A week had passed since the last Monday and Ava woke up mentally drained, she had buried herself into her work to foster her decision to "thoughen up" and Candice indirectly funded her mental resolve by bombarding her with a sea of projects to either follow up, supervise or give her detailed reviews—she didn't even notice Carter's absence and had forgotten the dread that had almost creepled her when she thought about working with him.
Her work took a toll on her even though she was using it as a coping mechanism. Once in awhile, thoughts of Rufus crossed her mind which made her feel broken and stupid but she usually got a hold of her emotions somehow—Rufus had caused more harm in the last month than all the times they've spent put together.
She lazily stepped out of bed and headed to the bathroom,she thought of what she was going to wear as she brushed her teeth staring blankly at the zombie looking image of herself in the mirror. She had spent the whole night working on an impromptu progress report courtesy, Candice and now she was going to work without even getting a proper nap!
"That's it!" She resolved as anger began to well inside of her,all through last week Candice had been punishing her for the consequences of her own wicked decisions, and now she was looking like a shadow of herself, she needed at least twelve hours of sleep and an awesome spa session coupled with some beauty maintenance. "I'm calling in sick—Candice could get lost for all she cared" she chuckled as she put a call through to the HR.
Yes! Ava exclaimed as she demonstrated a weak happy dance,the HR had granted her three days off work so she wasn't going to resume till Wednesday. "What a great way to start the week" she thought excitedly as she hurriedly took her shower and slid into the warmth of her bed,a path of her trembled at the thought of Candice's reaction but a larger part of her basked in the peacefulness of the freedom she was about to experience. Without thinking twice she switched of her gadgets as her heavy eyelids began to close slowly...
*******
Ava stepped into the skyscraper that was here office building feeling powerful. During her self imposed break, she had taken out time to get her hair done,had a spa session and even went shopping. She felt energized,that felt like the best decision she had made in a while she was thinking to herself as she stepped out of the elevator that led to her unit before she saw Candice's sharp eyes staring dagger's at her—uhmmmm maybe not.
Candice approached Ava with calm but calculated steps, Ava could feel the tension crawling up her well moisturized skin as she read meaning to the look on her superior's face.
Just as Candice lips parted to speak, Emilia—the secretary quickly ran towards Ava with a sense of urgency.
"Ms.Ava,I have an urgent message from the head of the project team for you" she said carefully avoiding eye contact with Candice.
"Okayyyy..."Ava replies slowly her voice uncertain as she wondered what this message was.
"You are to resume working at the CEO'S house immediately," Emilia said ignoring the horrified look on Ava's face"he's having a health challenge at the moment and is working from home and also insisted that he had to be involved in the ongoing project being that it's a big deal for RC group of companies," Emilia continued to say as she noticing that Ava's expression was softening a bit and Candice had walked away obviously angered.
"After very careful consideration,the board suggested that you be the one to work with him from his end being that you have played some important roles in this project. You are also to serve as the human mediator between the project team and the CEO" she said concerned this time realizing the weight of responsibility that Ava had to bear.
Ava stood confused as she took in the words of Emilia — just when she thought she her life was coming together, a dramatic twist was breeding
The dread she had felt earlier was nothing compared to how she felt now. Although she had become thankful for the mean words he spoke to her at the hospital, anxiety was breeding on her insides,it was time to toughen up for real...