Her Freedom (1)

It was a typical Monday for Liling, getting to her office in the planning department at 7:30 to peruse through documents, a cup of coffee only an arm's reach from her and total concentration evident in her eyes.

Her recent promotion to the position of manager and the arrival of new possible business partners to the Li corporation made sure the amount of paperwork on her table wouldn't reduce in a week, so she had to get to work.

"Morning Liling", Shen Ru, a tall Brunette, who totalled as her assistant and best friend, came bouncing through the door. Liling paid no heed to her treating her equivalent to air

Shen Ru's right eye twitched seeing her so-called "best friend's" complete indifference towards her presence, She wasn't shocked, no, just defeated, it was always going to be the same reaction, every single day of her life

Sighing she spoke again," Should I read out your schedule for today, or leave it on your desk", She had collected herself, and this time her attitude was more professional,

"Read it" came the reply,

'Oh, so she can hear me', she thought sourly, she had expected to be kept waiting once again. She read it all and received a short set of instructions, all through this Liling hadn't lifted her gaze from the documents and was multitasking as she talked, Shen Ru turned to leave, but Liling stopped her movements, "Ru, please can you get me another cup of coffee?"

She sighed massaging her temples, "Judging by who you are, I'm guessing this is your second one, I may not be a doctor, but I'm pretty sure that's not the best for your health"

"But you already know I'm useless without three cups a day"

She let out her third sigh for that day, 'this is going to be a long day', 

Liling had finally looked up from her work and could spot the faint eyebags hidden under makeup, 'The organization's making use of Liling, aren't they', she clenched her hands but released them soon, walking out of the office.

A little later that day, Shen Ru sat at the coffee table in Liling's office completing a few tasks on her laptop, she could do them at her desk, but she found this spot more comfortable, and comfort was her motto. A small growl filled the room and then quietly died down.

Liling looked pointedly at Shen Ru, "You're hungry already?"

"Yeah, my metabolism isn't as slow as yours, let's go grab something to eat",

Liling got up with no qualms, if she didn't she would still be dragged there, a choice wasn't exactly on the cards

They took the elevator down to the café on the first floor, it was 1:23, and a good number of people were still there most likely trying to forget they still had jobs to go back to

They both ordered something with Liling picking the first thing she recognized, found chairs in a corner and fixed themselves there, eating and talking, although it was mostly Shen Ru talking, but still, there was talking.

After a while, Liling's mind flitted away looking aimlessly around, until they landed on a young boy, about five, sitting alone eating.

What had captured her attention was his presence. Even from where she sat she could just about make out the air surrounding him, it wasn't in any way familiar, but she couldn't place why it was so interesting.

Shen Ru noticed her friend's mental absence and traced her line of sight but before she could ask her friend what was up, Liling stood up and walked to him.

She hadn't intended to talk to him, rather she noticed his bandaged hand and his struggle with a yoghurt cup. Deciding to help, she took the cup, opened it, and gave it back to him. With no words exchanged between them.

She walked back to Shen Ru who was shooting her questioning looks, but wasn't obliged to explain herself, so didn't. 

They got back to the office and back to their former positions, Shen Ru had already dropped the questions knowing a reply wasn't in order.

The rest of the day passed quickly, with Liling attending meetings and going through more paperwork.

Just as they were about to leave, Liling received a message. It was encrypted, but she had no trouble understanding it. The message simply instructed her to be at the organization at 10, as the boss wished to see her. After reading it, the message was automatically deleted, almost as if it had never been sent.

She let out a sigh, but there was no expression on her face, nothing to suggest she was annoyed, nothing at all. As Shen Ru had been reading over her shoulder, she already knew their next destination, even without a word from Liling.

"Are you still going to tell him about leaving?"

There was no response, her silence was a simple, yes, but it wasn't up to her, it was solely on the organization, her whole past and future had been decided by them, but if there was even a little chance of her gaining her freedom, she would take it.