Wilted Roses

Chapter # 4

Faye

“So… how was your first day of work?” Janessa asked playfully as we were at the bar, sharing a couple of drinks. But my mind was present somewhere else. When the first time I saw him, I can agree he intimidated me immensely, his very presence spelled danger and I didn’t know how to react. He scared me to no extent but after spending a good eight hours with him, I realized one thing;

“Geez, that man is dead inside.” I breathed out, taking a sip of my drink. “What do you mean?” She asked in bewilderment. “What is he? A robot? Does he know a world exists outside work?” I asked, putting my glass down and turning to her, “Dude, he was exhausted. Like he hadn’t slept for days and acted so fine. What does that asshole think of himself? Argh. I hate him.” I groaned, pulling my hair.

“Each time I see him, It infuriates me.” I hissed, slamming my hand down, my body was burning fiercely, I was barely holding my overflowing rage, my hatred.

“And what can you do about it? You chose it yourself.” She shrugged but I can’t argue with that, she was right. I have chosen this worthless path myself. “Honestly, what do you expect to gain?” She asked and biting my bottom lip, I breathed out, “I want him to regret… I want him to go through the nightmares I go through, I want him to suffer the way I did and for it, I will do anything.” I growled, my vision began to moist, not wanting to think about that time where he mercilessly stole my first love from me.

“And what do you think after meeting him after all these years?" She asked, curious about my point of view. I wanted to lie, to believe he is enjoying his life to the fullest but I can't judge him on the very first meeting, Can I? "That man is a coward. Trying to run away from his own identity, hidden behind work." I breathed out what I have noticed about him and that's what bothers me.

"But, I don't want to make assumptions in a few hours. Who knows he is only like this at work and an asshole later? I can't say anything." I mumbled, finishing my drink and getting up, shaking my head, sobering up, not wanting to get into drunk driving.

"Hmm.. You are right." She hummed, using her phone, "I can't pray that your vengeance will win." She said, narrowing my eyes, I turned to her, "What do you mean?" I asked sternly, folding my arms. "What do you cling onto all these years, Faye? It's that hate forcing you to move forward. No matter how toxic but you have made this resentment your life source." She sighed calmly, turning to me.

"What else do you expect me to do? Forget? Yeah right, f**k justice. That man can indulge in his life even after taking a life while others torment for what has been done. Who cares, right? It's an old tale." I chuckled dryly, rolling my eyes off. "Exactly. It's an old tale, you can't forget. Okay, Ralph was your first love, you were these that night, you saw it all but what's the point of staying at one point?" She asked coldly, leaving me staggered. How easy is it for you to say it, Janessa? Can you fathom what I went through? I thought in disbelief. I cannot believe my very best friend was saying this.

How easily she belittled my nightmares. Watching someone die is so easy to forget? I thought but not wanting to argue, I breathed out, curling my hands, "We will see about it later, I just hope he agonizes the way I did." I replied, closing my eyes, inhaling sharply, trying not to take her words to my heart even if they hurt me a lot.

"I pray you regain your lost serenity." She hummed, turning away from me again, using her phone. I gave her a weird look for a second, I got what she was trying to say but- nevermind.

Turning away, I left her at the bar and left for my apartment, not wanting any tribulation to occur on my chest and enhance my misery more.

I returned home, threw myself on the bed and went to sleep immediately as I have to go to work tomorrow. I shouldn’t drink on weekdays.

The next day, I woke up thankfully not having any headache from last night. I forced myself to get up and got ready for work. Not wanting to mess up things, knowing he is an assertive man and won’t tolerate when it comes to work, I reached early, got things ready and waited for him outside his cabin.

Tapping my foot on the ground, I began to use my phone until it’s time for him to come. When the sound of the elevator stopping reached me, I put my phone back, holding my clipboard close to my chest as my heart began to race in anticipation. I don't understand but his presence frightens me to no extent, he is extremely superior and It requires a lot of effort to stay composed. He is so scary. I thought when he came with those emotionless eyes, "Good Morning, Sir." I said softly. opening his door. He hummed going inside, not bothering to glance at me.

Coming after him, I cleared my throat and told him his schedule. Damn, just how much this man works in one day. I thought, going on a long list of things that I was about to do in one day.

"That's all for today." I said, finish telling him. "Okay. You may leave. Don't forget to remind me ten minutes before every meeting and tell Janessa to send me a coffee and something to eat." He replied coldly, working as usual. Did you have breakfast? I almost asked but I know it's better to mind my business. Better than scolding.

"Yes, Sir." I nodded and left for my cabin, distributing the files he told me to and went to see Janessa on my way back.

"Oh, Hey Faye." She smiled, turning to me after her call. "Hey Janessa. Sir is said to send him a coffee and something to eat." I said, leaning on the table. "Yeah... You will find it in the canteen." She replied.

"I wonder, didn't he have breakfast?" I mumbled and about to leave but she chuckled, "Oh, I didn't tell you. Sir never has breakfast. That's a duty Mrs King has given to give him breakfast every morning. Sometimes he eats, sometimes he doesn't." She said nonchalantly.

"It seems like that man has no care for himself," I muttered, turning to leave but couldn't help but to hear Janessa saying seriously, "He doesn't." I turned, narrowing my eyes in perplexity but believing I had heard her wrong, I got his breakfast and saw someone getting himself a cup of coffee.

"Hey, you're Boss' new assistant, Right?" He asked sweetly. He was about my age, seemingly handsome with a maroon shirt and well-fitted pants, accompanied by his black hair and sharp jawline. "Yeah.. Faye Ziel." I replied sweetly, waiting. "I am James Greg. We met yesterday, remember?" He asked politely. "Yeah, I remember you." I nodded.

"So.. getting Boss's breakfast?" He asked. "Yeah."

"See you around, Sir." I smiled, He was one of the directors of the company, I surely don't wanna mess with him no matter how sweet he looks. "No need to be formal. You can call me James." He said gallantly. "Sure." I grinned, taking a sandwich and a cup of coffee.

"See you around, Faye Ziel. I hope you stay longer." He said with a faint chuckle, waving his hand and left. I know the history of his PA, no one ever passed the trail. I just hope I don't mess it up. Taking a deep breath, I went back to his cabin.

"Thank you." He said when I put his stuff on the table. I didn't expect him to say it, I thought it was a part of my job. "You're welcome." I replied nervously, tugging my hairs back and went back to my cabin and began to work.

During lunch break, I know no one, looking around, I don't know what to do, taking a sip of my juice, I looked around, socializing with a few people and noticed The King himself, coming to the canteen to get himself something to eat.

I smirked, leaning on the wall, pressing my teeth together. How easy is it to forget, isn't it? To move on? To conceal your sins? I thought bitterly as my lips began to quiver, he was talking to a few people calmly, one hand in his pocket and drinking coke with the other, probably discussing something.

"Hey..." I gasped faintly when James came out of nowhere. "Oh.. Sir- I mean James." I said, breathing out, putting my hand on my chest. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." he apologized. "It's okay..."

"So... enjoying a lonely company?" He asked, leaning on the opposite wall. "I guess... It's just my second day, I know nobody and my friend Janessa is at the front desk so..." I replied calmly.

"Yeah. It's hard to socialize. I hope I am not disturbing you." He said kindly but I smiled in return. "No, It's okay."

"Yeah... I am just here to say two things." He said, turning to me, straightening his back, "Yes?"

"First, would you like to hang around sometimes? I assure you, you won't be bored." he beamed, holding a gentle aura, I couldn't deny, returning him a grin I nodded. "Sure, It would be fun," I chuckled, knowing I need a life, rather than staying at home and sulking around.

"And second." He breathed out, tone turning serious abruptly as he said- ordered, "If you value your job then stay away from Boss."

My heart skipped a beat but lowering my gaze sorrowfully, my lips curled upward as I gradually looked up at that man with a pained expression, trying to fight the apprehension roaming in my heart, whispering,

"I would never involve myself with him."