Shikera performed her usual routine as she walked to her department. Thank God she was not late today, if not she would have to bear the witch's wrath.
She glanced down at her wristwatch before raising her head to look around. She was two minutes early so if anyone was not here yet, then it meant the person was late.
"Cyprian!!!"
"There goes the scapegoat for today." Shikera thought as she swirled her chair around to look at the culprit.
"Cyprian Leigh! Did your dog give birth again? Or did you have to take your turtle to the vet this time around? Why are you late?!" Shikera heard the team leader yell.
It seems that when this woman was created, a mic was put in her vocal cord. How else would she be able to yell all day throughout the week and not have a strained voice once?
A smile came to settle on Shikera's face as she watched how Cyprian was going to handle their team leader.
"No…" Cyprian waves her hands in the air. "You know how I said I grew up without my mother? That she abandoned me."
The team leader was practically fuming through her nose as she shut Cyprian up.
"I don't care about your family matters. Why are you and Anderson so useless? Two friends that have nothing except for their beauty…"The team leader blabbered on.
Cyprian left her front, mumbling apologies as she walked to her desk, beside her friend.
"Morning Cupcake!" She greeted, settling in her chair.
"Morning Sweetie!" Shikera replied. This was their morning ritual, usually performed after their Team Leader's insult anthem composed for the both of them, every morning.
Cyprian looked at her friend's face, noticing her dull look.
"Why's your face so pale? Didn't you eat breakfast?" She asked.
" I did. It's because I didn't sleep a wink last night."
Cyprian sighed, " You know that's not good for your health. How about your husband? Did he bother you or anything?"
"No he didn't! And Cyprian, don't you dare ask me about him yet. I can't tell you now."
"Sheesh...You're such a killjoy..."
"Reporters Anderson and Leigh! Mr Lane says you two should meet him in the conference room." One of their teammates, Josh called out to them.
In the twinkling of an eye, Shikera and Cyprian were at the door of the conference room, their fists knocking on the door. The voice which invited them in, their Team Leader's, made them turn to each other and roll their eyes simultaneously before finally stepping into the room.
Twenty minutes later, Shikera and Cyprian were stepping into the elevator, giving a dramatic goodbye scene to their colleagues.
The joy in Shikera's heart knew no bounds as the elevator moved downwards. She was almost shouting in excitement but for a message notification which made both her's and Cyprian's phone ping at the same time.
"You shouldn't dare think you are free from me for this month. You must pick up when I call you!" The message from their Team Leader, read.
*****
Anderson Corporation.
"Therefore, this temporary collaboration will be entirely confidential and anyone who let's out any news concerning it,will be fired permanently, irrespective of your position in the company." Ruthlyn Stone concluded the meeting.
Raymond stared at his sister through the tablet he was holding, his eyes working diligently on the people sitting around her.
She was sitting at the head of the table, representing her Ethan just as she usually did. Still in protection of Ethan's face, Ruthlyn was the one who always appeared in Ethan's stead in every single meeting their presence was required.
Ethan and Raymond would be watching the meeting instead, just like they were doing presently.
Ethan was assessing every single board member's face as Ruthlyn concluded the meeting.
"Ray, those three men in blue suits and the one with red tie, get me all information on them. They seem dissatisfied." Ethan commanded.
Raymond hurriedly took note of the men and searched for their faces in the list of board members Liam had given to them before he left.
"Found them Sir! I will compile all information we have on them and submit them to your table tomorrow morning."
"Submit them this night. I need to have as many distractions as possible while living with that woman."
The both of them looked up when Ruthlyn entered the office,her heels clacking on the floor.
"How was the meeting?" Ethan asked.
"Few of them were cooperative." She reported, her tone professional.
"It's expected. But that doesn't mean we can't show them who Ethan DeLoach is." An evil smirk sat on his lips as he talked.
Having understood what their boss just said, Ruthlyn and Raymond shared a glance.
"When do we start?" Raymond asked.
"Tonight."
"We will report back to you tomorrow morning." The siblings chorused.
Ethan nodded and turned to Ruthlyn, "You were not around yesterday."
"Yes Sir, I got Mrs DeLoach's medical history." Ruthlyn replied him.
"I didn't ask for my mother's medical history, right?"
"Yes Sir. I am talking about your wife."
"She is Shikera Anderson. Miss Anderson to you."
Ruthlyn nodded, "Noted Sir."
Seeing Ethan's slight nod, she brought out a file from her bag and handed it over to him.
Ethan sat up on his seat, not expecting to see much in the file. With how vibrant his wife was, he felt that all the rumors about her poor health were fake. However, he was in for a surprise as his face contorted into a frown when he opened the file.
"Why does she have so many records of being admitted in the hospital? And her father took care of her well?" Ethan asked, his brows furrowed in confusion.
"I met her doctor and in fact…Miss Anderson is that weak. But she's very vibrant when she's well taken care of. Her numerous admission records are as a result of her love for Ice Cream." Ruthlyn informed.
"So she isn't allowed to take any Ice Cream?"
"No junk food except on Saturdays."
"Why Saturdays?" Ethan asked again. This wife of his was a very confusing case.
"Three healthy meals per day for the other days of the weak would have strengthened her system enough for it to accommodate the junk food on saturday. She's also not allowed to miss any meal." Ruthlyn answered patiently.
"She didn't eat anything healthy last night. Would that affect her?"
"Probably…"
A knock on the door interrupted them, attracting all of their attentions. Ethan and Raymond reached for their facemask, wearing it simultaneously while Ruthlyn walked to the door.
It was a middle aged secretary.
"We got a call from the ground floor now, ma'am." The secretary said.
Ruthlyn looked down at the woman's ID card before looking back up at her.
"Yes, Mrs Mason, What happened?"
"Two of our receptionists suddenly called in sick and we were able to get two ladies to fill the space immediately…"
"Do you need the CEO to interview them or something?" Ruthlyn asked. She couldn't think of any other reason why the secretary would be informing the CEO that they just employed some people. Didn't they have an HR department?
Mrs Mason hurriedly shook her head.
"No ma'am! I mean…it's too suspicious that we were able to find them readily. I think information might be out on Mr Anderson's absence."
Ruthlyn acknowledged her and closed the door. She walked back to Ethan and relayed the secretary's message to him.
"Those insects!" Ethan growled, his eyes narrowing. "They claim to be well versed in English language yet they don't know the meaning of privacy."
Ruthlyn and Raymond stiffened at his words. They hoped they wouldn't be tasked to teach those petty reporters the lesson of their lives.
"Ray, go to the HR department and issue their termination letters."