The Girl Named Mirage

Nicolo walked out of the office in his tailored pinstripe gray suit, exuding authority, confidence, and prestige. Everyone was taken aback when they saw his stunning face, which appears to be sculpted to perfection, but no one dared to approach him. After they had recovered from their surprise, the Solstice staff greeted him. He exhaled and combed his dark brown hair with his free hand while the other was in his pocket as his dark brown eyes scanned the people around him and came to a halt when they met Mirage’s.

She was sitting there, looking bored.

“What are you doing here?” he asks in a soft voice that contrasts with the rest of his demeanor as he walks towards her and comes to a halt in front of her.

Mirage shakes her head and yawns before saying, “Nothing. I was just waiting for her,” as she points her head in the direction of Chloe.

Nicole nods slightly and looks outside, where he sees Chloe waving to them while still talking on her phone. He smiles as he looks back at Mirage.

” So, what do you want to do now?”

Mirage simply shrugs and nods to Lydia and Rob, who are perplexed. They looked like they’d been bitten by a snake.

Nicolo cast a quick glance at the two and then returned his attention to Mirage.

” You two can get lost, you’re fired.”

Mirage rolled her eyes and muttered, “Tch.” Nicolo looked at her questioningly, he mouthed “What?”

” Mr. Esquibel, there appears to be a misunderstanding,” Rob Fuller stammered.

” Mr. Esquibel, I’m sorry; I really didn’t know who she was,” Lydia apologized, her face looking pitiful and awful. She was about to burst into tears.

“So? Do you only serve people you know?”

Nicolo said in a grim tone that made Lydia and Rob look at each other anxiously.

“Everyone who walks through that door is our customer. Regardless of whether they later turned out to be a shoplifter or a terrorist. If in doubt, you can ask security to keep an eye on them so they can arrest them if your doubts are confirmed to be right. ”

Nicolo said coldly and continued.

“We offer our utmost respect and service to those who come here. We provide them with everything they need or whatever they want. Whether they had a lot of money or no money at all that they just wanted to visit here. Whether they were adorned with expensive clothing and jewelry or simply wore shirts and pants. Whether everyone knew them or they were just ordinary individuals. We will serve them equally. That’s our job. ”

Nicolo finished looking at everyone sternly.

Rob cleared his throat before speaking again.

” Mr. Esquibel, please forgive our actions. We never meant to discriminate or mistreat anyone. It’s just… we thought she’s someone who’s using your name. We didn’t realize it’s actually true! We hope we haven’t offended you. ”

Nicolo shook his head.

” You could simply ask me. I’m actually just inside the office doing some random visit and you know it. That would clear your doubt and sort everything out. ”

” But that’s just too much. You’re the boss and we don’t want to bother you. ” Lydia reasoned.

Nicolo sighs. He’s annoyed. He hates people who disrespect or belittle anyone whatever the reason is and he hates them more because it turned out that it is someone he cares so much for.

Mirage stood up and stand beside Nicolo.

” Let’s go. I’m hungry. ”

” Are you done, Mir? Where’s the clothes you want? Hey, Nick! What’s up? ”

Chloe appears beside Mirage. She’s smiling as if she knew everything has ended. Mirage gives her a glare. And Nicolo just sighed.

” Are you done talking nonstop on your phone? I can wait forever, you know. ” Mirage said, full of sarcasm.

Everyone there suddenly recognized Chloe.

” That’s Chloe Schmidt – Williams, right? ”

” She’s supposed to be in Paris! ”

” She’s as gorgeous as ever! ”Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

” Why didn’t we recognize her earlier? ”

” I don’t know, maybe because her hair was different and it’s back to its original color? ”

” Don’t you see Ms. Schmidt with her? ” Rob whispered to Lydia.

” She’s the one who took the card from her pocket and put it on the display. But I didn’t recognize her either. ” Lydia said, totally embarrassed. Rob sighed and said ” We’re doomed! ”

” So did you fire them already, Nick? ” Chloe said glaring at Lydia who bows her head quickly. She doesn’t forget how arrogant she was at Mirage earlier. If it wasn’t just an important call, she will be the one who taught them a lesson. And also, she’s actually curious of how Mirage would handle the situation herself.

” Yeah. ” Nicolo simply said.

” That’s all? You don’t call Attorney Fitzgerald to file a case? ”

Rob and Lydia’s eyes widened and looked horrified. She finally bursts into tears.

” Please, please, please! No! I don’t want to go to jail! ” Lydia said as she hurriedly went in front of the Esquibels and begged on her knees. While Rob looked like he was going to faint.

Cris Adams who’s standing quietly at the office door scratches the back of his neck.

‘ No one messed with the Esquibels. ‘

Adams was with the company as soon as he graduated college. He was an orphan and a scholar of the WLE Foundation, founded by Don Augustus’ wife. He was forever grateful and he promised to himself that he would serve their family as long as he lives.

He was Nicolo’s assistant, secretary, driver and bodyguard when Nicolo started to learn and took over the company’s business management and operation.

Nicolo was strict. He had a sharp temper and rarely showed mercy when he’s mad. His temper is short term, but deadly if not handled properly. He has no tolerance against being disrespectful. He has a strong protective instinct and won’t tolerate anything that hurts someone in their company, especially his family members.

Adams always respected that. Because he experienced it himself.

As a first time assistant, Cris Adams was very nervous. He was terrified of making a mistake and losing his job because of being dim witted. He was constantly worried about what kind of person Nicolo Esquibel is. He had heard rumors of Nicolo having a bad personality which he eventually found out to be not true. In fact, he’s a nice guy. He was surprised by how much Nicolo cares for their employees. Even though he was harsh at times. He just doesn’t want a repeated mistake and those who abused their powers. He would definitely make them suffer endlessly. He’s caring and ruthless at the same time.

” What do you want to do with them? ”

Nicolo asked Mirage who still looked unbothered by everything that’s happening around them.

Mirage sighed before answering.

” There’s no need for a lawyer. Just suspend them or demote them so they could learn their lessons. ”

And she walked out of Solstice leaving Nicolo and Chloe behind who shared a thrift and knowing smile with each other and they both shook their heads.

‘ She looks indifferent but is softhearted ‘