Ava winced in pain as Carter fiercely tightened the bandaid. She could tell he was angry but what could be the cause?
"Sir...I'm sorry about yesterday, I..I..I didn't mean to throw..." Ava began to apologize but was cut short almost immediately.
"Why did you lie to me?" Carter asked sternly looking directly into her eyes.
Ava stared at him dumbfounded,till she realized what he was talking about,her hands began to tremble as tears began to fall from her eyes.
"You were the lady at the hospital garden and also the one who fainted at the boardroom the other day" Carter continued as though oblivious of her trembling and tears.
"I didn't want to lose my job sir"she said trying to get on her knees "please don't fire me sir, I really need this job".
Carter looked down at her not having any response to give. His anger begining to deflate as he saw her for who she really was—a loner,whose only source of joy and validation was her job even if it meant her working at the expense of her health, beyond that, he could also see her devotion and losing such a staff would not be the best decision for his company even though was still very much upset about the lie and yesterday as well.
He thought about how he had resolved to make her pay for taunting his thoughts some months ago before his spinal episode that came as a result of his sickly genes. And then to think that she had been working right under his nose even to the the point of throwing up on him made him feel foolish–a feeling he never liked to be associated with. His face darkened as he walked out of the room she was staying without uttering another word–this was far from over and he knew.
*******
Ava prayed silently that she wouldn't lose her job as she prepared to go to work. The weekend didn't go well as she had hoped it would. She spent the rest of the Sunday working on the deadlines from Candice admist not feeling too well and she didn't even know what to expect from Carter at the office today.
"Elisabetha, you are a strong girl"Ava affirmed to herself using the words of her late mother as tears filled her eyes.
******
The progress report meeting went well and the investors were satisfied with the rate at which the project was going. Ava tried as much as possible to avoid meeting Carter's eyes although he kept his eyes on her all through the meeting. What was going through his mind? She couldn't make much of his stares,his face was expressionless but something about those piercing brown eyes sent a heat wave coursing through her body. Was he still angry? A bead of sweat trickled behind Ava's neck as the meeting came to an end,her eyes subconsciously traveled back to Carter's before she could remember not to. He looked as though he was upset about something this time,Ava was beginning to sweat profusely,one could tell she was greatly disturbed. She rushed out of the board room immediately the meeting ended. Such torture!—he should at least say something—Ava thought as she wiped away the tear that was beginning to travel down her cheek. A cup of iced coffee would calm her nerves she reasoned as she headed briskly to the elevator.
The elevator led to the company's entrance hall, a large coffee stand stood opposite the receptionist, the environment was busy as always—the soothing sound of heels moving from one place to another calmed Ava's nerve, it was one of the things she loved about working here. Feeling a bit steadied,she went across the hall to the coffee stand and began making her coffee.
"It seems to me that you're tired of working at this establishment" Candice said firmly behind her. Ava rolled her eyes before turning, what could this nagging hag want from her now, she had met the deadlines hadn't she?
"This report is poorly written, I expected more from you" her voice heightening as she violently shook the papers Ava had submitted to her earlier.
"I tried my best ma'am" Ava said subtly, remembering her ordeal during the weekend,her eyes becoming filled—she had come down to calm her nerves with a cold cup of coffee not to encounter Candice's venomous fangs.
"Your best is not enough!" Candice retorted tearing the papers and flinging them on Ava. A soft gasp filled the room,everyone had stopped to watch. But no one could interrupt because Candice wasn't one to toy with....