The next day, I returned to work as if nothing had happened, and my coworkers are overjoyed to see me again. I forced a smile on my face because returning to the place I thought was my second home, which turned out to be a trap, was difficult for me. I informed them that my presence in the office was only temporary, and after listening to some of their conversations, I realized they had no idea what had happened to me while I was gone.
The phone on my table rang, and it was from Dimitri’s office. I had just arrived at my workstation when it rang. He requested that I obtain the script, which would jeopardize Lance Salcedo and his entire family. I dragged my feet towards the elevator that would take me to his office, which Layla noticed.
“Alexa, you appear to be depressed.” Layla expressed her thoughts.
“I’m just tired, but that doesn’t bother me. Please excuse me, but I need to go to Dimitri’s office for something urgent.” I excused myself from Layla and made my way dreadfully to the elevator.
I didn’t even bother knocking on his door; instead, I invited myself in. “Can you tell me where it is?” I inquired from Dimitri, who sat comfortably in his oversized swivel chair.
“Here it is. Take it.” He motioned for me to pick up the brown envelope from his table.
I snatched up the brown envelope and ripped it open.
I said before leaving his office without looking back, “I’ll get it done within the day.”
“Alexa!”
I thought I heard his voice, but it could have been just my imagination! I continued walking towards the elevator, wiping my tears away. I have always been loyal to our friendship and have never thought of him as a bad person. My mother may have sensed his evil spirit, but I was always his biggest supporter!
“Goodbye, Dimitri,” I murmured in the air as the elevator door shut.
As soon as I returned to my desk, I wrote the article at my workstation using Dimitri’s script. I tried to soften some of the words to make them less harsh, but the sentiment remained unchanged.
However, I’d rather earn his wrath than see him die a tragic death in the hands of Dimitri’s men!
“Are you planning on working extra hours?” When it was time to leave, Layla came by and said she was ready to go.
“Not really, but I have to finish this one,” I replied, oblivious to what was on my computer screen. We talked like normal colleagues because other employees were nearby, and they might hear us.
A series of damaging articles were forwarded to Dimitri a few hours before midnight. After shutting down my computer, I gathered my belongings in a box and carried them to the parking lot. I had already gotten into my car, but I decided to stay a few minutes longer and look at the building where I had worked for over five years. I’d miss my coworkers and all the memories, but I had to see Lance immediately.
I was hungry when I got home, so I decided to eat whatever I could find in the pantry, which turned out to be only cup noodles. When I checked the refrigerator, I wished Lance was there because he would know what to do with the meat.
As I looked around my unit, another sigh escaped from my lips. I’d never been so bored in my life, and I wished I had someone to talk to, such as friends or a best friend, but my phonebook was empty. Only my mother’s, Dimitri’s, and Lance’s phone numbers were on my contact list.
Days passed by slowly, and I was literally bored at home. My mother was still in the province, and she would be there for the time being. A few days ago, there was an uproar in the business sector after some articles were published against the Salcedo’s, particularly Lance.
I questioned what I had done with my life as I sat alone at the table eating cup noodles. My life has revolved around the publication and the people who surround it for the past few years, and my work has completely consumed me. I could not make friends, and now that I had lost my job, I had no one with whom I could communicate.
Because I was missing Lance’s voice so much, I chose Lance’s number from the three people on my call register. He finally answered my phone call after several attempts. His voice was hoarse as if he had a cold or had a runny nose.
“How are you doing today?” I initiated the conversation, but he did not immediately respond.
“Alexa, where have you gone?”
“Do you mind if I ask if you’re all right?” I asked him again because I wanted to know if he was okay.
“I am fine,” he said in a less energetic voice. “How about you?”
I cried when he lied about doing well, and he asked in a desperate tone. He tried to disguise his voice and make it sound cheerful, but I could tell he was bruised all over his body. “I hope you will be able to forgive me in the future, Lance,” I confessed my true feelings to him before terminating the call and turning off my phone. I didn’t give him the chance to speak, and I knew it was mean. However, it was my way of protecting myself from hurting too much.
Every day, I blamed myself for being stupid!
Every day, I bear the weight of causing Lance’s downfall!
Everything was my fault!
Although some pieces of evidence were fabricated, the public only needed to believe one truth to be swayed easily. The public just needed a bone to chew, and everything would go perfectly according to Dimitri’s evil plans.
As soon as the Salcedo’s were embroiled in a huge stock manipulation scandal, unfair treatment to the staff, and economic abuse, someone has used it to his advantage. Yeah, Dimitri announced that his family’s corporation has great plans for the industry. I just learned that his family was in the same industry as Lance, and they were competitors!
I thought Lance would be unable to state the situation, but he could film himself on the island and send it to his public relations team. Investors were concerned about the negative publicity, despite his assurances that the company would be fine.
As a result of the huge scandal, their stock prices dropped significantly in less than a day.
If Lance weren’t lying, he’d be in his office by now, and I planned to see him one last time to apologize. He might not be able to forgive me, but it’s only right that I apologize to him face to face.
At seven o’clock in the evening, I quietly exited my unit and drove my car to the hotel where Lance was staying in the penthouse. I never thought I’d be able to use the access card he gave me before playing it on my hand.
Because the card wasn’t given to just anyone, some of the hotel staff stared at me earlier when I took the exclusive lift to the penthouse. I stood outside the penthouse door when I arrived, but I couldn’t bring myself to announce my presence.
Lance’s eyes widen with surprise as he notices me standing in the doorway. He was without a top, and the bruises on his skin were still violet in colour. I said hello, but he didn’t return my greeting.
“Leave,” he ordered.