Chapter 38: Chapter 38
Did she have no choice?
Annie stayed awake throughout the night. The rain poured down heavily, splattering against the roof. The rumble of the sky and the clap of thunder would break out every few minutes.
[I have a lot of choices, Andy.] She sighed, scribbling on the small book. [But is it even possible to escape this fate? Everything that has been happening lately points to one huge decision. I can’t escape from this destiny. Why even try?]
…
“What!?” Rayne’s screech was akin to the sound of lightning. She held her chest with both hands, her eyes wide with shock. “M–Max, you are making things up, aren’t you!?” She yelled at the guy.
Standing on the balcony, the guy was drenched from head to toe. He hung his head, his hands balling into fists. “Young Miss, please punish me. I couldn’t complete the mission.”
“Shut up! Useless thing!” Rayne’s screams were muffled by the clap of thunder. “Did you mean Andy was there? What was he doing at that place?”
“I saw the Young Master with my own eyes. I almost got Ms. Lin, but–“
“He took her away!?” Rayne completed his words even though she didn’t want to believe it. Was that even possible?
Andrew rarely used that bike. Of all nights, why did he have to ride out tonight? And why did he drive into that area!? Why did he even bump into that girl!?
Was this a sign from the heavens?
“Ahhhhhhhh!” Rayne screamed, pulling at her hair. To hell with destiny or fate! Nothing could stand in her way. She had waited for too long. She had waited for so many years!
Three years ago, the same destiny played a ridiculous joke on her by bringing that girl into his life. Was the same thing about to happen?
“Young Miss, please calm down,” Max uttered. “Give me another chance, I won’t make any mistake–“
“Be quiet!” Rayne shut him up. “I didn’t know you to be this useless, Max. How sure are you that he didn’t see you?”
“Young Miss–“
“You must lay low, for now. Now we have to be cautious about getting rid of that girl. What if he suspects something?”
Rayne hated it! She hated waiting. Imagine how her hopes were shattered when Max told her the bad news. She had anticipated the news of her death. She had anticipated the morning to come!
Now, her anticipation was for nothing.
Looking at the miserable state of his Young Miss, Max felt guilty. He had underestimated that girl. He could get rid of her at the first chance he got. He thought scaring her would traumatize her, on the contrary, she grew more confident, even trying to call the authorities.
The Villa’s gate opened automatically and a huge bike raced inside. Rayne quickly gestured to him and he hurried to hide in the shadows.
She was so mad that tears streamed down her face and she wiped them as soon as she could.
Putting on a sweet smile, Rayne approached the man who was alighting from his bike. “Andy, I thought you were asleep. When did you leave the Villa?”
Like a wounded beast, a dangerous aura surrounded the man. He looked enraged, making her shudder from his cold look. Only his head was spared from the rain. He looked drenched all over.
“Andy–“
The man walked past her with the helmet in his hand.
Rayne watched his back, her heart burning. The whiff of perfume she caught from his body definitely belonged to that girl.
She was so mad that she spat out blood.
…
MystiArt Productions never ran out of exciting gossip.
The employees had not yet gotten over the fact that Annie had the guts to resume working despite how everyone was talking about her.
Some commended her bravery, while many thought she was simply a fool. They wouldn’t continue working in the same company as the man who dumped them.
Working under him was even more horrible, added to the knowledge that they would be staying in the same place even with Mr. Wang’s daughter.
But they were quick to forget about Annie’s scandal when another news hit them this morning. On the company’s forum, someone posted an announcement.
ANNOUNCEMENT: [This is from the CEO’s office. From now on, no employee is allowed to work overtime. Every employee must go home before dark. And anyone found breaking this rule will face dire consequences.]
“Hehe, only a fool will break this kind of rule.”
“Isn’t this like a free ticket to heaven?”
“Ah, our CEO is like a heaven-sent guardian angel.”
“Imagine not working overtime anymore. Haha, someone pinch me, I think I’m dreaming.”
“From now on, I’ll put the CEO in my prayers. MystiArt Productions is going to become a friendly haven for every employee.”
“Guys, I just confirmed it again. Our CEO is really single.”
Not only the forum, every area of the company was buzzing with the employees’ chatter.
As Annie sat alone at a table in the noisy cafeteria, she ate her food silently. Because she still had many unfinished projects, she came along with her tablet. While she ate her food with one hand, she was busy designing a character with the other hand.
No one minded the girl or came to sit with her. During lunch break, some employees would usually sit together so they could gossip about the current happenings in the company. They normally avoided this girl who rarely talked.
First of all, she would ignore what they said. And secondly, she never contributed a word to their gossip.
Although Annie kept a low profile, this attitude of hers made her stand out among the other employees. And they never ceased talking about how weird she was.
Still designing the character, Annie was halfway through her food when the sounds of shoes approached the table. She didn’t give it any thought until the person stopped beside her.
Looking up, she found Layla staring at her.