Chapter 2

I woke up to the loud sound of my alarm clock. I wanted to sleep more. I felt so tired, and I didn't have the strength to get up, But when I saw the time on the LED display, I jumped up on my bed.

It's nine in the morning!

I suddenly held my temple. I don't know how I got home last night. I know I worked overtime and I don't remember anything. Maybe I'm just too tired to remember, so that's all I can think about right now.

I suddenly remembered the work I finished last night. Holy crap! The new owner of the company is coming today! Why did I forget that?

I closed my eyes in annoyance. It looks like Madam Violeta is going to scold me again. I can already imagine her old grumpy face later. I need to hurry. She might actually fire me from my job. My general manager is still hot-blooded towards me. I don't know why she treats me like that. I'm not doing anything bad to her. Or maybe there are people who really hate you even though you're not doing anything bad to them.

Even though I'm still weak, I got out of bed and took a quick shower. I really rushed it. I didn't even manage to eat breakfast. I would rather go hungry than be lectured by Madam Violeta.

After an hour of taking my errands, including travel time, I finally arrived at the company. I hurriedly walked and got on the elevator. Some people I knew greeted me. I just nodded and smiled at them. I didn't have time to chat anymore.

When the elevator door opened on the floor where my department was, I immediately looked for my colleagues. The only person I saw there was Raul. One of my workmates. We were on the same team.

"Celes! It's good that you're finally here. Madam Violeta has been looking for you"

'I already know' my mind said. I'm dead meat.

"How's everything? Where is their meeting?" I asked in a hurry.

"On the fifth floor. They are in the conference room. They will introduce the new owner of the company. I went there earlier. I was only there for a moment and madam asked me to finish something. These files will be sent later at twelve o'clock."

"Thank you, Raul. I'll go first."

I started walking. I didn't care about my appearance anymore. I'm sure I won't be noticed there either, except for Madam Violeta, who often criticizes me.

I was almost at the door of the conference room when the door opened. Madam Violeta came out with a frown on her face when she saw me. Her wrinkled skin was even more defined because of her frown.

"Why did you just come now, Miss Delaney? Of all the times you've been late, you've chosen to do this now?" Madam immediately asked.

I bowed.

"My apology," I apologized. Even though I tried to reason, I knew I was still wrong. I wondered what if I hadn't worked overtime yesterday? I'm sure I wasn't late.

"The meeting is over. Go back to your cubicle. Bring the files you need to submit to my office today."

"Madam-"

"Don't tell me it's not finished yet? What's the purpose of you working overtime yesterday?"

"Okay, Madam," was all I could say. No matter what I said, it seemed like she didn't like it at all. So what's the point of explaining, right?

"What's the commotion about?" said a voice.

I stood up straight. I felt like I knew that voice, but I couldn't remember where I had heard it.

I saw Madam Violeta also stand up straight. There was panic in her eyes.

"Mr. Sullivan," said Madam. She bowed in greeting. "I just have something to discuss with her."

I turned to where the voice came from. His blue eyes met my gaze. It was as if I had seen him before, but I didn't remember. I unconsciously held my heart. Its pulse is beating so fast. It's like I know him, but I don't. Is that feeling possible?

Madam Violeta nudged me and whispered with so much irritation next to me.

"Greet him. He's the new owner of the company, so don't show bad manners," she whispered to me angrily.

Hearing that, I quickly bowed. I was suddenly overcome with shame. I stared at him for a long time. I hoped he wouldn't be angry at my rude behavior.

"Sir, good morning," I said.

He just nodded at me and said nothing before leaving our place. I peeked at him using my peripheral vision. His face was hostile. He seemed irritated. Was he angry with me? I hope not. I don't want to get fired.

"What are you waiting for, Miss Delaney?! Christmas?! Get to work!" Madam Violeta shouted at me as soon as Mr. Sullivan disappeared from our sight.

"Yes Madam!" I said in surprise at her sudden shout, then I ran away.

SWEATING profusely, I knocked on Mr. Sullivan's door. I was the one assigned to our department to provide files for the company's ongoing project. I could give it to his secretary. But I can't see where his secretary is. I don't see anyone at the table outside his office.

So here I am. Nervous while knocking.

When I heard no response from inside the room after my tenth knock, I decided to just open the door. I turned the doorknob. It wasn't locked. If no one was inside, I'd leave.

I tilted my head and looked around. I was surprised by what I saw.

Mr. Sullivan. He was hunched over while holding his own chest. He seemed to have difficulty breathing. I didn't hesitate any longer. I ran in his direction.

"Mr. Sullivan!" I called out.

Mr. Sullivan quickly turned to me. He seemed surprised to see me. But I was more surprised by what I saw. His blue eyes turned red, but it was only for a moment, so I don't know if what I saw was true. Or I just imagined it. I shook my head. I must be so tired.

"What are you doing here?" he said to me, annoyed. He adjusted his seat as if nothing had happened. But I could still see in his eyes that he was struggling.

"Sorry, Mr. Sullivan. I just have some files to give you. Your secretary isn't there, so I'll go straight-"

"Get out," Mr. Sullivan said firmly.

"But…a-are you okay?"

"I said get out! Leave the files and go!" He shouted at me.

I became a statue at his sudden outburst. Did I do something wrong?

"Fuck!" He cursed in a low voice. "Don't look at me like that."

I looked away. I didn't know what to do. I bit my lower lip hard. I hope I don't get fired. Because if I do, I won't have money to pay the rent.

"I'm sorry", I wanted to cry.

"Just leave the file and don't come near me"

"I'm really sorry" I apologized to him several times.

"Fuck this", I heard Mr. Sullivan say. It was just a whisper. It was like he was talking to himself.

We were in that situation when the bedroom door opened. It was Mr. Ares. Mr. Sullivan's secretary.

"Mr. Ares" I greeted. Shyly "I'm leaving now", I quickly said goodbye. Mr. Ares seemed surprised to see me inside Mr. Sullivan's office. I didn't wait for him to answer. I quickly left the new CEO's office.

When I got to the 3rd floor where our department was, I immediately went straight to the bathroom. My chest is beating fast. Why is that? I feel like I know him. But it's impossible for me to forget him if it's possible that we met. Mr. Sullivan's aura was different. Just looking at his eyes made me feel weak. His skin was pale, in contrast to his red lips. He had messy hair but it suited him. He's not ugly to look at. He still looked formal.

"Well, well.."

I greeted my teeth

"Chloe" I said. Wrong timing. She's Chloe. Besides Madam Violeta, she's one of the company's workmates, which makes it hard for me. She thinks I'm competing with her in everything. I really don't care, but for Chloe, it's a big deal.

"I heard you came from Mr. Sullivan's office. You're so brave. You're probably planning to seduce him," she accused.

"You're just imagining things, Chloe" I sneered. With all the accusations she was making against me, she chose this nonsense thing.

"My, my,my. I know you like to seduce men in this company. That's why you can do what you want."

"Oh you're talking to yourself."

"You-"

"Can you please grow up, Chloe! I'm not competing with you. I just want to work to earn money."

"As if I would believe a slut like you."

"What did you say!?" I'm angry. She insulted me. I'm not slut!

I rushed towards her direction. I had been holding back from Chloe for a long time. She overstepped my patience. I grabbed her hair and pulled it. Chloe also tugged at my hair.

"You thought I was going to back down!" She shouted.

She's's so brave! She was the one who insulted me first.

We both shouted angrily.

Because I had been feeling weak since I woke up this morning, I got tired quickly. I unconsciously sat down on the bathroom tiles. My energy suddenly disappeared. But Chloe still wouldn't let me go. She was still holding my hair.

"Let go of me!" I screamed. I tried to stop her from pulling me. Because Chloe was stronger than me, I couldn't stop her from dragging me. My scalp hurt so much.

She threw me against the bathroom wall. My head hit the sink. I screamed in pain.

"Ugh…" I touched my forehead. I saw blood on my hand. I shivered at the sight of it.

I looked at Chloe. She was shocked to see the blood flowing down my forehead. I don't know if I hit the sink hard enough.

I glanced at my hand again. It felt like I'd seen it before. There was a lot of blood on the road. It's flowing. Darkness. Red eyes.

My head hurts so much. I see different scenarios in my brain. I can't understand it all. It's like a broken wire.

"Celestine!"