"Welcome back, Lia!" My co-workers who were also new to the company shouted, and a few from different departments also welcomed me. "You did well!" they added.Oh! I prepared for it, but my tears still started to come out even though I didn't want to. I was overwhelmed by such events, my nervousness and fear before entering was replaced by joy."Thank you, guys!" I gave them the biggest and most genuine smile, "I didn't expect you to welcome me." As I held the small bouquet of roses."Well, it's not just welcome. We would like to congratulate you on the case, we know you have had a hard time but look at you, still strong!” Sheena said, she came to me and hugged me tightly.I can say that Sheena is good at making friends with everyone, she quickly adjusts to the people around her and I admire her for it. I'm happy to work with her, she's like a sister to me somehow."Enough, we have to go back to our jobs. It's only a few weeks until the summer fest," one of them said suddenly as the a
"This one is nice, but the year 20XX has a similar design like this. So, I don't think we can use it at the summer fest." The first design was rejected, and that made the atmosphere in the surroundings even heavier.Darius did not even blink when he gave it back to the one who made it.Darius's aura during the first meeting was far away compared to now, his face was very serious and he was really listening to every detail of the design involved.His answer was the same as earlier, they received one rejection after another.Kyler stood up next, this time somehow giving me hope that there would finally be an entry option for design.Kyler began to show the detailed design until the slide was finished. "this one can be available in different sizes without ruining the beauty of design, so everyone can receive the same quality."It was obvious that his co-workers were amazed, and even I understood why his design was always chosen in previous years.Darius cleared his throat which made us l
"Okay, guys! Keep working, we need to pull more overtime this time!” Everyone was tired, but because Darius had given the signal to try to make a sample of the approved design with different sizes, everyone became even busier.His meetings for the summer fest have been one after the other, every company who joins the summer fest needs to coordinate because it is a big help for the promotion of their product.The only sad thing is that I haven't seen Kyler since they presented the designs they created, and neither do his coworkers know what happened. But even so, Darius acted as if nothing had happened."What are you thinking?" He poked my cheek with his index finger, "Is it Kyler again the one you're worried about because he's not coming in?""Uhm, don't you even think about what might have happened to him? The rejection he received from you, had a big impact on him." I said sadly."I don't know why you are so affected by what happened to him but Lia, don't forget that rejection is a
Only the sound of spoons and forks hitting the plate made noise at our table, none of the three of us wanted to speak. It's obvious that Darius is not happy with what Craig did but the other one acts like he doesn't know.They are cousins but have different attitudes, well, even siblings have different personalities...“Taste this, Lia.” Finally, someone broke the silence, Craig put on my plate the food he wanted me to taste, "That's delicious, this is made by the owner of this restaurant."“Really?” I answered excitedly, I didn't think there was such a thing."Yes, and this one is made by him as well." He pointed to another food.Darius cleared his throat causing the two of us to look at him, "Are you okay?" I asked shyly and handed him a glass of water.He reached for it and drank, "I'm okay, just don't forget that we have an important meeting later, eat that." He shifted his gaze to Craig, "You too, aren't you needed in your office?""My managers are there, they can do all the work
Darius' meeting continued, he acted as if nothing had happened. I did the same thing even though the truth was that I was very affected by the words I heard from his mother.His last meeting ended at six o'clock, "damn, I can't even feel my shoulder and butt." He said while stroking his right shoulder. "I feel hungry, let's eat first before I take you home."I was about to answer when I suddenly remembered what his mom said back then inside of his office, I immediately shook my head. "I-I have something to finish, maybe you can take Wilson instead of me?"He frowned, "why should I take Wilson to eat dinner at a restaurant? Can't you tell that I'm asking you to have a date with me?"I've been avoiding that, but I can't tell him the real reason why I’m rejecting his offer. "I haven't sent the files to the production team yet, I need to do that. I'm absent a lot this month, I don't want them to think that I'm abusing my position of being your secretary."He took a deep breath, "Okay, I u
"Why do you look like that, like you've seen a ghost?" Craig asked me, maybe he saw my reflection in the mirror.“C-Can you stop the car?” I asked, Darius was still there standing like he had no plan to leave."Huh? Why did you forget something?” He asked again, "If there is, let's turn where we can because it's not allowed here."I clenched my hand, "Is that so... T-Then you don't need to, you're too busy." I said softly even though my heartbeat seemed to be going crazy, all the muscles in my body seemed in shock, like I was caught in a crime I didn't want to..."Eh? It's okay if the item is important to you and you can't sleep if you don't get it now, we can go back there. You don’t have to worry about me, I’m free right now." He says, but I can’t.To be honest, I don’t know how to face Darius now even if I go back there."N-No, I-It’s okay. I can look for it tomorrow, so keep driving... You have a lot to do, you should do it instead." I'll just call Darius when I get home... I just
I didn't sleep all night, no matter what I called Darius, he didn't answer. I couldn't bring myself to open the company's group chat because the topic was about the approved design and it was inevitable that my name would be mentioned.When the sun rises, everything becomes bright there is nothing I can do but ready myself to come to work.As I expected, the employees didn't treat me well, the way they looked at me, and whispered to each other, and even others who didn't pay attention to me when I entered, I can still feel how much they blamed me."Lia." Noel was the first to approach me, "Come to Sir Darius' office, he's been waiting for you." I see how he looks at me, it's not like others who judge me, at least he’s smiling.It's a pity that I care too much for their opinion, I don't know if it's because he believes that I didn’t do it or because he knows I'll be fired soon so he’s being nice."Noel, I didn't do that thing." I tried to talk to him.He just looked at me and smiled on
Craig's POV"Sir! Where are you going, you can't leave, your car will be here." The bar manager chased me as I walked faster toward my car.What issue did Lia get involved in once again?Just think of her crying alone without no one to lean on, I couldn't help but to curse numerous times. She doesn't deserve that, I believe in her even though we haven't known each other that long.“Sir!” He quickly stopped my hand to open the car door, "Please, you really can't leave.""What I'm going to now is more important, she needs me." I looked at him seriously, "you understand me, right?"He pulled back, "B-but sir...""No buts, I need to go," I said and removed his hand, I opened the door completely and quickly went in there. I immediately drove to Darius's company, I wanted to see her as soon as possible.~As soon as the car stopped, I saw her immediately walking out of the company, it was obvious from the way she walked that she had no energy because of what was happening.Somehow, I felt m