“M-Mr. Lim…”
“Why do you even call my name?” Andrew cut her off. “Annie, aren’t you a bit full of yourself?”
Annie stared at him, wondering where this was coming from. Their close proximity made her feel uncomfortable and she held her breath not to breathe in his scent.
“You’re acting as if I committed a great sin. I only spent the weekend outside, why do you act offended? Didn’t Mr. Lim spend a complete month away in another city without even notifying me?”
“Is that why you did that? To get back at me.”
“Stop thinking too far.” Annie put on a blank look. “Our relationship is not such that we’ll interfere in what the other person is doing.”
Andrew stared into her eyes and she stared back. A few moments of silence trickled by. Slowly, he leaned away, giving her room to breathe.
“That is right. Our relationship is not like that. It doesn’t mean you can go out as you please and even spend the night outside. Before you know it, Annie… One year will be over. Just some months later and we won’t even have to see each other.”
When he turned away from her, Annie’s eyes lingered on his back. As the man undid his shirt’s buttons, her expression transformed into a solemn one.
‘It is better if we don’t see each other currently. Andy, why did you even marry me? What do you have in store for me? And what will happen when the contract is over?’
Annie didn’t voice out her question, she only stared at him quietly. Looking at his side profile, his features were hard and she could sense the storm in his eyes.
As he left for the bathroom, she breathed out a sigh and grabbed her pajamas from the closet before leaving for the guestroom.
By the time Andrew came out of the bathroom, Annie was fully dressed and sitting on the bed. With the tablet in her hand, she went through the news showing on the company’s forum.
She appeared to be engrossed in reading the comments that she didn’t even look up to stare at the man.
“Mr. Lim…” She called his name as the man sank onto the bed beside her.
“What is it?” Andrew was still mad at her.
With a small smile on her face, the girl gave him a sideway glance before returning her eyes to the tablet. “Didn’t you say that you’ll put my name on the blacklist?” She asked.
Andrew narrowed his eyes. “Of course. So don’t even dream about quitting.”
“How about I become one of your secretaries?” Annie looked away from the tablet. “Compared to being an Assistant Manager, the position comes with more benefits.”
“That is right.” Andrew closed his eyes. “Well, aren’t you attached to your Arts skills? I thought you didn’t want to switch departments.”
From the recording she had played for him, Andrew could recall the HR Manager convincing her to switch departments. Why did she change her mind now?
“Maybe you’re right. Instead of cowering, why can’t I dive into the competition? MystiArt Productions has become a competitive environment. If I can’t be an Assistant Manager, maybe I should be the CEO’s secretary.”
Hearing her words, Andrew couldn’t help but open his eyes. “What happened to the coward Mrs. Lim?”
“She died.” Annie chuckled, her eyes glinting. “If I can’t run away, Isn’t it better to face the game?”
She turned off the tablet and placed it on the bedside table. Even when she lay down and faced her back to him, Andrew didn’t take his eyes away from her.
For a few more minutes, he didn’t stop staring at the girl’s back. “You’re on your own, Annie.”
“Don’t worry, Mr. Lim. I believe my skills can earn me that position.”
Andrew couldn’t help but commend her confidence. But how could he spell it out without sounding funny?
‘You seem to be good at whatever you do, Annie. The only thing you’re not good at is identifying the things that truly matter.’
Did he think she would beg him not to put her name on the blacklist? The girl used his words against him, however. She bounced back and he was left speechless.
…
The Next Morning in MystiArt Productions…
The employees were excited as everyone busily filled out the form. Some who had already filled it out waited for the result with anticipation.
Inside the Arts Department, the employees had something else to anticipate. The arrival of the Manager and his wife.
As if the years-long darkness had been wiped out by a sudden blast of light, the employees’ enthusiasm had returned. Annie’s arrival this morning was a huge shock to them.
Even those who hated her in the past couldn’t hide their happiness. After witnessing Priscilla’s tyranny, what they wished more than anything was for the girl to get a dose of her own medicine.
“Ms. Lin, I was worried you quit. Hope Ms. Lin did not encounter any problems at home.”
“In this department, you are the most hardworking, Ms. Lin. You are also the bravest. Even Mr. Wang’s cunningness doesn’t faze you. Ah, how I wish I was like you.”
“Although we’re afraid for your future in MystiArt Productions, it feels good to see someone who doesn’t give up. You’re like a symbol of bravery to the other employees, Ms. Lin.”
Annie had on a small smile as she sat in her empty cubicle. It was as if she was ignoring the employees because she busied herself with scrolling through the application portal instead of entertaining the employees.
Why would she?
These employees who were quick to change faces. Wouldn’t they say the opposite once Priscilla arrived?
“Ms. Lin, it is good that you don’t let others bully you easily.” Even Mia came to her desk to show her admiration. “I tell you, next time Mrs. Ju’an tries any nonsense, just send a slap across her face and shut her filthy mouth.”
“Mrs. Ju’an also bullies you. Why don’t you do that yourself?” The girl called Sabrina spoke before Annie could.
Honestly, Annie wanted to say the same thing.
“Mia, stop acting like a hypocrite. If you don’t like someone, show it even in their presence.”