My Boss Keeps Dying In My Dream

Chapter 2 My new boss cares

Rose’s PoV

Sharon put her arm on the car window and smiled at me. I can’t believe I’m sitting inside her car, which she had bought recently. I heard rumors that said the CEO had bought it for her. That explained how she could afford to drive a luxury car around.

“Rose, this business trip is making me anxious and worried. This trip is significant, and I have to meet many influential people. Do you know La Bridge from La Bridge Conglomerate? I heard you have experience in dealing with important meetings like this. So having you with me gave me a little confidence about myself. You don’t blame me for dragging you, right?”

Is this woman rubbing her good fortune onto me? I look at those hypocritical orbs before giving her the most sincere smile I can muster.

“Don’t worry. I understand. If there’s any question you would like to ask me, I’ll be all ears. Do you know where my home is?”

Sharon shakes her head no.

“Do you mind if I enter my address in the GPS?”

Sharon shrugged while she drove. I key in my address while my mind is cursing. I’m literarily giving away my address to this woman!  

“Hold on; you live in Sunset Boulevard Apartment? What a coincidence, I’m moving to this apartment next week! And we also live on the same block! Which floor do you stay on?”  

You have to be kidding me! Why is the universe seems to be against me?! I tried to hide my dissatisfaction and not offend my new boss. And this woman is so clueless to how I’m feeling.

“Rose, we will get along fine since we live in the same apartment. I know it’s embarrassing for you since you hate me, but I’m sure we will warm up to each other on this trip. I’ll be sure to ask for your guidance in the future.”

I’ve been working with Sharon for the last three years. We fought, our minds worked differently, and at some point, it seemed this woman would do whatever it took to get what she wanted, even if she had to backstab her colleague. I always thought she was a devil wearing a friendly mask to cover her evil deeds.

Today, I finally get to see what a hypocrite she is. People like Sharon will trample on the weak for their benefit.

Once we arrived at the building entrance, Sharon told me to go and pack.

“After packing, I’ll pick you up in an hour.”

What? No way.

“No, it’s okay; we should meet at the station instead.”

Sharon shrugged before she drove away without saying anything. I went to the elevator and pressed on my floor. As I was about to open the front door, I suddenly remembered what happened this morning. Did anything change while I was at work?

Did anyone try to break into my house? I look around at my succulent plants, and it doesn’t seems that anything has been moved. I should stop being so paranoid. I went inside and turned on the lights.

Just to be sure, I went inside the bathroom and noticed nothing had been moved. There’s no strange odor, and it seems there is no sign of an intruder anywhere. I sigh in relief. Perhaps I was too pressured by work. But now that the position belongs to someone else, I should be able to feel more at ease.

I went to my bedroom and packed a few work clothes and casuals before changing into a more comfortable outfit for traveling. But since I heard the weather in City B has dropped below zero recently, I should use something to keep myself warm.

While packing my toiletries, I received a phone call from my mother.

"Will you be home for New Year's Day?"

I can sense how hopeful my mother is.

“I’m not sure. I have a new boss now. I may have to work overtime on New Year’s Day.”

I said nonchalantly. It seems my mother had expected what my answer would be when she said,

“Then I’ll go to your place. Since you’re all alone there, I’m sure you won’t be bothered to take care of your meals probably. I’m pretty sure you’re collecting all kinds of instant food. You’re still young, and you need to take care of yourself more, Rose.”

What? I don’t want her to be here. I didn’t say anything.

“It’s been years, Rose. Can’t you forgive me for what happened? I’m just a human being, and I, too, made some mistakes.”

I don’t have time to hear this. I need to go to the station soon.

“Mom.”

I interrupted.

“I have to go on a business trip to City B. We can talk about this later. I have to leave for the station soon.”

I hang up the phone without waiting for her to reply. I sighed in relief before continuing to pack my things.

*Train Station*

When I arrived at the train station, I immediately went to the security check and waited for Sharon.

“Oh, hey. Here’s your ticket.”

I nodded as Sharon handed my ticket. I hate to admit it, but Sharon does have a beautiful appearance. Even though she wore only an casual outfit, nothing stopped her from glowing. We waited until it was time for us to get on the train.

It takes the train three hours to get to City B. When we finally found our seats, Sharon said she want to sit next to the window. I don’t mind much since I’ll be spending my three hours reading a book that I just got a few days earlier.

Sharon is a tall woman, so it’s easy to place her suitcase into the luggage compartment. Since I am a little short compared to her, I’m struggling to lift my bag. Sharon probably saw me struggling when she grabbed my bag and placed it beside hers.

“Thank you.”

Sharon smirked.

“Aren’t you an athlete before? It seems you haven’t been exercised as much.”

Is she making fun of me?

“Yea. I was. Since I was busy with work, I don’t have any leisure time like I used to.”

I decided to have a seat in front of Sharon’s and grabbed my book from my backpack.

“What sort of sport do you play before?”

Sharon asked as she leaned forward as if she wanted to know what I had done before.

“Archery.”

I said while reading the first page of my book. Can she ignore me?

“Archery, huh? Would you like to join me and my friends? We have a group of outdoor sports team. Perhaps we could get closer if we’re in the same group of friends.”

What? She’s going to be living in the same building as I am. Do I want to spend my alone time with her as well? I was about to decline politely, but Sharon beat me to it.

“We have a gathering next week. I’ll let you know where and when.”

It’s futile. People like Sharon are hard to handle. She thinks that since she has the upper hand, she can plan whatever she has in mind and expect others to follow. And as for me, I am a person who can’t even reject another person’s invitation without feeling a sense of guilt.

I can’t help but think if this is part of Sharon’s way to get to know me better now that we’re working together. I still doubt that she’s acting this out of goodwill because she wants to embarrass me like she used to.

I decided to ignore Sharon as I continued to read my book. There is no point in me trying to discuss anything with this woman. It’s futile, and I sneered at the thought of following her orders.

When we arrived in City B, the weather forecast wasn’t kidding when they said it was cold here. I was struggling to keep myself warm, but Sharon didn’t seem to faze at all. We exited the train together, and as we made our way toward the front of the station, we saw the branch manager and a driver waiting for us.

Stephen, the branch manager, was about to arrange for us to have dinner in a restaurant when Sharon said there was no need. Excuse me, but I am hungry, and I didn’t had any decent food since this morning. I lost count of how many times my stomach grumbled from the lack of food!

“Since we’re meeting Gary this evening, he has booked a restaurant for us. Stephen, you should book us a room at a karaoke place instead. I’m sure Gary would love to go and have some fun after dinner.”

I gave Sharon a look before she said,

“Gary likes singing and drinking. There is no other way to discuss business if he’s not having fun. He’s the person who would only sign the fricking paper if he’s drunk.”

Sharon explained. I didn’t say anything in front of Stephen because I didn’t want to embarrass my new boss. When Stephen left, I decided to confront Sharon head-on.

“Why do we need to make sure Gary has his fun? What significance does he have over us?”

Sharon sighed.

“Gary is not happy knowing that Amanda sent us instead. At first, Gary wants Amanda to come here herself, but she can no longer drink, and she can’t take the train after the surgery she had. Amanda had done her best to talk it over with La Bridge before he agreed to see us.”

Sharon's words made me realize that the gossip between her and the CEO seems true. If not, how would she knows what Amanda had done, right? This woman really cares for thr CEO.

“We should do our best to achieve what we are here for. You probably never entertain a client before. So don’t worry. I’ve done this many times, and I know how to ensure our company will get what it deserves. But if I drank too much, you must take care of me and bring me back to the hotel.”

It seems I have no choice but to comply. Of course, I have to take care of my boss. Let’s hope this Gary person is a gentleman.

Gary seems to be a man in his fifties, far from the image of a successful entrepreneur. As soon as he enters the karaoke room, he calls on someone to bring in several bottles of wine and even offers both me and Sharon cigarettes.

Stephen had to intervene and say that we do not smoke and offered himself to take the cigarette instead. Stephen and Sharon seem like they have been doing this for years now. While Stephen accompanies Gary to drink and smoke, Sharon sing songs one after another.

When Gary seems like he’s drunk and having a good time, Sharon tries to speak about the reason why they’re all here and perhaps finally getting the work done, but she is interrupted by Gary.

“Rose. I heard that you’re a good singer. Why don’t you sing us a song about romance and lovers? Also, you don’t seem like drinking at all. This isn’t how we do business in this city!”

I sighed mentally. I had expected this man to finally come for me when Stephen left the room for the bathroom. I have never been a fan of entertaining clients, and I, for one, have zero tolerance for alcohol. But even I know how important this meeting is.

My senior once told me that if the person you’re doing business with wants to drink, you should also drink out of respect. After having a few drinks, Gary seems happy to see me a little tipsy and smiling for no reason. I should avoid drinking anymore. I can’t get drunk tonight.

Gary once again forced me to drink, but this time, Sharon took charge and told Gary that I was not a good drinker. Gary sighed, and at the same time, Stephen returned and continued drinking with Gary.

I don’t know how to explain myself, but my eyes started to become heavy, and a second later, I fell asleep while the others continued the night away.

When I finally regained consciousness, I was awakened by a closing door. I don’t see Gary, nor Sharon, anywhere. But I do hear her voice outside. I got up while holding my head before approaching the door.

As I opened the door, I noticed Stephen struggling to carry Gary with him. I watched as Gary pointed at Sharon and said,

“I like you! You reminded me of Amanda and how you smoothly make things happen! I can see the future for you is bright!”

Gary slurred before Stephen helped Gary to stand on his own. Sharon smiled while holding a folder.

“Be sure to get him home safe, Stephen.”

As I came forward, I noticed Sharon’s face didn’t seem reasonable, but her expression was relaxed.

“Did Gary sign it?”

Sharon nodded.

“It would mean nothing if he didn’t. How many bottles of wine did we ordered? If he still didn’t sign it, it would be pointless.”

Sharon sighed.

“Anyway, Rose, is this your first time drinking? I notice that you’re drinking like a rookie. You should know better. It must shock your body since you’ve been drinking one glass after another.”

Hold on, is Sharon worried for me? That’s impossible. But she has such a gentle expression, and she acts like one of my seniors who takes care of me. This new side of her doesn’t seem so bad.

“Yes, it was my first time. Don’t worry. I’ll be better once I get some sleep.”

Sharon hummed.

“Alright then. I’ve called a taxi for us. Here, you can carry these documents.”

I look at the documents in my hand and wonder.

“Why don’t you keep the documents? What if I made a mistake and lost it? I’m still a bit drunk, after all.”

Sharon chuckled.

“You wouldn’t make such a mistake now, do you?”