The Wisely Christ and Five Pretties

The Others

Christ's index finger was raised to signal the desired silence. His feet did not move even an inch, although he was scared and trembling too. His hands did not flinch, grasping his belt as the first and last defense he could use.

The rustling of leaves drew closer, revealing themselves quickly. A pair of eyes that glowed in the darkness looked closer, making Christ's heart beat faster. There was a sharp intake of breath before someone finally emerged from the trees.

"Oh, my God! You won't believe this!"

Clarissa's steps halted at the sound of a familiar voice. Her frightened face twisted, and let out a long sigh when she realized someone other than the two of them had survived.

Christ, let out a sigh. His hands went up, trying to help the woman, who looked so disheveled after crossing the silent forest.

"Let me help you."

The curly blonde-haired woman fell silent at the sight of Christ's authoritative figure. The breath that had been ragged after running around was neutralized easily with a long sigh in one breath.

"Waterston? Is that you? What's going on? Why are you running around in the forest? When did you wake up, huh?"

Anne was not surprised to hear Clarissa's questioning slur. Instead, instead of answering, she just focused on her steps while grasping Christ's hand that guided her to come closer.

"I've no problem with you, Redmayne. I have no obligation whatsoever to answer it."

Christ glanced at Clarissa, who was sitting on the fallen tree trunk. He also glanced at Anne, who was still staring at him with a seductive smile. "You can sit here, Miss Waterston."

"Thanks."

Seeing a woman who was not frightened, Christ knelt down in front of Anne while inspecting her. Several parts of Anne's leg were deeply injured, even if some sharp twigs were still stuck and bleeding freshly.

"You didn't know your leg was injured?"

Anne glanced at her leg briefly and shook her head to draw Christ's attention more deeply. "I was just busy running, felt like I was just spinning around. I was panicking. But suddenly I heard someone's voice. You."

Clarissa tapped her forehead in amusement. She knew that Anne Waterston was an easily enamored woman. The rumor had even spread and almost all of Fayriott's employees were trying to make Waterston fall in love with them to get an influential position just by being an ass-kisser.

Christ was not interested in hearing the teasing of Anne, who was still smiling beautifully and spreading charms. He picked up the medical kit before finally pulling out one by one the branches that were stuck in Anne's long legs.

Anne endured the pain, but her smile didn't even change, even though her tears couldn't be stopped from rolling down her rosy cheeks. She quickly wiped her hands away, removing the traces of her tears as she continued to stare at Christ, who was applying ointment to her open wounds.

"How did you get these wounds? It's like you hit yourself on a twig."

Anne was about to reply when Clarissa interrupted her first as she lay back down to rest. "Or she accidentally fell into a bush and got a big damn push from someone."

Anne shifted her gaze, glancing sharply at Clarissa, who was behind. Her gaze looked much different, as if she hated Clarissa's very existence there.

"Can you explain what you mean, Redmayne?"

Clarissa covered her eyes with her forearm, and chuckled at the thought of the man she liked, preferring to spend the night with Waterston in order to get a higher job at a distinct branch of the hotel.

"Tell me, Waterston. Who else survived?"

At Clarissa's question, Christ's calm expression was quickly disrupted. Especially when he tried to focus because he again heard something in the distance.

His hands stopped applying ointment to Anne's bare legs as if they were on display. In the next second, he stood up straight while looking in the direction where Anne had exited earlier.

Waterston prevented Christ from leaving her side. She even gazed compassionately as if asking Christ for protection from what had happened. "I can explain about it."

The rustling of leaves grew louder as Christ turned to the source of the sound, ignoring Anne's request, who was still trying to prevent him from getting closer. And how surprised Christ was to see Mads Miller coming out of the trees.

"Mads? What are you doing there?"

"Shouldn't you be referring to me with respect, Murphy?"

Christ has known Mads Miller since his first interview at Fayriott many years ago. Both applied for jobs at the same time. But fate would have it differently. Mads was promoted to a better position in less time. Even becoming the laundry supervisor in just six months.

Once, Christ, who felt there had never been a problem between them, said hello to Mads to congratulate him on his new position, but Mads didn't even turn his head and respond with a smile. Let alone smiling and thanking Christ, Mads didn't even give him a second glance.

Realizing the bond between Mads and Christ, Clarissa opened her arms and splashed out. She knew very well Mads' work was far worse than Christ's. And Clarissa was not at all surprised to learn that Mads was accompanying Waterston.

"Didn't I tell you? You should have heard the rumors and believed them. Then you could have approached Waterston for a much more valuable position than Miller got."

Mads spat harshly. He pulled Christ, who was standing too close to the scarred Anne.

"Please watch your tongue, Murphy. You too, Miss Redmayne. I don't know what rumors are spreading. But it would be best if we kept each other's dignity. After all, this is still an agenda that involves the company's good name."

"Whatever," Clarissa replied irritably. She hated being around people who got their positions quickly without working hard. She also hated her ex-lover, who had spent time with Anne, where she had to spit on him.

Christ didn't bother. He grabbed the medical kit lying near Waterston's feet, then moved closer to Clarissa, who was still lying down.

"You hate her? She's a very influential boss, isn't she? You could lose your job because of your attitude here."

Clarissa sat up irritably. She even spluttered when she saw Anne's gaze on Christ. Quickly, she stood up and trailed behind Christ's back, trying to block Anne's gaze.

"I don't care. Besides, we're not in a hotel. So stop talking as if we were coworkers. Because this time, we're not at the hotel for work hours. Am I wrong, Christ?"

Before Christ could answer Clarissa's rhetorical question, Mads interrupted him. He even had to run to warn Christ and Clarissa, who were quite far away from where he was standing before.

"Where are you going? Should you leave us? We've been struggling on our own long enough. I mean, look at Ms. Waterston! She needs food, water, and shelter. And I'm sure you guys must have something for us, right?"

Christ gave Clarissa a sharp glance, to which Clarissa responded with a shake. He also glanced at Anne, who was still groaning, complaining of hunger with a forced smile.

Without further ado, Christ immediately grabbed the same chocolate, cut it into smaller pieces, before handing it directly to Mads.

"We're worried about her, Miller. Please give her this. As for the rest, you can find her some drinking water yourself. Because, to be honest, we have very little food and drink. That's why we're trying to be as frugal as possible."

"What?" asked Mads incredulously. He could even hold the piece of chocolate Christ had given him with just his thumb and forefinger. "Are you getting crazy? Where's mine?"

Christ smiled kindly. He patted Miller's shoulder with his hand before walking away.

Being treated so casually, of course, Miller was furious. His breathing was labored as his hands clenched into tight fists, crushing the chocolate he was given. In one fell swoop, Miller delivered a powerful punch to Christ's head.

Brakk!

"Shouldn't you know not to joke around with people who are starving, huh? Should I put you out of work right now? Must you behave so cavalierly to your superiors and to an injured woman? Is that how you humanize people?!"