“Hey!”
Our team leader approached me stealthily, as if she was hiding, and took the swivel chair next to me because the person sitting at the table next to me had left for a moment. She brought her face near to mine and whispered with her hand upright on her cheek. It was as though she had a secret to reveal. I gave her a disapproving look.
“Why isn't the Chief Officer calling you?” She pretended to whisper but didn't even bother to lower her voice. Others stared at us because of her voice, but I kept typing on the keyboard and looking at the display while she kept talking.
“He didn't ask me to do anything, there was nothing wrong with what I was doing, and I was submitting a report, why would he call me."? I didn't react at all because I was terrified to see something with a melancholy streak in it.
It's been a week since my last discussion with Adams, and I haven't heard from him since he hasn't returned to my apartment. He no longer speaks to me here, even though he only walks by. His menacing stance had returned. He doesn't even give our space a second glance. What's the deal with time running out? I'm ready to go home. I just kept typing on the keyboard, thinking it was only two hours till work hours were ended.
“OH!” our team leader exclaimed as she rose, and I noticed she was stooping over, holding her ID lace. I looked in the direction her body was looking and spotted Adams' straight body passing by; it stood up and didn't look again, but I was more interested in the lady hooked on his arm.
I was sitting straight as he came to a halt in front of my seat and continued to gaze straight ahead. “Kathryn Wu, please come to my office right now. I'll order you something,” he said, leaving me gaping since the woman with him didn't appear to notice there were others around them and only smiled earnestly at Adams.
I kept my attention fixed on them until the door closed. The woman's garment appeared to be undone. Her skirt and panties are visible, but she doesn't seem to mind; her blouse is sleeveless and backless black. Everything she was wearing was black, even her hair, and her lips were scarlet as if the flush on her cheeks were going to burst. Yuck! Is it the woman he's looking for? My heart was filled with rage. I press my palm on the keyboard.
“Bye, for the time being, Miss Afar! I must first get there. I was still under the impression you were his girlfriend!” Her voice simply grew weaker as she stated this. She moved quickly and was nearly stifled by her haste.
I observed the woman who was now hugging Adams while they were at the table, and Adams was seated in his swivel chair as I watched Kathryn enter the office. I wanted to keep the door open, but it shut, and I had no idea what occurred next. I just concentrated my attention on the computer to continue working on the report… But regardless of what I do, my mind wanders back to what I witnessed inside Adams' office.
When Kathryn walked through the door, I quickly lifted my head, her eyes and grin brilliant again. She was swaying while walking as she neared us and came to a complete standstill in front of my barrier. She clasped her hands and rested her chin on the fence.
“GUYS! LISTEN! YOU WILL CONTINUE WHAT YOU ARE DOING TOMORROW BECAUSE WE ARE GOING HOME NOW!" She turned to face me and mumbled, “We'll drink. Would you like to come?” And gave a wicked wink.
My colleagues yelled as I grew uncomfortable, knowing what Adams and that woman were going to do. After all, he'd done the same thing to me before. He sent the employees home and asked me to stay for sex only. Inside my tummy, a mischievous butterfly died. It seemed as if there was a hole in my heart and air was entering through it.
I wasn't staring at Kathryn, but rather at the door behind her. It seemed as if my feet were stuck to the floor and refused to rise. I felt as if my mouth was sewed shut since I didn't want to talk and simply wanted to get into that room, but I ultimately asked myself.
What is my valid standing?
Why would I do such a thing?
“No. I'm not going. I'll work overtime. This is the first time I'll be working overtime. I'm hoping they'll let me since I'm curious when they'll end. I just don't want to know my reason because I don't know what it is myself. Will they take long as we were? Will they, too, come to an end in the dawn? Will he also invite the woman to his home?
“I'm sorry, Miss Afar, but that is impossible today, but it is possible tomorrow. Now Mr. Freed desires there was nothing left in the office. I'm sorry,” she replied, leaving the barrier of my table to attend to the talks of my coworkers.
I bit my lip because I felt like I'd been hit by a searing boulder from the lava of a fresh volcanic eruption. I peered at the door again, but there was no noise coming from there. He can't be heard in the office, so why does he have to send us home?
I remained seated until Kathryn, and I was the only two people remaining in the office. The others that were with her have already left, and it appears like they are going to have a drink now. Should I follow them?
“Miss Afar, aren't you leaving yet?” It was Kathryn, and she was outside, waiting for me. I just stood there staring at her as she motioned outdoors. Can't I just remain here?
I rose to my feet and followed her. The lights had been turned off, so it was completely black. I returned my gaze to his office before closing the door. Kathryn chats to me as we walk down the corridor. She was just speaking to me.
“I had no idea the woman with Mr. Freed was so wealthy! Because of what she was wearing, I assumed he just found her on the side of the road.” She laughed loudly and didn't seem to mind who heard her. I'd already laughed.
“Who is that woman?” I walked with her as we entered the elevator. I still really want to stay in the building and wait for Adams to come out.
“I believe one of the board director's children here. I'm not sure who, but I do know that woman is popular on porn sites! Maybe she got like way because she rebelled against her parents.” We were on the first floor, according to the elevator sound. “However, what do we know? Perhaps she will change as a result of Adams' influence. Doesn't that say something? When a person loves, he or she has the power to alter the world.”
I stopped at what she said, and fear welled up in my chest. I wanted to release that anxiety, but I didn’t know-how. Am I doing it right?
I couldn't wait for Kathryn to speak, and I ran back to the office. Until I just found myself already in front of Adams' door office.
What am I going to do next?