"Good morning Dr. Luo." Song Hia greeted chirpily while she made coffee in the kitchen.
"Morning," Luo Jingyi grunted. In the past, she had no problems waking up even with only 2 hours of sleep but as of late, the lure to stay longer on the bed was getting stronger.
Luo Jingyi threw herself on the sofa and reached for the mug that her assistant set down on the glass table, giving her a glance over. She winced at the sight of the clashing colors of her clothes, noting that it was the second time that it happened this month.
Shaking her head, she reviewed her schedule holding the steaming cup of coffee. She sipped it slowly, waiting to feel the surge of caffeine into her body. While she's free from hospital duties, there's a bunch of NLHC related matters she needed to accomplish.
"When did the schedule for the medical conference change?" With raised brows, she shot a question to Miss Song who returned to the kitchen.
Song Hia stilled and nervously looked at her direction. This particular medical conference was important to Dr. Luo. The changes were announced 4 weeks ago but she made an error putting it on the schedule. Albeit feeling edgy, she answered.
"Was there a reason for this?"
Song Hia breathed a sigh of relief when her boss didn't comment on her incompetence.
"The Medical Association's President put the change in motion when the Minister of Health gave the order."
Luo Jingyi was silent. She was supposed to report for duty in Medlife next week. However, the changes with the conference dates meant she would have to delay it for another week. Or she could pass up her role in the conference like she always did for the last few years.
'You needed to go.' A voice urged her.
Deciding on that, Luo Jingyi committed in memory to call MedLife before the day ends and informed them.
When her eyes flew back to Song Hia, she propped down the mug on the table and sauntered to the kitchen.
"What are you making?"
Startled that she suddenly appeared on the side, her assistant jumped in fright.
"Omelet."
Luo Jingyi patted her assistant on the shoulders and motioned her to sit in the dining room. Shoving her complaints down her throat, she did as told while Jingyi placed a skillet on the stovetop.
On her seat, Song Hia fidgeted while she watched Dr. Luo in the kitchen. At the same time, she tried to read what her boss was thinking at the moment. Song Hia wished she had the ability. The only thing she understood was — the quieter Dr. Luo was, the more trouble she was in.
Dr. Luo never tolerated mistakes. Song Hia perceived that when she was hired. Three weeks ago, she wrote the wrong value on the contract. This inaccuracy led to New Life Healthcare lose millions. Yet, Dr. Luo never scolded her—yet.
Knowing the importance of this conference to her boss, she was really dead this time. Song Hia pursed her lips grimly. As time passed, the feeling of dread gnawed in her stomach.
A plate of food and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice was pushed to Song Hia's front, disrupting her musing.
"Join me for breakfast." Luo Jingyi invited with a faint smile.
Song Hia glanced down, her heart panicking. 'Is this my last meal?'
Silence filled the room. Even if the food was delicious, Song Hia couldn't swallow it down.
"How long have you been my assistant?" Luo Jingyi broke the quietness and put her attention on her.
Song Hia cleared the lump in her throat to prepare herself to be roasted like a duck. "5 years."
"That long already?"
Song Hia nodded nervously.
'Am I going to be fired?' She speculated grimly.
"You never made a single mistake since you worked for me. Is something bothering you?" Luo Jingyi crossed her arms.
Song Hia slowly swayed her head to say no.
"Don't lie. There are dark circles under your eyes. The fake mole on your left cheek is now on your right."
Wide-eyed, Song Hia's hand flew to her cheek and touched her "mole." She removed it in embarrassment. It never crossed her mind that her boss was aware that she added it to disguise herself.
"Are these tell-tale signs that I need to look for a new assistant now?" Luo Jingyi asked with a gloomy sigh.
Song Hia bounced up from the chair and her fierce "no" resonated through the walls. Because her boss eyed her silently, Song Hia was embarrassed by her actions. When Dr. Luo plucked her phone from the counter, her heart leaped out of her chest.
"It's me. Miss Song will take a month off to travel. All-expense paid."
Song Hia couldn't believe what she was hearing. To support her wobbly knees, she anchored herself on the chair and her shaking hands gripped the table.
"I won't fire you." Luo Jingyi assured her.
Song Hia breathed in and out to calm her nerves.
"Thank you for the second chance." Song Hia uttered with sincerity. She was happy to go on holiday yet it was short-lived when she realized something. She couldn't possibly go on holiday this time.
"Dr. Luo, I appreciate the thought but there are many—"
"Do you think I can't survive without you?" Luo Jingyi interjected.
After a moment of reflection, she replied, "With the takeover in GM, there are many things that have to be done."
"I'll take care of it. Turn over the projects on your hand to Planning Head. I want you out of the country within 8 hours."
"But—"
Her protest was smothered by Luo Jingyi's glare.
"I need my efficient assistant back after a month. I don't need someone who doesn't even realize she's wearing mismatched clothes."
Song Hia was horrified to discover that she was wearing a red blouse, green skirt, and yellow shoes.
"Christmas is months away," Luo Jingyi commented.
"I'm sorry Dr. Luo."
"Don't be sorry. If you are an alien occupying my assistant's body, better leave before I will kill you."
It was a super lame joke but Song Hia found herself smiling and relieved.
"What are you smiling for? Leave before I change my mind." Luo Jingyi bellowed.
Song Hia intended to clean the mess first but she was pushed out to the door by Dr. Luo. Outside, she turned back and thanked her again.
"Don't thank me yet. When you return, you need to pay me back."
Closing the door, Luo Jingyi leaned on the wall.
"The death of her father must have wrecked her nerves."
Luo Jingyi had always equated Song Hia with the word 'efficient' so when her assistant messed up weeks ago, she deduced something had happened. She found out, Song Hia's father passed away but she couldn't even attend his funeral. Song Hia's emotions were rattled that it was affecting her performance at work. A break would help her recover.
Luo Jingyi understood very well the pain one had to go through with a family member's death. Especially if the bond was tight. It took time before she accepted what happened to her family too.
"Grandma, I miss everyone." She found herself sliding down onto the floor. Not before long, she wept.