Chapter 9: Holding her Tears

"I was not a psycho though, right? I mean, clearly, it was Maddie who was making me like this," she said to herself. She couldn't wait for Jayden to arrive and get her mind off all this. She rubbed her temples as the elevator finally dined open and she stepped back out into the lobby. She went straight to the receptionist's desk and saw her straighten up once she saw her. That pleased her a bit, but for now, she might as well make friends. She needed some company and office gossip buddy anyway.

"You can relax." She managed to smile a bit to try and ease her. On second thoughts she didn't feel like getting chummy with anyone in this foul mood she was in. "Where's the HR department?" she asked abruptly.

She gave her a polite professional smile then signaled someone over. "Please lead Mrs. Ji, to the HR department."

She noticed how she enunciated her name, most likely a warning to walk on coals around her, but she noticed that this cheerful guy that had come didn't even falter. hmm...impressive.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Ji, my name is Johnnie and I'll be your office guy for the day." He gave her a charming smile and shot her a wink. Try harder boy she said in her mind.

Jiaye smiled at him and simply nodded not wanting to give him the impression that she wanted pointless banter.

"Well, how are you finding the company so far? Your husband is holding the forte pretty well isn't he?" he asked

She came to a full stop and turned to face him, they were actually more or less the same height.

"Any other day, any other day she'd appreciate this..." she tried putting whatever it was that was happening in words as she tried using her hands to explain. "But not today, eemm..." she signaled him to remind her of his name.

"Johnnie," he answered quickly

"Yea, today hasn't been my best day John so please, can we just be quiet, please? Yes? thanks." she blurted out

She then resumed walking as if she knew where the office was and waited for him to catch up and show her the way.

"Take me to the human resource manager's office."

Johnnie nodded his head and took her through curious eyes and into the last office. He knocked twice then invited himself in.

"Mrs. Ji for you." the burly man behind the desk looked up briefly then said something quickly into his telephone and hang up. He stood up and straightened his shirt and run fingers along with his thick mustache.

"Mrs. Ji, to what do I owe the pleasure?" he had a deep jovial voice and quickly came round to pull out a chair for her.

"Actually, I needed to know what positions are free in the finance department," she asks

Hee faltered a bit but went back round to his side and sat back down heavily. He cleared his throat a bit and went through some drawers.

"Give me a moment to check that out for you."

After pulling out a certain file he keyed something into his laptop and cleared his throat once again.

"So currently, Mrs. Ji, we only have three positions available, auditor, account, and finance director. They got fired recently for embezzling funds so now we're thoroughly sorting through new applications. No need for you to worry Ma'am."

She cringed a bit at that new title but she'd gotten some good news that day at least.

She grabbed her bag and took out her flash drive and handed it to him.

"Those are all my documents, and I'm officially applying for the finance director post, please note that this is for formality purposes only," she commanded.

There was an awkward pause and she saw him shuffle uncomfortably in his seat as he clearly had an inner debate wondering what to do. Torn between his moral code and his need to keep his job.

"Allow me to review it and get back to you," he replied back

Jiaye smiled at him sweetly grabbed her bag and stood.

"I'll be waiting, Mr. Jones." She replied after she took a quick glance at the plaque on his desk.

"Free day for me. Hoot hoot. Goodbye!"

As she drove slowly back to the house trying to focus on the loud music that was blasting from her car and not to brood, she pulled in slowly and parked carefully noticing Maddie's car was in the garage. Hm...that was weird.

She opted to leave the brown envelope in the car and head into the house.

She placed the keys on the counter, removed her shoes quickly and threw them unceremoniously wherever they'd land and headed to her room.

If she was right and Maddie was around the maids would be forced to clean up after all her mess, especially, stupid Helena. The big boss maid.

She locked her door and headed straight to the bathroom removing her clothes as she walked, leaving a trail of clothes behind.

Just as she began preparing her bath, she remembered the most important thing. A wine bottle and glass. Days like this, she wishes she had a wine cellar in her room. She should actually probably do that coming to think of it.

She wrapped her bathrobe around herself tied her hair into a messy bun and headed downstairs.

Her gaze locked with Helena's as she headed straight for the wine cellar, grabbed a random bottle, opting to surprise herself later. She headed into the kitchen grabbed a packet of chips and took a Mills and Boons book that was laying on the table and headed back up.

She once again locked her door dropped her bathrobe on the bed and nearly danced to the bathroom when she heard someone clearing his throat behind her. She stopped dead in her tracks fighting the urge to cover up herself. Jiaye was practically naked in her black lace thong with a matching bra.

"We need to talk." a voice coming out from him

She turned around trying to stand proud and not to cower in front of the intense gaze he was throwing her way.

"Go ahead." She let out in a strangled voice.

He gulped visibly and stood up straighter, not attempt to cover up the evident bulge in his pants.

"I need you to understand that this is a forced marriage. I don't know what ideas you fed my grandfather that made this happen, but I want you to know I don't plan on being tied down anytime soon. Nothing is going to change that, okay?" Maddie boldly said it.

"Fine by me." She held her chin high trying to remain unaffected by all this when she had already developed some sort of sick feelings towards this guy.

She went over to the door, unlocked it and held it open for him.

"If that's all, please leave," she said calmly

She could tell that he didn't say everything he wanted to say but he was clearly affected by her appearance and just chose to bite his words back and leave.

She closed the door and sighed heavily holding back the tears that threatened to fall. She was determined to stay strong despite anything that was shot her way. She will not let him see her burst into tears.

She took a deep calming breath and headed to her peace haven.