Chapter 42: Chapter 42
As the month drew to an end, the employees in MystiArt Productions became a lot more busier, especially in the Arts Department.
Their Manager wasn’t around, and some of them thought they could slack off. What they didn’t expect was Annie’s return. As the Assistant Manager, she kept them on their toes by strictly supervising every employee.
The employees were a bit displeased. Even though most of them found no fault in what she was doing, there were some who thought she was just too soft.
Keeping an eye on them was the same as helping the manager. The same man who had dumped her on the altar. Wasn’t she wasting her time?
“Some people are too complicated,” One girl grumbled. “Why do I have a feeling she might be a robot?”
“Watch your tone.” Another girl sitting beside her whispered, “You might get fired and you would have it coming. Remember the HR Department’s Manager.”
The other girl quickly composed herself after hearing that. The other employees who were listening immediately focused on their work.
It was said that last week, something happened at the HR Department’s Manager’s office. Whatever it was, Annie was present there and the issue was resolved.
Although other people were saying a different thing that it was due to the CEO’s assistant’s intervention, they couldn’t overlook the fact that the HR Department’s Manager had once courted the girl.
So they dared not disrespect Annie. In the employees’ minds, she only had to say a word and their names could be taken to the HR Department.
“Come on, Annie. Please please please, this is the last time,” Layla said in a whiny voice. She stood in front of the girl with a tablet in her hand, giving her a pleading look. “Annie, this character design is complex. Could you do it yourself and give me another project instead?”
But whether Annie was listening to her or not, Layla couldn’t tell. She seemed to be engrossed in her work, however, she was spacing out. If one looked closer, one could tell her attention wasn’t on the desktop in front of her.
“Annie!?” Layla beat the desk. “Come on, stop ignoring me.”
Annie finally returned to the present. She gave Layla an almost helpless look before standing up. “If you don’t work on complex characters, how are you going to improve, Layla?”
“I might make a mistake.”
“You won’t get it right on your first try. Keep doing it until it’s perfect,” Annie replied simply. She took her bag and headed to the elevator, looking somehow distracted.
“Urgh! You’re a strict boss, Annie!” Layla yelled after her. But Annie didn’t turn back to glance at her and Layla found it strange.
“Do you think something is wrong with her?” One of the employees approached Layla. “She is too silent today.”
Layla dropped the tablet and pursed her lips. “Stacy, do you know what I hate the most?”
“What is it? Getting ignored by your best friend?” The girl gave Layla an expectant look, seemingly hungry for some gossip.
“No. I hate people who don’t mind their business,” Layla snapped then slumped on her chair. Urgh! How could she handle such a complex character design?
…
Annie’s footsteps were a bit disoriented. One moment, she was walking fast, and the next moment she was walking slowly.
On the highest floor of the company, not many employees resided in that area. And most that bumped into her gave her strange looks.
“What is she doing here?”
“She looks familiar. Is it that girl?”
“You mean the girl Assistant Jiang brought here many weeks back?”
“I’ve heard some rumors about her. How true are they?”
Annie’s eyes were fixed ahead as if the secretaries weren’t talking about her. She treated their words like the air. Maybe she didn’t even hear them. Because the girl’s expression made it seem like she was being pulled forward by some unknown force.
“Eh? Ms. Lin.” Assistant Jiang was on his way out of the CEO’s office. He rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn’t seeing wrong. He even pinched himself to assure himself he wasn’t dreaming.
“Is it you or someone that looks like you? Ms. Lin, I’m hallucinating, right?”
Annie gave him a blank look, throwing the assistant into a more confused state. He walked forward and stared at her carefully. Her expression was like the ice. She wasn’t even smiling.
“Ms. Lin, are you alright?” He waved his hand in front of her. Damn! She didn’t blink.
“Who are you looking for, Ms. Lin?” Assistant Jiang gulped and asked. This lady was creeping him out.
After still not getting a reply from her, the assistant began to get worried. “Ms. Lin, are you here to see Mr. Lim?” He asked cautiously.
She didn’t answer his question and he went on. “Unfortunately, Mr. Lim is not in his office. Some hours ago, he went out to meet some collaborators. He might be back in a few minutes–“
The assistant hadn’t finished his words. The CEO’s private elevator dinged behind him. He turned around and couldn’t help sighing in relief.
Annie’s eyes also went to the man who was walking out of the elevator. When he saw her, he halted in his steps.
His eyes narrowed for a moment. Then he resumed walking forward.
“Erm, Mr. Lim, I– I think Ms. Lin is here to see you.” Assistant Jiang scurried to him. Then he added in a whisper, “Be careful, Boss. Something seems off about her.”
Andrew ignored his assistant. She was staring straight at him and he didn’t back down from her gaze.
Pushing the guy aside, he covered the distance between them and stared down at her. “Annabelle, you finally brought yourself. Do you now feel guilty?”
That night before they parted ways, she had told him some words he would never forget. Under the heavy downpour and amidst the lightning, she smiled coldly and said,
“Mr. Lim, whatever is your reason for wanting to marry me again, I must warn you that you might be making a huge mistake. I asked you to let go but you don’t want to. What if I told you you’re going to regret it?”
Andrew watched her keenly. The same cold smile was returning to her eyes. Even the assistant shivered from where he stood.
“Mr. Lim.” When she opened her mouth, her voice was like a siren’s call. “I agree with your proposal. Let’s get Married.”