A large parcel, beautifully wrapped, was delivered by a courier and left at the lobby receptionist's desk. The large package contained expensive chocolates that seemed to have been intentionally imported from abroad. Employees who happened to be returning from lunch approached out of curiosity. They admired the expensive gift, examining it and murmuring their admiration.
"Congratulations on your pregnancy. May your baby be healthy until the day of its birth. I heard you have a sweet tooth. So, I intentionally sent this to the office because I didn't know your home address.
Sincerely,
J. L"
Someone read the message aloud. "This person is really something. All these expensive chocolates." The employees who also saw it just gasped with amazed expressions.
"Whose is it?" another asked the receptionist. The receptionist checked the guestbook.
"It says here the package is for Adaline Scott. Finance Division," the receptionist replied innocently.
She wasn't the one who received the parcel. It was her colleague who accepted it. And coincidentally, her colleague had gone for lunch. She herself didn't know which Adaline was being referred to.
"Adaline Scott? That Adaline Scott?" whispered someone there.
"Is she pregnant? Is she married?" another asked.
"So, the gossip is true?" The whispers continued to fill the lobby until the name's owner appeared.
Adaline was stunned as the gathered people all turned to look at her simultaneously. Their gaze fell on Adaline's hand, which was then resting on her stomach.
"Adaline, are you pregnant?" someone asked her.
Adaline turned to Tessa. Her friend was also looking at the questioner.
"Are you pregnant?" the woman repeated her question. "Are you already married? When? Why didn't we know? Or is the father of your unborn baby unclear?" She prodded. Everyone was really focused on her, waiting for an answer.
"Y-yes. I am indeed pregnant," Adaline answered honestly.
"But with whom? Is it true what's been circulating that you're involved with one of the bosses?" another asked. Adaline tried to explain, but her words were cut off.
"I really didn't expect this. I thought you were a good woman who upheld the principle of avoiding personal relationships with coworkers. But it turns out you're having an affair with one of the bosses."
"So, you're really fishing in troubled waters," another said. Disappointment could be heard in every word.
"It's not like that, I..."
"Come on, just admit it. Are you the third wheel? Is that why your relationship is kept secret? Who's your lover? Mr. Antony Quirino? Gian? Altezza?" These words came from one of her colleagues in the same division.
"What's wrong with you guys? Even if Adaline is pregnant, what's it got to do with you?" Tessa looked at them with a displeased look. "Whether she's married or someone's mistress, what business is it of yours? It's her private matter; you don't need to meddle in her life. Are you going to pay for her wedding or support the baby she's carrying? No, right?" Tessa continued passionately.
"It's not like that. What she's doing clearly brings shame to the company. It tarnishes Coskun Company's good image."
"What does her pregnancy have to do with the company? What happens outside of working hours is the employee's personal right. Why are you bothering?" Tessa answered with irritation.
She grabbed Adaline's left hand and pointed it at everyone.
"Whoever Adaline's partner is, she's definitely not a mistress or someone's fling. Adaline is married. Legally. Do I need to show you her marriage certificate? And yes, she's pregnant. Her husband's child, not from an affair."
"Are you sure? The ring she's wearing could just be a cover-up. We can buy it anywhere as long as we have money," her colleague retorted.
"Why are you so eager to pry into Adaline's personal affairs? Are you in love with her that you want to know everything about her?
"In this company, there's no rule that says married people or those having affairs should broadcast it. Or that pregnant women must make an official announcement. What Adaline is doing doesn't harm the company in any way," Tessa replied passionately again. Adaline herself remained silent, not wanting to comment on anything.
Tessa herself walked towards the source of the conversation. She parted the crowd into two and reached the reception desk. She read the message inside the parcel's plastic wrapping and clenched her fists.
"Darn it!" she muttered. She seemed to be waving the flag of war, and she seemed very eager to hurt Adaline.
Silence suddenly pervaded the lobby. "What's going on here? Isn't lunch break over?" Antony's voice sounded icy.
"It's still noon, Sir," almost all the employees replied in unison.
Antony glanced at Adaline. Adaline only smiled, not a cheerful smile, just a calming smile that she usually displayed.
Antony's gaze shifted to Tessa. He walked towards where Tessa stood and saw the parcel that seemed to be the center of attention for his employees. He took the card, read it, and then glanced back at Adaline.
"Is this what you're all talking about?" Antony asked his employees. His question and cold expression startled them. Antony shook his head and placed the greeting card back a little roughly. "Don't you have any other work to do besides meddling in such matters? Haven't your jobs been plentiful enough so far?"
They all shook their heads simultaneously, wearing fearful expressions.
Antony turned and walked away from the crowd, heading for the executive elevator, followed by his assistants, causing the crowd of employees to disperse instantly.
Reluctantly, Adaline took the parcel sent to her to her office. Tessa complained and mentioned all the possible harm Jovanka could do to the chocolates she sent.
"What if she's poisoned them?" or "What if she's cast spells on the food?" and other suspicions.
Adaline just shook her head, smiling at Tessa's thoughts.
Tessa was indeed like that, full of unreasonable suspicion, almost like Joanna. But she was at a lower level than Joanna.
Adaline placed the parcel at the bottom of her desk and resumed her work. She ignored the whispers of people who, for some reason, suddenly seemed to be passing by her cubicle more frequently, casting obvious glances in her direction. She tried to disregard the stares of her colleagues from the same division.
At exactly 3:00 p. m., all the flat screens mounted on the walls, which previously only displayed company project photos or announcements, suddenly began playing a song that Adaline recognized. Some people who were walking around suddenly stopped and stared at the screens intently, while Adaline remained seated and even hummed along as Shane Filan's voice began singing the first line of the lyrics of "Beautiful In White."
"Not sure if you know this
But when we first met
I got so nervous I couldn't speak"
"Adaline Scott." Adaline froze momentarily as her name was mentioned, and she also looked at the square screen now surrounded by people. "The beloved daughter of her parents. This time, I, Altezza Quirino, come here, accompanied by my family as witnesses, with the intention of proposing to you.
"Will you, Miss Adaline Scott, agree to be my wife? To be the mother of my children. To be the grandmother of my grandchildren. So on and so forth, and to be with me until death do us part."
All heads turned and looked at her with disbelief. Adaline stepped closer to the screen and tilted her head up, seeing herself and Altezza there. At their engagement event.
"Sir Altezza Quirino. I happily answer 'Yes.'"
It was her own voice. Adaline gazed at the screen still in disbelief. The song continued to play, showing scenes of the family embracing each other.
As the lyrics were sung, the screen displayed the wedding preparation process until the marriage vows were exchanged. Altezza's voice once again overshadowed the background music.
"So as long as I live I love you will have and hold you
You look so beautiful in white"
The song continued, showing the wedding procession they had during the wedding. As one song ended, the voice of Calum Scott - You Are The Reason filled the room.
The screen displayed how festive Adaline and Altezza's wedding procession was. Until finally, the song ended, and everyone in her division looked towards her, applauding.
They showered her with compliments, congratulations, and apologies for falsely accusing Adaline of wrongdoing. Tessa rushed over, looking at Adaline with a puzzled expression.
"Adaline..." she said, tears welling up in her eyes. She hugged Adaline tightly. "I'm speechless..." she said again. "When I left the marketing division earlier, I was truly shocked. Who did all this?"
Adaline grimaced and shook her head. She really didn't know who did it. It clearly wasn't Tessa because the girl seemed surprised too.
Most likely Antony. Because he was the only one in the lobby earlier. Yes. Adaline was sure, Claire's husband was the one who did it. Oh God, why could the Quirino family do such irrational things?