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Recap
   She had decided to sign the form, so she took the pen. Before she could pick the papers, he placed a few stacks of cash on it. She had casually swiped that away and continued signing. Though he was surprised, he did not express it. He still waited for her to pick the cash up. Girls of her age would easily get influenced by money. With a heavy heart, she signed and took the pen drive.
   “Your resignation will be effect from midnight, you will not discuss with or disclose this to anyone” she kept mum.
“Depriving you from your only source of income shall make you bankrupt”
She did not reply, she turned around when he said “you forgot that” pointing to the cash.
   “I have never eyed for that Sir, my priorities are different” she did not wait any longer, she exited the mansion in distress.
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   Julie walked into her apartment, crashed on the bed and cried her heart out which she was holding since she left the mansion. It hurt her more like a break up. Her simple yet beautiful life was tumbled down within seconds, she had never imagined that her life would take such a tall and leave her jobless in a blink of an eye.
   She still could not accept the fact that she had lost her job and no more an employee of the Kingston Corp. It was her hard work, skills and outstanding performance that has fetched her this prestigious job, it has vanished in thin air like a magic.
   Her admiration for Mr Kingston was always a driving force for her to outperform and show more interest towards work. She was used to observe him, follow his updates, analyse his work, but suddenly, when she had to plug herself off from this lifestyle will be very difficult and painful.
   Her tears won’t dry down as she kept replaying her last three years, she had met the best people from Mr. Smith, Chels, Noah, Angela to Ben, Mason and Steve, they were all nice to her and treated her so well. She did not want to go but she had no other choice left.
   She took out the pen drive and felt happy about finding and saving it. It will be the beautiful and most treasured memory for Henry. She had always pitied his eight year old self, who was stranded by fate. He did not deserve to be wounded like that. He shall act normal, deep down, he misses his parents, his mind has not healed yet. This memory in the pen drive would definitely bring that warmth and love that he has always yearned for.
   Julie decided to show up one last time, meet him in the eyes, save it for a lifetime and spend the rest of her life cherishing it.
   She quickly washed up, made up her mind not to dwell in the sadness and ruin the evening. She wanted to make the most of it, she would see all the good people who all had made her feel good. She took out her rented gown for the evening, a white bodycon gown with ruffle sleeves and a plunging deep V neck.
   She did her make up, took special efforts for eyes. She had taken out the stunning jewellery she had received as a gift from her Boss. Admired its beauty for some time, she had worn the diamond blue butterfly pendant for the first time, she had looked at it in awe all this time, now she had decided to wear it.
   The jewellery had elevated and enhanced her look to a different level. She had opted for a Pearl Clutch, she had put Henry’s gift, the lava stone bracelet with a butterfly drawn on the label and mentioned ‘To Mr Kingston’ and the pen drive.
   Julie had reached the party. She looked very poised and confident while entering the venue. The dress has amplified the defined curves of her body. The cameras focused her and the big screen played Julie’s camera’s footage right at the time of her entry. There were many eyebrow rise in the crowd. She walked elegantly into the hallway, she felt little self-conscious when she felt the cameras on her.
   Henry, who was talking to a guest, distracted when all the screens played her footage, he was mesmerised by her beauty and charisma, his eyes landed on her jewellery that brought an instant smile on his lips. Julie walked towards him and congratulated him.
Henry took her hands, looked deeply into her eyes and said
“Wow, you look gorgeous and absolutely stunning. The butterfly is perfect on you”
He winked both his eyes. Julie blushed at his remarks.
“Sir, when you are around, no one else could take the limelight” he laughed heartily. Julie was carried away by his laugh and refined features.
” Also You are the star of the day, I do not like to keep you from people lined up to wish you, congrats once again Sir” she smiled and left when a couple approached him to wish.
   She found Chelsea, Noah, Angela and few friends in a table. Chelsea checked her up from head to toe and said “Hey sexy!” She winked.
“Stop it Chels”
“I’m not joking, so many eyes on You girl”
Right then Angela nudged Julie,
“Did you bring his gift?”
Julie smiled nodding to her. She opened her clutch and pointed to it. Chelsea asked “whats inside?”
She took out her phone and shown them the picture of the bracelet. They both shown a thumbs up.
   Mr and Mrs Wilson, founders of Wilson & Co wished Sr Kingston, “Good evening, Mr Kingston Sr”
“Hello John nice meeting you”
“The pleasure is all ours” Mrs Wilson replied. They introduced their daughter Clara to him, “This is my daughter”
“Good evening, Mr Kingston, I am Clara Wilson” she greeted him with a smile.
“Very well, Best wishes CEO, for today’s business Collab” Sr Kingston shook her hands.
“Only few powerful families still own diamond mines in Siberia, it’s our honour to associate with you and make our jewellery brand most favoured” John Wilson said to Sr Kingston.
He smiled and called Henry. They all greeted him.
“We both have graduated from the same university” Henry mentioned about Clara.
“And we have met in few occasions recently” Clara stated.
   The event started so they all sat on the designated seats in the front row. Henry’s achievements and accolades have been compiled and made into a small video to congratulate and celebrate his success. Few employees, business associates, partners have given congratulatory speech, followed by signing the deal with the Wilsons.
   Clara came forward and announced, “To felicitate Mr Henry Kingston on his new honour as UN ambassador and to mark our partnership, I would like to gift him one of our exclusive, exquisite FL diamond bracelets, customised from our very own personal studio, may I?” She asked him if she can put it on his wrist. He lightly nodded with a smile.
   Angela said “that’s a masterstroke, hitting two birds with one stone”
Chelsea agreed,” Marking the partnership and advertise her brand by making him the brand ambassador, using his fame. She is a true business woman”
   Julie was silently suffering inside looking at the scene. Someday she has to see him with a girl as his wife, she may not have the strength to greet them but won’t curse them either because she prioritise his happiness.
   There were audible comments from the nearby tables.
“They both look beautiful and perfect together”
“May this end up in personal Collab too”
“The bracelet would cost not less than $50K”
“She is the only heir to the Wilsons so it’s not a big deal for her”
“It’s custom-made, do you think he deserves anything less”
Julie gripped her clutch tightly feeling so embarrassed to bring him such a cheap gift.
   Henry noticed Julie walking up to the sound engineer off stage, gave him something from her clutch and talked to him for few seconds. She moved to the side and focused on the big screen. Henry knew that she’s up to something.
   The MC announced, ” Mr. Kingston, here is a very special video for you” the lights have been turned off, hence the hall went silent and more curious.
   The video started playing, balloons, stars, butterflies, flying in the air. The first birthday of Henry was being celebrated. Both his parents alongside him, holding him firmly. The burst from the party poppers and the colourful confetti flying around made little Henry laugh and jump up and down in excitement. His parents had a wonderful and happy smile on their faces. They let him down on the grass, he crawled around picking up confetti. Just then he saw a balloon, he stood on his feet and took an unsteady step, his mother kept her hands on her mouth in surprise, as her son was taking his first ever step. His dad raised his eyebrows and waited for him to take the next. He continued the wobbly walk, everyone clapped on his achievement.
“Love you Hennie” his mom said with a proud smile. Baby Henry turned back to his mother, his dad side hugged his emotional mother and said
“Proud of you my boy” their eyes held so much love for Henry. With the giggles of Henry the video ended.
   Henry closed his eyes and replayed his parents words, he felt their presence around him. The lights were turned on, the overwhelming emotions were choking Henry. He took the Mic and said, “thank you so much”Â
   Before he could break down in tears he left the place and gone into a nearby private room. Clara and Julie walked towards the private room.
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* The next update will be on or before 25th June, Happy reading.
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