My alarm woke me up the next morning, and I felt like I hadn’t slept at all the previous night. I was so exhausted that all I wanted to do was pull the blanket over my head and go back to sleep.
However, my superior won’t tolerate my staying at home any longer. Despite the fact that my father owns the company, he treats everyone equally, without favoritism.
I slowly got up and began my morning routine, finally finishing about an hour later. I gazed at my reflection in the mirror one last time, saying to myself, ‘Well, I did my best.’ I had attempted to cover up the dark circles under my eyes with makeup, but it wasn’t a perfect job – still, it would have to do. As I walked downstairs, I noticed Jessica was already gone, having likely left early.
I stopped to grab a quick snack from the rack before heading to work. When I arrived, I greeted Mrs. Ward at the reception desk with a forced smile. “Good morning, Mrs. Ward”, I said, trying to sound more cheerful than I felt.”
“Good morning dear.” She said with a sad look in her eyes which I had noticed. However I choose to ignore, she probably has something going on.
One thing about me is that I don’t get myself involved in other people’s affairs.
Walking down the hallway I noticed everyone was starring at me, some were whispering while others just threw a glance or two at me.
It made me wonder what had happened, clearly it isn’t about the video Emma had posted right ?
They should have known by now that we are both cats and rats. Besides, Emma has always been one to fight dirty, they obviously shouldn’t be surprised.
Once she had set me up by moving a file from my office and blamed me for losing it, if not for my reputation of always being careful that had prompted my superior to go through the CCTV recordings of the previous day, I would have had no means of defending myself. She had to cover it up by saying she had forgotten she took the file from my office, which was clearly a lie.
Not sure of what could have resulted to all the stares I was getting, I held on to my bag tighter as I got to my office, my fingers fidgeted as I put the key in the key hole to unlock the door.
I got in and sank into my chair placing both hands on my head while resting it on the desk, I breathed in and out to relax myself, I was that way for a while before I felt my nerves calm down.
I went by my day activities without talking to anyone almost forgetting what is going on in my life right now.
By the time I went down to the cafeteria for lunch the whispers were more audible.
“Have you seen the photos ?” One of the ladies from the sales department said.
“What photos ?” The other lady replied with food in her mouth.
“Shh, shhh, bring your voice down, I don’t want her to hear you.”
“Who ?” The other lady brought her head down and said inaudibly.
“Go on the group chat and you’ll see what I’m talking about. Someone posted a video anonymously, and the they are currently going viral” The lady from sales department said to her.
I was seated at the right side of the cafeteria while they were seated at the left, Is a small space, with a little bit of concentration, I could pick up on what they were talking about.
I quickly picked up my phone and opened the group chat, maybe deep down my instinct knew it was about me, and that’s why my hands kept quivering on the screen of my phone.
In the group chat I saw about four pictures and a video that was placed on view once and instantly I knew that was the one everyone has been talking about.
However it wasn’t posted by someone I knew, as a matter of fact there was no account to trace it back to. The photo just sat there like it posted itself.
Even with the air conditioner on, beads of sweat were already forming on my forehead.
“I need to get out of here.” I said to myself, for all I knew this could be something bad. It will be more nicer if I were alone, rather than being surrounded by people who won’t take their eyes off me.
I left the cafeteria and made my way to the stairs that led to my office, in an attempt to walk away from the stares of everyone, I ran into someone and looking up it was no other person but my ‘darling sister’.
“Hey Nora.” She said in that her ear cringing voice.
I looked up at her and choose not to say anything to her.
I tried to by pass her and make my way further up the stairs however she moved again to block my way.
“What do you want Emma ?” I said frowning at her.
“Don’t be that way sis, you haven’t spoken to me since Jake’s birthday. Don’t tell me you’re still upset.” She said trying to blink her eyes cutely.
“Get out of my way.” I said.
“Come on Nora, Don’t be upset. Isn’t my fault Jake loves me.” She said rolling her eyes while curling are fingers around her hair.
“I don’t care.” I said through my teeth.
“Ooh come on sis, of course you care, you wish you were me right, you had Jake around your claws but ended up looking him to me. And not it bothers you because his family is stinky rich. That’s why you choose to get involved with his Dad.”
“Fuck off!” I said.
“Ha ha ha ha.” She laughed cynically. “Little advice for you sis, focus on yourself and stop trying to get involved with his Dad, you’ll only get mocked for following a man twice your age and not just that, but the father to your ex.”
She laughed again at the end of her sentence.
Jake must have told her, despite are hateful words she was right. If this were to get out in the limelight I’m doomed, cause no one will believe it was unintentional.
I pushed her slightly from my path and proceeded up the stairs
“Don’t run away from me big sis, you know I’m right.” She said amidst rolls of laughter.
I got to my office and at that point all I wish was for the ground to open and swallow me.
I took out my phone and opened the view once message. It opened after few seconds and what I saw almost knocked the hell out of me. My worst fear has literally just manifested.