The Day He Matured

After a week, I went back to work because my body was less painful.

Although Brian texted and told me to rest at home and stay healthy, I felt bored when I stayed at home.

Moreover, Harold comes to my house every day to keep an eye on me, making me feel like I’m wasting his time.

As long as I can go to work, he will believe that I am completely fine. And most importantly, I want to meet Brian. I’m the one who has no future.

“Are you well enough to go to work?”

The voice suddenly sounded behind me but didn’t startle me anymore because I glanced at the door just now and saw him entering the room.

“I’m fine, thanks for taking care of me, director.”

The moment I raised my head, I saw Brian’s face was unsightly, gloomy, disgruntled, and unhappy. On the right corner of his forehead, there was still a white bandage.

Why is his face so unsightly? Is he trying to attract bad fortune?

“When it’s just the two of us, don’t call me director like that anymore.” He lowered his voice and said with a tired expression.

“Anyway, this place is still a company, I think I should keep the rules.”

“Really?”

I didn’t say anything more, bowed my head slightly, and turned my back.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

When my hand touched the doorknob, he suddenly called my name.

I pursed my lips tightly, took a deep breath, and slowly looked back.

“Yes, director.”

“From today, you will return to your old position and no longer need to be my private secretary. Give me the schedule board, and I’ll arrange it myself.”

“Yes.”

Why am I suddenly feeling so sad? I should be happy, right?

I got rid of him already. I should congratulate myself on this. I will try to sell many apartments, collect a lot of money, and buy a small house in the suburbs for myself.

Returning to my desk, I checked his schedule for the next two weeks and emailed him.

Next, I posted ads and actively texted, inquired about the health of my former clients, and informed them that I was in charge of the old job again.

Most of the new customers that I have come from referrals from old customers. Relatives, friends, and even their neighbors.

I was typing a text when suddenly there was a message from Richard. The day I traveled with the company, he also flew to Singapore for a business trip.

According to the schedule he announced earlier, he probably returned from last night. Maybe he wanted to ask me out to dinner.

At noon, everyone was discussing what to eat when suddenly two receptionists appeared, in their hands were two large bags containing portions of food, gotu kola juice, and lotus seed milk.

“Who ordered the food?” Mrs. Erina stood up, gawked around the room, and asked.

“It’s the director Brian ordered. Hope you guys enjoy your meal.”

After saying that, the two girls quickly put them down on the table and left one after another.

Everyone simultaneously looked at the man sitting in the room and attentively reviewing the document.

Seeing Brian raise his head, no one told anyone, but everyone bowed to thank him. And he also raised his hand to signal everyone to enjoy their meal.

Then the curtain was pulled down. I wonder why he didn’t have lunch?

Another heavy day went by. By the time I finished my tenth customer consultation call of the day, it was almost five o’clock in the afternoon. After massaging my fingers, I stood up, tidying up the messy papers on the desk.

“Why is our boss so generous today? The boss invites the whole business department to dinner.”

Mrs. Erina’s voice caused my movements to stop. And then there were whispers of admiration from the other employees.

Turns out, Brian texted in the chat group. Just now, I finished talking on the phone, then I turned off the phone, not paying attention.

What should I do? I have an appointment with Richard already. Moreover, I don’t want to meet Brian outside of working hours.

Fortunately, there was Harold standing beside me that day, otherwise, Hellen would surely rush over and scold me.

I’m not afraid of her, just feel very upset and tired if that happens.

“Mrs. Erina, I have an urgent business and must go home. I can’t go anywhere. If the boss asks, please answer him for me.” I clung to her arm and begged for help.

“It’s a pity. But if you have urgent business, you have to go home. All right, you just go home. If the boss asks, I will tell.”

After thanking her, I quickly rushed out of the room, entered the elevator, went down to the ground floor, queued for timekeeping, and then went to the main gate.

Seeing a shiny car with a familiar license plate parked on the side of the road, I quickly walked over, opened the car door, and sat in the passenger seat.

Richard and I have not seen each other for more than a week, but he looks so different. He changed his hairstyle, so he looked much more elegant than before.

“What’s wrong with your hand?” He took my hand, frowned, and asked.

“Ah, I fell while looking for a secret letter. This injury is not serious.” I quickly lied.

I cannot tell the truth to Richard. Harold didn’t want to reveal that to the public and all employees of the AD company also made an honorary promise not to disclose it.

Although I know that if I tell, Richard will only listen and not tell anyone, he will be very worried.

Anyway, my situation at that time was very dangerous. I still shudder when I remember this.

“Be careful. Maybe I have to put you in the glass case and lock you up.” He said as he turned the steering wheel.

I laughed, took two chewing gum from the box, and put them in my mouth.

There is always gum on Richard’s car. The cool feeling of mint flavor makes my mood better.

“What do you want to eat?”

“Grilled hot pot.”

“Okay. Caily texted that she would be a little late, her company had an unexpected meeting, and it would take half an hour to finish.”

Referring to Caily’s work, I have to thank Harold. Thanks to the surprise meeting that day, the director of Delta company cooperated with her company very happily, forgetting that he had been hospitalized because she was kicked, and also ordered two more large orders.

The grilled hot pot restaurant at off-hours is quite crowded. Richard took my hand and led me to an empty table next to the wall.

The aroma from the neighboring tables made me salivate. At noon, I ate all the food that Brian treated me, but now I’m hungry so early, I don’t know.

Perhaps after infusing several bottles of intravenous fluids, my appetite also increased. I hope that I will not be skinny anymore, my body will be as fat as before, attractive as before.

The restaurant was crowded, and the waiters weren’t many, so it took more than fifteen minutes for the delicious hot pot to be brought to our table.

Richard and I had just finished baking some shrimp when Caily arrived. Her bright smile made me feel happy.

“I’ve been busy for a few days, and today I thought I could go home early, but I had an unexpected meeting. I had to lie to my boss that I had to go out to eat with my lover, so he didn’t drag me to dinner with his partner.” Caily said as soon as she sat down.

“Fortunately, your boss is not here. Otherwise, I’m afraid I’ll have to act as your lover, right?” Richard put the shrimp in Caily’s bowl and cheerfully said.

“They don’t go to places like this. They will go into a luxurious restaurant together, sit in an air-conditioned room, and have a hostess pour wine.”

We ate and chatted while eating. I told the story of the teams competing against each other to the two of them, making them unable to stop laughing.

This is the first time I’ve seen Richard smile so much. Yes, that’s funny, every time I sit alone and think back to those games, I laugh like a crazy person.

“Which team won the game of finding the secret letter? Which team found the treasure first?” Caily stopped the chopsticks and looked at me with sparkling eyes.

“Ah… we were going when the rain was too heavy, so the game was canceled midway. The teams shared the prizes.”

I lied a bit too much today. But I don’t know what to say. At that time I lost consciousness and I didn’t wake up until tomorrow afternoon, so how would I know which team won?

People in the company didn’t talk about it and I didn’t have time to ask so I didn’t know which team the treasure belonged to.

“Bella, that person is Brian, right?” Caily pointed towards the door of the restaurant and asked.

I quickly turned my head and recognized the familiar faces of the sales department.

What the hell? I purposely went into this alley to eat but also met Brian.

Why do I feel like he’s deliberately following me?

“Ignore him, let’s eat.” I bowed my head very low, continued to put the octopus beard in my mouth, and chewed slowly.

“Bella, it’s no use hiding your face. He saw me and Mr. Richard already.” Caily still kept her bright smile, her voice slipped through her teeth and did not change the shape of her mouth.

My doomsday has come. I refused to have a meal with my boss and colleagues to go with friends and even lied that I had urgent business.

When Brian’s shiny leather shoes caught my eye, I knew I was about to be put on the chopping block.

Whether I like it or not, I still have to stand up with Richard and Caily.

“Hello, Mr. Richard. Hello, Miss Caily.” Brian politely extended his hand.

“Hello.” Richard and Caily replied at the same time.