Chapter 17: Would I survive it?

**Valerie**

As we headed out, two of my colleagues followed Mr. Denver's car.

Soon enough, Tessa flagged down a cab, and she and David got in. They were going in the opposite direction from me.

“Byeee, I'll see you on Monday,” Tessa exclaimed. “And get a cab; it's already late.”

“Yeah, bye.” I waved my hand too.

After Tess left, that's when I realized how dark and lonely the street looked.

*But I heard that she was a total firecracker. I heard she once threw a stapler at Adam during a meeting*

Adam is really an asshole for spreading rumors like this.

I pulled out my phone to let Matthew know that I was already on my way home.

As I brought the phone to my ear, someone bumped into me from behind, causing it to slip from my fingers and shatter on the ground.

Facepalming in frustration, I turned to my back.

There was a shabby-looking man standing behind me, and he didn't even make any attempt to apologize for hitting me.

I parted my lips to say something to him, but the words died in my