Chapter 3
1326 Words
Anna
Nicole Coleman. The perfectionist and marketing lead of the team. It's been one hell of a rollercoaster since the day I arrived at the company. To be honest, I hate her as much as she hates me. She makes my skin crawl— the joy killer. From what I have heard lately, she is the star of the company's success, but who cares?! Certainly not me. She won't just leave me alone.
“If you're done, I will like to take my leave now. It's lunch break, and you know what that means, Nicole,” I bluntly announce, my eyes rolling in their sockets as disgust creeps down my throat.
“If you keep ignoring me, you'll end up like other girls,” she replies with the most taunting glare ever. “This is not a charity case, Ms. Rossell and not everyone is willing to kiss your feet. This is work, and we are not done yet.”
I scoff, clicking my tongue in amusement.
I f*****g hate that woman.
One of the managers swiftly clears his throat, flushing a sense of relief in the air. I turn to Derrick, but he looks away, scratching the back of his ear. Our eyes finally meet, but he shushes me silently without making a scene.
I roll my eyes.
Everyone worships her like some goddess.
“That will be all for today,” the manager announces, slowly making his way out the door without looking back. I bet he doesn't want any drama— not on his watch.
“You should ignore her, babe,” Derrick whispers, leaving me behind in a heartbeat.
“That jerk! Coward!” I cuss.
Nicole stops and spins to face me. Her eyes narrowing and hatred blooming from within. “You should be careful, Ms. Rossell. I can make you disappear from this company if I want. One word from me and you are out. You see, they don't joke with me.”
I roll my eyes, biting back the glare in them. I can't be wasting my time on her. It's not worth it. But the look in her eyes makes my belly knot so hard that I want to smack her right in her face.
I walk right past her, tossing the piece of paper in my hand aside.
“I have somewhere else to be,” I say.
I slip out my phone, dialing Grandma's number. Today, Grandpa is finally undergoing his surgery. Patrick played a huge part in this. He doesn't know yet, he thinks of it as a charity case when I told him about a friend that needs support for her surgery. I pretended to have the money to support her, trying to bait him in my little bidding and, luckily for me, he offered to support as well, transferring the exact money Grandpa needed for his surgery.
“Hey! I am on my way,” I say. “I will be there in no time.”
“Anna,” Nana cuts in. “Why do you sound strange? And how did you get the money for the surgery so fast?”
“We'll talk when I get there.”
“Anna!” She sighs. “You—”
“Hey!”
I turn behind me, a loud voice cutting Grandma off, forcing me to end the call abruptly. My gaze cast on Nicole, her eyes ready to rip me apart for walking out on her.
“Who the hell do you think you are?” She yells.
I rub my ear, clutching my cellphone with intense anger. Looking around the hallway, it seems quiet so I smile, pulling close to the b***h.
“Anna Rossell….”
“Huh?!” She clenches her fist, ready to start a fight, but I scoff. “You may be someone important, but that doesn't change the fact that you are a newbie. I am warning, Anna. You better be careful around here.”
I watch her rant, and it bores me like hell. I tilt my head backwards, trying to escape the horrible sight before me.
And there he is— Patrick Conti.
With a mysterious grin dancing on my face, I interlock my fingers behind me, staring deep into Nicole's eyes, ready to give a comeback.
“You wish you were me, right?! You are nothing compared to me,” I whisper in her ears.
“How dare you?!” She roars, slamming her hand across my face.
“Aah!” I cry, rubbing my cheek as Patrick catches the sight of Nicole's hostility.
He runs towards me, pulling me in his warm embrace, but I smile, taunting Nicole with his romantic gesture.
“Mr. Conti,” she stammers.
“Are you okay?” He asks, shooting daggers at Nicole.
“It's nothing,” I lie.
He quickly dials on his phone, anger brewing in him as he orders the management team around. “Get this woman removed from these premises,” he roars. “I want her demoted, and publicly apologize to my girlfriend.”
“Girlfriend?!” I blink, unable to make sense of it.
“No! No! I can explain,” Nicole pleads, but he holds my hand, taking me away like some treasure he would rather not lose.
*
Weeks passed, Patrick has been the perfect partner, flawless and gracious. The news spread across the company like wildfire, causing a desire to be seen and cherished out there. We literally did everything together, went on vacations and public events with dignitaries surrounding us.
I giggle as I pour red wine down my glass, the kitchen feels messy. I haven't had much sleep. I try not to make a mess out of the pancake I made him, I guess I am not lucky after all. I try not to laugh, but a snort slips out my lips and laughter follows as I walk to the living room with my little surprise.
“Can you please buy me a new one? I think the PS5 aunt Sophia got me is broken,” I hear a boy pleading with Patrick over the phone, I catch a glimpse of his cute expression on the video call but not as much as I wanted.
“Alright Leonard, I will get you a new one, but you have to promise to be good, okay?”
“Yay!”
The call ends, and I try to start a conversation, but he suddenly jolts at the sight of me, only to burst out in laughter.
“You made a mess out of that pancake.”
“I know, right?!” I giggle.
“Who was that? He is kind of cute. Your nephew?”
“Nope, my brother. Father had him late. He's a little spoiled and the baby of the house. Sophia, on the other hand, is a family friend I call a sister. She's the daughter of my mom's close pal. She fancies him a lot.”
“Wow! That's interesting!”
“You know what? There's a dinner at the mansion, you should come. I'm sure you will love him when you meet him.”
I can feel my pulse rising as anxiety flushes me. I have no idea how to act around these rich people, and he wants me in his family's mansion? I barely escaped the events we attended together.
“Uhm!” I swallow. “Do I need to bring anything? Like a gift? I don't usually attend family dinners.”
“Wait, what? You should know how this works, Anna.” He sighs, pulling me close. “Don't worry, I will get everything ready for you. All you have to do is show up. You don't have to be nervous.”
“Okay,” I reply with a faint smile.
He slides through his cellphone, scrolling up tons of gaming stations while I panic for my dear life.
What if I get caught?
- Writer
