CHAPTER 233: LIAM’S OFFER

At Zara’s office...

The workplace buzzed with activity as everyone focused on their tasks. Zara moved around, inspecting the finished products one last time before they were packed for delivery.

"Zara, Nicole is on the line," Bree hurried over, holding up the phone.

Taking it, Zara walked to a quieter corner. "Hello?"

"Zara, sorry to disturb you," said Nicole. "I know you must be busy."

"Nicole, please don’t say sorry," Zara said, feeling awkward. "You can never disturb me."

Nicole chuckled softly. "Glad to hear that. You released my tension. Actually, I called to discuss something important about the orders."

"Hold on a second." Zara entered her office, took a seat, and grabbed a notepad and pen. "Alright, I’m ready. Go ahead."

As Nicole spoke, Zara quickly jotted down notes.

When Nicole finished explaining, she added, "The spring collection is about to begin. I’d like you to create a few designs for me."

Zara hesitated for a moment before saying cautiously, "Actually, I was planning to take a short break. The first batch of orders is complete and ready for dispatch. I wanted to visit my aunt for a few days. Could I work on the designs later?"

"I’m so sorry, Zara," Nicole said with regret. "But that won’t be possible. This is an important event, and all designers are already occupied. I need you to send me a few designs first. You can take your leave afterward."

Zara pressed her lips together, feeling conflicted. Lately, she had been so caught up with work that she barely had any time for Zane. She had planned to take a short break and visit her aunt with him, hoping to make up for her absence. But turning down Nicole wasn’t easy.

"Zara, you really shouldn’t skip this event," Nicole’s voice broke through her thoughts. "You have been designing under my label until now, but this event will let you present your work under your own name. Think about it—it’s a huge opportunity. Please don’t miss it."

Hearing her words, Zara couldn’t help but reconsider. It was really a big chance for showcasing her work independently, not under Nicole’s brand. This would open up more doors for her, Zara thought.

With hope in her heart, she relented, "Alright, I’ll do it."

"That’s wonderful," Nicole said, clearly relieved. "I’m looking forward to your new designs."

"I’ll start right away," Zara replied before ending the call.

As she set the phone down, the faint smile on her lips faded. Once again, her plans to visit her aunt had to be postponed. Disappointment flickered in her chest, but she reminded herself that this was an important step forward.

"I’ll finish the designs as soon as I can," she murmured with quiet determination, opening her sketchbook and getting to work.

Zara was so deeply absorbed in her sketches that time slipped away unnoticed. The sudden buzz of her phone made her jump slightly. Glancing at the screen, her heart skipped a beat—it was a call from Zane’s school.

"Oh, shit," she cursed under her breath, instantly remembering Zane. "I’m late already."

She answered the call. "Hello?"

"Madam, you didn’t come to pick up Zane," came a woman’s voice from the phone.

"I..." Zara started apologetically. "Please, take care of him a while. I’m on my way."

"There is no need, Madam," the woman said. "His uncle already came and picked him up."

"Uncle?" Zara’s brows raised, anxiety rushing through her. "Which uncle?" Fear prickled at her chest as her mind ran through possibilities.

"Mr. Liam Lawson," replied the woman. "Zane is very familiar with him. He happily agreed to go with him."

"Liam came to pick him up!" Zara was surprised, but the worry in her heart disappeared.

"Yes, it’s him."

"Alright, thank you for letting me know." She hung up and immediately called Liam.

The line connected after a few rings.

"Hey, Zara," Liam’s cheerful voice came through. "I’ve got Zane with me. Don’t worry, he is perfectly fine, enjoying his ice cream."

Zara breathed a sigh of relief. "Where are you now?"

"At the ice cream shop near his school," he replied.

"Stay there. I’m coming." Zara stood up and hurried out, shoving the phone into her bag.

Liam smirked as he put the phone back into his pocket. Turning to Zane, he said, "Your mommy is coming. Are you excited?"

Zane’s face lit up instantly, his lips smeared with ice cream. "I’m so happy!" he chirped.

"What else do you want to eat?" Liam asked. "How about some chocolates?" He pulled a few from his pocket and held them out in his open palm.

Zane’s eyes gleamed with delight. "I love chocolates," he exclaimed, eagerly taking them from Liam’s hand.

"Hey, not now," Liam stopped him as Zane started tearing open a wrapper. "Save them for later, when you get home."

"Okay." Zane obediently tucked the chocolates into his backpack. Then, looking up curiously, he asked, "Uncle, you said you’d take me somewhere. Where are we going?"

"Uh." Liam paused for a moment, then smiled. "I was thinking of taking you to Fun City. But let’s wait for your mommy first. If she agrees, we’ll go."

"I want to go," Zane exclaimed with excitement. "Let’s go, let’s go."

"Alright, alright..." Liam chuckled. "But only if your mom says yes."

Zane barely seemed to hear him, too busy devouring the rest of his ice cream with pure joy, already convinced his mother would let him go.

Several minutes later...

Zara finally arrived there. When she stepped into the shop, she spotted Zane and Liam at the corner table.

"Zane," she hurried over to them.

"Mommy, you are finally here." Zane jumped out of his chair and hopped toward his mother. "Uncle said he would take me to Fun City. Can we go?"

Zara glanced at Liam briefly, a flicker of hesitation passing through her expression. Then she looked down at her son and said gently, "Not today, sweetheart. Mommy is really busy. How about we go this weekend instead? Daddy can come with us, too."

Zane pouted, seemingly disappointed. But he paused to consider his mother’s words. "If Daddy comes too, that would be amazing. Okay, we’ll go on the weekend."

Zara smiled warmly and turned to Liam. "Thank you for looking after him."

Liam waved it off casually. "Don’t mention it. I was just nearby and decided to drop by the school. But I didn’t know you were late. So, I spoke to his teacher and took him with me. I was about to call you, but your call came first."

After a moment of pause, he spoke again. "Why don’t you sit down for a while? I’ve something to discuss with you."

Zara nodded and took the seat across from him.

"You must be busy these days," Liam started.

"Yes. But everyone is excited. We are enjoying our work."

"That’s good to hear," Liam smiled appreciatively. "Uh," he hesitated for a moment before extending his offer, "Actually... I’ve been meaning to ask you something. Since I’ve started focusing more on the family business, it’s been hard for me to manage the fashion studio. I’m looking for someone capable of handling things there."

He looked into her eyes keenly and asked, "Would you consider working with me?"