"Ms. Analisja Breyl?"
Sullen eyes reached Doctor Donnie. The lady was a twenty-five-year-old office worker who looked older than her age with her thick, dry, and untamed brownish-black hair covering most of her face. She has been staying in the hospital for a month now. She was in a coma for eight days and had to stay longer to recuperate. She accidentally fell from the fifth floor when she leaned on the unmaintained rail at her office. The company is covering all of her hospital charges. It was fortunate since no one visited her for the duration of her stay and it would have been a big problem if no one else would pay her hospital bills.
"Do you still feel pain in your lower back?"
"Yes."
"Rate it from 1 to ten. Ten being the highest."
"A five."
The doctor touched her back and she winced.
"Stay for another three days."
"But Doctor. I am really fine."
The doctor had dealt with her denials that she had been used to it.
"Why are you in a rush?"
"I feel bad for the company."
She has said that a thousand times since she woke up.
"Just focus on your recovery and then you can work at your very best. That is the best payment you can give to them."
She nodded.
The doctor really wanted to sigh but remained professional. Dealing with a patient with a depressive and resigned mindset is the most tiring part of her day. It was like her negative energy was passing over to her.
The truth was, Analisja, or Ena as everyone calls her, is being bombarded by her manager with so many messages telling her to come back to work. Her manager is also slightly saying some remarks in their group chat that she is so lucky to be resting while the company is paying for her. She looked up at the doctor but she already had a sour expression on her face that she could not say anything anymore.
Why can't anyone like me?
She looked more sullen and the doctor excused herself. She also overheard the nurses the day before complaining about how she did not tell them that her bandage had come off and the doctor got angry at them. She just did not want to create unnecessary trouble since her arm was already feeling better, but then they still got reprimanded because of her.
She wished she could change, but it was deeply ingrained that it could not happen just overnight.
Three days passed by and she was able to go back to the office. Her coworkers checked her condition but it seemed that they just did it out of courtesy and then they just left her alone. She was bombarded by her manager with reminders so she could get back up at her tasks immediately.
"Why is she even back? She can not even do her job right. She should have just taken some sort of compensation and then looked for a different job."
"Yeah, I heard the company gave her a considerable amount of money so she wouldn't press any charges."
"She is so shameless. Does she plan to smooch off from this company until she retires? She really makes me sick."
She heard her coworkers from the ladies' room and did not say anything. She just wondered why she did not feel depressed as much as before. Maybe her near-death experience was a lot worse than their slander. She decided to come out from the cubicle thinking that they already left but was surprised to see that they were still there. She even said sorry to them when she left.
Why did I apologize?
When she went back to her desk, she saw them gathered around their manager. It was still break time so she decided not to disturb them.
"Oh goodness. Ena! Do you really want me to go there?!" Manager Jane annoyingly said to her.
She immediately went to her.
Why am I rushing?
"So again. This Friday night, we will have the company victory party. I expect full attendance."
"Yes, Ma'am."
The others left and she still stood there waiting for the manager to tell her to leave. There were times before when she got so angry because she left along with the others when there was still something she needed to say to her.
Jane just stared at her and she felt uncomfortable. Her colleagues then began laughing and she got confused.
"Yes? Is there something you want to tell me?" Jane condescendingly asked.
The others burst out laughing and she just silently walked back to her desk.
Her usual day is done accordingly but her lower back pain is still bothering her. She really wanted to say no to the party because she really wanted to rest for the weekend, but she just could not say no, or else her manager and coworkers attending would just harass her more. She did not have anything nice to wear and her female colleagues changed into dresses and she just kept her usual office clothes that were designed for comfort, not attractiveness.
The party was in the grand ballroom of the hotel and it was designed fancily that she realized why the others made an extra effort to wear something elegant. She just made sure to stay out of their way as long as her attendance was checked. Her manager, however, ordered her to help the others fix some things like the sound system, chairs, and other equipment to keep the event moving smoothly.
She had to pick up and carry some things and her lower back began to get worse. She was sweating buckets and the others told her to rest but she felt bad again and just continued to help.
The main character of the event arrived. Their CEO, Aidan Lewis, looked dashing as ever, wearing a black suit. His hair was swept to the side this time and his flawless skin glistened. She just stayed put to watch him deliver his speech while carrying a backup projector. She was mesmerized by him but something went wrong with the projector they were using. She was about to go there when her lower back ached so much and when she took a step, she lost balance and the projector fell. Her manager came and reprimanded her for her clumsiness.
"How could you be so careless?!"
"I'm really sorry. Sorry, Ms. Jane."
"Ms. Jane. Please lower your voice." The others said.
Suddenly, someone grabbed her shoulders to help her balance herself.
Everyone was so shocked at the person suddenly standing next to her. She was at a loss too as she stared at his extremely handsome face-it should be illegal.
"Gavin. Prepare to take her to the hospital." Aidan said.
Oh goodness. That face! Thank you, Lord!!!