THE CEO IS COMING

I woke up early to prepare for work. It's been a month since I became famous on social media. I haven't left my apartment for a month and my one-month stock is already gone. I don't have any money left, so I have to work even if I don't want to. I don't want to die of hunger. I have no one to rely on but myself.

After getting ready, I went to work. It's been a month of sulking. I thought that by not showing up for work, they would forget what happened, but they didn't. Some of my colleagues still treated me the same, but some looked down on me.

It was my first day at work, but my colleagues gave me a mountain of work to do. They gave me all kinds of tasks, thinking I couldn't complain because I had no right to. I went home late after finishing all the tasks they gave me, so I wouldn't have much to do the next day.

The next day, the same thing happened. I had a lot of work to do. I wanted to complain, but I didn't say anything because they would just remind me of what happened last month.

I didn't see Nica in the building where we work. During break time, I approached Blessy to ask her something.

"Can I sit with you?" I asked Blessy while holding a tray with only water and a biscuit.

"Tasia, oh sure," she happily said before taking a bite of her fried chicken.

I smiled at her before sitting in front of her.

"Are you on a diet?" she asked when she saw what I bought.

I scratched my head and was embarrassed to nod. The truth is, I'm trying to save money. She offered me the fried chicken she hasn't eaten yet, but I declined.

She shrugged and went back to eating. I started eating too.

After we finished eating, I decided to ask Blessy about Nica.

"Blessy, can I ask you something?" I asked Nica while we were just sitting here in the canteen waiting for the lunch break to end.

"What is it?" she said without looking at me because she was busy typing on her cellphone.

"I've been looking for Nica since earlier, but I can't find her. Where is she?" I asked Blessy.

Blessy suddenly looked at me. Her facial expression was confused.

"Why are you looking for Nica? I thought you were together," she said, puzzled. She also stopped typing on her cell phone.

I was surprised by what she said. "Huh?" I asked, clueless, and looked at her.

"Nica has been on leave for a month, Tasia. She told Ma'am that she would support her best friend who has a big problem," Blessy said, looking at me.

"Ma'am allowed her because she hasn't used her one-month leave yet, and Ma'am thought you were the one she would be supporting," she added.

I just shook my head. For a month, I've been locked up in my apartment, and no one has visited me. I was waiting for Nica, my best friend, to knock on my door, but she never did.

I thought she was busy with work because I wasn't there, and she was doing everything that should have been assigned to me.

Nica, where were you when I needed you?

It's just me and Troy who are your best friends. I hope I'm wrong about what I'm thinking, Nica.

"I was about to speak but the signal for our lunch break ending sounded. I said goodbye to Blessy and hurried back to my table to finish all the tasks they assigned to me.

Every day, I go through the same routine. I come home late because I finish all my work. I bury myself in work to forget. I don't take any day off because I need the money.

I plan to take my mother away from my father. I want her to have a better life. I want to keep her away from my father who does nothing but drinks alcohol, smoke, use illegal drugs, and hurt my mother.

I was late for work because I didn't wake up early. I don't know why but I feel heavy and a bit dizzy. Nevertheless, I still decided to go to work because I need the salary.

I stopped arranging my things on my table when I heard my colleagues talking not far away.

On this day, they were gossiping about the new CEO who will be holding a meeting that requires everyone to attend.

That's all they were talking about. I'm sure I won't be able to attend that meeting again because they will pass on their tasks to me so they can attend the new CEO's meeting.

"Tasia," BAM! I was startled by the sudden sound of papers and folders piling up on my desk. As usual, it was a mountain again.

I was about to start working when the last person who put a folder on my desk spoke.

"You finished those last week, take those to the meeting room. NOW!" one of my colleagues who had a higher rank than me ordered.

I slumped my shoulders when she turned her back on me. "It's okay, Anastasia, it's okay," I said to myself.

I yawned before standing up. I carefully took the stack of folders and papers. I brought them with me and was heading to the meeting room when someone shouted, "Get in line! The CEO is here!"

The people around me started fixing themselves, but I didn't pay much attention because I felt dizzy and I thought I would faint at any moment.

My body couldn't take it anymore, so I collapsed, not on the floor, but on the firm arms of a man. Before I passed out, I saw a familiar face.

A handsome face. Was he the man I was with last month?"