" But why did she suddenly leave.? I heard that nobody knows from the organization, " she said while looking at the boys confusedly.
Zach scratched the back of his head and glanced at his brother who also looked away and suddenly stood up.
" I'll take my leave now Mum, " Carl said then pecked her on the cheek and left.
" Me too..., w.wait for me big bro." Zach jerked up and quickly followed behind him, almost running.
She shook her head and wondered what had really happened as her sons kept evading her whenever she brought up the topic.
Her thoughts wandered to the little orphan who had always hang out with her son then sighed, feeling thankful that she was doing fine.
********
__ Three Days Later __
Clara stared at her computer screen with a wide smile. " What do you think, " she said cheerfully and turned back.
Derek smiled and nodded softly. " The comics are great. . . nice job."
" It's all thanks to you, Hmmm, I'm sure Mr. Long would love this.". She saved the files and printed out a paper. " I need to show this to him, " she said and stood up.
" Uhm, would you be free during lunch break.?"
" Yeah, let's grab a bite in the cafeteria later, it's on me, " she turned back with a smile. Knowing she had to thank him properly for helping her.
" Huh?." He was thinking about asking if she would like to grab a coffee with him but quickly nodded. At least he'll get to spend time together with her. He smiled and followed behind her then walked into his cubicle as she strode toward the manager's office.
_____
" Good job," The manager said as he stared at the drafts in his hands. " I'm so relieved that you finished this earlier than I thought.".
Clara laughed softly while staring at the excited man in front of her." It was no big deal, Mr. Long, I also got help from friends.".
" Mmmm, that's great.". The man chuckled and went back to his chair." It's a relief that the project is almost finished. Hehe, I have to throw a party to celebrate this, " he said and Clara smiled with a nod.
" That would be great Mr. Long."
" How's your friend doing, ?... Mira, right?.". The man frowned, still thinking about what she told him the other day.
" Yeah, she's doing great. I guess she informed you about her journey.". Clara nodded. Mira had called her the day after she was discharged from the hospital. Although she didn't say where she was going, she had guessed it was very urgent.
" Huh?". The man's frown deepened. If he would remember correctly, that was not exactly what she told him.
" Mr. Long, ?. Is something wrong, ?" She stared at him worriedly while wondering why the man was in a trance.
" No no, yes she informed me. . . Argh I totally forgot__ guess it had something to do with my old age. . . hehehe.".
Clara narrowed her eyes with knitted brows not quite comprehending the man's odd behavior. " Mr. Lo__".
" Oh, I need to take this to the CEO's area, heard that he would be here today.". He picked up another file then said, " You may go, Clara, well done the comics are really great.".
By then Clara's head was only occupied with one thing.' The CEO would come? does that mean I might get to see Carl?... No no, what am I thinking '.
" Clara?" She was snapped out of her thoughts by the manager's voice.
" Oh, right. . . may I take my leave please?" she smiled apologetically.
" Sure, you may leave." the man nodded confusedly wondering if she didn't hear him earlier.
______
Clara got out of the manager's office and rushed in the washroom's direction.
She quickly rinsed her face then closed the tap and stared at the mirror with a hand splayed on her chest. ' calm down Clara, you need to forget him, don't let the therapies go to waste, you need to keep your job. He's the CEO.'. she chanted inside, hoping her heart would stop beating erratically. She just needed to avoid bumping into him and everything would be alright.
" Well, isn't this the company's little slut?." she was broke out of her thoughts by two voices besides are, then rolled her eyes with a sigh.' here they go again.'
" Hmph, I wonder why she came back.". A girl with blonde hair said nonchalantly while washing her hand in the sink.".
" Yeah, didn't know she doesn't have an ounce of self-respect. . . trying to seduce our CEO and walking around mindlessly in the company? hehehe, I truly underestimated her, " said the other girl with a petite figure. She was also facing the sink as if they were discussing someone that was not present.
" She should be grateful that our nice and handsome CEO was so generous to spare her," the first girl with blonde hair said again.
" Are you done? " Clara faced them and raised a brow with both hands folded in front of her.
" No, do you wish for more compliments? little slut?.". The girl with a petite figure drawled and smiled mockingly.
Clara watched her from head to toe and scoffed." Between you and me, the little slut is certainly obvious, hehe.".
" You.. are you calling me a slut.". the girl pointed her chest with a finger and clenched her other fist.
" Oh, you want me to add bitch? I'll gladly do so.".
" haha, aren't you ashamed of calling another person a slut. . . who was the one that tried to seduce the CEO?" The girl with blonde hair mocked again.
" You're right Ashley, she's a shameless vixen, who knows how many men she had successfully seduced.".
Clara picked a tissue and wiped her wet hands. " hehe, if I tried to seduce CEO why didn't he fire me like all the others?... and what if the CEO and I. . . " she left the remaining words hanging with a smirk. Do they think they can bully her? ' Hmph in their dreams '. she watched their stupified expressions and broke into a grin.
" You.."
" You.."
Both girls were speechless and watched her in disbelief. She could just be saying it to outwit them, they both thought, but she made sense a little.