"Hmm?" I looked down too and my eyes fell on the huge scar that ran across my inner thigh. Then it clicked inside my head. "Oh that? It's a scar, I got it from an accident," I explained casually without thinking too much about it.
"Is that so?" He asked, leaning in closer towards me as his eyes continued to burn with curiosity.
"Mhmm…That's what my mum told me back then, I don't remember much of it to be honest," I admitted and watched as his eyes lit up in an instant. It was almost as if he had come to a sudden realisation and all the puzzle pieces that were scattered in his mind were now coming together to form the finished piece.
Silence stretched between us for a brief moment as I looked over at him with a small frown etched onto my face, resting between my brows. He looked as though he was deep in thought as the frown on his face deepened.
"What? Are you okay?" I questioned, concern and worry evident on my face as my voice broke him out of his little reverie. His eyes snapped back up to look at me and we locked eyes this time.
"It's nothing," he quickly assured, murmuring under his breath, even though I could clearly tell that there was something on his mind, but I didn't probe any further. The next thing I know, he got out of the bed and was grabbing his clothes to throw them on. "I will see you tomorrow morning," he muttered absentmindedly and turned around to leave before I could utter another word.
Now, I was left all alone in the room, watching his retreating back and he soon closed the door behind him. I was left more confused than ever, puzzled by his reaction and sudden shift in demeanour. Questions were swirling at the back of my mind and I let a soft sigh escape my parted lips.
"See you tomorrow…" I mumbled under my breath even though he was long gone by now.
I woke up the next morning and realised he had already left as my eyes swept across the room to be greeted by nothing but its emptiness. I scoffed softly.
"See you tomorrow morning?" I muttered to myself, repeating his words from last night. "What a lie. Where could he have possibly gone so early in the morning…" I mumbled under my breath to no one in particular. I shook off the feeling of disappointment that was starting to creep up onto me and left to head to the office like usual.
***
Upon stepping foot into the office, Xavier suddenly appeared by my side as he tapped on my shoulder to get my attention. I whipped my head around to meet his eyes.
"Come to the meeting room, there's an announcement to make," he said nonchalantly, barely sparing me another glance before he turned to leave. How could he act so casual, acting as if nothing had happened? I let out a breath and followed behind him eventually.
Pushing the door open, I saw that Blake was already sitting inside the room with a few other colleagues. Immediately, we made eye contact and I could see him glaring at me with disdain already and he quickly averted his eyes when he realised I wasn't backing down or looking away anytime soon.
I pulled out the chair from under the table and took a seat right opposite of him while Xavier sat next to me. The door was closed behind us and the room felt awfully silent as we stared at one another for a while.
"So…" Xavier began as he clasped his hand together and his face bore a serious expression while everyone else in the room looked at him with anticipation swirling in their eyes. "Not sure if you guys are aware but there will be some changes to who you will be reporting to. We gathered you here today to discuss this with you."
I raised my brow subtly in confusion while the rest nodded quietly.
Changes to who they will be reporting to? He hadn't told me anything about that yet.
"I understand that previously your team was reporting to Anna, but this time, your new team lead will be Aurelia," he announced with a smile that stretched across his face and my eyes widened in surprise ever so slightly but I quickly regained my composure. "She will be the one delegating the tasks to you and if you have any questions, you may look for her. Effective from today, you will be reporting to her."
I smiled, immediately knowing where this was going.
"Nice to meet everyone here today," I greeted. "Can't wait to work with you guys," I said as I locked eyes with Blake from across the table, a slight smirk tugging at the corners of my lips.
"Any questions? Any concerns? Please feel free to voice them out right now."
There was a moment of silence as everyone shook their heads. Then, Blake's voice pierced through the air and reached my ears.
"Yes, I do," he began. "May I know what's the reason for the sudden change? We are all doing very well under Anna, why would we need a new team lead?" He questioned, his voice carrying a sharp edge to it as tension brewed in the air among them.
Xavier smiled at him.
"Well, we believe that Anna's expertise is better suited in another department where she can truly grow and excel as a professional. And I truly believe that Aurelia will be a good fit for this role."
"I don't think –"
"If there's no other questions, you may get back to work, thank you all," Xavier said, interrupting Blake intentionally.
Everyone had left the meeting room by now, only Blake and us were still standing around. He stopped by the door and turned to look at us, unhappiness and dissatisfaction written all over his face.
He accused with a disdainful scorn. "I know you are doing this purpose, aren't you?"