Smiling back at him, her attention was diverted to the stage again and an enormous voice suddenly sounded from nowhere, probably from the hidden speakers and she sighed in relief seeing that the employees had started quieting down.
"Attention Everyone!!!"
Came the speaker's voice again and a few seconds later, there was pin-drop silence in the hall.
"Now Listen Attentively!!!"
"There Is A New Decree, Directly From The CEO's OFFICE!!!"
The speaker continued and everyone glanced at each other with shocked expressions including the departments' heads, except Mr. Long.
"From Now Onward, No One Is Allowed To Mention Or Talk about The CEO!!!"
The loud voice patiently explained and small gasps could be heard from the audience before the hall erupted into whisperings and chattering.
"How could this be?"
"This is absurd."
"*sob sob sob*... We're not supposed to fall for him and now we can't even mention him?"
"This is too cruel...*sob sob*... How can I live a day without mentioning the CEO"?
"You're right.*sob sob* aside from my monthly allowance, the only thing I like most is speaking about the CEO's handsome looks*sob*."
"Listen!!! Everyone Listen__ Hello!!! Can I Have Your Attentions Please".
The voice called out, but much louder this time, and the noise started subsiding again while the female employees were wiping their imaginary tears.
"Good!!!" The voice continued."Now Failure To Abide By The Rule!!!... You All Know The Consequences!!!"
The speaker warned sternly this time and there was pin-drop silence in the hall except for the slight sniffing of some female employees who were still trying to come to terms with this sudden rule.
How can they live without gossiping about the CEO and his handsome looks__ however, it would be the same thing if they lose their jobs. They could just fantasize him in their hearts then.
"Thank You For Your Time!!! You May All Return To Your Various Department!!!"
The speaker dismissed, and soon after, everyone stood up from their seats and started leaving the hall, with the male employees feeling very excited, while the female employees walked out gloomily with slumped shoulders.
** The CEO's Office **
Zach paced anxiously in front of the huge desk and would glance now and then at his brother who was standing calmly against the floor-to-ceiling window and gazing down the city below with one hand shoved inside his pocket.
"Big bro, are you sure this is a good idea... I mean, aren't we supposed to be finding a way to make her remember you?" He repeated with a frown. He couldn't believe why his brother was leaving her in the department instead of bringing her closer to him.
"And Big bro, this rule of not mentioning about you__"
"It can trigger her memories," Carl replied calmly then walked away from the window and sat down on his chair. He knew her colleagues were going to ask her for sure, about the reason why she left his office.
Zach also sat down on the chair opposite the desk with furrowed brows. "Isn't that a good way to make her remember?" He muttered with a sigh, not quite comprehending what his brother's intentions are.
Carl also sighed and rested back on the chair while pinching the space between his brows. "I don't want her to remember," he replied calmly while tapping the armrest slowly. After her sister had also explained the same thing Mira had told him yesterday, he doesn't want her to undergo those pains again. and he also knew how painful it was to try to remember a suppressed memory.
Zach sighed again and slowly nodded his head. He had also seen what his brother had gone through while remembering those memories and besides, the hypnosis used on sister-in-law was very strong. Her body might not survive the pain. "So... Big bro... what are you going to do next?" He looked up and softly muttered.
Carl let out a sad chuckle and swiveled the chair around. "I'm going to start again," he said curtly then slowly shut his eyes.
"Y...You mean, you're going to start courting her?" Zach stammered with another frown then his expression instantly brightened.
"Big bro... That is a very great idea. I have the perfect plans to make her fall for you again. just leave it to me," he muttered rapidly with a huge grin. 'Hehe, this is going to be fun.'
Carl slowly opened one eye and glanced at his brother's expression. He closed it again and replied, "No need."
"Huh?" Zach's smile faltered and he quickly shook his head. "No, no Big bro, I truly mean it. It is a very good pl__"
"Shut up." Carl cut him off then heaved another sigh. He is never going to allow his crazy brother to foil his plans and besides, Maya had also told him on the phone that the girl had changed.
"Oh." Zach sighed in disappointment and looked down. But that doesn't mean he is going back on his words. 'Hehehe.'
The office sank into silence with both brothers deep in their thoughts and after some minutes Zach looked up with another sigh, his expression now serious. "Big bro, Mum has been acting weird since yesterday and Lucy told me that she fainted a few days ago," he muttered softly while watching his brother's expression.
Carl opened both eyes and slowly nodded then heard his brother continued.
"I think there's something she wants to tell you... " Zach trailed off as he watched his brother's change in expression. He sighed inside and decided not to continue, knowing that his brother was very angry and would not step foot in the mansion anytime soon. 'Argh! It was all that fox's fault.'
********
** Downstairs, at the Programming Department.**
The employees sighed for the umpteenth time as they walked past a cubicle now and then where a girl was working absentmindedly with a happy expression.
She doesn't even seem like someone that is grieving from being chased away by the CEO.
'Argh!' But that's not the most important thing. They just want to fish out information from her, however this new rule.