CHAPTER 28: PAIN IN HER EYES

Impossible!

Marcus traced his jaw confused. It was already 10am yet his secretary was not in the office yet. Checking his emails, he didn't receive any prior notice in case she decided to be absent this day.

He kept glancing at the recording monitor impatiently. After a few more minutes, he finally called Sonny.

"Did Miss Arria called you today?"

"No sir." He replied. "Why? Isn't she in the office yet?"

"Am I going to call you if I am seeing her around?" He uttered annoyingly.

Sonny rolled his eyes. He should know better since they were living in one roof! Tsk!

"Tell me, you didn't go home last night, did you?" He flatly asked. "Don't even deny it cause if you went home you should know why she was not around." His tone was accusing.

"Do I have to check on her always before coming to work? Mr. Lee, you should know more than anyone that I separate work from my personal affairs."

"To some extent, I agree with you. But Mr. Hanes, the fact that you are in the same house and same room should give you an idea of what happened to your wife. But let me call her for you."

Sonny released the call and dialed Jade's number. He's been trying to reach her but after the third try, the woman finally answered.

"Miss Arria, where are you? Mr. Hanes was looking for you. Just tell me if you'll be absent so I'l----'' Sonny paused when he heard the heavy breathing on the other line.

"I-I'm sorry Mr. Lee… Please let him know that I'd be late…I…I probably… be in the…office before lunch." She was breaking as she speaks.

She was clearly sick!

"Ms. Arria, you don't have to come to work if you're sick. I'll just notify Mr. Hanes tha----''

"Please don't, Mr. Lee… I'm on my…way…''

"But Ms. Arria….''

"I'm okay…I only overslept and I'm sorry.'' She replied before hanging up.

Jade stood up weakly. She was not able to sleep the whole night. She was only able to sleep at six in the morning.

She looked outside the window… It was raining. Guess she'll have a gloomy day. She sighed before heading to the shower room.

Meanwhile, Sonny was hesitating if he'll notify Marcus about his assumption.

"What?" He heard Marcus' lazy tone on the other line.

"She's on her way." He coldly replied. "Did you spend the night at Rachelle's house?"

"What are you talking? Mr. Lee, you should mind your own----''

"I do." Sonny interrupted him. "And if you still have a heart, why don't you call Ms. Arria and tell her to have a rest for the meantime?" He was irritated.

"Sonny, don't beat around the bush and just tell me what you want to say."

"You'll know once you call her." Then Sonny hang up.

Marcus was about to say something but he heard the disconnecting tone. 'What a rude guy!' He hissed.

And how can he call her? He doesn't even have her number!

Ah right, he should have her number on file. She's one of his employees after all. Marcus browsed the employee records and as soon as he spotted Jade's documents, he dialed her phone number.

First try, failed. She's not answering the call.

Second dial then third… What's the problem? It was ringing but she was not answering. Did she possibly change her number? Marcus decided to save her number at the thought of calling her again later.

After reviewing the documents from the project management team, Marcus stood up and brought the file at the secretary's desk. He shouldn't be doing such but since Jade wasn't around yet, he doesn't have a choice but to stand up and bring it to her desk.

Glancing at his wristwatch, it's over thirty minutes now but the woman isn't in the office yet. Should he call her again? He was thinking while standing near the transparent wall. It was drizzling outside. She might be stranded somewhere down the road.

Worriedly, he took his phone from his pocket and was about to call her one more time when he got a glimpse of his call history.

Wait… his call logs showed that the same phone number called him yesterday. Then his eyes widened as soon as he saw the time.

So it was her! The unregistered number who called him that afternoon while he and Rachelle was at the clothing store. And not just that, she also called around 9pm… and…2am? He raised his brow.

The call at 9pm was answered by Rachelle since he was at the shower room. However, Rachelle didn't hear any response from the other line therefore she hanged up.

Looking at the missed call at 2am, he caressed his jaw. He was in deep thought when he suddenly heard the main door to the office opened. He then rushed to the recording monitor and saw the woman shuddering coldly. Looked like she got wet while on her way to the office.

**Although Jade used an umbrella, her coat got damped by the rain.

She removed her coat and placed it on the rack. But she must admit that she was shivering a little. She adjusted the temperature to warm her office. It should ease the trembling of her knees since she was wearing a dress an inch above the knee.

After making sure that the office was warm enough for her, she walked to her desk and logged in. She must accomplish all her tasks since she's five hours late.

Achooo! She kept sneezing from time to time while working on the papers stacked on her desk. However, not after a few minutes, she leaned her head on the partition.

She couldn't control the sagging of her lids and the heaviness of her head. She could also feel the burning sensation inside her body.

She stood up and frailly walked towards the aircon. Once again, she adjusted it. The room suddenly feels hot and she needs to cool it down. However, after a few minutes, she stood up once again since she was shivering in the cold.

Her actions were not hidden in the sight of Marcus. She felt hot and cold at the same time. Is she sick? He thought. Seeing how pale the woman was, Marcus went out and stood in front of her. However, Jade did not notice his presence for she was leaning her forehead on her desk while talking to someone over the phone.

"Jaz, can you bring me medicine? I'll meet you halfway." She was almost whispering.

"Ahemm!" A man clearing his throat was standing in front her. Lifting her head, she met Marcus' cold gaze.

"M-mr. Hanes!" She immediately stood up but wobbled after. "I…I'm sorry…'' She stood frozen and her speech backed off when she felt Marcus' palm on her forehead. Is this for real or just her hallucinations?

A little feverish.

Marcus took his phone out and dialed a number. "Come up here, at once."

As soon as he ended the call, he looked at the pale woman, her cheeks were a little red. "Take a rest at the couch for the meantime."

"No, it's alright sir. I can…''

"It's an order." He emitted an icy air.

Jade sighed in defeat. Marcus' order was like an ultimately law. She can't possibly disobey her boss.

"Yes Sir." Without looking at him, she tottered her way towards the couch and laid her body comfortably. Yes, she has been wanting to lay her body since she came in but she was afraid of Marcus reprimanding her for being lazy and irresponsible. She was not in the right condition to receive such for the time being.

"You called me Mr. Hanes?" The company doctor came in.

"Please check on her." Marcus ordered. "I'll be back in an hour." Marcus took a specific file on top of the woman's desk and went out. He will be in a meeting with the project team about the launching of the new product. However, the file that he took with him was the one she was supposed to work onto a while ago. Dang it! She cursed within.

The doctor checked on the woman and gave her a medicine with lengthy instructions before leaving the office. But as soon as the doctor left, Jade unintentionally slumbered.

"I didn't know that a secretary has the leisure to use the office as her bedroom." A thin voice echoed in the room. "Hey!" She kicked Jade's feet and with a flustered face, Jade stood up.

"I…'' She was about to apologize when she saw the person standing in front of her.

Rachelle Henry?!

"Have you seen my boyfriend? He's not in his office right now." The woman was obviously irritated.

Boyfriend?! Shocked shadowed her eyes.

"I came to drop the things he left in my house last night." She smirked meaningfully.

Jade was about to say something when the main door was opened and Marcus stepped in along with Sonny.

"Babe!" Rachelle excitingly run to meet him and kissed the startled man as a greeting. "You left some of your things this morning so I decided to drop it here. I thought you might need it."

Jade stood frozen as she teared up while watching the two act sweetly in front of her. She couldn't believe her ears! Marcus spent the night with Rachelle while she waited for him all night. Fudge!

When Rachelle suddenly pecked on his lips, his eyes immediately looked at the ashen woman. Their eyes met but Jade quickly looked away while wiping the tears in her eyes.

Pain. Marcus surely saw a hint of pain in her eyes!