“Uhm, Annie…” Layla was shocked and at the same time confused. They were hiding behind the wall that led to the washroom, and they could hear Assistant Jiang’s footsteps approaching. “Why are we hiding from him?” She asked.
More specifically, why was her friend hiding from the assistant? Layla was quite lost for words seeing the girl acting this way.
Annie gestured her to be quiet. Her eyes looked calm, she didn’t show any sign of fear despite hiding from the guy. Maybe she already had an inkling that the assistant was coming to look for her.
In reply to Layla’s question, she said in a tone that only both of them could hear. “Could you do me a favor? I want you to distract him, Layla.”
“Huh?” Layla opened her mouth. Why should she distract the assistant? Was he perhaps pestering her friend? Layla could still remember that day Assistant Jiang had come to the department to summon Annie.
She didn’t get to satisfy her curiosity at that time, though. So, she agreed to Annie’s request and nodded quickly. “How about you go first? I’ll meet you outside the company later,” she whispered back to Annie.
Annie nodded in agreement, giving her a thumbs-up. And Layla jumped out of their hiding place, startling the assistant.
“Wah! Ghost! Help!” Assistant Jiang screamed like a girl. He held his chest with both hands, about to take to his heels. Then he realized who was standing in front of him.
“Haha! This is so priceless!” Layla toppled over from laughing out loud. Hey, who would have thought this guy was a chicken?
“Boohoo, Assistant Jiang. Awwwn, did I scare you too much? Hey, don’t start crying, you’ll make this Young Lady feel bad.” As if speaking to a child, Layla batted her eyes and coaxed the guy in a tone filled with mockery.
“You–“ Assistant Jiang pointed a shaking finger at her. After recovering from his shock, he patted his chest to confirm if his heart was even still there.
“Layla, right? Do you think this is funny? I know you did this on purpose. This is very childish.”
“Haha, Assistant Jiang, who did you call childish? Between you and I, who is acting more like a baby?” Layla couldn’t stop laughing and she held her stomach.
“Shame on you, Ms. Ju’an. You should act more like a lady.”
“Eh? Shame on you too, Mr. Jiang. You should act more like a man.”
While the two bantered, Annie sneaked away without the assistant noticing. Assistant Jiang looked at the crazy lady in front of him. From the looks of it, she wasn’t in her right mind.
He could get back at her, but his Boss’s orders couldn’t wait. “If it wasn’t for me that day, you would have gotten fired, Ms. Ju’an. Is this the way you treat your savior?”
“Cut out the guilty trap.” Layla folded her hands and snickered. “Assistant Jiang, remember you never compensated me for stealing my phrase. Let’s call it even since you spoke up for me.”
“Ahhh! People are so ungrateful. You are so troublesome, Ms. Ju’an. I wish we never meet again.”
“Hehe, we shall see about that.” Layla laughed and dusted her hands. This assistant seemed interesting.
Ah! She had never seen a man so scared out of his skin before. What did they even call such men? Hehe. Well, she would definitely remember the assistant’s expression today.
How she wished she had brought out her camera and recorded him. Then the whole company would have something to laugh about when she posted it on the forum.
Watching the girl’s back, Assistant Jiang patted his chest again. This crazy lady. He never knew her kind still existed. He would be better off staying away from her.
He turned around and entered the elevator which took him to the Arts Department. On stepping out, dozens of employees stared at him.
Assistant Jiang felt uncomfortable under their gazes. His eyes swept around the cubicles, hoping he would carry out his job and leave quickly.
Ah! She had already left.
Damnit! He was in big trouble.
…
Annie was waiting inside a taxi when Layla joined her. The girl was still laughing, making her eyes brim with tears.
“What is so funny, Layla?” Annie knitted her brows.
“Haha, it’s that guy.” Layla held her stomach. “Please make me stop, my stomach is hurting.”
Annie shook her head at the hyper girl. She was used to Assistant Jiang’s personality. Maybe that was why she didn’t find it funny.
Or maybe, this emotionless girl never found anything funny. Layla thought. Anyway, she wanted so badly to stop laughing but the assistant’s flabbergasted expression kept popping up in her mind.
“A cat fell into a gutter and the owner committed suicide,” Annie said simply while rummaging through her bag.
“Huh?” Layla’s face fell and her eyes widened. Instantly, her mood changed. “Where, Annie! Where did that happen? Damn! Who is that owner? Did the cat survive?”
Annie brought out her phone and tapped some numbers into it. She had memorized the apartment’s agent’s contact from the website. Now that they were on their way there, she’d better give the woman a call.
“You wanted me to make you stop laughing. I did.” After saying that, she made the phone call.
Layla almost cried. So it was fake news. “Urgh, you’re so cruel, Annie. Next time, could you use a less traumatizing story?”
Layla had now completely forgotten about the assistant. Despite finding out it was fake news, she couldn’t stop imagining the scenario. That was how brutal her friend was. This ice queen, although beautiful, could easily freeze one’s joy then break it into pieces.
“We are here, Young Ladies.” After a few minutes’ ride, the taxi driver dropped them in front of a tall modern apartment building.
Layla’s eyes lit up. Her gloom washed away and she jumped out of the car. “This is a good place, Annie. I already love it.”
They paid the taxi driver then entered the building.
Layla was holding onto Annie’s hand tight. She was also taking the lead. The building had a modern style design. Instead of taking the stairs, they decided to take the elevator.
“Annie, we must get this place. This is way more better than where you live.”
Annie laughed at Layla’s enthusiasm. “What if I can’t afford it?”
“Then we’ll take a bank loan.”