Chapter 7 – Troubled water

Bella returns to her firm, still confused as to what she's doing in that man's place. Julia stepped out of her office to welcome Bella as she passed by through the glass wall.

“Chen zong, Zao! (Good morning, President Chen!) Julia greets her with a grin, to which Bella responds with a nod and turns around.

“What's the matter with her? “She doesn't seem to be in good shape,” Julia thought to herself as she watched her walk away.

Julia was going to return to her office when she overheard one of their staff in the pantry complaining about Bella.

“Hey, I heard Ms. Chen had an exclusive suite in this building,” Stacy says, introducing herself as a member of the Accounting Department.

“I heard that as well,” Ashley confirms, tucking her arms beneath her chest.

“Oh, I worked extra hours last night, and guess what? Ms. Chen left the firm early morning, but she didn't return last night, and now she's returned, but her clothes aren't the same as they were yesterday.” Ron informs them, he’s a gay newbie designer of La Bella.

They were shocked by Ron's announcement, "really?" When Ashley asks him, he nods and smiles.

Stacy abruptly said, "Do you believe she's having a hidden affair?"

“Who’s having a hidden affair?” Amanda appeared out of nowhere, and the three were stunned to see Bella's secretary.

“Ms. Chen,” they frankly stated.

Julia can't help herself, so she bursts into the pantry and joins the conversation, asking, "Do you have any evidence that she's having an affair? If you don't have any, keep your mouth shut. That is a serious charge! ”

“What if I had hard evidence? Will you let her go? ” Ron posed a challenge to Julia. She smirked at him and asked, "How can I terminate the President and owner of this company?" ”

Except for Amanda, they all dropped their mouths as they heard Julia say, "You mean, Ms. Chen owns this company?” Ashley inquired.

“Yes, without a doubt,” Amanda agrees.

“I pondered... I assumed she was just a —-.” Julia cuts Ron's comment, "don't say anything or you'll be punished more than you deserve," she turns at Amanda and says, "Amanda, create a report about this problem and email it to the admin." I will not let this squabble go unnoticed; if any of you try to smear the President's image, brace yourselves for the consequences.”

“Yes, Ms. Collins,” Amanda left the pantry together with Julia.

“It's entirely your responsibility, Ron.” Stacy accuses her coworker, "It's our fault, we remarked on her, but you began it Remember?" Ron stated unequivocally.

“Yes, we were to blame. “I believe we should apologize to Ms. Chen for talking behind her back, and perhaps the consequences will be less severe if we do,” Ashley said.

“I concur,” Stacy answered, “and how about you, Ron?” she added. He crosses his arms and rolls his eyes.

“Come on, Ron. “Your pride will not keep you from being fired if you do not follow what I say,” Ashley warns.

“Do I have any choice?” he said and they left to continue their work.

Meanwhile, Bella lazily drops her body on the bed without changing her clothing. She slowly shutting her eyes when she receives a phone call, she pulled her bag on the table and pick up her phone and answers the video call coming from her best friend – Jiang Nian or Li Na her English name.

“Hao ju bu dian, you hao peng! (How are you doing, my dear friend?)” Li Na smiled cheerfully as she greeted her.

“Wo hen hao, (I am fine)? She gave a cold response to her buddy, but Li Na knew better and informed her, “Wǒ zhīdào nǐ bù zhèngcháng (I know that you are not fine).” “Gàosù wǒ nǐ zěnmeliǎo (Tell me what happened to you?)” she added.

Bella let out a deep sigh and said, “I met a man when I escape my mom. Unfortunately, I bump into his car and now I’m temporarily working for him to pay the compensation--” Li Na cuts her and told her, “why didn’t you pay him in cash instead of working for him?”

“I want to do that but my parents hold my money even in my cards so I have no choice but to work for him,” she lamented.

“And what happened? I know that simple problem will not upset you like how you look now,” she comments.

“I don’t know what have I done to that Kiel, he’s making my life miserable since I met him and I unconsciously walk up in his bed,” Bella grouses.

“So, his name is Kiel? His name sounds sexy,” she fantasize, “Did I heard it right that you wake up to his bed?!!!” she exclaimed.

“Yes,” Bella said regretfully, “how did you end up sleeping with him?” Li Na was piqued.

Bella tries to recall what actually happened before she passed out until she remembers that she was fatigued the day before, which caused her to pass out in Kiel's office. She told Li Na everything, and her buddy was relieved that she didn't get in trouble.

Bella also admits to Li Na that Kiel kissed her on her lips, she was shocked and asked her, “what did you do to him when he did that to you?”

“I kissed him back,” she proudly declared, Li Na taps her head out of disappointment to her friend.

“Why did you do that? Don’t you know that you can only kiss the man that you like?” she exclaimed.

“I simply returned it to him; there's nothing wrong about that,” she blithely says.

“Bella, my dear,” Li Na chuckles at her naive answer. You should be aware that if you like him, you have the right to kiss him. Is it true that you like that man?”

She was taken aback by her inquiry, and her thoughts flashed back to the moment she kissed Kiel on the lips. She felt strange and got goosebumps recalling his face.

“I—-”

She hadn't finished her response when Kiel's message appeared on her screen, telling her to "get back to the firm now, I need you to arrive within 30 minutes." Oh my goodness! Here we go again.

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