9 Chapter 9: Boiling Water

"Rica is nothing like Di" thought Dave.

Rica was in the office this morning catching up on all the documents she left yesterday. She seems to be fine and in high spirits. Did Luis trick him last night? Where's the really sick barely eating Rica now?

Rica went to the bathroom to escape. She needs just five minutes, no make that three minutes, by herself to rest. She sat on a closed toilet and closed her eyes.

Oh! She was just so tired!

It's just been half a day but she had to put all her energy to the documents that had to be delivered yesterday. She also taught someone how to make the projections right first time. That person should already know how to do the process correctly moving forward. Good thing Dave assigned someone to help her. She also taught that person everything she learned so that accounting does not have to keep on returning the documents to them for rework.

"Everything is almost done. Bear it a little bit more, Rica. This day shall soon pass…And it will all be over." whispered Rica.

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When Rica submitted the last document for the day, Dave was impressed. Rica did it. Although Rica looked really tired, she was able to finish everything on time.

"You did well." said Dave

Rica did not look Dave in the eye. She hasn't looked Dave in the eye since she arrived this morning. Dave thought it was because she was busy throughout the day. But now that she had already submitted the documents, Dave was sure that Rica was trying to avoid eye contact.

"Thanks, Boss." said Rica

"Ummm Rica, can you tell me what happened to you yesterday? You…erm…You were absent and I was wondering if you were sick or something?" asked Dave

Rica finally looked at Dave. The suddenness caught Dave off guard. He almost dropped the pen he was holding.

"Can I talk to you please? Alone, Sir?" asked Rica

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They went to the rooftop. The sun had already set and the moon was shining brightly above them. How can the moon be this big?

This set up would've been romantic. But Rica knows better now.

"Why do you want to talk alone?" asked Dave "What happened yesterday? Were you sick? Was it…because of me?" asked Dave

"That's the kind of question you would not be able to ask if the entire team was around." said Rica.

"Right…that's true." said Dave

"I was just a bit tired yesterday. I did not get sleep the previous night and could not get up the next morning. I think you know why." said Rica

"Right…" said Dave.

Dave broke Rica's heart. And it made Dave hate himself for doing that to her. Dave turned to Rica and saw Rica looking towards the view of the buildings around them. She looked tired but she has not lost her beauty. Somehow, Dave felt nervous. But why will he be nervous?

"And how are you feeling now?" asked Dave

"I still didn't get any sleep last night and so nothing much changed from how I feel yesterday. But I can't stay home anymore or else Uncle will notice that something is wrong. And He can't know." said Rica

That made Dave nod. Rica is still being considerate of him despite things being hard on her.

"I…I'm sorry that you are burdened by this Rica. This is SkyRock's problem and you shouldn't have been dragged into this. I don't know what to say." said Dave

Rica drew a letter from her pocket and handed it to Dave

"What is…" Dave opened the letter and had to stop at the header, LETTER OF RESIGNATION.

"What does this mean?" asked Dave

"I'm resigning, Boss." said Rica

"What?" Dave was angry. He was really mad, he feels like blood suddenly rushed to his head and he can almost see red.

"Are you crazy!" Dave couldn't control his voice. "You are doing so well. You had now been an important part of the team. You said you like to learn from me. And you still have more than a week left to do that, and now you're resigning?!" Dave shouted.

Dave walked a few steps away from Rica. He took deep breaths.

"I know I said some things that hurt you…But that is personal, it has nothing to do with work, it has nothing to do with SkyRock." Dave tried to calm himself but the deep breathing doesn't seem to work.

"I know it won't be easy to work with each other from now on and I know I need to adjust and be sensitive because I now know your feelings now. But resigning? This is just absurd! Do you know how many people try to apply for internship in this company? Thousands get rejected for something that you are just giving up so easily." Dave is shouting now.

Rica did not expect Dave to react this furious upon her resignation. She thought he will accept it coolly. It was just just an informal internship anyway. And the one month was almost up. She thought it will be easy for him to understand what she was going through. He just went one eighty degrees.

"You know that I like you." said Rica. "That fact can't change overnight, Boss. But for what is my feelings for you worth if you do not feel the same way for me?" Rica's voice broke. She stopped talking to control her emotion. This can't happen again. Why was she being forced to confess her feelings the second time! He has to accept her resignation.

"When I hear your name, my heart skips a beat. When I hear your voice, my mind goes into a mess…Do you think it's even easy for me to stand here in front of you? Right now, I just can't wait for this moment to end." said Rica "And now you want me to continue working here? When you already know how hard it is for me to just see you?"

Rica won't cry. She will not cry again. That one time was already the weakest she will be.

"My decision is final. I had decided to resign. I will let my Uncle know that the decision is mine alone. So you don't have to worry about anything." said Rica.

Rica took calming breaths.

"It was nice working for you, Boss. In the short three weeks that I've been here, I saw how you work, how your team collaborates with one another and learned a lot of things about business. I will surely use everything I learned here in the future. Thank you for taking care of me all this time." Rica raised her arm for a handshake. But when she felt Dave had no plan on taking her hand, she pulled it back.

"Well then… Goodbye, Boss."

Rica walked away and left.

Dave was still fuming, his hands had already felt numb from extreme clenching. He knows that he had no right to ask Rica to stay, but the fact that she was resigning boils his blood to anger.

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Dave went home and his anger hasn't subsided. His foot got hanged on the leg of the table and he fell hard on the ground. He got angrier and tried to kick the table and the sofa until he got tired and sat down. Dave knew something was wrong with him. He had never bent his frustration over his furniture.

"Why am I so angry? Why do I feel so frustrated?" thought Dave.

Maybe because that was just the most unprofessional reason he's heard someone say about their resignation. He did not expect Rica would act that way. It was so immature!

Right…that's probably it.

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Carl looked at Belle. And Belle knew what Carl was thinking. But it doesn't make sense. But doesn't it? Why was Dave acting this way? This was not even the first time that his direct report resigned. And it was a common thing that happens every day. So why was he this mad?

"Is it because she was so good at work that you feel it's such a waste to let her go? That doesn't make sense, Man. You already know her internship was only for a month. I'm sure her one month stint in your team wasn't even part of your plan, so her resignation should actually not be a loss." said Carl

"Carl is right, she only had one week left anyway. Why would you feel angry over one week?" asked Belle

"I don't know anymore. I just feel so frustrated." said Dave. "Maybe I'm going crazy over all these marriage, internship, liking someone-stuff."

Carl was certain there can only be one reason why Dave was acting this way.Dave was definitely not angry because his intern resigned. He was mad that it was Rica who resigned. If it was anyone from his team, even Luis, he will not be acting this way. But it was Rica, and Dave's mind was now in turmoil.

Carl noticed Belle looking at him. He knew Belle had suspicions about the situation, but she's a fan of the Dave-Di relationship. It might not be easy for Belle to see what Carl was seeing. But Carl can only hope Dave realizes it soon before things go out of hand.

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The Lawyer called to meet Dave and though Dave already had a good idea what the meeting will be about, he still went to see the Lawyer.

"I heard Rica resigned."

Exactly the topic Dave was expecting.

"Yes, she did. She said there is nothing for us to worry about. " said Dave, trying to look cool about it.

"I heard the condition Samuel asked from you in order for him to sign the contract." said the Lawyer

As usual, the Lawyer found out.

"He's been giving you too much time to think. You can't leave him hanging. Time is running, we are only left with two months to get a solution, Dave." said the Lawyer

"I know. And I promise you there was not a day goes by that I haven't thought about it." said Dave

"Your Dad…You know his condition, right? If anything like that happens again, there is no assurance that he will survive it."

Dave tasted something bitter and felt like throwing up. No matter how harsh the words are, the Lawyer was right. The Doctor made it clear to him. His Dad can't be subjected to anymore stress.

"I know. And I will give Samuel Spencer an answer soon." said Dave

"Make sure your decision is grounded on what is really important. Remember, SkyRock's future is in your hands. The future of all the investors, the Board, and the thousands of employees…even your family. Everything will be subject to your decision. I will trust your judgment." said the Lawyer.

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Belle was surprised to see Dave's message that he wanted to have lunch with her. This was one of the few times that Dave was the first to ask. She went to the newly opened restaurant and found Dave waiting for her by the window. He was looking outside the view of the city.

"Hey, handsome. What's up?" asked Belle

"This looks like a good place." said Dave

"I hope the food is as good as the view." said Belle.

After ordering their food, Belle noticed that Dave was spacing out.

"Hey! Your mind is somewhere far away." said Belle

"Oh yeah? Sorry. Just a lot of things in my head." said Dave

Dave can't focus on anything. The place was good, the food will probably be good. But he had reasons why he wanted to meet Belle. And lunch was not the main reason.

"Belle, I need to ask you a favour." said Dave

"A favour? Hmm….This sounds interesting. You haven't asked me a favour in a long time." said Belle

"You have to promise that you'll do it." said Dave

Belle took her glass of water.

"This is scary. What is it?" asked Belle

Dave sighed. He needs Belle to do it no matter what happens.

"I need you to go to the New York at the soonest possible time. I will pay for your tickets, hotel, food…everything. You've been there before so it should not be a problem. I don't know how you can reschedule all your work appointments but I really need you to go there for me as soon as possible." Dave said.

Belle could only stare at Dave. He wants to fund her New York vacation? How can she ever say No?

"I am breaking up with Di. And I need you to be there for her." said Dave.

Belle smirked,

"Need I remind you that you and Belle are actually in a cool off stage right now? Didn't you both decided to turn the relationship off when she decided to work in New York?" said Belle.

"This is not like the many occasions Di and I decided to break up and reconcile again, Belle. This is… really the end." said Dave

Belle stared at Dave as if she was confused.

"You… did you decide to…"

"I am letting Di go." said Dave.

Belle forgot she was holding a glass and spilt water all over the table.