Chapter 11

Chapter 11
I'm out of breath from all the running I've done. I reached my cubicle and sat down on the chair. I'm exhausted. The heat on both my cheeks still hasn't subsided. My courage earlier in arguing with Markus was replaced by extreme embarrassment in front of Mr. Ares. What will Mr. Ares think of me? What will the people at the company think of me when they see us in that position? They might even think that I'm flirting with their new CEO.

"What happened to you, Celes? You look like you were chased by ten horses over there, you're panting so much," Lindy asked me. I didn't notice that she was peeking. She was looking at me curiously.

I held my chest. Holding my breath. I saw my water tumbler, so I immediately drank from it. I felt my throat dry.

"It's nothing. Don't don't mind me."

"Celes" she called me later.

"Hmm?" I hope she doesn't ask me why I'm so out of breath. I can't answer that. I don't know what excuse I'll come up with.

"Celes, have you heard from Joaquin? He's been absent for a few days. You two were the last ones together at the party, right?" Lindy asked worriedly.

I was stunned.

Joaquin.

I clenched my fists. Anger and fear merged into one feeling. What happened to Joaquin after what happened?

"I haven't heard from him, Lindy. To be honest. He almost raped me at the party," I admitted. I didn't want to hide what happened from her because she's my friend. She should know that.

"Oh my god..." She covered her mouth in shock.

"Mr. Sullivan saved-" I looked around for a moment. He might come here later and get angry again if I call him by his last name. "…me. He saved me," I continued.

"Are you okay? I'm sorry I couldn't save you. I didn't know. I shouldn't have left you," Lindy said apologetically. I held her hand.

"It's not your fault. It's my fault. I trusted him that he wouldn't do anything bad to me. The orange juice he gave me was laced with drugs." I told her the other details. I didn't include the time I hugged Markus and him taking me to his penthouse. She might be even more shocked if I told her that. Knowing Lindy.

After a long story, I looked at the time. It was two in the afternoon. It was time for the afternoon break.

"It's afternoon break, Lindy. I'm going out first, I'm going to do some grocery shopping. I might be lazy if I shop later when we're out of work. Are you coming with me?"

"No, Celes. Raul and I are going to eat together. You know what I mean?" she said and laughed modestly. I laughed too. It turns out she likes Raul. Raul is lucky to have her if they both end up together. Lindy is kind. Her face is ordinary, but her sex appeal is strong. She has brown skin, curly and long hair. Sexy body and average height.

"Good luck on your lunch date"

I bid goodbye. My one-hour afternoon break would be over if I talked to Lindy for any longer. Also, I didn't have a lunch break earlier, so I'm going to eat now after I finish shopping. I took my bag and left the building. Luckily, there's a grocery store near the building. I don't need to travel far. I can just walk a short distance and be there.

I grabbed a push cart and started shopping. I was only buying a small amount, just enough for a week's worth of food. I was already in the meat section. Thinking about what to choose. Pork, beef or chicken?

"It's hard to choose." I don't want to buy all the options because it might end up in my fridge. Sometimes I eat out when I'm exhausted from work. I only cook when I get home early or on my rest day.

"I'll decide later. I'll go for canned goods first" I said to myself.

As I was pushing the cart, I bumped into a man. His hand hit my cart. The impact was strong.

"Damn!" he cussed.

"Oh my god, sorry!" I exclaimed. I immediately went over to him and held his hand. I checked to see if there was a bruise or even a wound.

"Take your hands off!" he said rudely. He pushed my hand away. I moved a little. Why does he seem so strong for an ordinary person? Or am I just really weak?

""Sorry, sorry... I didn't mean to hit you. If you want, I can take you to the hospital to get checked. I'll take care of the bills. It's my fault," I said in a panic. Just thinking about the hospital bills makes me cringe. My allowance will be reduced this week. Why am I so unlucky?

"Why are you humans so stupid? Fucking shit! Next time, before you walk, look where you're going so you don't harm people. Why did I end up with such a fool-" He stopped what he was saying when he looked at my face. His eyes widened. He was so surprised to see me.

I, on the other hand, held back tears as I looked at him. I knew what he said hurt, but it was my fault. I shouldn't have cried in front of him. I didn't want him to feel sorry for me.

"H-holy shit... Is this true?" He whispered to himself. He was about to grab my shoulder, but I dodged. What was his problem? He suddenly stopped being grumpy. It was like he had seen a ghost.

"I-I'm sorry... I know I was wrong, but you have no right to touch me" I said.

I noticed that his eyes were brown. His face had soft features, unlike Markus, who had a dangerous look. They were both tall and muscular. They also have the same pale skin but red lips. Her features are Mediterranean but soft.

I shook my head. Why was I comparing them two?

"Sorry...you look like someone I know. I was just shock."

"Is that so? After all, there are people in the world who look alike. I wouldn't be surprised," I said. Lightening the conversation.

"Yeah. You're right. It's just that the one I know has been dead for a long time. It'll be five years," he said sadly.

"Sorry to hear that"

"By the way, what's your name?"

"A-ah, I'm Celestine. Celestine Delaney. I'm really sorry. I didn't notice anyone was there so I hit you with my cart."

"C-Celestine Delaney?" he was stunned when he heard my name. This guy is weird. Why are all the people I meet weird? No one is sane.

"Yes. And you are?" I asked tentatively. I was curious about his behavior. Earlier he was rude to me, but now he looked surprised. "By the way, do you know me?"

"Fucking shit..." That's what I heard him say. He shook his head.

I was about to speak, but my cellphone rang in my bag. I immediately searched for it. And answered the call immediately. I turned my back on the stranger.

Markus calling.

"Hello?"

"Where are you?! Why aren't you in the office?! Where did you go?!" He yelled at me. He was very angry on the other line. I looked at my cellphone again. Confirming if it's really Markus calling. Why does he know my phone number? Silly me. He's my boss.

"Celestine! Answer it! I'll come to you!"

"What's wrong with you? You're screaming, as if I was in danger. Will you calm down?" I said, annoyed. He was overreacting. It hadn't even been three hours since we'd talked.

"Where are you?! Why aren't you answering my question?"

"I'm just at the grocery store near the building. You don't need to shout."

"Fuck! I'll pick you up. Don't leave there. Who's with you? Are you with someone?"

I closed my eyes in annoyance at Markus. Why did he seem to be overreacting? I can't get hurt just by going to the grocery store.

"Well, not totally. I had someone with me. I hit someone with my pushcart," I explained.

"You hit someone? Who?"

He repeated.

"Well..." I turned around to ask the stranger his name. But he was no longer by my side. I immediately looked for him in the surroundings. I couldn't see any trace of him.

"Celestine? Who did you bump into?"

"H-he's gone. I think he left," I answered. Wondering about the man's sudden disappearance, "I didn't ask his name, but...hello? Markus? Hello?" he was no longer on the other line. He hung up the phone.

"Why are people so weird these days?" I thought to myself. I put my phone down and put it in my bag.

I've started shopping again. My break time is almost up. I haven't eaten yet. I'm hungry. I'll probably just eat the biscuits I bought at the office while I am working. Luckily, we don't have a new project right now, so there isn't much overtime.

Once the discussion is over at the next meeting and the design and layout of the building to be built is agreed upon, the days when we have overtime will begin again. So I should make the most of the time when I get to the apartment early.

"Celestine"

"Oh?" I was surprised when Markus was in front of me. He got to the grocery store so quickly. Didn't he have a meeting to attend?

He looked around. I imitated what he was doing.

"Fuck..." he hissed.

"Don't you have a meeting? Why are you here all of a sudden?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Where's the person you hit with the pushcart?" He ignored my question. He couldn't help but look. Agitate.

I frowned at his actions.

"I told you on the phone that he was gone. I think he left. Didn't you hear me say that?" I was really curious.

"Did you find out his name?" he asked again.

"I didn't ask"

"Fuck this", he took out his cellphone and called someone. "Ares, informed Antonio. Check the CCTV here at the grocery store near the company. Review who Celestine hit with the pushcart. Okay, let me know," he ended the call on his cellphone.

"What's going on, Markus? And you seem restless?"

"Nothing. Don't mind this. Next time don't talk to anyone"

"I hit him with my cart, so I talked to him. I'd be rude if I didn't ask him if he was okay."

"Well...next time call me if something like this happens."

"I don't even know your phone number. How can I call you?" I was getting annoyed with him again.

"Save my number. Copy that, Celestine? Just inform me next time. End of discussion"

"But-"

He put his arm around me and started walking. I dragged along by him walking because he had his arm around my shoulder. I had no choice but to follow in his footsteps.

"Don't ask so many questions," he said.

I didn't say anything more. Even if I asked him back, he probably wouldn't answer my questions. Markus seems to be getting weirder and weirder every day.