Chapter 19 Coming Back to Life

“So what now? Are you still going to report to the office tomorrow?” Liz asked putting a spoonful of Oyakodon in her mouth. I cringed at the sight of this petite woman ate like she hasn’t eaten for days.

“Yes, Actually Mr. Dawson has something to tell me tomorrow so I have to be there at least.”

I tend to overthink things up. What is it he wants to tell me? Is he going to fire me? Move me to another branch? Argh, stop thinking Betty.

“Ah, so what happened to the guy who almost broke into your apartment?”

I never thought this girl could be this messy. Rice grains scattered on the table and being the OC I am, I started to feel bothered by the sight of it.

“He was arrested and brought to the precinct. That’s it.”

“You know, I really never thought Mr. Dawson can be this nice to his secretary. Don’t you know he once had a secretary? I think her name is Michelle. But she only lasted for a month. The girl is more like you, silent and bitchy sometimes…”

“Bitchy? It was you who’s bitchy, Liz.” We both laughed and continued her storytelling about her experiences at work.

“As I was saying, she only lasted for a month. She couldn’t stand Mr. Dawson’s attitude. I even saw her crying leaving the company during office hours. And I haven’t seen her since.”

“Yeah, Mr. Dawson can be a prick sometimes but if you get on his good side, he’s actually a nice man.” I smiled at the thought of him the last time he offered me his phone when I forgot mine in the apartment and had to call my Mom.

“You’re really made for each other. How in the world do you stand each other? Your boss is a troublemaker and you are his trouble cleaner?” We both laughed at her naming me with nonsense words. It’s not even in the dictionary. This woman is crazy.

“But, I can’t even clean my own mess. See what I brought myself into? I was just doing my job, and then this happened.”

“It’s not your fault Betty. It’s the people around us. They were just too bored with their life and started to meddle with other people’s lives. At first, I really thought you were in a relationship with your boss. Girl, you can’t blame me. You were like Siamese twins, can’t get a hold of each other and always together. It was the first time we saw him act this way.”

“In what way?” Curiosity ate me and has to know what she is meaning to.

“We haven’t seen him smile that way to other people. He looks happy whenever he’s with you. It’s just my observation, okay? Even with Ms. Jessica? You can’t see him laugh that way. I saw your pictures on the internet and he looks too comfortable with you.”

“I have something to tell you, Liz. Promise me you won’t tell this to anybody okay?”

The trust issue is not in my bones right now. I have to come clean as this bugged me off from day one.

“I helped him get his divorced paper to Ms. Jessica and let her sign it.”

Liz stopped munching her food and stared at me with a blank expression. I cringed for the second time when she opened her mouth gracing the food in her mouth.

“Close your mouth, please.”

“Sorry. Say what?! Okay, I think it’s not a problem since you’re his secretary but as far as I know Mr. Dawson, he isn’t the type of a man who will entrust his personal matters to other people.”

“Liz, I am not really just doing clerical stuff okay? I am also his personal assistant so it’s still part of my job.”

“Oh, you’re his secretary/personal assistant?”

“Yeah. I should’ve agreed to this one. Until this day, I feel sad for Ms. Jessica. How she lost their baby and Mr. Dawson wasn’t there to comfort her.”

“Baby? What do you mean, baby?”

“It took a while for her to sign the divorce papers ‘cause she was trying to fix their relationship. She had a baby with Mr. Dawson, Liz. But she lost the baby along with her hope to get back to him.”

“Really? I doubt that. I have been working in the company for five years now and as far as I can remember, Mr. Dawson lived in a separate house just a month after their marriage.”

Why would Ms. Jessica lie to me? Why would she make up such stories? What is she trying to prove?

“Ms. Jessica told you that they had a baby?”

“Yeah. That what she told me when I came to ask for her signature.”

“That woman is so weird. I never really liked her ever since I saw her. I don’t know. Something is not right with her.”

“Really? Anyway, let’s finish it up. We have to be at the office tomorrow.”

Elizabeth offered to wash the dishes while I gathered extra blanket and pillows after she insisted of sleeping on the living room.

“Liz, you sure you’re okay here in the living room? It’s getting cold. You can stay with me in my room.”

“No, it’s okay. I have to go home early, I brought the wrong uniform.”

“You sure?”

“Of course.”

It feels so good to have someone as a friend and as a sister. I never thought I could make this special bond to Elizabeth whom I just ignored when she tried to talk to me. I never thought breaking down walls can be this good. I should’ve fixed myself up a long time ago.

“Liz,”

“Yes?”

“Thank you. For being here with me when I need someone to talk to.”

“It’s nothing, we’re best friends now.”

Darkness envelops the whole apartment. It’s already ten in the evening and Liz was sprawled on the living room couch with her blanket on the floor. How can be this girl so messy even when sleeping?

I am having a hard time sleeping these past few days because of what is happening. My eyes landed on the paper bag that laid over the kitchen counter. I opened it up revealing a slim black digital watch.

“Psh, I have a lot of watches, no need to give me one.” I smiled at the sight of it and wore it on my left wrist.

“It’s not bad.”

My heart skipped a beat when my phone rang and Liz slightly opened her eyes but went back to sleep almost immediately.

Mr. Dawson’s name is flashing on the screen. Why is he calling me at this hour?

“Hello, Mr. Dawson?”

“Are you okay?”

“Eh? O-of course, why are you asking?”

“Nothing. Uh—you have to wear that watch all the time. If you think you’re in trouble just press the button there and it will automatically inform me and the police. Got it, Ms. Hernandez? And oh, it’s waterproof so you don’t have any excuse to take that off. Good night.”

“What the— did I…”

Then the intercom chimed in making Liz cover her ears with her pillows. I slowly stood on my feet and slowly drag it to the main entrance door. I was having a hard time pressing it afraid I would encounter another stranger in a black hoodie or what.

“Please let me live in peace..” I muttered pressing the button finally.

“Ms. Bernadeth Hernandez? This is the **** Police Department. We received a distress call from your device. Are you okay?”

“Eh?” I stared at my watch and saw a red blinking on the top of it.

“What the—I must’ve accidentally pressed the button.”

“On the count of three, we will force open your door.”

“Wait! Wait for a minute!!” I hurriedly pressed the intercom to open the door to reveal the two bulky policemen in black uniform.

“Are you okay ma’am?”

“Uh, yes. I must’ve accidentally pushed this watch. I’m sorry.” I said coyly staring at the two policemen with confusion on their faces.

“Are you sure, you’re okay ma’am?”

“Yes, of course. It’s just me and my friend here. Look, she is already sleeping.”

“Do you mind?” One policeman stepped into my apartment and meticulously investigated the living room.

“Okay, It’s clear.” They concluded and settled at the main entrance door putting away whatever device they got on their belt. Oh shoot, it’s a gun.

“Officer, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bother you. I accidentally pushed it when I opened it from the box. I’m sorry.”

“it’s alright, ma’am. Our team is always available if anything happens.”

I just hope nothing will happen and pushing this button is the last thing I would do.

“Thank you.” I smiled at them and stared at their retreating figure vanished through the long corridor of the apartment.

“I’m pretty sure this watch will get me in trouble,” I muttered finally closing the door only to find Liz standing behind me carrying her pillows with eyes slightly open.

“What’s that noise.”

“Oh crap. It’s nothing Liz, you’re just dreaming. You’re just dreaming. Come on, get back to sleep.”

“Okay.” I slowly pushed her back to the living room that she instantly obliged to, get under the covers and slight snoring can be heard in my apartment once again.

I texted Mr. Dawson about what happened that he called me once again just to laugh at me. He now has the audacity to laugh? Police personally scared the hell out of me. Because there are only two things why policemen approach you. It’s either you’re in trouble or you committed a crime.

“It’s not funny, Mr. Dawson. This watch could kill me. You know I hate policemen.”

“Oh, you’re afraid of policemen, now? Unless you did something wrong, Ms. Hernandez.” There is humor in his voice. He is clearly enjoying this scenario I am in. This is all his fault. And this watch.

“I bet you already know that. I wrote that in my resume.”

“Oh really? Okay, got it. Just be sure to wear that watch. Goodnight, Ms. Hernandez. See you tomorrow.”

“Okay, sir. See you tomorrow.”

I hung up and finally turned off the light of my nightstand and stared at the nothingness and darkness of my room. Counting my heavy breathing along with the thumping of my chest, I wonder if I consumed caffeine today. Is it normal for your heart to beat fast even when you’re not nervous or excited?

“No, I certainly didn’t drink coffee today.” But then I realized it isn’t because of caffeine or being nervous. It’s thumping erratically because something good must’ve happened that made you happy. What the hell is wrong with you, Betty?

“No.. no.. no. It can’t be.”

After hours of mental chanting that whatever this freaking thumping in my chest is just nothing, I dozed off to sleep finally. I am hoping and praying when I wake up, everything will be back to normal. No reporters, no issues, and no Patrick. Please. Let me have a peaceful day tomorrow.

I arrived in the company peacefully at first, Elizabeth greeted me with a mug of mocha latte and cinnamon bread.

“Mr. Dawson is already in your office. He arrived early today.” I nodded at him mouthing, ‘thank you’ for the free breakfast.

“Hey, you got crumbs on your face!” She shouted while I half ran to the office with my heels clicking on the floor. Employees greeted me as if I had grown to be famous in one night. I smiled at myself sensing that this would be a good day. I hope so.

“Good morning, Mr. Dawson.”

“Good morning.” He responded without giving me a glance. As usual, he is busy signing documents, reading contracts, and making phone calls.

Let me have a peaceful day.

Yes. I think this will be a peaceful day for me. Made his coffee, prepare his breakfast on his side table, checked his calendar, manage documents and visitors. Everything went normal, yes. Until a call from the reception saying Mr. Dawson has a visitor.

“Sir, you have a visitor at the lobby. They’re not on your calendar. Should we let them in?”

Probably thinking about his schedule and nodded with him saying, “I already finished the reports. I guess they are just my investors. Okay, let them in.”

“Okay, sir.”

“Uh, Betty. Get me coffee please.”

Betty.

Betty.

”Eh? I-Okay. Coffee, okay coffee.” Mentally slapping myself for mumbling and getting affected with him talking casually. It’s the first time I heard him say my name and forgive me, it’s so weird coming from him.

“Hello, Liz? Hi, it’s Betty. May I have the name of his visitors?”

“It’s Frederick Chapman. I only got the name of his assistant. I hope that will help. Hey, I want to come over to your house later. I’ll bring chicken and beer. Sounds nice, right?” Smiling at the proposition, chicken and beer do sound nice and I think I am up for alcohol tonight.

“Okay. See you later. Thank you. Uhm, can you please assist them here in Mr. Dawson’s office?”

“Okay, no problem. See you later. Bye.”

Jotting down the name of the visitors and came up with the idea that I should probably get his visitors a coffee, I proceed to the pantry and began making them refreshments.

The pantry was my safe haven back in the days when I was still adjusting to my work. The coffee maker is always running due to a large number of coffee drinkers here in the company and the rattan bowl is always filled with goodies. Literal heaven for me.

”Hi, Betty.”

Ms. Raj greeted me with a smile on her face. She is the senior supervisor of the Marketing Department and been working here for 20 years now. You can see that she had grown old here in the company and this place is the sheer witness of her achievements and failure since she is known to be the ‘cat lady of the veranda’. She often can be seen on the veranda looking over the city with a coffee on her hands. Probably she’s waiting for her retirement and had a lot of time to think through. No husband, no children, just cats.

“Hello, Ms. Raj.”

“You have been in the headline for straight one week now, Ms. Hernandez. Quiet the attention, eh?”

And yes, she is also known for being straightforward. Her Indian accent is so prominent despite her stay here in LA making her more sophisticated and stricter at the same time.

“Just be sure it would not affect the company. As you can see, if something bad happens, it could be my problem as well. I have loads of problems with this company. Please don’t add up, okay?”

The calmness and the smile in her voice are what make her irritating. Isn’t it okay to just show if you’re nice or not?

“We know that there are people who only live on gossips and fake news. We have to trust each other especially if we’re in the same company. Let’s treat each other as family, am I right Ms. Raj?” I said calmly with sarcasm in it. I really should respect people like her but I really don’t have the energy to be silent. Not now.

She stared at me probably astonished about my attitude. She must be used to me being silent and all, but no this time.

“Enjoy making your coffee, Ms. Raj. Careful, it’s too hot.”

I turned around carrying a tray with three cups of coffee and some biscuits in it. Who could it be visiting Mr. Dawson personally? He only accepts personal visitation when it only involves personal matters and confidential.

Just a few feet from our office, I saw Elizabeth closing the office door and is about to leave.

“Betty, you need help with that?” she asked having a hard time on her heels. My goodness, why does she needs to wear those killer heels?

“I’m okay. I can take it from here.” I smiled at her that she instantly obliged and strutted her way back to the ground floor.

The room is impossibly silent. They should be talking right now or at least greet each other. I opened the door and settled the cups of coffee on the table where they’re situated. Mr. Dawson is sitting on his usual spot and the two men sat side by side with their backs on me.

Please let me have a peaceful day.

My boss is now staring at me silently, reading my movement. What is wrong with him?

“Thank you.”

Familiarity washed over me. The same deep voice that once gave me shivers when he called my name.

Patrick.

Patrick Freaking Sullivan.