Page 98 of Triplet Trouble For My Billionaire Boss

“Let’s back up a second. You worked at Atelier?”

I let out a small laugh. “Yeah. Technically, it was an internship.”

Her jaw drops. “How did you end up as a receptionist at Silver Screen Studios?”

“Well, Atelier was anunpaidinternship,” I clarify. I shrug, my smile fading a little. “I couldn’t afford to stay where I wasn’t being paid and still continue school, so I put school on hold and got a paying job to make money for tuition for the next semester. Unfortunately, I couldn’t continue my internship if I wasn’t in the school program any longer. The plan was to go back and finish my last couple of semesters, then apply for a paid position in the industry.”

Evelyn’s expression softens. “That’s... impressive. And a little heartbreaking.”

I laugh softly. “Well, that was the plan. Now? I don’t know what the plan isanymore.”

The room falls silent for a moment, and I suddenly feel self-conscious for having said so much. I clear my throat and pick up my yogurt again. “Anyway, I can still design a dress. This isn’t my first rodeo.”

Ellis clears his throat, drawing my attention. “If you provide me with a list of the fabrics you need, I can acquire them for you.”

“That’s kind of you, Ellis,” I say, genuinely touched. “But I prefer to pick out the fabrics myself. I like to feel them, see how they drape.”

He nods, his expression unreadable. “Very well.”

“Oh, but there are some tools that I need that I don’t have. Shouldn’t cost as much as a dress.”

“Provide me with a list,” he says smoothly. “I’ll ensure you have them.”

“Thank you, Ellis,” I say sincerely. “I’ll have the list ready shortly.”

He inclines his head before leaving the kitchen, clipboard in hand.

Evelyn watches him go, then turns back to me with a faint smile. “You’re full of surprises, Annie.”

I smile back, a hint of pride creeping into my voice. “You haven’t seen anything yet.”

I laugh lightly, taking another bite of yogurt before heading out of the kitchen. As I climb the stairs to grab my list, my earlier doubts are replaced by a familiar excitement.

An excitement I haven’t felt in months. The thought of diving back into designing, of creating something entirely my own, fills me with a desire I didn’t realize I was missing.

Chapter Twenty Three

Cole

The sky is painted in shades of orange and pink as I pull up to the mansion and into the garage, the long week heavy on my shoulders. I park the car in its usual spot, the engine’s hum echoing in the garage as I shut it off.

Dragging myself inside, I try to shake off the exhaustion that clings to me.

The work emergency on Saturday had thrown my entire schedule into chaos, and trying to compensate for the lost time on Sunday and Monday over the rest of the week had been nothing short of brutal. Long hours. Endless meetings.

And the gnawing guilt of barely seeing my son.

Tonight, I’d sworn, would be different. I wasn’t going to let Robbie think the time we’d spent together earlier in the week was a fluke. I’d be home for dinner, no matter what it took out of me.

The front door clicks shut behind me as I step into the foyer, greeted by the faint scent of Evelyn’s cooking wafting from the kitchen. It’s warm and inviting, nothing like the protein bar I’d scarfed down this afternoon between meetings.

“Good evening, sir,” Ellis says, appearing seemingly out of nowhere, as he always does.

“Ellis,” I say, inclining my head. “Where’s Robbie?”

“He and Ms. Annie are in the pool,” he replies, his tone as formal as ever. “The preparations were completed this morning, and Master Robbie insisted on having the inaugural swim before dinner.

A faint smile tugs at the corners of my mouth. Of course, he did.

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