Chapter 4
I can’t stop sighing while waiting for the elevator. I never thought that walking inside the building after getting off the taxi would be so bothersome. Then again, thanks to Jared, who’s behind my body pains.
“Good morning, pretty”
I turned to check who greeted me. “Good morning, handsome.” I smile at the young man who’s also waiting for the elevator. He’s Drake, a college student who lives next door. We occasionally walked past each other and would share a greeting whenever. Giving compliments has been normal between us.
Isn’t he sweet calling me pretty every time? He reminds me of my brother, as they are the same age
1 wish that kid was a gentleman, like Drake.
“Coming back from a jog?” It’s obvious that he did as he’s wearing a pair of tracksuit while sweating, but I still asked anyway. Starting a conversion shouldn’t be bad though. The elevator seems to take some time to get down and I’m dying to throw myself on the bed. The dead silence after that short greeting isn’t comfortable at all.
“Yeah. It’s the weekend so there’s nothing much to do, so burn soane calories instead,” is what he said while scratching the back of his head. He smiles at me.
Drake is rather timid.
Oh. He didn’t even look like he had some calories to burn
“It’s great staying in good shape.”
Drake opens his mouth but says nothing until the elevator door opens.
“Let’s go!” I walk inside, and he follows behind after nodding his head.
We’re both quiet while waiting to reach the floor we’re heading. It’s not like I don’t want to continue conversing with him. I think there’s no need to say more.
“Have a nice day, young man. I’ll go ahead, I said after stepping out of the elevator,
“Oh, wait,”
My eyebrows quivered when Drake grabbed my hand. “Yes!” Lasked. He looks anxious, so I couldn’t just leave him alone. “Is something wrong!”
“That….” Drake scratches his head.
Does he have dandrum? He keeps scratching his head today. What’s going on now!
“Nothing. Perhaps, are you having an allergic reaction”
Allergy reaction‘ late nothing with nuts so there should be no problem, I give him a confused look. Drake would usually not talk unless he’s greeting someone like what he did earlier. He’d answer when asked, but starting a conversation other than greetings isn’t his thing. I know that much about him since we’ve been neighbors for a couple of years now
“I’m sorry if you’ll get offended, but I just wanted to say that there’s a lot of red marks all over your neck and even arms. You might have an allergic reaction like you did before”
Right. Drake knew about my allergy, since he was the one who brought me to the hospital in the past when I passed out in the hallway after drinking something that contains nuts. I was born with a nut allergy which is kind of unfair since 1 sometimes would crave for it. As much as ! wanted to eat them, my body just kept rejecting the idea.
The signs for my allergy reaction include visible red marks and itchiness. However, after that one incident when I almost died from consuming too much, I was careful not to eat any. It’s impossible for me to forget about my weakness and get myself in a dire situation just because I wanted to eat the food I should not.
They look so red, but you seem fine. I’m worried that you couldn’t feel any pain and would collapse later when no one’s around. Do you need me to take you to the hospital?“.
Hah. This kid. He’s worried after seeing me almost lifeless back ther
“No. I’m fine. These marks.” How can I tell him that these marks aren’t because of an allergy reaction but kiss marks? “A swarm of bees bit me, so I these marks. I’ll apply some ointment later so the marks would fade in no time. There’s nothing to worry about.” I smile at him and bow my head,
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“I see. I wonder where you went to encounter so many bees.”
“Haha. It’s some place you shouldn’t go. All right! You should forget about what you saw today and enjoy your weekend. Bye”
It’s faster to get to my door than I expected, despite limping. I thought I’d take it easy because of my hips and back pain, but after that conversation with Drake, my young and innocent neighbour, I could not bear to stay in the hallway any longer. Oh, I want to hide myself in a place where no one could see me.. with these marks on my neck and arms.
ed! Why of all places it has to be on my neck and arms where everyone could spot it?!”
“Jared!
1 stomp my feet, march to my bedroom, take my clothes off in front of the full–length mirror beside my bed, and stare at myself.
“Disaster.” I pursed my lips in annoyance when I saw a horrible person looking right back at me from the mirror. “Who the hell are you? Give me back my flawless, clear, white skin!”
turns out Jared didn’t just leave his marks on my neck and arms but almost everywhere except my face. I didn’t notice it earlier when I was taking a bath with him since there was no mirror as big as I have right in front of me now.
hy do I feel like I fell into his trap?
“He even prepared a dress for me which exposes these marks. That despicable guyt Why
My mind is travelling miles and miles away, thinking how to get back on the culprit of today’s embarrassment, when the sound of my phone ringing echoes through the walls. I roll my eyes as I fetch my phone from my purse.
Lucas‘ I frown when I read Lucas” name on the screen. Why is he calling mei
“Hello!”
“Daphnel Where are you? What time is it now?” His baritone voice sweeps my worries away instantly. If only he’s not yelling at me over the phone. I would have already jumped in joy while suppressing a heartfelt bugh.
“Yes, boss? I’m home right now. Is there something you need?” I pick up the clothes on the floor and throw them on the laundry tray as I speak to him.
It’s odd. Today’s Sunday and should be my day. I could not think of any reason for him to call me during this time unless it’s very important. I hope it’s not something so urgent though, I still want to sleep to recover after what happened last night
“Did you honestly forget? We’re supposed to meet the representative of the Gold Corp to discuss the possible cooperation. Of course, I need you to accompany me and handle the presentation. I have the materials you prepared with me, but I still need you in person. You’ll get paid doubled today and about the promise… it depends on your performance af today’s meeting”
What? Gold Corp.cooperation..
I could hear Lucas scolding me from the other line while I’m doing my best to get ready to go to the venue. It totally slipped out of my mind and there’s no one else to be blamed but me. I got myself drunk after learning about my boss having a fiance.
Every Sunday is my day, but today is an exception since there’s a private meeting with another enormous company for cooperation. If something goes wrong, it will be my responsibility, I worked hard to get the other party to agree to the meeting. Also, Lucas promised me a month of paid vacation when the cooperation is a success.
If I haven’t heard about his engagement, I would have brushed off the thought of getting on leave and rather stay at the company to work with him instead. It’s when I can see him, spend time with him and love him silently without being too conspicuous But things have changed now. Lucas is engaged and unless he falls in love with me, I don’t see any reason to keep hanging on to my feelings towards him.
“Daph? Are you still there? Did you hear what I just said? Ed drove your car last night. You can find its key on the roof”
I’m almost done getting dressed when Lucas‘ voice seen louder than before. He’s not thinking I ran off somewhere, is he? As if there’s a place I could go to hide in this crucial moment. As the CEO’S secretary, I’m only not in love with my boss but do an excellent job. I may sulk and feel bad when he acts oblivious to my feelings for him, but I wouldn’t risk the company’s reputation just because I’m dumped.
Well, not really that he dumped me, which makes it harder for me. It would be best if he rejects me right in my face so I’ll feelings
“Daph! Daphine? Say something. I’m heading to Lores hotel now. Be there on time. Do you understand?”
get over
Inatched the phone and purse from the bed before responding to him. “Yes. I’ll be on my way now. And thanks for the car,”
“Good. Take hangover pills. I can tell you’ve been drinking again last night without looking at you right now,
with my
I sigh. He knows about my drinking habit but I could guess he doesn’t have the slightest idea that it’s partly because of him. “Yes. There’s nothing to be concerned about. You know, I’m always doing my job the best I can.”
Lucas said nothing and hung up. What else can I expect from him? He treats me fairly as one of his employees. A trusted and efficient secretary is
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what my image is in his eyes. Sometimes, when he’s having a hard time, he could also treat me as his Triend, which is kind of sad. It feels like we’re only friends when he needs someone to lean on, and I am always available during those times.
I let out a deep sigh and headed to the parking area. I’m glad I hitched a ride with a colleague last night. Lucas must have thought I forgot to have driven my car home and asked his driver to send it to my address.
“I should thank Ed when I see him.” I prefer to get a taxi when going home drunk instead of driving so I would sometimes leave it at the company.
My legs feel like jelly the more I walk at a fast pace. I can see my car ahead. It’s so close yet too far!
How many steps do I need to take to get in the driver’s seat?
After a goddamn minute, I’m finally sitting on the driver’s seat. “Great Now let me check the time”
Gosh!
cling time. It takes at least an hour to get to the hotel by car. Getting
My eyes widen when I see there’s only less than an hour before the agreed meeting there on time requires a lot of risk, and I’m afraid I have to break some traffic rules.
NO! As a loyal citizen of the East country, I can’t ignore traffic rules no matter what,
“I mentally roll my eyes as I marmar to myself. “Dear boss, I think I’m running late. But don’t worry, I will do my best to avoid such shameful acts”
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