The Devil’s Bite

Chapter 8

“Let’s go.” Demire stood in front of Sofia. She’s writing something on a plain paper. “Sofia? Are you deaf?” he called her, since she seems didn't hear him. Sofia faced him tardy. He cannot explain how she looks now. She didn't even bother to brush her hair or wipes her oily face. She faced him so weird. “Are you okay?” 

She just nodded. “A-are we leaving now, Sir?” 

“Yes, let's go.” He scanned her again. “Please fix yourself before anything else. You look unpleasant.” He coughed and left. “Weirdo,” he whispered when he passed her cubicle. He watched her from afar. He noticed something wrong with her but couldn't tell what it is. She’s so weird today. 

He went out the company, directed to his car and waited Sofia there. She took almost fifteen minutes. He’s about to pick her up inside when he went bored but suddenly, he stopped when he saw her walking reaching his car. She’s walking sluggishly so he started to worried about her. He went out of his car and helped her to get in. He opened the door for her which is he offer to no one. She's so lucky today. “Are you okay, Ms. Pollyanna?” he tried not to sound concerned. 

“Yes, Mr. Goddard!” She gave him a quacked smile. Demire shrugged his shoulder, he’s still wasn't convinced about her. He can sense something is wrong about her. But he has to act he doesn't care. It was him to everyone. Sofia shouldn't be an exception. He went inside the driver’s seat and drove. He often looked at his side to check her. She remained silent to their entire ride. 

“Good afternoon, Mr. Goddard,” a man with his jet-black hair, tan skin, narrow eyes and has an averade body type. He held his hand to Demire and Demire immediately accepted it. 

“Good afternoon, Mr. Lamberg. Please to meet my secretary, Sofia Pollyana.” Both men faced at Sofia. She's completely drained and a little bit dizzy. 

“Nice meeting you, Ms. Pollyana,” Mr. Lamberg smiled at Sofia and held his hand for a shake hand. She accepted it with a curt smile. There’s no word leaves her mouth. She has no energy left to her body. Lamberg faced back to Demire. “We have so many things to talk about regarding our partnership.” 

They started walking towards the fancy restaurant. Sofia followed them with her legs seemed boneless. She felt so dizzy now and really hungry. She’s slowly imagining everyone surrounding her was a moving food. A fried potato, lasagna and many foods she loved to eat. 

“Please note every important detail we will talk.” 

Sofia nodded to Demire and smiled bitterly. 

“Why a sudden muted?” Demire still confused about her oddness today. This was not her. 

Sofia didn’t answer him. They seated on the table beside the tinted glass wall. Sofia couldn’t understand any about the conversation of Demire and Mr. Lamberg. She's completely out of their world. 

“What would you love to eat, Ms. Pollyana?” Akiko Lamberg asked her with a smile. He never gets tired of secretly gazing her on her chair. She seemed floating but remains beautiful. “I heard they’re serving American cuisines here. Which would you prefer?”

“Sofia…” Demire whispered her name when it seemed she hadn’t heard anything. “Ms. Pollyana?” he repeated to call her by using her surname and it works since he caught her attention.

“Y-yes, Mr. Goddard?”

“He’s talking to you.” He handed his hand to show her Mr. Lamberg in front of them. “Don’t act stupid!” he whispered to her ears. Demire was badly interested to close the deal with Mr. Lamberg, so he doesn’t want Sofia, or anyone to ruined the conversation between him and Mr. Lamberg.

“A-anything, Mr. Lamberg.” Sofia sighed and set her palms on her lap. She’s trembling now in too much hungry, she couldn’t take it anymore. “P-please excuse me,” her voice was shaking now as well as her body. Poor Sofia, you’re dying. You didn’t eat your breakfast insane! She stood up to go to the restroom but her knees melted, causing her to lose her balance. On a swift move, Demire chased her. He wrapped his hand to her waist.

“Is she okay?” Akiko stood up. He’s worried about her. Everyone is staring at them now, this is what Demire hate the most. To be the center of attraction.

“Hey, Ms. Pollyana? Are you okay?”

Sofia didn’t answer. All what she can see went blurred. She currently having an unclear and spinning vision. “I-I’m—” She was cut off when she fainted.

“Sofia!” Demire called her name. He started to get more worried than he was.

“Bring her to the hospital,” Akiko said.

Everyone surrounds them was panicking. Demire just nodded. He carried her and brought her to his car.  Akiko entered his car too and followed them to the hospital.

Demire never visit hospital. Not just because he never gets sick but because he does care to no one. Besides, he has nobody to bring to the hospital when sick. “She’s crazy!” he mouthed, washed his face with his palms. He felt his heart pounding. What is it?! Does he really care about that woman? He can only smell her fresh and sweet blood. That blood was teasing him but it doesn’t mean he has to worry about her. This is an odd feeling for him. He never cared to anyone, and not to Sofia.

“How is she?” Akiko Lamberg asked him, he didn’t noticed Akiko followed him.

“I don’t know,” he simply said and sighed.