest."

"Sapphire, don't you think you're being unreasonable?" I asked as she glared at me "why the rush? If you threaten the employees, it's only going to make them unable to focus on their work" I added.

"The profits from this quarter were significantly down from last year" Sapphire's voice was cold "But you already knew that didn't you?" she asked shrewdly.

I had known. It was one of the reasons for suggesting the new line. I swallowed, my mouth going dry. She gave a bitter laugh. "I should have known that the company would have issues, god knows Mother and Father weren't infallible, but I'll make this company the richest it's ever been," she said, "and in turn, I'll become even richer than I am already."

"Money isn't everything Sapphire" my voice was soft.

"That's because you don't have any" her voice was cold and callous.

"Now start looking up suppliers for our fabrics. Either we find a cheaper one or get a better deal on the one we already have. We need to start cutting costs. Also," she said indignantly.

Then she waved her hands at me.“I need you to book me in for a manicure and pedicure, just look at my nails.”There was the tiniest chip on one of her nails. "I've ruined them" she wailed.

Ruined them was hardly how I would have described it but I nodded silently and began to reach for my phone, conscious of Sapphire's eyes on me. "Make sure that you get a driver to take me. I've had enough of this place" she added "You can do the work at home. I want to go shopping" she added as I began to look for the number of the beauty salons that Sapphire frequented "and maybe even get a new dress or two."

"So soon after Mother and Father's death?" I asked quietly and she gave me a considering look.

"I'm not going to stay in mourning forever Sage," she said scowling "Mother and Father would want us to get on with our lives. I can still grieve in my heart and look good on the outside. The only one moping around and looking drabby right now is you" she added as she flipped her long hair over her shoulder and shot me a disapproving look.

I flinched and then sighed, making the call. "Your appointment is at three. It's the earliest one available" I told her as she smiled satisfied. "I have a driver prepared to take you for the whole afternoon. Another one to take me home" I added as she began to gather up her things.

She quickly turned. "A driver to take you home?" she repeated confused "Why?"

"How else will I get home?" I asked confused.

"Like normal people do Sage. You can take the bus or the subway. Cancel the driver" she instructed as my mouth dropped open "You're not some rich heiress anymore remember? I have your inheritance."

I was forced to cancel the driver. For the first time in my life, as Sage disappeared into a limousine, I headed down the crowded walkway, hugging my handbag close, and headed towards a bus terminal. It looked as though I was about to experience all sorts of new experiences and while I wasn't averse to them, it stung that she could be so uncaring in her attitude towards me.