Elena
I knew I was done for the minute I remembered I was supposed to be visiting Mr. Price with Evan Price, my contract husband instead of sitting by my mother's bedside. I groaned when I checked my watch and saw that it was around three in the morning.
That wasn't even the worst of it. It was the fact that an unknown number left me several missed calls. Oh shit! I cursed inwardly, quickly dialing Thomas Price's contact to apologize for missing the dinner and also give him my reasons for not coming.
As I expected, he understood. Mr. Price on the other hand was another problem.
I had rushed back home with all intention of falling on my knees in front of him, if that was what it took to earn his forgiveness. Now that my mother was relapsing, I needed this marriage more than ever.
But Mr. Price was still in his study and no matter how much I waited, he wasn't coming out. I knew going to meet him in there would spell even more trouble for me, so I decided to settle on preparing him breakfast.
Since I had no idea what he liked or how he liked them, I prepared all the lavish dishes I knew – thank God I had felt a need to take a catering class some years ago – before rushing off to work. Thanks to him, I was late.
The buzz in the office was high when I arrived. Everyone was talking about something – as usual – I kept my head down and walked over to my cubicle, trying to ignore all the eager gossip and commotion around me.
"Ms. Madison!" I stiffened when the voice of our manager reached my ears. Plastering a smile on my face, I turned on my heels, giving her the nicest smile I could muster. "Do you realize that you're late? Today of all days?"
My smile fell as eyes around the office turned to me. "I know. I'm sorry, but –"
"Do you think I'm being paid to hear your excuses?" she snapped, cutting me off. I recoiled, my cheeks coloring as my eyes darted to my colleges who were all giving me varying degrees of hateful glares.
"Do you realize what is happening today?" the manager took a step closer, relaxing on a random desk – by chance that desk happened to be mine – and picked a folder from it, scanning it absently.
"Since you don't remember, how about I jog your memories?"she continued without giving me a chance to reply. I internally rolled my eyes, seeing as every time things didn't go her way she resulted to these underhanded tactics.
Everyone around here knew I was indispensable. I was the backbone of this department when it came to brainpower and workload. She should be grateful I was too humble to flaunt her 'trump card'.
She glared at me, then turned to face the rest of the department staffs. "Today, our new bosses will be coming to visit!" she announced cheerily. "As you all know, due to some financial troubles we had in the past, our company had been sold off to avoid us going bankrupt and losing our jobs."
Her eyes pierced my back. "Well. Today, our new owners will be paying us a visit and as the best department we should live up to our name!"
I rolled my eyes at the comic scene unfolding before me. as if noticing that, she turned to me with a glower. "Ms. Madison, this behavior won't be condoned next time. I hope you understand."
I nodded. "Of course, ma. It will never happen again."
Contended, she turned and left. Nit after reminding everyone to be on their best behaviors, so we could get on the new side of the new management and continue holding our title of best department.
I turned as I heard someone scoff behind me, then smiled when I saw that it was only my best friend, Tonia. "I can't believe she can twist thigs like that!" Tonia fumed, glowering after our managers disappearing figure. "She keeps acting like the reason we've stayed best department for this long is because of her."
Tonia scoffed again. "I wish someone could knock that woman off her high horses. Wherever we are now, its because of our sheer hard work and all your brains. Doe she even realize this department won't be standing –"
I linked my hand with hers, stopping her mid-sentence. "That's enough, Tonia." I chided, pulling her away from the spectacle she was making. Just like the manager, it was well known that most of my colleagues didn't like me. for some reason.
I chose to ignore it though. Although Tonia was right. I – singlehandedly – was about eighty percent why this department was what it was today. None of my colleagues would accept that though.
I was brilliant and the department started gaining recognition because of my ideas and projects, they never let me take credit for it. It didn't bother me though – I had a reason why I still worked here and why no matter what happened, I still kept my head down.
"Oh, Ena." Tonia cried, shaking her head. "You're so good. That's why these people think they can walk over you like this." She glared at the people who were still staring at us. "You should let me teach them a lesson once in a while."
I pinched my brows, rubbing my temple as I felt the onslaught of a headache coming in. I knew Tonia was hotheaded and most of all, very protective of what she always called my 'fragile ego'. Also, she was very impulsive and never thought before running head on into any situation.
Still, she was my best friend and I loved her. We've been friends since kindergarten so Tonia knew me better than anyone else. Maybe even better than I knew myself. I always guessed this was why she was so fiercely protective of me.
"Tonia." I snapped. "That's enough. Let's get to work. You heard Marge, our new bosses will be arriving here any moment."
Tonia looked like she wanted to complain, but ultimately relented, sighing as she slumped her shoulders dramatically.
"So," she wriggled her brows suggestively as she sat in her cubicle which for some reason was beside mine. "How is being Mrs. Price going? Are you settling in nicely? Have you guys… consummated your marriage?"
I choked on saliva, coughing maniacally as my face reddened.
Myra, a colleague, leaned in from beside me with a grunt. "Did I just hear you say consummate?" she laughed, wiping way imaginary tears. "Are you implying that Elena is married?" she laughed again, attracting more than half the department.
"Like someone will ever settle with someone as ugly has her. Like, have you looked in the mirror?"
I frowned, placing my hand on Tonia who I could see was already fuming with rage and was about to stand. I shook my head slightly, telling her without words that Myra was just a small fry and not worth our time.
"You're just too good, Elena." Tonia said under her breath while sending the other woman a death glare.
Before I could say another word, my phone rang, piercing the tense atmosphere. I rushed for my bag with shanking hands about to silence it when I saw that it was the same strange number that had left me numerous missed calls the previous night.
Sighing, I swiped answer on the screen and placed my phone to my ear. But where I expected to hear Mr. Price's cold voice, I heard a stranger's voice although it was just as cold.
"Mr. Price wants you to prepare for a meeting with some investors. You have less than thirty minutes."