Chapter Seven

CHAPTER SEVEN

EDWARD'S POV

"No!! That will never happen" I shouted back, shocking everyone including myself. No! Dad had no right to sack my muse. Without her, I would be a piece of lifeless sack.

My dad's eyes widened in shock at my outburst "But... You've always loved neat and clean workers. Why the change now?"

I ignored the question and concentrated my gaze on the pitiful cleaner

"What's her name?" He asked facing her but directing the question to me

"I'm Roxanne Sir," she replied timidly fixing her gaze on her pretty toes. She had on a simple sandal that accentuated her feet perfectly.

I calmed myself and questioned,d "Where have you been?"

She lifted her gaze to meet mine with tear-glistening eyes before replying in a trembling voice "At coffee with Dera"

"Where?"

"The coffee shop next door," she said beginning to tremble visibly.

Did I scare her that much? I so much wanted to hold her and kiss her tears away.

Softening my voice a little, I asked for Dera's whereabouts.

"Over here, Sir," She replied sweetly from her desk at the reception center. When did she sneak in? Or was Roxanne lying?

I looked from one face to another, trying to decipher the truth.

"Were you here when my father came in?" I asked, taking a brief look at my dad to notice his reaction. He was surprisingly calm. Unless otherwise, Dad will never be calm

She smiled and replied, "Absolutely Sir, I was here".

Roxanne let out a bewildered gasp, drawing all attention to herself. The new workers murmured

"So you have no idea of Roxanne's exit to the coffee shop?" I questioned again, not wanting to believe that Roxanne was capable of telling a lie. She was too innocent to spew out lies. I took a look at her and noticed tear stains on her cheeks. I wanted to believe her so badly and comfort her gently.

In response, Dera shook her head and replied a gentle "no" thereby putting the crowd into confusion and alarm.

"But you sent Mr. Brown to tell me of your intention to have coffee with me," She accused, willing everyone to believe her.

She didn't have to say much or do much, to make me give all my heart to her.

Dera got down from her desk and moved forward like a tigress to the center of the entrance hall where all the new employees were gathered.

"And who do you suppose is Mr. Brown?" Dera asked with a sneer that I certainly caught.

I and my dad, stared confusedly at the unfolding drama for we were tongue-tied.

"I don't think there's any Mr. Brown in this company," I said, careful not to hurt Roxanne's emotion.

Roxanne looked curiously surprised.

"But... He met me on the fourth floor. And...

Dera scoffed "Do you think we are kids? There are no kids here, just as there is no Mr. Brown in this company"

"Okay... Enough" my dad came into the picture. "To draw a curtain to this trifling matter, let's call on all the workers on the fourth floor to come downstairs.

ROXANNE'S POV

Again and Again, I cursed my naivety. I should've known that Dera couldn't suddenly become remorseful.

Feeling truly like shit, I sniffed back tears of betrayal and anger. Of course, I knew what anger was. How couldn't I know when the orphanage was a place where all the overseers could pour their anger on innocent abandoned children? Anger could also be seen in my reaction to the fact that every child regardless of age was meant to fast every Saturday and Sunday morning.

For the first time in four years, I truly felt like slapping someone. I watched as her high heels clicked all over the room as she presented her lies on a platter of wicked gold. I instantly knew that Dera was bent on sending me out of the company.

I caught Mara's pitiful stare at me along with two other new entrants, and I returned with a breezy smile

Then the workers finally arrived, and to my greatest surprise, none among them was Mr. Brown.

What was going on? Where was he?

"Miss Roxanne, which of them is Mr. Brown" Dera questioned almost triumphantly

I tried speaking but couldn't get the words out.

The CEO gave a gentle look at me

"Miss Roxanne, could it be you've been mistaken?" He asked surprising me with how crystal gentle he was. I entirely expected him to rant hells at me.

I was lost for words. I wasn't even able to defend myself properly. I couldn't find the right words to explain to the CEO that Dera had invited me to coffee, spewed coffee on my dress and that she had tactically used a soot-smeared kerchief to extend the stain on the blouse.

I looked from one answer-awaiting face to the other and like a complete fool, broke down in angry tears.

DERA'S POV

"Did u truly not go to the coffee shop with her?" Tarella asked as I stepped into the typist room where she was having a conversation with Selena.

I hissed before settling down on an opposite seat.

Selena cleared her throat in response, giving Tarella a hint of the truth.

"But why would you do that to such a pure and innocent girl?" She questioned In slight anger.

"I did it, and so what? Why are you so worked up about it?" I blew out furiously. She'd be acting like an angel when she had a wicked character too.

Her eyes widened in shock as she tried to pretend like she was better

"What! Dera, that's so insolent of you" She spat out the words disgustedly.

"Hmph insolent?? That's so insolent of me? Guess you've forgotten your terrible sins" I added, remembering how she betrayed her friend's trust.

Selena stopped typing and made to abate the flaming quarrel "Please guys, let's not do this. It's okay, Was" she pleaded

"No, It's not okay. Why don't we continue the pointing of the finger game?" I retorted with a roll of my eyes.

I watched as she clenched and unclenched her fist. I gave her a daring look, daring her to a disgraceful fight.

Did she think putting on a white dress would absolve her of her numerous devilish wickedness?

"Atleast I haven't killed before," She said, readying herself to use the door

"But you contributed to her death" I spat.

"Whose death?" She asked, feigning ignorance

"The late Sara Martins, the immediate past secretary of this company who happened to be the CEO's fiancee. Hope that juggles out memories," I said, watching the triumphant expression on her face, melt into dark horror.