Chapter Seven - Get out of my life

 Cherry's POV

The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes, was the pure white ceiling and then, the white-painted wall. I felt a soft pillow on my head and the bed was so soft. Where was I? 

I looked right and then, I saw Everly and Amanda.

"Thank goodness you're awake," both said simultaneously, then looked at each other.

"At the hospital," Amanda told me.

Then I recalled what happened and how I fainted, I sat up and looked around.

"How did you get here Amanda?" I asked.

"I called her through your phone, you always talk about her at work, so, the first person I thought of calling was her," Everly told me..

"Oh...,that's so sweet, I'm blushing," Amanda said to me concerning my always speaking of her.

"Don't be so full of yourself, she talks about me too, right?" Everly asked jealousy.

"Only a few times. She said you are her talkative friend at work," Amanda lied, then smiled victoriously. Everly gave a pout.

"So, you don't love me cherry and I actually take you as my best friend," she said pretentiously.

"No, Amanda is lying. Don't believe what she said," I told her.

Then, she looked at Amanda who squinted. I smiled as I looked at them, they look so alike and I was certainly sure they would get along, my two best friends.

"By the way, how did you unlock my phone?" I quickly asked.

"Your fingerprints of course, don't be so lame," Amanda answered.

"The hospital bills would be huge, why did you admit me in such an expensive hospital? And why am I in a private room?" I quickly asked.

"Cherry, don't worry about the bills, the boss settled them. He was the one who asked you should be transferred to a private room," Everly said.

"The boss? your boss? Am I missing an interesting story? Amanda asked.

"Andrei paid the bills and transferred me here? How dare he? After what he did? What is he trying to do? Put up a show that he is Mr good? I'ld never accept his help, I'ld return the bills," I said very angrily.

Amanda and Everly looked at me with expressions indicating what was going on. I heaved a sigh and began narrating everything to them.

"How dare that bastard, how dare he hurt my Cherry? Amanda screamed angrily.

A nurse then stepped in to attend to me.

"I hate him so much, I hate him. I will never forgive him for what he did," I told them.

"Sorry for all the things you had to go through, maybe all this could have been prevented if I had told you earlier that he was the boss," Everly said sadly and sincerely.

"No, it wasn't your fault. How would you know he would stoop so low," I told her.

"He really stooped low, to think that he even tampered with your car. You can get him arrested, you know?"Amanda said, she was really agitated by the news.

"But boss Andrei doesn't seem like a bad person," Everly began and I gave a scorn.

"I know he wrongly approached you but he's been good to all employees ever since he came back from the States," she continued.

"I'm not trying to justify him but maybe you should hear him out," she concluded and I was angry when I heard what she said.

Speaking of Andrei, I sighted him at the door. When he realised I saw him, he opened and walked in.

"Hi girls," he greeted.

Amanda glanced at Everly and Everly whispered "Andrei" 

She looked at me and I gave a reassuring smile that read, "Don't worry, I can do this." 

"We would take our leave," Amanda said, taking Everly along.

"And what are you doing here?" I asked him.

"I... I...," he stuttered.

"How did you know I was sick, who informed you? I asked sarcastically.

"Cherry, I...," he still stuttered.

"Cherry? So, you know my name? Last time I checked I didn't tell you," I said.

"Well, Cherry, someone, I mean my friend, happens to know you. He was the one who informed me of your being here," he said and from his expression he was a bad liar.

"And may I know who that friend is?" I asked.

"Hmmm," he was saying before I cut in.

"Are you're still going to lie? Mr Andrei Laurel, CEO of global tech. Are you going to lie to me that you did not increase my workload, cancel free meals for interns, tampered with my car, install a camera connected to your computer," I finally spat out.

He closed his eyes, certainly out of shame, heaved a sigh, opened his eyes and was about to speak but I spoke.

"Get out of this room and my life as well. Andrei, please get out of my life. You have caused me nothing but unhappiness. You, I have never seen a person like you. Who do you think you are? You are rich so you can do anything? You stooped so low just to get me.

 Well, Mr Andrei Laurel, I have news for you and that is, you will never be my friend and all your plans won't work for me because I am stronger than you think. If you don't want to leave me alone, then fine, I would oust you out myself," I said and I said it so 

calmly that I was amazed at myself.

I closed my eyes, heaved a sigh and soliloquized, "No trouble can weaken me, I am strong." 

Then, I looked towards my right, Andrei was still where he was.

I looked at my hand and then I removed the IV attached.

Andrei moved closer and tried to stop me, but I refused aggressively. I stood up, then walked towards the door.

"Cherry, please, you still haven't recovered? he said. 

"Since you don't want to leave, I will," I said.

I was feeling better after all and the hospital bills would pile up if I continued staying. 

As I was about to open the door, I looked backwards and said,

"You'd get my resignation letter before the end of the day."

 Andrei's POV 

 I stood there bluntly as I watched her leave the room. I couldn't say a word, I couldn't apologize earlier. How would I? Where would I start from? I never expected Cherry to find out, how did she find out? 

Her reaction was entirely different for what I had expected, I had expected her to be angry, I expected her to be mad after realizing what I did, but she was so calm. It would have been better if had just screamed or scolded, at least I would have felt better knowing that she let out anger. But now, she said it so calmly, her rage was still in her. How would I explain myself to her? she was resigning from her job to worsen the whole thing.

I went to work later that day and the only thing I could think of, was her. I got her resignation letter as she had promised. Maybe it will be best for her to leave this company, maybe it'd make her less pained. I already asked other companies to let her work for them, so she wouldn't be jobless. I had to apologize, even if we can't be friends, I would feel better if she forgave me.

My phone rang and I checked to see it was grandpa calling. I quickly picked up to hear an angry grandpa speaking. My expression changed immediately I heard what grandpa said. Our stock price had gone down by 5% Just in two days. I stood up from my chair, dialed Jenny's office number and asked for an impromptu meeting with my team.

"PGC, our rival company recently launched a new product. Their stock price got a 7% increase, resulting in the decrease of our stock price," James, the head of finance department said.

"And how come I wasn't aware? How come no one told me?" I asked angrily.

"Andrei calm down, this is not the best time to cast blames," Steve whispered to me. I took a deep breath before speaking,

"Schedule a meeting with Mr Collins of fidelity tech, we have to convince him to invest in our new project, it's time for us to launch VIDA," I told them.

VIDA was the new mini robot I designed, it was supposed to be launched next year but since it would get more investors and profits, it was our way out. VIDA's launch has been my childhood dream and I wanted it to have a grand entry into the lives of people.

VIDA was a robot that would make easier the lives of many by planning their schedules, giving advice to any matter and answering any question they had.