IMELDA
That fucking bitch! I gritted my teeth as I watched Bella conversing with her best friend. Looking at her, I had this compulsion to march over to her side and force her head down on the table.
I had to keep the urge to myself, knowing it was only a matter of time before I got rid of her if what that man said was the truth. He asked me to make friends with her, to get her to trust me, so she would go with me to the place he designed.
So far, I have gotten her to trust my sincerity. She seemed to have forgotten the things I did to her, something I didn’t think was possible. Bella was such a gullible lady.
Sighing, I got up from my chair and walked over to them, forcing a smile on my face. “How are you doing, girl?” I sat on the empty chair next to her.
She looked up, shocked at first, but smiled when she noticed I was the one. “I’m good. I was just about to call you.”
“I guess our minds work together.” I grinned at her before I turned to Chris, who was giving me the death glare. Unlike Bella, Chris hadn’t accepted me at all. She still looks at me like one would an enemy. I bet she had asked Bella not to speak to me. Too bad Bella was such a softie. A naive one.
“How are you doing?” I asked her, grinning when she sent a scowl my way. “How was your interview with the president?” I acted like I was happy for her when I just wanted to throw her into a ditch and snatch all her work.
Ever since our bosses started working with us, Chris has been getting ample work. Not just work, but ones that were enough to make her popular. From the way things were going, there was no doubt she would escalate the ladder faster than I would.
Which was why I knew I had to step up my game. It was just my luck that I got a call from that mysterious man. With him, I would have all my wishes fulfilled without doing anything.
“Imelda?”
I blinked at the call, frowning. “Pardon?”
“I just asked you a question.” Bella placed her hands under her jaw as she watched me. “Are you up for lunch outside? Chris wishes to visit the new fast-food joint that was opened last week. Do you want to come with us?”
“I….” I looked towards Chris, who was glaring as if thinking of how to dispose of my body when she got rid of me.
“I… I doubt that’s a great idea.” I shook my head. “I will be imposing by going with you. You made the plans without me, right?” I tried to sound like I was concerned about interrupting their moments alone.
“No, it’s nothing.” Bella smiled as she reached out and touched me. “It will be fun, trust me. Chris won’t mind. Will you?” She turned to look at her friend.
“Ummm… It’s nothing. You can come with us.” The smile on Chris’ face sent dark shivers down my body. The predatory smile made it seem like insects were crawling on my body.
“Well…” I rubbed the back of my neck with my left hand, as Bella was holding on to my right. “Are you certain about this? I wouldn’t mind having lunch in the firm’s cafeteria. You two can do your thing.”
“Come on.” Bella pouted. “We are friends, aren’t we? Eating alone is so boring, but it won’t be the same if you go with us. Come on, it will be fun.”
“Yeah, fun.” Chris nodded, still looking as murderous as hell. The lady was a talented actress. The way she kept changing her expression was alarming. She always smiled whenever Bella looked her way, but when I did, she would glare or scowl at me.
“I guess I will give it a try.” I agreed at last, knowing Bella wouldn’t rest until she had gotten me to agree to her proposal.
“Great!” Bella let go of her grip on my hand and got up, beaming.
Chris got up with her, and I did the same, still smiling. Though my cheeks hurt from forcing my expression, I had to keep up the act. I tried to fake it until I made it.
The moment I got up from my chair, my phone started ringing. Frowning, I fished it out from the pocket of my denim jacket.
“A minute please,” I said to Bella before I answered the call. “Hello?”
“How are you doing, Bella?” The mysterious man/woman asked. I had yet to know the sex of the person speaking, since he always used two voices when talking with me.
“I’m good.” I looked towards Bella to check if she was looking at me, but she wasn’t. She was showing Chris something on her phone.
“That’s wonderful. How is the plan going? Any improvement on your part?”
“Yes.” Nodding, I walked a few paces away from Bella, and far from our colleagues sitting a few paces away from us. “I’m almost there. I think we will have to move to the second phase.”
“Oh?” He laughed. The sound was dry and crispy on the ear. There was no trace of glee. “That’s good to hear. Keep up with your work. I will send an email to you tonight. Follow the order.”
“Tonight? Is that -”
“No questions, Imelda. You are to do what I ordered you to.” He disconnected.
“Fuck you!” I hissed under my breath as I pocketed the phone before I turned to face Bella. Once more, I faked a smile as I walked over to them. “I apologize for the call. A client wanted to know the date for an interview,” I lied through my teeth.
“You don’t have to apologize for that. It’s understandable.” Bella waved it off, while Chris watched me, with her brows furrowed. It was as if she could see what I was thinking.
“Let’s go then.” Coughing nervously, I turned and led the way out of the firm.