Sasha resumed her work after lunch. She was still as enthusiastic as she was. She took a glance at her phone when her screen lit up.
There was a rustling noise and a sweet and crisp voice spoke over the line. "It's me. Ava!".
When Sasha arrived at the restaurant, Ava was stirring the cup of coffee in front of her out of boredom.
"What took you so long?." Just when Ava arched her brow, Sasha spoke up languidly. "How can I help you?." She picked up the cup of coffee which Ava ordered for her before her arrival.
"I heard that you get a job in PKs. Congratulations!" Ava cleared her throat as she took out a pink gift box from her handbag. "Sasha, You will come for the banquet, Right?".
Not wanting to waste time beating around the bush, Sasha cut to the chase. "I am busy!".
"Why the cold face, Sasha? We're family." Ava said in fury.
Sasha burst into a fit of soft giggles and she pushed the gift box back toward Ava. "Sorry! I don't have any intention of becoming family with you".
With a cold piercing stare, Ava uttered, "Do you still think that we are the reason why your mother died?".
Sasha looked up only to see the undisguised mockery in her gaze, "You said truly. You and that woman destroyed our family!".
"What did you say?" Ava's free hand was tightly squeezed into a fist that was by her side.
"Should I say it again?" Her gaze was chilly and aloof when she glared at her while gritting her teeth.
"Have you said enough?!" Ava was holding a coffee cup in her hand, so she coldly watched as the woman before she jumped after being splashed with hot coffee.
"Sasha Jones! I won't let you go". With that, Ava stormed out of the restaurant.
Sasha took a deep breath as she fixed her hair and her clothes and walked away nonchalantly.
Meanwhile, the three men had been drinking their coffee calmly nearby.
"What's wrong?" Mathew asked in confusion when Ryan's coffee cup suddenly fell onto the saucer with a clatter, causing coffee to splash out and splatter onto Kelvin's cuff by accident.
Kelvin's expression changed subtly. "Seriously..." His words trailed off when he saw someone familiar. "Is that Sasha Jones?" He muttered.
"Who....?" Mathew followed their line of gaze.
Without a word, Ryan stood up hurriedly before stepping outside right away.
-------
Sasha found herself in a quiet corner away from the restaurant where she eventually got to her knees.
It wasn't until the air was suddenly thick with cigarette smoke did she regain her composure. Just as she was about to leave, she saw a man leaning against the wall, smoking and looking mature and charming, as usual.
Sasha slightly jolted when she saw Ryan but she composed herself swiftly. "Hello, Director.... "
"Do you not know how to fight back? Are you such a coward?" Ryan eyed her intensely.
"Huh...?" Sasha was momentarily stunned. She could feel her own body stiffen when Ryan stretched his long, slender hands and touched her hand which now showed red.
Sasha looked up to meet the man's pitch-black eyes, which looked much tenderer than usual.
"Are you okay?" His soft voice tenderly healed the wound in Sasha's heart like a gentle breeze.
"It's nothing," Sasha replied in a low voice. She pulled her hand away reflexively.
"Are you heading home? I am on my way there too. Get in the car; I'll send you home." Ryan said.
"How did he know my home?" Sasha silently looks at him.
"What? Hop in." Ryan said in feign calmness.
This time Sasha gives in.
As soon as she entered the car, the cool air slightly alleviated the summer heat. They were soon caught up in the traffic. Sitting right next to Ryan, she felt uncomfortable.
Through the corner of Ryan's eyes, he saw her anxious look and smiled. Then, he asked, "Miss Sasha, Are you mad at me?".
Sasha turned to look at Ryan, who was driving. "No. Why would I be mad at you?".
Ryan tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. "For calling you coward...?".
Only half of Ryan's face was visible to Sasha. Sunshine shone through the window on the other half of his face, bathing him in a layer of pale golden rays. It made him look less cold and more gentle-looking.
"No. I am not mad". Sasha said with a weak smile. Meanwhile, Sasha heaved a quiet sigh at an angle that Ryan could not see.
Ryan stopped the car and went to a nearby pharmacy. When he returned, he had a bag in his hands that he passed to Sasha. "Miss Sasha, here is some ointment for your injuries. The pharmacist said that it's quite effective."
Sasha froze before she took the ointment from him. "Thank you, Director".
"Is he that nice?" Sasha questioned herself in her mind.
When they reached the destination, she quickly got out of the car. When Ryan saw her leaving as though she was trying to escape from him, he frowned, "Why she acts so awkward to me?"