THE HIDDEN FEELINGS

Hailey gave me an appreciative grin. "Is that so? Then welcome to this company! I hope we can be friends, Stella!" 

Out of the corner of my eyes, I could see the blushing cheeks of Nick who was right next to me. It made me think that maybe he has a secret crush on Hailey even though in our chats, he blatantly tarnished her reputation.

I stood up and went with Hailey. Damn! It's a painful feeling when your crush has another crush. I can see the attention that Hailey gets from the people around her, maybe if we are always together, I have to get used to this kind of situation.

After we arrived in front of the elevator, two women came out and took a picture of Hailey. They don't wear uniforms the same with us so I thought they were working on another company. The worst part is, I took the picture of them with Hailey and I heard no thank you. When they left, I praised my half-sister while we waited for the elevator to go down to the ground floor.

"Wow. Your charisma is so strong, Ma'am. It's good that you have a fan base, if only I am as beautiful as you, I'd probably be famous too!"

The elevator opened on the left side and we both entered before she answered my question. Fortunately, the elevator was empty so we can have a heart to heart talk.

"It seems like you accidentally overheard my conversation with my father earlier?" Hailey let out a frustrated sigh before continuing to speak. "That old man has never been so proud of me ever since. All I want is to make him proud!"

It's hard to lie and I probably have nothing to lose if I admit the truth. "Y-yes Ma'am Hailey... I'm sorry, I had no intention of interfering in your personal matters."

"I know that. I'm sorry too, I am a failure so I deserved to be yelled like that!"

"Not that I'm interrupting, but does sir Joseph yell at you every day?" I bravely asked.

"Well, that only happens when he is in a bad mood. Usually, I'm the one he gets angry at. Although, I admit that I tend to fail most of the time but it does not mean I am nit doing my best!"

"Don't worry, Ma'am. The time will come when your father will be proud of you. No one starts being good right away," I advised her. This is also what my mother advised me before, so I became a strong person. Of course, sharing is carrying. 

"By the way, Stella, are you a fresh graduate?" she asked, disregarding my advice to her.

"Yes Ma'am Hailey, this is my first work!" I answered right away.

"Congratulations. Are you an honored student?"

"I don't want to brag or anything of that nature but yes I am! I was cum laude before and the moment HR and sir Michael saw my credentials, they accepted me right away!"

The elevator opened and we got out. It seems that she forgot what I told her so she changed the topic again.

"We'll go to the restaurant near here, we'll both eat there!"

My stomach almost lurched at what she said. Because in my whole life, I have never eaten at that kind of restaurant. But I am not a picky eater.

"Actually Ma'am, it's okay with me if we're just next to the cafeterias. I'm not picky about food."

"Okay, I know a restaurant near here, we just need to walk a little bit. I'm not picky about food either, so it's okay. Besides, I'd like eating foods of poor as well!"

I guess I did something wrong, I should have just said yes to her. Now, I have no choice. When we got out, we went to the left side of our building and stopped in front of a kiosk stand with a silver roof but this kiosk is filled with many customers.

"Looks like we won't be able to eat right away with so many people, Ma'am!" I complained to her.

"Alright, let's go to the most underrated restaurant in this place!"

"Sure!" I replied shortly.

We just kept walking until we got to the very end of the kiosks where there was an old man selling by himself. My heart was suddenly filled with compassion because nobody was dining in front of his shop. When he turned to Hailey, he happily greeted him.

"Hey, how are you Hailey? It seems like we haven't seen each other in a while?" he asked. His excitement was plain to see in his eyes.

"Don't worry, I'm fine Dad Elmo. Can we eat here?" Hailey asked.

"Well, yes!! In fact, you are my first customers today!"

"Is that so? Don't worry, we will be eating here often," Hailey put her arm around my shoulder and introduced me to Elmo. "By the way, I would like you to meet Stella. Our new employee! She saved Daddy Joseph earlier so I will treat her."

"Really? I am glad that your father is doing okay! They said that your father is really kind!"

I just looked at Hailey while she was talking to the old man. I don't know but I can see the disappointment in her eyes.

"Dad is really kind, just to other people!" Hailey said with a frown. "Sometimes, I ask myself if I'm really his daughter!"

"Didn't I tell you before that you should work hard? Like it or not, I know your father is very proud of you!"

Hailey's face remained sad and she changed the topic again. "Alright Stella and I have two rice!" she turned to me and asked. "What do you want to eat?"

"I'm fine with the vegetable dish. I am actually a vegetarian!"

Hailey turned back to father Elmo. "Alright, mine is the same!" She took her branded wallet that I dreamed of having. She took 50 dollars and gave it to Elmo.