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"Ms. Marlow, there you are." Graham's cheerful voice greets me as I step off the elevator onto the seventh floor. He pulls me into a warm embrace.
"It's great to see you." I step back and wait for his once over. Graham, Julia's assistant, has always been the last eyes on me before I enter Julia's office. He gently pushes my straightened hair back off my shoulders and fastens the top button of the white shirt dress I'm wearing.
"Perfect." He grabs my shoulders with both hands. "We need to talk."
"About your latest conquest?" I tease.
"No." He shakes his head overly dramatically and then holds up his left hand. "I'm engaged!"
I reach to embrace him again. "What? When did this happen? Who's the lucky guy?"
"We'll talk about it later. You need the scoop on what's going on around here." He grabs my hand pulling me in the direction of his office.
"Ivy, stop." A woman's voice calls from behind me.
I turn to see Madeline, the owner of the company standing in the hallway. Her hands are resting firmly on her hips. She looks striking dressed in a dark suit and patterned blouse. Her black hair is pulled harshly back into a tight knot completing her always intimidating look.
"Madeline," I gulp. "It's wonderful to see you. How are you?"
Her face softens. "I'm well. Come." She motions me towards her office.
"I'm sorry," Graham whispers in my ear as he straightens the buckle on the thin red belt around my waist.
"For?" I mouth under my breath.
"You'll see." He puts his hands on my shoulders and pushes me in Madeline's direction.
I follow her into her office waiting silently as she closes the door behind us.
"Please have a seat." She points to two chairs in front of her desk. I settle into one crossing my legs.
"Will Julia be joining us?" I glance at the door again, willing it to open.
"No." Madeline stops as if to gather her thoughts. She sits in the impressive leather chair behind her desk. "Julia isn't with us anymore, Ivy."
"I don't understand what you mean." I feel my chest tightening.
"Motherhood was too tempting I suppose." Madeline smiles as she glances at two framed pictures of her own teenage children hanging on the wall. "We've had to restructure and Julia decided to take advantage of that and devote herself to her family."
My head is spinning with this news. Julia was the chief advocate for my jewelry line. She was my cheerleader. "Restructure?"
"I've had to let a few people go." Her voice hints of subtle disappointment. "I've also reorganized some of the other departments."
I sit in silence wondering what this means for the collection I've just finished.
Madeline continues, "you're one of our stars, Ivy. You're a very important part of the Veray family and we're not going to let you down."
I smile weakly, nodding my head up and down in acknowledgment.
"I've partnered with someone to help ease the financial burdens the company's been facing. He's got some brilliant ideas, including being hands-on with many of the departments." Her voice is enthusiastic, or at least that's the intention she's trying to convey. "He's going to handle all the marketing and publicity for your collection himself."
A knot forms in my stomach. "He?" I ask knowing that a man can't understand my designs the same way a woman can. The same way Julia did.
"He's up to speed on your work," Madeline explains. "He's studied all the current pieces we have on hand and loves them. He's anxious to see everything new you have to offer."
"That's helpful," I say quietly, wishing I could talk to Julia.
"I know this must be surprising," her voice shows little emotion. "But we're focused on moving forward and we're all going to work together to make the bridal collection the biggest success you've had yet."
