Chapter 11 Strange smell
I was sitting in the restroom, while my colleague, Amy, handed me a pink band-aid. I glanced at it with a frown, making me stop. Amy's eyes suddenly widened, and she took it from me. She quickly searched for another, and she gave me a flesh-coloured one instead.
"I am sorry, Sissy, I didn't mean to-"
I smiled at her, and I shook my head. I looked in a mirror while I applied the band-aid, and there was something I wanted to know. Amy looked kind, so I thought that wasn't a problem, starting a conversation with her.
"Is she always like this, or is it just directed at me?"
Amy sighed and forced a smile.
"You were seen leaving with the CEO that day. What is your relationship with him, Sissy?"
She asked. I didn't want to talk about it actually, but I was afraid that, after this accident today, I would become vulnerable not having a background. I was worried that people, like Isabella, would continue bullying me if they thought that there was no one to stand up for me. It seemed like office politics were indeed complex.
"I had nothing to do with him. We were classmates in college with the CEO's wife. And we remained friends."
Amy looked at me, appalled, and her eyes widened in disbelief.
"The CEO is married?" She asked.
I nodded while I binned a used paper towel.
"Didn't you know about that?" Actually, that she wasn't aware of the CEO's marital status surprised me.
Amy shook her head.
"The CEO's personal affairs are never discussed in the company. It seems like he likes to keep his love-life private. No wonder he took you with him that day, if you are the friend of his other half."
Her expression changed. She seemed pensive, and her gaze she stared at me with became slightly more subtle. Even her tone changed to an ingratiating one.
"So, how is his wife, then? Is she exceptionally gorgeous?"
I smiled.
"Yes, she is even more beautiful than a female celebrity." I said. How else could she have married such an outstanding man? I thought.
Amy held my hand.
"Since you have this relationship, why fear Isabella? She is just a small shareholder in the company, because of her father, but it's very minimal, so you shouldn't worry about her."
I actually agreed with that. The CEO's favour was indeed much more significant than that of an inconspicuous minority shareholder.
I didn't pull my hand away, but I wanted her to be aware of my situation, hoping that she wouldn't make things harder for me in the company.
"This is my private matter. Please don't talk about it. I don't want anyone to misunderstand my situation."
Amy acted like she was zipping her mouth, and she nodded with a smile.
"Don't worry, Sissy." She added. I really hoped that I could trust her.
When we arrived back, Aiden was already waiting there. He expressed his concern.
"Are you alright, Sissy? Did you get hurt?" He asked.
Amy tactfully walked away, leaving us privacy.
Aiden stepped forward, but suddenly stopped. His gaze wandered to my neck, and he stared at the band-aid that covered my wound. I saw he was swallowing. "I am fine, just a minor injury." I said, ignoring his reaction.
However, his gaze stuck to my neck. His expression was so weird it made me shudder. I took two steps back to avoid his gaze. "Aiden, are you okay?" I asked with a frown. He was like someone just woke up from a daze suddenly. He stiffened, ignoring my question.
"I have already reported the incident to the CEO. HR will handle the case. You should go home and have a rest since you are injured. The CEO approved a week off for you."This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.
I couldn't believe that. I was just a small thing in the company. A scratch from Isabella's nails. I shouldn't have warranted such an exaggerated response, getting a week off because of a minor injury on my skin.
I opened my mouth to respond, but he left hurriedly. He looked so flustered as he entered the elevator, leaving me bewildered.
Initially, I thought it was just a joke, but when I entered the HR office, the HR manager informed me personally of the approved leave. I was also informed about the suspension of Isabella. The decision seemed surprisingly swift to me.
I walked back to my desk and tried to avoid the envious and scrutinising gazes that my colleagues had stared at me with. I picked up my bag, and I left the company.
It was only two o'clock in the afternoon. It seemed like too early for me to go home, as I have got nothing to do, so I decided to go to a supermarket to buy some things.
The supermarket was quiet this time. It didn't take me long to get all the things I wanted, and there also wasn't a cue that would keep me waiting for a long time.
I planned to cook something. With a chef and a butler in Mr. William's home, cooking wasn't my responsibility. However, I sometimes missed the food I enjoyed, as my taste differed from Miley's. I knew she would have talked to the chef if I told her about that, but I didn't want to trouble them with my extra wishes.
I didn't plan to finish so quickly, so after I got out of the shop, I was waiting for a taxi for a long time with the bag of groceries in my hand.
The taxi finally arrived, and after the driver helped me to get my bag inside the car-boot, I sat in the car. The driver, wearing sunglasses, asked me where I wanted to go.
"The White Rose Manor, please."
The driver started the engine, and he drove on in silence. He showed no intention of speaking. I was thrilled about that. Many times in the past, when I travelled by taxi, I encountered talkative drivers. They couldn't stop talking till we arrived at the destination. I didn't like that. I preferred silence.
However, when I realised he took the wrong turn, I leaned forward.
"Master, isn't this the wrong way?" I asked with a frown, but he shook his head.
"This way is shorter, Miss." The driver's voice changed. It was lower and hoarse, making me feel unsafe.
"Please, pull over. I changed my mind." I said, but the driver ignored me, which made me feel I was really in danger. My heart started racing, and I needed all my courage to speak.
"Stop the car, or I'll call the police." I said, but before I could react, the driver made a sharp turn, causing me to lose my balance. My phone fell into a gap. When I tried to reach for it, I noticed a weird smell in the air. I sniffed it in fear, then in a second, everything went dark.