[Otis]I stared at my right hand. Camari touched it two nights ago. If I could, I wouldn't touch water or wash it forever. My heart slowly beat faster. Only thinking about her, my body gave a reaction I didn't expect.I didn't know why the nightmare was back. I hadn't thought about Jim and everyone from my high school in a long time. Although I was bullied in middle school, the worst incidents were in high school and college because my friends were like giants around me.Maybe my short body gave them the courage to make fun of me. After all, I was an easy target. Father didn't care what happened to me. I came home battered, but only Mother cried for me.Father never talked to the school or tried to stop the abuse I was receiving. His silence made the people at school and college even worse. Because the person who attacked me was the son of a prominent person, the school chose to remain silent.Had I hired a bodyguard a long time ago, perhaps my psychological state wouldn't have been th
[Camari]I couldn't correctly guess because I didn't expect her to be the one to see Jasmine. Didn't she ditch us and prefer Bella? Why else would she come to Jasmine and ask for her help?“I don't understand,” I admitted. I tried to digest her words. “Emily came to you to ask for job information?”“She didn't know I was fired but knew the company was in trouble. She asked me to let her know if I knew of any job openings for accountant positions,” Jasmine replied.“Where is Bella?” I furrowed my brow.Jasmine shrugged her shoulders. “Maybe she didn't need Emily after her mission was over. I wouldn't be surprised if that evil woman only used her. Just like she did to you.”“Oh my,” I muttered in concern.Bella was so evil that she dumped Emily after she helped her. She must have promised something for Emily to do the risky job so willingly. What a pity. After being fired, Emily had to look for a job, and Bella didn't provide a position for her in Thompson's company.“Never mind her aga
The man with the ID over his chest invited Otis and me to stand at a specific spot for a photo. Otis objected to us standing together, but I took his hand. We came together. Why did he refuse to take a picture of the two of us?I smiled at every camera pointing at me. I told Otis to look in the same direction. That way, our pictures would be perfect. The organizers and reporters were enthusiastic about photographing us.After a while, I thanked and said goodbye to the photographers. They shouted our names, but I ignored them. The pictures they took were more than enough. Besides, Otis was starting to look uncomfortable.The receptionist welcomed us and put pins on our clothes. She escorted us to the table where our names were. I smiled to see Otis's name and mine on the two papers instead of Bruce's.I greeted everyone at the table before sitting down. Otis just nodded his head in a friendly manner. He must not recognize these people to do that. I knew them because Grandpa and Farrell
[Otis]Seeing Camari greet everyone at our table, I was relieved. She knew them and chatted casually. She remembered to introduce me to them. I was happy to see the men and women being friendly to me. It was uncommon to see.The mobile product launch went smoothly. I didn't like being the center of attention, but I smiled when the CEO mentioned my name. I wasn't the only investor in his company anyway. Thankfully, I chose the right product to invest my money in.It would take some time to find out whether the product was a hit or a failure. However, I was ready for the risks I had to bear. I considered many factors every time I issued a loan or a large amount of funds. My calculations were rarely wrong.“Good night, Otis, Jasper,” Camari said before she exited the elevator.“Good night,” my assistant and I replied. I nodded to Nicole, who glanced at me.“Choosing Miss Gastrell to be your secretary was the right choice,” Jasper said after the elevator doors closed. “She knows many peop
The event went well. Everyone followed each session calmly. The guests didn't even look at me excessively. My new friends greeted me kindly and talked to me as we enjoyed the food and drinks.However, I was nervous when walking among the crowd. Their bodies were so tall, intimidating me. Even if they only walked beside me, being among big people scared me. I trembled that they would surround me and hurt me.What Jim did on the basketball court wasn't the only incident I experienced. I endured a lot of bullying, which, unfortunately, haunted me in my dreams. Schoolmates, neighborhood kids, and even my siblings bullied me.“You don't undergo this every time Miss Gastrell is around. You need to reconsider coming alone to such a crowded event, sir,” Jasper said worriedly.I shook my head slowly. “I have to start, Jasper. That’s nothing compared to another big event. Have you forgotten the company anniversary is coming up?” I was relieved that I was getting better.“You're seriously going
I put my bag down on the couch and walked to the bathroom. After cleaning myself up and changing, I sat on the sofa and stared at the night view outside the window. I sighed softly. My plans for tonight were ruined.Even so, I managed to mask my disappointment at the club. I didn't want to ruin Jasmine's mood. She had already relented by agreeing to my request to come to the club. I didn't let Russell's behavior affect me.Farrell and I had been acquainted for quite a while. Although we had known each other for two years, he and I were both busy with work. He rarely called or texted when we were dating. I couldn't always see him on weekends because I was visiting my parents.He confessed his love after two years of acquaintance. We were in a relationship for three years and married for three years. Yet our relationship fell apart. I found out his heart was for another woman while we were together.Russell and I had only met three times, but he had already expressed his love. I didn't e
I didn't want to think about him, so I took it to the kitchen and put it on the counter as a decoration. I made myself some coffee and brought it to my desk. Only then did I knock on the CEO's office and see that Otis and Jasper had arrived.After greeting them, I told my boss our work schedule for the day. Just like Mr. Bloom, Otis didn't assign me to prepare drinks for him. I only needed to arrange his schedule, prepare the files he needed to check, and accompany him to certain events.Thus, after delivering his daily schedule, I left his room. I returned to my desk and prepared myself to lead the meeting. It was my third time standing in front of executives and their secretaries. I could do better.At the end of the meeting, Otis announced the company's eleventh anniversary. Although it wasn't a special number, he welcomed any ideas for activities to celebrate the anniversary. He asked them to submit their ideas to me.“My work today was very tiring.” Jasmine stretched her body as
Nicole helped me out of the cafeteria to the elevator. She pressed the top button. I didn't know where to go. So, I chose the rooftop to get out of people's sight. Jasmine had helped me call my bodyguard.Arriving at the rooftop, I smiled at Nicole. Understanding what I meant, she let me go. Breathing in the fresh air, I walked towards the guardrail. I inhaled and exhaled slowly to calm myself down.Jasmine came over later and invited me to eat. I obliged her. She must have asked the canteen staff to pack our food and drinks earlier. We sat on a low wall and enjoyed our food.“It was only four weeks ago that Farrell pronounced the divorce. That day wasn't even a month old. Yet he's already happy with another woman and flaunting their relationship.” I chuckled. “Is he human or not?”“Three years is a short time,” Jasmine said. “Your wedding blessing is still fresh in my memory. Your white dress was beautiful. The church was decorated with white roses. You looked at each other after you