Trapped

Chapter 28

Chapter Twenty Eight:

The downfall and the misery, part three.

»»—♡—««

each moment 

we choose 

to keep going

 is a new beginning, 

you get 

to define 

this life 

that you are living.

— p. bodi

»»—♡—««

Never lose hope.

No matter how difficult life gets, I had never lost hope and had continued to not to give up and to keep going. This had been my mantra for so long that I had basically practiced what I preach.

Because after all the rain is a rainbow.

I’m responsible for my future and I create my own success.

No one should be held responsible if things don't go my way. I’m the one to blame and that should serve as a driving motivation to strive harder and better.

I choose to keep going.

»»—♡—««

“So what’s your plan?”

Confused, I raised a brow at my sister’s direction. Although, her full attention was focused on the road so she can’t possibly see my reaction right now. How my eyebrows were knitted together and how my lips were pursed into a thin line.

So instead, I answered her question with another question. “What plan? I’m kind of lost. What plan are we talking about?” I quizzed her as I asked questions that pertained to her question.

We were just both talking about how we would spend the weekend since it’s our day off tomorrow and we were hoping that we could go shopping at a local mall and then head off to a spa. Because apparently, we both needed a day to relax and ease off our mind over the stress that our work gives to us.

Don’t get me wrong. I absolutely love my work. Maxwell, too, she had always loved her job. It’s not that we’re stressed because we hated our job. Sometimes (or I think most of the time) it’s the work environment that triggers such stress. So, we had decided to find time to relax and not think about work for tomorrow.

We had already discussed the schedule for tomorrow. What time we’re going to wake up, what time we’ll be leaving and what stores we’re planning to visit. Apparently it was too detailed since Maxwell really took the time management schedule routine on a whole different level.

She had always strictly followed her routines and schedules in such a religious manner.

Maxwell is very organized and detailed. She has tons of lists that she actively does. Aside from that, her day is pretty much pre planned as she intends to type her routine every night before she falls asleep.

As someone who is not as organized as my sister, I had always admired her hobby of doing that. It had helped her a lot in terms of managing work life balance and I can attest to that. Despite her workloads in her field of work; she finds time to do other errands and chores. Moreover, she always had time for her family.

“About the project proposal, Chandy.” Maxwell maneuvered the car carefully as we headed over to the office. It was still early since we didn’t want to be caught up in the traffic so we had avoided the rush hour. “Have you forgotten already? Today’s the day that they’ll be announcing if the proposals are accepted or rejected.” She added, giving me a side glance for a second. Probably to see the reaction on my face. 

I managed to keep a stoic expression on my face. Clearly avoiding any hint of relentlessness even though my insides were already swirling with nervousness and wariness. 

Terrified. I am beyond terrified.

I still haven't fully grasped the idea that I had submitted a project proposal just a week ago, and now we'll be getting feedback from the higher ups. Regardless of the result, I'm just overall happy and proud of myself.

Nothing could go wrong... right?

...

Maxwell and I parted ways since our office is located on different floors inside the company.

She had decided to drop the thought of worrying about me and just trusting the process and what the outcome of the submission was.

Even though my heart was hammering inside my chest, I strode confidently and with a smile on my face towards our office.

Upon entering the room, I could hear my colleagues talking very loudly but I couldn't coherently understand what they were all talking about. My feet strides were careful and slow, trying to catch and hear what they were all talking about.

Loud chattering and exclamations had invaded our office and I had noticed that all weren't even working as they were all busy babbling words.

However, as soon as my colleagues grew aware of my presence; they all lowered their heads and avoided meeting my gaze. Which I found weird and utterly awkward. Every time my co-worker's eyes landed on mine, they would immediately glance away as if they were children that had been caught doing a bad thing.

It was very... alarming.

As soon as I reached my chair, it caught my attention that Dianna wasn't in her place even though she's an early bird. In which, she usually arrives earlier than me. When I felt like someone was staring at me, I instantly scanned the room and my eyes landed on Kevin who was looking back at me.

There was a look on his face that felt familiar. Like it had ignited a feeling inside of me. The way he was staring at me had caused my heart to beat erratically. It didn’t involve any romantic feeling. Instead, it gave me a sense of worriness.

Kevin was giving me a look of pity. 

Something that I knew ever since I was young.

I raised a brow at him but it immediately vanished when Mr. Albert Martin, an engineering manager who is Mrs. Evan's superior, entered the room with a big smile on his face while walking towards Mrs. Evans who was now outside of her office. We all greeted Mr. Albert as a sign of respect in which he returned then flashed a smile towards us.

Mrs. Evans walked towards him ever so carefully. Her ash brown bobbed cut hair was bouncing swiftly in rhythm with her strides. I noticed that she wore an outfit that was unusual to her past fashion style. This one had made her look much more professional than she intended to be. She also made an effort to straighten her hair and put some heavy makeup on.

It made me wonder what the special occasion was. It couldn[‘t just be because she wanted a change in just a week.

Behind all that professional look, was a project manager that is unreliable and lacks leadership skills.

Mr. Alberty smiled, widely. He had offered a hand mid-air, practically implying a handshake offering to Mrs. Evans. I raised a brow at their direction. This wasn’t surely the first time that the two of them met so what is the handshake for.

His next words had almost caused my heart to stop beating.

"Congratulations Mrs. Evans, your proposal has been accepted." Mr. Albert congratulated Mrs. Evans as she accepted the handshake and shook his hand enthusiastically.

I stood there stunned.

My hands were shaking and I could feel the cold beams of sweat forming on my forehead and on my septum. Holding onto my office chair, I felt how wobbly my knees began to pose. The words I heard automatically felt like someone had punched me deep in the gut. Or a bucket of ice cold water was poured on my entire body.

Then it hit me.

Mrs. Evans had stolen my project proposal.

There is no way in hell that she had submitted a project proposal of her own in just a span of a week. Most employees take one to three months to fully accomplish a whole outline and presentation of the project proposal so it is really impossible for Mrs. Evans to submit a project proposal that fast.

Not unless she’s some kind of genius that could plan and execute a project proposal in just one week. In which, I doubt. Just by her skills alone, she doesn’t have that capability.

“Thank you so much, Mr. Albert. It’s a pleasure knowing that you’ve read and accepted the proposal.” Mrs. Evans responded, smiling so widely at the man. She couldn’t hide her smiles and looking at her irked me.

“You deserve it, Evans. The idea of your proposal has so much potential. I think it’s the best one out of all the employees that have submitted their project proposals.” Mr. Albert informed her, the proud smile on his mouth had never left his face.

Mrs. Evans was beaming, happy of what she heard she had answered. “Thank you, sir. I appreciate it.” Never did she break eye contact with him.

Not even a single glance towards me. Towards the person that she had taken advantage of.

My blood is boiling right now and much more negative emotions were brewing inside of me.

I was about to lash out towards the both of them when a hand on my arm had stopped me from doing so. For a moment I was shocked but as soon as I regained my intention, the anger inside me intensified.

Looking to the owner of the hand that had stopped me from doing something so recklessly, Kevin was staring back into my eyes. The fact that I didn’t even notice how fast he had gotten to my area without me noticing is beyond me.

I am mad.

I am furious about his whole situation.

I felt cheated and I felt betrayed by my own manager.

It felt as though someone had stabbed a knife right straight through my heart and left me to bleed. And instead of leaving me be, that certain someone has decided to slowly turn the knife still pierced through my chest, adding another set of pain.

Before I could even utter a word of protest towards Kevin, he had immediately dragged me out of the room and I couldn’t witness the conversation between Mr. Albert and Mrs. Evans. Instead, just like a Deja vu, I was yanked against my will and was led to the fire exit once again.

As soon as we had come to a stop, I harshly swatted away his hand from my arm. Like I had felt disgusted and violated by what he has done. 

Kevin is stronger than me and no matter how much I wanted to get out of his grasp, I just couldn’t so he had successfully yanked me outside.

“What do you think you are doing?” I blurted out as I fisted both my hands on my sides. I was already boiling mad and his actions just added another set of anger inside me. I could feel my nails digging into my skin and due to the fact that my anger was more profound; I couldn't feel the pain from my nails digging into my palm. However, I am certain that it might leave a mark for a minute or so.

"Stopping you from doing something so reckless." He answered, as he had remained a stoic expression on his face.

I gritted my teeth, "She stole my project proposal!" The statement came out as a yell, I almost flinched at my own voice. But Kevin had kept a straight face.

He nodded, "I had warned you, Chandria. You didn't listen to what I said."