Between love and betrayal

A new beginning

No one understood it, whether it was her dress, her striking beauty, or perhaps just her looks, but from the moment Layla stepped out of that lift, she stole the gaze of all the employees.

Women murmured from their offices as they looked up at her. Curiosity, envy and jealousy were the protagonists of that moment.

However, amidst all the murmuring Layla could hear from afar some uncalled-for comments, where her personal integrity was verbally trampled on.

She was calm, she understood people. She just sighed and continued walking.

—Oh, Miss Delfigalo, I've been waiting for you,— Samantha mentioned cheerfully.

Layla was relieved to see a familiar face, she felt everyone's gaze and was a little afraid to ask for the location of her office, it was very possible that like the receptionist, these people wouldn't recognise her.

—Follow me, I will guide you to her office. I've been fixing it up, for your comfort, I hope you like it,— said Samantha, as she walked away down the corridor.

Layla was enormously grateful to her, since the airport she had behaved in a cordial and friendly manner.

—We've arrived, Miss Layla, this is your office. I've had some new lamps put in, and I've chosen the best visit, so that you can enjoy the city. This is the office most requested by the staff of the company, but I have reserved it for you,— said Samantha between murmurs.

Layla was surprised, the walls were rough textured, and colourful, with a huge window overlooking the entire city centre.

It was large and had a couch that looked comfortable enough to lounge on.

—In fact, Miss Margot Steven. The former head of interior design applied for this office a few weeks ago, but I fought for it and won, so they moved her downstairs. There are always disputes between the employees, maybe because they are fashion icons,— Samantha added.

Layla smiled at the sight of her, it was quite useful and necessary information. Samantha said goodbye and let Layla settle into her new office.

She immediately set about tidying up the office and organizing some papers in the filing cabinets. She had to report to the bosses soon and needed to have everything in order.

By the time Layla was out in the sunshine, she could see through one of the front windows as people were peering into Samantha's office to ask her questions.

She immediately assumed that everyone who asked questions was naming her.

In fact, the people who worked there were stunned, she was so young and they couldn't understand that she was the chief designer they were talking about.

—So colleagues. Miss Delfigalo is a woman I admire. She's young, and she's already been quoted by hundreds of celebrities. plus, I met her, she's very nice and polite,— Samantha responded to the questions.

It was obvious that Samantha had great admiration for her, how could she not? She had come out of nowhere and now she was really important in the fashion world.

—I'm sure her beauty influenced her to get that job,— some said sarcastically.

—Soon we'll know how she got there,— they added.

Samantha trusted her, even though she had only just met her, but she had made an effort to get to know her and had done some research on her early days at the company.

As the staff shelled out absurd questions and dilemmas, a woman of great stature, tanned skin and pronounced curves stepped out of the lift and circled the staff with her eyes.

She wore a silver dress and high heels. Her gaze was dark, vacant and indifferent.

—Are you paid to talk? Return to your offices immediately,— said the woman, frowning.

The people immediately shut up and returned to their attentions, she looked like a teacher scolding her pupils. She looked like a woman of strong and independent character.

—I offer you an apology, Mrs. Margaret,— said a woman.

Margaret was the head of that department in Vienna, the highest ranking woman there.

—Don't let it happen again. I want them in the conference room at a quarter past nine,— said Margaret before she left.

Everyone's jaws dropped. She was a very scary woman and they couldn't be late for the meeting, so they finished their business quickly and left for the conference room at nine o'clock. It was not a very smart idea to keep the director waiting.

The minutes ticked by and at exactly 9:15, Margaret made her presence known in the conference room. She scanned all the seats with her empty gaze and her face darkened when she discovered that there was still one seat left.

She sighed lightly and decided to start the meeting. I was not a woman of waiting for people, I used to skip the absence of others while the meeting was going on.

—Well, I have gathered you here to personally introduce you to Miss Layla Delfigalo, the newest member of our branch. Miss Delfigalo is the Chief Designer of KG O'Djeca. And she has been transferred here to conduct some business. I hope you will make her feel welcome and learn from her skills,— Margaret mentioned kindly.

Layla felt a little embarrassed, she didn't really like being the centre of attention. However, she smiled a smile of gratitude.

—It's a pleasure to be here and to get to know you better. I hope we can create a good working atmosphere and build up the company,— Layla said softly and tenderly.

People were amazed. She had an angelic voice and an enviable smile. They began to applaud and welcome her.

It could have been all love and peace, until from the back corner of the room, right next to the front door, intermittent applause could be heard.

—So this is Miss Delfigalo, the designer, the woman I lost the office to? I was really looking forward to finally meeting her,— one woman mentioned.

Layla looked away from the woman. Long brown hair, pulled back in a ponytail, beautiful looking, as if sculpted by the gods themselves. She wore a phenomenal outfit, which framed her curves and accentuated the pale colour of her skin.

She was tall, but still wore a pair of golden heels, which framed her long, slender legs. She looked like a supermodel, but no, she was just Margot Steven.

—A little late for Margot's meeting. Have a seat,— said Margaret when she saw her.

Margot gave her a sour look and headed for the empty seat. —A thousand apologies, I had to file some papers and the stapler wasn't working,— said Margot in a really fake tone.

***

Margot was the designer at the branch, and she was really jealous of Layla's arrival, as she would now have to fight her to get her name on the company's books.

Things may have gone well for her on the surface, but Margot had been left with some resentment at having lost out to her in a roundabout way.

She recognised Layla's greatness, and she would not allow her throne to be taken from her.

***

Margaret had known Margot for many years, and knew that she lied, and even knew her temperament, as well as her excellent workmanship.

—Miss Delfigalo, again, a pleasure to meet you. I hope to learn from you one day,— added Margot, holding out her hand.

There was not a hint of sincerity in her words, it was obvious to the naked eye.

Layla shook his hand, knowing she was in the presence of an improved version of the woman with the haughty, difficult personality of her ex-husband. She knew in advance how tedious it would be to work with her.

After they both sat down, Margaret gave a final briefing and organised her next job.

Margot wouldn't let go of Layla's gaze, as if she wanted to transfer all her ill wishes to her. Layla felt her gaze and saw in Margot only a fake smile and a threatening look.

It was a strange moment, she couldn't deny it, but she was aware that she wasn't there to care about others.

At the end of the meeting, Layla returned to her office and sighed slowly. She hadn't expected to work with people of that mindset, who had some kind of internal conflict.

She simply decided to ignore what was going on around her and got down to work. She needed to come up with new designs and she had to get the ball rolling so time was running out.

Margaret trusted her, she knew how good she was at her job, so she decided to follow her into her office, and behind her, Margot, her face petrified.

—I don't understand why you have such a bad attitude. You should do better than that before you regret it,— said Margaret, noticing her shadow following her.

Margot stopped at the sound of Margaret's voice and merely nodded sarcastically.

—I don't think she's as good as they say. She's probably here to do favours for the landlord,— added Margot, laughing sarcastically.

—You should be careful what you say. I don't understand her presence here either, but she must be treated politely or we'll lose out,— said Margaret sternly.

They both held a kind of resentment towards her. They were best friends, but the company was not very aware of it, as they tended to keep a fairly low profile within the company.

Margot turned and looked around the office she had fought so hard for and felt hatred. People could sense her anger, it was really evident, so they just mumbled.

When the clock struck twelve noon, Layla did some tinkering and closed the laptop, heading for lunch.

—Hello Miss Delfigalo, would you like something to eat? We usually go to a coffee shop near here,— Samantha mentioned when she saw Layla enter the lift.

Layla agreed without hesitation. Samantha thought it was great, as senior executives often stayed at the company and ordered food from the best restaurants in the area.

Upon arrival, Layla and Samantha noticed a crowd waiting for their trays. Samantha felt embarrassed, she didn't want to keep Layla waiting, it was a bit embarrassing.

She didn't mind though, she was as ordinary as everyone else who worked there. As the minutes passed, Layla took her turn to pick up her tray of food.

As usual, she was the centre of attention. Layla didn't feel any discomfort, on the contrary, she decided to pass her by and continue to an empty table.

The meal was great, there was no lack of laughter and jokes. Layla met several secretaries and maintenance staff. Everything was going great, until Francin's name came up in the conversation at the next table.

—Yes, of course, Francin Cleare is going to marry that man! —

—How wonderful, he's getting married and becoming another owner of Simons Unternehmen!

—That woman has everything. I wish I had her luck.

—No, I wouldn't want to be her. She's a difficult woman, she has a horrible personality. You hear on the street that she tends to be bossy and aggressive towards the company staff. —

She heard it over and over again.

Layla felt stunned. The name haunted her everywhere. She could not shake off its presence. However, only a kind of mocking smile came out of her.

The people quieted down after a few minutes and it was then that she was able to eat in peace.

—Miss Delfigalo, I have something to tell you. Miss Margot is not a very easy person to deal with. She's the headmistress's favourite, so you have to be very careful with her,— Samantha mentioned quietly.

Layla was calm, she didn't care about the woman at all, she trusted herself and no absurd woman would ruin her life now that she was out of the filth she lived in before.