A Journey from Bitterness to Truth (Matilda and Yvan) novel Chapter 188

When Matilda returned to the studio, the crew comforted her again, urging her not to take things to heart. Then Orson went back to his usual aloof self. He had just settled in front of his desk when the lights flickered out and he dozed off with a clang.

"Talk about a power nap," Hala remarked with a click of her tongue, "Surviving till 27 is no small feat."

"Getting old," Luna stretched languidly, "I mean, Orson's tall and fair-skinned, could be a heartthrob anywhere else. But it's weird that he never seems to have a girlfriend. Pushing thirty and still single, why's that?"

"With his graveyard shift lifestyle? Forget a girlfriend, he's lucky to be alive," Yoshi said with a flick of his imaginary tail as he bounced back to his seat. "Ever heard the saying, 'No girlfriends in the design industry?'"

But come evening, a new client arrived that took Matilda by surprise. Luna had begged and pleaded with the company execs to get the WhatsApp number of a big-shot CEO, and after a whole afternoon of pestering, she managed to get him to drop by.

Keen to make amends, Matilda volunteered to give it another shot. With Hala rooting for her in the background, she entered the reception with a fluttering heart. However, the sight of the blond man lounging on the sofa froze her smile.

Just her luck, always running into the last person she wanted to see.

Her smile faltered.

"Hello, Mr. Simpson."

Adrian lounged on the sofa like he owned the place, legs propped on the coffee table, more like he was in a VIP lounge than a business meeting. His eyes sparkled like jewels when he smiled, utterly captivating.

"Oh, what a coincidence," he greeted Matilda with an irreverent grin.

Gathering her resolve, Matilda took a deep breath and sat across from him. Adrian's amusement grew at her stern expression, "Hey, no warm welcome for me?"