Chapter 3 A Dream or Illusion
2109 Words
Third Person PoV
“Is the document with you?”
Rose nodded.
“Good. Please don’t lose it. I may look fine, but I am drunk, and I don’t know how long I can keep my composure. And if the document is lost, I don’t know how Amanda will react.”
Rose couldn’t believe her ears when Sharon called out the CEO by her name so casually. She wishes to ask about her relationship with Amanda when Sharon is drunk, but she doesn’t want to cross the line.
After waiting for what seemed like forever, the taxi finally arrived. Sharon opens the door before getting inside, followed by Rose. It’s late at night, so there aren’t as many cars. Seeing how empty the road is, the taxi driver drives the vehicle without a care in the world.
Rose had to remind him to drive safely because she was worried Sharon might throw up. The driver promised to drive safely. After what it seems like hours, they finally arrived at the hotel safely.
The moment Sharon stepped outside of the car, she couldn’t help herself but throw up on the asphalt. Rose immediately went to her side after paying the taxi driver.
“Are you alright? Can you walk?”
Sharon groaned as she couldn’t even lift her foot.
“I don’t think I can. I was fine, but that drive made my stomach churn and my head- if I didn’t know better, it seems you have a twin beside you. I’m sorry for bothering you, but can you help me?”
Rose nodded before placing one of Sharon’s arms around her shoulder. Rose kept a steady pace as they approached the revolving door. As they entered the hotel lobby, Sharon couldn’t help but laugh as she saw the reindeer on display.
“Deer.”
Sharon whispered. As Rose and Sharon approached the reception, Rose asked for their room, and the staff was kind enough to help her carry Sharon toward their room.
After making sure Sharon was finally settled, Rose went to her room and had a quick shower. After drying her hair with a hair dryer, Rose went to bed and let her body rest.
Rose was awakened by the sun shining on her eyes. Before she went to bed last night, she didn’t even draw the curtains as exhaustion had overtaken her body. Even though she’s feeling sick, she has no choice but to get up and get to work. However, she is concerned if Sharon could make it today.
While Rose was brushing her teeth, someone rang the doorbell, and when she opened it, she noticed it was Sharon. Sharon stares at Rose from head to bottom as she only wears a bathrobe. Sharon cleared her throat.
“Wow, you’re up early.”
Sharon hummed.
“I’m here to thank you for yesterday. Anyways how long will it take for you to get ready?”
Sharon asked while looking around the inside of Rose’s room.
“It won’t be long. Give me twenty minutes.”
*City B Branch Office*
Rose’s PoV
People who work in corporate have all kinds of experiences as they try to survive the higher-up wrath. It doesn’t matter if you are sick or you have other emergencies to deal with. For white-collar workers, work always comes first, or you might just be unemployed the next day.
Last night was one of those days that I let myself be fooled by a deranged client who thinks everyone could drink like they are. And today, despite my head throbbing, I have to visit the branch office in high spirits.
Seeing the newly appointed general manager and her new assistant together, everyone seems welcoming. I stood next to Sharon at all times as we visited every department.
Sharon managed to get herself to a high position before she was thirty. Everyone seems to follow her, taking orders even though they’re older than her. Now that I see how diligent she is, it’s no wonder Amanda choose her to be the general manager instead of me.
Sharon has this kind of confidence she carries around that I lack. And she’s the type to speak her mind. When she noticed a staff made a mistake on the documents, she pointed it out and explained to her how to do it thoroughly. Perhaps that’s why she’s better than me.
After Sharon and I entirely completed our in City B, it’s finally time for us to return to L City. But unfortunately, my wallet got stolen, and I must reissue a temporary ID card if I wish to return to L City. But because of this, I couldn’t get to my train and had to buy another one that leaves at 7:30 in the evening.
Knowing that I had to leave at 7:30 in the evening alone, Sharon decided to stay and bought another ticket so we could go home together. When I asked her the reason why she stayed, she said it wouldn't make her a good superior if she left me alone. I didn’t expect this side of her at all today.
Sharon wandered around the station instead of waiting in the room with me. Sharon said she went shopping, but I don’t know what is being sold at the train station. Is there even anything that could attract her attention here?
It’s finally time for us to leave. Sharon came not a moment later. As we got on the train, it was hard for us to walk through since some passengers were selfish by putting their backpacks on the narrow aisle.
Sharon manages to get through and find us a place to sit. She waved back and asked me to sit with her. I thank Sharon for finding us a seat. After I got my luggage on the luggage rack, I sat down next to Sharon. I was about to reach for my phone in my pocket when something hit me on the head.
“Ow!”
I yelled while holding my head.
“What is wrong with you?!”
I scowl at the man who lifted his suitcase as he passed the aisle. What’s the point of pushing through the crowd when it’s packed?! The man didn’t even apologize when he blamed me for being in the way.
I was sitting down, and it was his fault for hitting me! He continued to push through and quickly disappeared into the crowd.
“That man didn’t even bother to apologize! Are you okay?”
I was shocked when Sharon asked me with concern in her tone. I nodded my head while rubbing my head. Luckily nothing major happened, or else I might have to sue!
After waiting for a few minutes, the train finally drove from the platform and gradually into the night. The dazzling brightness inside the train makes thing difficult for me to see the outside.
“Don’t you think it’s a little hot right now?”
Sharon asked while fanning herself with her shirt. Before I could answer them, we were surprised when someone screamed behind us.
“No fair! That was uncalled for!”
“Wait! Did you cheat?! I saw you change hands before putting that card down!”
“How dare you accuse me of cheating!”
“I told yah we should play the mafia game, but you all choose to play poker instead.”
Ugh, so rowdy. They must be a group of college students we saw passing by earlier. I thought this trip back would be a peaceful one, but I was wrong. Those students would laugh and scream from time to time. I was trying to lay my eyes closed, but they wouldn’t let me.
I have been on edge since I lost my wallet, and I thought I could take advantage of this three-hour trip, but that’s ruined. I glanced at Sharon and noticed she was on her laptop, reading what looked like reports about our recent business trip. How could this woman still care about work after the hangover last night?
Still, how could she continue working in such unpleasant surroundings? Also, doesn’t she feel tired? How could this woman keep herself calm and perfect all the time? As I was staring at my boss, I couldn’t help but feel my eyes getting heavier by the minute.
At first, I thought this business trip would be a contest between me and Sharon. I was sure Sharon would seize every opportunity to make me wish I hadn’t applied for a job at the company. But I was wrong. Never once did Sharon try to embarrass me. Instead, Sharon helped me with everything she could and thanked me for accompanying her on this trip.
When I closed my eyes, the lights in the train suddenly dimmed, and the train shook violently. Everyone gave out a scream as they didn’t know what was going on. As it happened, I instinctively grabbed Sharon’s arm, which I immediately pulled away from. Sharon cleared her throat while I apologized.
I don’t know what happened, but the train’s light returned, and everything seemed to be turned back to normal.
“What’s going on? Is everything alright?”
Sitting in front of us is a pregnant woman who looks around, ensuring everything is alright while rubbing her belly.
"It must be a failure with the brake system. But everything seems to be turned back to normal.”
I comforted the woman despite my heart beating out of control. What was that? My instinct tells me that something is going to happen. Just as I was about to comfort myself, a man and woman sitting on the other side of the aisle suddenly stood up before pulling their backpacks from the rack and walking towards the second carriage.
Why would they leave their seat like that? I felt uncomfortable once again and didn’t even realize that I’d been squeezing the water bottle that Sharon had given me. I noticed that the water poured on Sharon’s legs.
“Oh no! I’m sorry.”
I apologize. Sharon hummed and asked,
“What’s wrong, Rose? Are you scared? Of what?”
I- I don’t know how to answer that. What if I told Sharon what was on my mind, and she laughed it off as if nothing would happen? It’s nice of her to ask, but I can’t tell her. Not now.
“Rose?”
Sharon leaned forward. I looked into Sharon’s beautiful orbs, and for some reason, I felt at ease. What is happening to me? Why would I feel at ease after looking into Sharon’s eyes?
“It’s nothing.”
The moment I said that, we heard something that sounded like gunshots. I closed my eyes as something got into my eyes.
As everyone tried to save themselves, I felt someone lying beside me.
“Help!”
“I don’t want to die!”
“Help us! I’m innocent!”
“Help!”
It was chaotic. I tried to save myself, but I could do nothing in this tight space.
“Sharon, we have to get out of here. Sharon?”
Where is Sharon, and why is she not responding? I tried to wipe whatever got into my eyes, and to my surprise, it was blood! As I look down on myself, I am covered in blood. How did I get this much blood on me?!
“Sharon, we have to go!”
When I turned to where Sharon was, my eyes widened when she suddenly slumped on my thigh. It was then I realized that Sharon was dead. There was a hole behind her head which is the cause of her death and how the blood got to me.
My body froze when a steel tube suddenly appeared behind Sharon’s head. Curious, I tried to pull it out, but it exploded. This is what others meant when they said that curiosity kills the cat.
I woke up with sweat all over me. I stared at the ceiling above me and realized it was a dream. I didn’t even notice my alarm clock had gone off. I quickly got up and ensured I was still in one piece.
What the hell was that?
I thought Sharon had died. And I- I don’t know how to explain it, but it just feels so real! I- I must have finally lost it. It must be the stress and pressure from work. That’s why I had such a dream. But still, why do I sweat so much? And my heart is racing.
Was it all just a dream, or something far more sinister is coming my way?
- Writer
