That evening at MystiArt Productions, the employees were soon to forget about the Damsel and the Knights rumor.
Something else was aired on the company’s forum.
BREAKING NEWS: This Is from The CEO’s office.
[From today henceforth, there should be no romantic relationship between any of the employees, irrespective of their status or background. The employees who are already in a relationship will be pardoned. Otherwise, Anyone caught in the act will bear innumerable consequences.]
Following it was another one:
BREAKING NEWS: MystiArt Productions Treats Its Employees Fairly.
[Due to the recent changes in the company’s management, there will be an assessment of the employees’ salary. Any employee who has been working hard should expect a salary increment. MystiArt Productions treats its employees fairly. A general salary increment is also guaranteed.]
Two shocking news in a day.
After the announcement, no one commented on the forum for a few minutes. The employees were finding it hard to digest this sudden turn of events first.
As if a dam had been let loose, the forum exploded with comments at once.
“Ah, my eyes are paining me.”
“What kind of a rule is that?”
“Work without romance is like turning us into living stones in the workplace.”
“What could be the reason why the CEO suddenly set this rule?”
“Forget romance. Don’t you see the second news?”
“With a salary increment, our hard work will finally be paid off.”
“I always knew our CEO is a beacon of light in this once terse company.”
“Don’t you think these two rules are somehow connected?”
“I know, right? The CEO forbade office romance, then he offered a salary increment to those who work hard.”
“What I think the CEO is trying to achieve is simple. With no romance, the employees won’t be distracted from work or think of slacking off.”
“And if the employees aren’t distracted, and they work hard, it makes them eligible to receive extra bonuses.”
“All in all, the CEO is trying to help us in both ways. What good deed have we done that the heavens decided to bless us with such a compassionate CEO?”
For the first time, Annie couldn’t help but laugh at what was going on in the company’s forum. As she read the employees’ comment, the girl’s lips stretched into a small smile, chuckling to herself.
“Mr. Lim, you really are something aren’t you?” She dropped her tablet and looked at the man sitting across from her.
Andrew sat on the couch with both arms spread across the headrest. His eyelids were closed as if he was sleeping, and he ignored her words.
Since the man came into her apartment, he never said anything but sat on the couch. Who knew he would follow behind her when she left work?
Annie only sensed his presence when she was done unlocking her apartment’s door. At first, she had ignored the man and left him standing at the door.
When she was done changing out of her clothes and even took a shower, she didn’t expect to come out to the living room and see him.
By then, Annie was already reading the news from the company’s forum, so she ignored him once again.
The man didn’t say a word to her though. He just rested on the couch with his eyes closed.
“Mr. Lim.” Annie found his behavior strange. “If you’re here to convince me to live with you, I’ll have to disappoint you again. As I’ve said before-“
Annie stopped talking when a knock came from the door. With a small frown, the girl stood up to receive the person at the door. She wasn’t surprised to see Assistant Jiang. What surprised her was that the assistant was holding a large briefcase with a suitcase in the other hand.
“Ahhh, Ms. Lin- I mean, Mrs. Lim.” Assistant Jiang was panting heavily. “Could you give me a hand, I’m- I’m also famished.”
Assistant Jiang had never raced like this his whole life. Out of nowhere, his Boss ordered him to go to the Villa and get most of his things. They had just closed from work and the assistant was taken aback. Who knew his Boss would decide to move in with her?
By the way, the assistant thought that Mrs. Lim was living with her family.
Annie didn’t give the assistant a hand. Instead, she went back into her apartment and stood in front of the man who was still pretending to be sleeping. “Mr. Lim, what is this supposed to mean? I can’t remember giving you permission to pack your things here.”
“Since when do couples start seeking permission from each other?” Without opening his eyes, the man said calmly.
Annie looked toward Assistant jiang who was still at the door then she brought her eyes back to the man.
“I am sure Mr. Lim wouldn’t want us to be seen together. After all, you just set up the rule of-“
“Didn’t you read it correctly?” He opened his eyes. “Those that are already in a relationship are pardoned.”
For once, Annie was speechless. Even when he stood up and towered in front of her, she didn’t react.
“This apartment won’t contain both of us. I just acquired it, Mr. Lim.”
“I will buy the whole apartment building then.”
“Don’t think you can use money to do whatever you want. It’s not by force to live together.”
“There’s also no rule that says we mustn’t live together. You are so reluctant after getting married to me, Annie. Tell me, is there something you’re hiding and I don’t know?”
Assistant Jiang’s hands were trembling from the heavy load of the bags. He looked from one couple to the other as they bantered nonstop.
Could someone please help him here?
The assistant was afraid that by the time his Boss stopped arguing with his stubborn wife, he would have already lost an arm.
Or more correctly, he would have already fainted from the hunger building in his stomach. Either one of the two could happen. Or even both.