Janice Jewellery.
Public Relations Department.
Workers Corridor.
Natalie stretched herself after looking over some documents on her desktop. The office line on her desk buzzed and she quickly answered. ''Yes, Jason. Alright!''
.....
HR'S OFFICE.
Natalie knocked on the door and went inside and Jason picked a file from his desk. ''Natalie, take these to the vice president's office. Tell William to sign them, and after that you get me a cup of black coffee on your way.''
''Yes, Jason!'' Natalie stretched her hand to take the file and Jason noticed her ring finger empty and asked.
''You are not wearing your ring today?''
Natalie's fingers quivered at the attention and she decided to explain. ''I was doing some work at home and forgot to put it back on.''
''I see. You can go!''
Natalie nodded her head and looked at him suspiciously before going out. She didn't understand why he would be so interested in her private life.
.....
Vice President's Office.
Employee Elevator.
Lucy saw Natalie as she walked out of the elevator. ''Natalie?"
''Lucy, what are you doing here?'' Natalie asked.
''My team manager asked to me to give some papers to Amy. You?''
Natalie showed Lucy the documents in her hands. ''Jason asked me to get the vice president's signature on these documents. Are you going back now?''
''Yes, should I wait for you?''
''Yes. I will do this quickly and be back.''
''Okay.''
Natalie walked to the door and knocked. She went in after hearing William's response.
/////
VP's OFFICE.
Natalie stood a distance away from William's desk as she spoke. ''Sir, Jason asked me to get your signature on these documents.''
William took the papers from her saying . ''The name is William not sir?"
''Uh? Oh, sorry. William…?''
William chuckled and looked through the documents.
''Tell me, Natalie. How do you find your work here?'' William asked after a while.
''It's normal, just like any other work place.''
''Really? Then, how about the food? Is it to your liking?''
''Yes, sir, sorry William. I'm not a picky eater, so I like it.''
William chuckled murmured. ''Says the one who only eats protein!''
Natalie looked up immediately and asked, ''What… did you say?''
''I said it's good that you are enjoying our food. We insist on quality.'' William smiled, changing his statement.
''I see!'' Natalie smiled. She guessed she might have heard wrong because it would have been strange for William to know such details about her.
''But, Natalie, haven't we met before?'' William looked up meeting her gaze as he asked.
''Uh…huh? We as in you and me?" Natalie asked with a confused expression.
''Yes. I think we've met before!''
Natalie shook her head. ''I'm sorry, but I really can't remember meeting you anywhere apart from here.''
''I see. Do you visit the library often?''
''No, I have a phobia against libraries. So, I don't visit them.''
''Phobia? Why? Do you feel sick or what?''
''I don't really know. I just don't like libraries that's all. Going to the library is probably not my thing, I guess.'' Natalie became guarded and suspicious of William's intentions.
''Really? I see. I was thinking of inviting you to a book signing event at the library this weekend."
Natalie pointed at her nose as she asked making William laugh. ''Me? Why?''
''Why what?''
''Why would you want to invite me to a book signing?"
''I thought you might be interested!'' He maintained eye contact with her and she quickly looked away.
''I have plans this weekend!''
''What if I say it is part of an official duty and you will be compensated for your time?''
''What time is the book signing?'' Natalie immediately asked with a serious gaze.
''Wow, you are so interesting Natalie.''
''Well, since it is part of office work, I can't say no, right?'' Natalie said shyly.
''That's true. I will send you the address and pick you up over the weekend.''
''Yes, William!''
''Take these back to Jason!''
Natalie walked closer to take the documents and their hands brushed against each other. Retracting her hand quickly, Natalie apologised, ''sorry William!''
William watched her close the door after going out and he murmured to himself. ''You don't really remember anything about that day, Natalie?"
EMPLOYEE ELEVATOR.
Natalie and Lucy entered the elevator as they chatted.
''What were you discussing. You kept long?''
''Nothing, he asked me to go to a book signing event with him over the weekend.''
''A book signing event over the weekend? Why does this sound like a date to me?''
''He said it was an official duty and I would get compensated for it. I hate libraries but I really need money now.''
''Nat, why do I feel that the vice president is interested in you?''
''Hey! Don't say such a thing again. Do you want me to be fired?''
''I'm just saying it as I've seen it.''
''Well, I am not interested. Tell me, how is work at your department?''
''Is hectic. That Dindin girl really does it all. She is just everywhere. Telling everyone about how powerful her family is. My ears are going to bleed one of these days.''
''Is her family that powerful?''
''You don't know? What do you do with your life, Natalie?''
''I'm not that curious about other people's life, you know. I have a lot on my plate already.''
''Dindin's parents are into construction works. Don't you know Dinyan Constructions?''
''Dinyan constructions? I've heard about them. That's her parents' company?''
''Yes. She has a senior brother who is the heir and Dindin didn't want to have anything doing with construction works that's why she is here.''
''Where did you get all that information from?''
''She said it herself. Don't look at me like that. I only speak what I hear. She was blabbing about it to the other workers and I heard it.''
''I see!''
Lucy's phone buzzed and she looked at it and turned it off.
''Are you not going to answer that?"
Lucy shook her head and spoke, ''ex-boyfriend!''
''Sorry, I didn't mean to pry.''
''No, is okay. He is just a lost case. Cheated on me with my best friend and still has the guts to call me.''
''I'm sorry!''
The elevator stopped at the Security department floor and the Head of Security, Matt entered. He smiled at them and stood at a distance.
''Is nothing to be sorry about. He is just a douchebag. I mean how can he do that and still go around acting like I can't let him go? Is that how all men are?'' Lucy asked angrily as she looked at Natalie with pouted lips.
''Just ignore him. And not all men are like that, there are still good men out there and you will find one very soon.''
Hearing their discussion, Matt looked at Lucy curiously through the elevator silver plated walls.
...
FINANCE DEPARTMENT.
The elevator stopped at the Finance department and Lucy got out. ''I will see you later, Natalie.''
''Sure, bye!'' Lucy glanced at Matt before going away.
...
ALICE RESIDENCE.
ALICE'S BEDROOM.
Alice stirred in bed and slowly opened her eyes and smiled. She got out of bed and stretched her body. ''It feels so good to be able to sleep till the time I want without any disturbance.''
Alice walked down to the hall and saw Niania setting up the table.
''Niania, what are you doing? Didn't I tell you to rest today?''
Niania pulled out a chair and held Alice's hand saying. ''Come, sit and eat something''
''What did you prepare?''
''Braised pork, banana pancake, steamed buns and omelette.''
''Whoa, do I have to start paying you for housekeeping too? This looks delicious, sit down and let's eat together.''
''Okay!''
''So, tell me. Why are you suddenly being nice to me this morning? Did you do something wrong?'' Alice and looked at Niania suspiciously.
''Do I have to do something wrong before I could treat you nicely? I always treat you so well.''
''Okay, I'm ready. Shoot, I'm listening.''
''Janice Jewellery is looking for a spokesperson and I might have sent your profile to them?''
''Hey!!! Niania, have you gone crazy for money?'' Alice screamed and banged the cutlery on the table.
''I read their benefits and you won't believe it…''
''I don't care what kind of benefits I will get, Niania. That jerk Jason works there. I didn't tell my sister about not working there because that is her first job in the world but, you know how I feel about that arrogant pants Jason and you still sent my profile to him?''
''I know how you feel but, we still need to eat, right? The other actresses in the company are already saying that your career will be over soon now that Thomas Sun is dead. The company doesn't really care about you and only focus on that Lin Yan girl. I wanted to do something for you for once. You have been taking care of me all these years. You were the one who took me in when Lin Yan accused me of stealing her stuff. I just wanted to do something for you.''