Chapter 17.

Gabrielle
"You are really starting to scare me Gabrielle!" Mom yelled furiously, walking into my office with her arms crossed and I could tell from her facial expression that she wasn't joking.
"What exactly did I do wrong this time?" I retorted rudely and she frowned.
"Mind the way you talk to me young lady." She yelled in my face and I almost rolled my eyes at how dramatic she was being when I hadn't even said anything.
"Whatever mom. May I at least know why the hell you're yelling at me?" I asked impatiently and she unfolds her hands and starts pacing around impatiently.
"You have been playing nice girl with your sister for way too long and I'm starting to get worried. Did you know that bratty sister of yours has been offered back her job at 'AT' and to top it off there are rumors that she and Liam are going out!" she spat out and I frowned.
"So what mom? How is that any of my business?" I responded and next thing I know, her hand comes flying down my face, causing a sharp pain to my jaw.
"I did not give birth to two gullible daughters, you hear me!" she spat out with fury and I frowned at her with disdain.
I also felt the urge to return the favor but I didn't, instead I tried what my dad always told Ella and I. Whenever you are angry, drink cold water to relax and think.
"Listen to me mom." I snap angrily, walking towards my table and taking a seat with my arms on the table and my legs crossed.
"I already know Gabriella was offered her job back and I've also heard the rumors of her relationship with Liam and I'm not worried because I have everything under control mommy dearest," I assured her and she frowned before walking opposite me and taking a seat.
"What exactly do you have under your control Elle?" She scoffs angrily like I just said more nonsense.
"Well, I offered to buy that cafe for Ella even if you are against the idea and I'm still going through with that plan cause that is how we're gonna solve way bigger problems than cheap gossip," I told her as she furrowed her brows in obvious confusion.
"Listen mom, we both know this company doesn't belong to me. I'm running it now under a false will and even if we have the original, we still need to make sure the pathway for Elite and I have no obstacles and that cafe is gonna be of great help." I explained and she looks lost but urges me to go on.
"Go ahead."
"So all I need is Ella's signature on some papers stating that she transfers ownership of Elite to me without having to showcase fake wills and fake testimonies." I explained briefly.
"Can you break it down cause I don't see how buying her a cafe is gonna work." She retorts and I sigh.
"For Ella to officially own that cafe, she needs to sign a series of papers for legal ownership so amidst all that, I'll make her sign the papers I want her to sign and she'll never have the right to claim Elite ever again." I explained confidently and she seemed to relax a bit.
"What about her relationship with Liam? That is another problem that might affect our future," she asked and I scoffed.
"Those two are never gonna be an item, at least not for too long. Remember that blondie he was making out with the other day, I did a little digging and I found out that she's one of those trending models that every company is after. She and her sister are pretty popular and that is going to help us a lot."
"So poor Layla got dumped by Liam and she is very bitter about it which means she has it out for Gabriella, who she'll believe is competition. I've also heard that she can be very brutal, which is exactly what I need to tear those two apart forever." I explain in detail, feeling a little proud of myself.
"I see you have everything planned in your head but you better start executing then or it's gonna backfire on you and I swear, I will not be there to help you." With that, she walks out of my office, surprisingly not happy with my genius plan.
I ponder over what mom said and realize that she's right, I wouldn't want things to fall over just because I was over confident and sluggish to act so I better get back to work.
I hurriedly pull out my phone to dial Gabriella's number and she picks almost immediately. Poor girl is so gullible.
"Gabrielle, I'm surprised you called. I haven't heard from you in a while," she said, strangely excited that I'd called and I rolled my eyes.
"I've been busy sis. Remember the next collection for Elite is in a month so the workload is really wearing me out," I lied but at the same time I wasn't lying.
"Just don't overstress yourself and if you need my help let me know." She replies.
"Are you at work? I'm kinda less busy and I want to pass by the cafe." I tell her, ready to get straight to the point and she sighs.
"Presently I'm not at the cafe but I'll pass by Elite in about half an hour and I'll stop by. Sounds good?" She asks and I agree.
"Yeah sure, see you soon." I hang up and an idea hits me immediately.
I had already made a deal with the cafe owner and I had the papers with me so why wait for next time instead of doing what had to be done today?
"Sorry Gabriella but I'm taking back what's rightfully mine and you won't even know what hit you till I'm totally fine with you." I muttered to myself wickedly as pleasant images of Ella at worst started to cross my mind.
An hour later...
"Miss Gabrielle, your sister is here to see you." My secretary informs me and I give a nod to let her in, feeling a bit too anxious and desperate to get her signature on that single piece of paper and once that's done, the rest is history.
I see her walking towards my office from afar, dressed in black jeans and blue sweater. She looks casual as usual and from afar, I could see the glow in her eyes as she greets everyone and as they all hug her like they've missed her. Those useless ingrates.
"What's up Ella!" I greeted as soon as she walked in with a smile plastered on my face and she smiled in return pacing towards me for a quick hug.
"How have you been?" I asked and she smiled widely.
"I've been all roses my dear," she chirped happily and I inquired further to understand the meaning behind her words.
"So the rumors are true? You and Liam?" I asked, trying to sound surprised and she blushes a little, trying to hide it but I wasn't stupid.
"Of course not Elle. They're exactly what you just called them, rumors." She denied but I insisted.
"Oh come on Gabriella, don't give me that. If you're gonna lie, at least try to lie with your face too and just in case you don't know, you are glowing like a pregnant woman which confirms that something great is happening and it's a boyfriend," I teased with a wink and she rolled her eyes.
"Think whatever you want Elle," she hissed boredly obviously trying to avoid answering the question and I drop it to avoid looking stupid.
"So how are things at work?" I asked quickly.
"I'm actually not working for now," she answered and I chime in very quickly.
"You quit?" I ask, hoping that wasn't the case.
"No, I didn't quit. The owner told me you already offered to buy the place from her and that till the deal is closed I shouldn't bother coming in." She explained and I mentally heaved a sigh of relief.
"So do you want me to buy the place?" I finally asked the golden question and she sighs.
"I kinda feel the responsibility of juggling two jobs won't be easy but then again, I know I won't be working there and the place will still belong to me no matter what and I also need the extra money to finally move out of Martin's apartment so yes, I accept your offer to buy me the cafe," she ranted on and on and I honestly cannot deal with her sometimes. She could have just gone straight to the point.
"Wait, you're going back to 'AT'?" I asked, trying to act like I actually cared. I already know for a fact that she's gonna have a lot to deal with the minute she walks back into AT.
"Yes, Liam offered me my job back and I accepted. I really miss being a designer." she confirmed.
"I guess I should congratulate you sis. Good for you," I said to her and she smiled widely.
"I really want to thank you for everything Elle. If you hadn't taken care of Sandler's accusations, I would still be on the blacklist in the fashion industry and now you got this cafe for me. I really am thankful sis," she replies and with that, she pulls me in for a hug and I fake a smile even though I absolutely detest hugs especially unexpected ones.
"I have the papers of the cafe here with me, would you like to sign them now or later?" I asked.
"Since everything with Mrs Graham is settled, I'd rather just get it over with." She replies and I pretend to be busy fishing out the papers that were already right in front of me.
"Here it is," I handed them over to her quickly.
"If you need to read through you can, but I can assure you it's all settled," I assured her and she read through the first three pages and nodded her head positively.
I hand her the pen and she starts to sign but on getting to the fourth page she frowns a bit and suddenly stops signing them and I immediately feel desperate, hoping she has not seen the transfer papers.
"Gabrielle, the place was way too expensive! So much money in a cafe? No way sis, you should go get your money back." She says out of nowhere and I mentally celebrate when she said that, which means she has not seen them yet.
"I already paid for it, Gabriella and I can't get a refund, so just sign the papers because I have a meeting to attend in less than fifteen minutes." I reply tiredly and she sighs and reluctantly continues to sign before passing the papers back to me.
"Although I still believe you went too far with the spending, I'll let you breathe cause I'm still grateful," she said and I rolled my eyes.
"I'm just thankful you didn't flush my money down the drain." I responded, she smirks.
"Whatever. I'll leave you now to get ready for your meeting but don't exhaust yourself and eat real food, okay?" She warned in her usual motherly way and I laughed.
"Yeah, sure thing mom," I joked and she gave me a quick hug before heading out and I squealed happily, doing my celebratory dance before remembering that I needed to call mom and inform her.
The phone rings for a while and she finally picks up.
"What is it Gabrielle?" She asked, sounding grumpy as usual but I'm about to lighten up her mood.
"Guess what mom?" I tease and I could hear her hiss from the other end.
"You know how much I hate guessing Elle. Whatever it is you have to say, just say it." She hissed and I honestly can't deal with her sometimes.
"Well mom, I did it! I finally got what's rightfully mine mom. You are talking to the new and rightful owner of the Elite fashion house. How about that?" I informed her and she immediately squeals in excitement.
"You did it Gabrielle! You did it!" She screams over the phone and I mentally pat myself for a job well done.