Sweat covers my back, gluing my shirt to my skin, and there’s nothing I can do to make it stop. It’s like my body is being pushed back to that flight or fight mode.
No. This is different. I’ll never go back to those times.
“I must say.” Ethan neatly closes Layla’s organised plan. “I’m impressed. And I’m rarely impressed.”
Both Layla and I release a breath at the same time.
“Thank you.” Layla smiles.
“I’m kind of surprised Agnus here didn’t snatch you as soon as you were out of university. He gathered the best of the best in our marketing department, and they could use a tip or two from you.”
Layla grins. “That’s because I’d already started my own company.”
“My miss.” Agnus nods.
“Aurora.” Ethan faces me.
“Yes?”
“I believe the two of you complement each other really well. The designs are unique and Layla needs to get out of the box to find your special customers.”
“I believe so, y
es.” That’s why Layla and I rarely have any disagreements. We’re not rivals; we complete each other.
“Let me ask you something.” Ethan stares between the two of us. “What made you start designing watches?”
I could give him the generic answer I always give. Like how it’s my passion and my art, and while it is, that’s not the entire truth.
Ethan is the type who can detect a lie and I don’t want to seem dishonest in front of him at such a sensitive time. He might take it as disrespect and that’s the last thing I want. So I go the vulnerable route.
Because the situation we’re in requires we become vulnerable. “When I was a child, my sister bought me a present. My first watch. I loved it so much, and since I didn’t have such pretty things, I hid it and studied it at night when I was about to go to sleep. Then I started thinking about how it was made and why it was made like that. It became my passion, and over time, I realised that was what I wanted to do.
“Whenever I sit down to design, I recall the awe I felt when I looked at my first watch. I recall my sister and the happiness she brought me, and I strive to recreate that sensation. I want people to feel happy when they receive one of my watches.”
“The art of time,” Agnus recites our slogan.
“Exactly.”
Layla touches my arm and I smile, trying not to get caught up in the memories.
“Your sister is…” Ethan trails off. “Alicia, I suppose.”
My eyes widen. He knows, too? “But…how?”
“It wasn’t that hard. Except for the eye colour, you’re a carbon copy of her, Aurora.”
I knew Ethan and Jonathan shared a history, a bloody one at that, but I never thought Ethan was an acquaintance of Alicia’s.
Everything starts to fall into place. My gaze trails to Agnus. “Is that why you approached me?”
“I’d say we approached each other.” Agnus remains completely unaffected.
Layla and I exchange a worried glance before I focus back on Ethan. “Does this mean you never intended to invest?”
“I have thought about it. I believe that your company can have a bright future.”
“Really?” Layla and I say at the same time.