Hannah couldn’t sleep all night because she felt uneasy. She couldn’t stop thinking about tomorrow and the days to come when she would face Alden. Although Hannah could act normal, as if nothing had happened, like a fool.
But could the heart be deceived so easily?
“Oh, Lord,” Hannah whispered softly.
Hannah couldn’t break the awkwardness of having to talk to Alden and look at him. Just a few hours ago, Hannah had been almost naked with him.
“Don’t imagine that again, Hannah,” she whispered, as if begging herself.
Finally, she decided to leave her room and go out to the back terrace for some fresh air. But when Hannah got there, she saw that the door to the back terrace was open.
Reflexively, Hannah immediately hid behind the wall, and she could hear Alden’s voice talking. She didn’t know who he was talking to, but it sounded like rambling and sobbing.
“No, Edward. Just say that, she doesn’t need to know about my whereabouts anymore!” Alden exclaimed.
Of course Hannah was curious. Alden had argued with Edward late at night, but it wasn’t clear who they were talking about. But if it was about Maxim, wasn’t Alden’s attitude over the top?
Hannah stayed where she was, eavesdropping on the conversation.
“You can say whatever you want, right? Then why are you telling me?” Alden said.
It seemed that Alden was a little drunk; Hannah could tell by his tone and language.
“Oh, fantastic. And she visited Dad? I will fire you, Edward! Your actions are truly inappropriate!”
Hannah was shocked to hear this. Fire Edward? Because someone visited Maxim? Wasn’t that excessive?
“Do you think your actions are wise, Edward?”
Then the sound of shattered glass “crash!!” was heard as Alden angrily threw a glass of liquor into his hand. Not expecting Alden to do that, Hannah screamed.
“Who’s there?!” Alden shouted.
Hannah ran back to her room. She was truly afraid to face Alden again, out of control like this.
…
The next morning, Hannah ate breakfast alone. Alden seemed to be very drunk and would probably wake up late. It might be better that way, so Hannah wouldn’t have to be questioned by Alden about last night’s eavesdropping.
Besides, all the chaos on the back patio seemed to have left no trace at all. Hannah wondered what time the housekeepers cleaned it. She seldom saw them except when they delivered goods or food. What kind of quiet and lonely life was Alden’s?
Hannah finished her breakfast in a hurry. She was very curious to meet some of the staff and see where they congregated. During her stay at the Harrison residence, Hannah had never set foot in the kitchen. But there had to be people there!
Hannah decided to go out the front door, then walked around the back of the house. The smell of food reached her nose, indicating that the kitchen was close. Faintly, Hannah could hear people talking and laughing. There seemed to be real life in the back of the house.
“He’s already finished a dozen glasses, who knows what they cost,” someone said.
“I feel sorry for him. But honestly, I’m very scared. He’s scarier than Mr. Harrison Senior.”
Hannah was stunned from behind the kitchen wall. Are they talking about Alden?” she wondered.
“Mrs. Hannah is very kind, she’s very sweet. But being kind and sweet isn’t enough to replace Miss Sarah in his eyes.”
“Yes, no matter how hard she tries, Mrs. Hannah will always be overshadowed. She won’t be able to compete with someone whose status is much higher, in every way.”
For some reason, Hannah felt slightly offended upon hearing this.
First, it never occurred to Hannah to compete with a woman, since her marriage to Alden was strictly business.
Second, although Hannah grew up in a near-bankrupt middle-class family, that didn’t mean she couldn’t excel and work hard. She worked hard! She did not ask for or live off her parents’ wealth.
This woman named Sarah really irritated Hannah. At work, Hannah would find out about Sarah and why Alden was so smitten! How could Sarah be so flawless that Alden was so blind when she had dismissed him at will?
*
“Good morning,” Susan greeted when she saw Hannah already at her desk, looking serious.
Hannah waved her hand. “Morning, Susan.”
Susan put some files on Hannah’s desk; her job as Gulfman’s secretary was quite busy. For the time being, Susan was both Hannah’s and Gulfman’s secretary, until Hannah got her own secretary.
Gulfman would set up the interview schedule and select some candidates Hannah wanted. This would be done as soon as possible and within the next two weeks Hannah would have her secretary.
“What are you up to?” Susan asked.
“To find out about Sarah.”
“Sarah?”
Hannah nodded. “Sarah Young.”
Susan was immediately surprised. “Isn’t that Mr. Harrison’s ex-girlfriend? Why are you looking into her, Hannah?” she asked in amazement.
“Don’t tell anyone or I’ll fire you!” Hannah joked.
Susan laughed quietly and shook her head. “You really enjoy firing people now that you’re the owner of Texco. Incredible.”
They exchanged looks and laughed together. Hannah felt more comfortable talking to Susan than to Gulfman. I wonder if Gulfman could arrange for Susan to be Hannah’s secretary when she has her own?
“Basically, I just want to know what Alden’s ex-girlfriend is like,” Hannah said.
“Hannah, jealousy will get you nowhere. That woman is just in the past, why bother with unnecessary things?”
“It’s not like that.” Hannah took a deep breath. “Alden has never forgotten her. I’m not jealous, I’m just curious, how great is this Sarah that Alden can’t move on?”
“Well, yeah… you’re jealous.”
“I’m not.”
Susan sighed softly. “Okay, do what you want. But we have a meeting at eleven till lunch. Oh, do you want me to get you something? Coffee or tea?”
Hannah shook her head. “Not for now.”
“Okay.”
Susan turned toward the door, then suddenly turned back. “Oh, Hannah. Nice outfit. You look cool,” Susan complimented her, something she had never done before.
“Thanks. I’ll buy you coffee for saying that.”
Susan laughed again and shook her head. Then Susan hurried out of Hannah’s room and the room went quiet again. The only sound was the clicking of the mouse as Hannah busied herself with finding out about Sarah Young.
“Okay, Sarah Young… I want to know what you’re like.”