I will Love You Forever - Chapter 143

I waited for a long time but they didn’t come out for an hour. Thanks to Zee, I wasn’t too bored but I felt like this was a waste of my time.

I took out my phone from my small bag and saw a message from Gerard. A smile appeared on my face but just as I was about to reply, I heard my name.

“Ayla, come here.” when I looked up, I saw Lisa standing by a desk that was opposite the CEO’s door.

I stood up and walked up to her while Zee went on to do her work.

“Why have you been sitting there? There is so much to do yet you sat there as though it was a waiting area.” I couldn’t tell what was getting her worked up because she was blaming me for something that wasn’t important.

“Maam, I applied for the post of an intern and not an assistant secretary.” I showed her the card and she took it from my hand.

She looked at it closely before passing it back to me. “There is no vacancy for an intern at the moment. Besides, you should be happy that you got the post of assistant secretary rather than an intern.” she folded her arms as she spoke and didn’t look as though she was ready to do anything to fix the situation.

“But…” I wanted to make it clear to her that I didn’t know a thing about being an assistant secretary but she raised her hand to stop me surprising me.

“I don’t want to hear of this anymore. Drop your bag here and follow me to the industry. We still have a lot to do.” she pointed to the desk where she asked that I dropped my bag and began to walk away not even waiting for a second to let me get settled.

I ran after her with a book and pen and my card. After going into the elevator, she pressed the button that wrote underground. I blinked twice and wondered if the industry was underground.

Soon, the elevator doors opened and we walked out. Her steps were graceful and elegant unlike I who had to walk as fast as I could to catch up.

“This is the industry where we get all the sewing done. Here, you would find out fashion designers working day and night to meet the endless demands of customers. This is the clothing section.” she pointed. If I hadn’t seen the button she pressed while in the elevator, I wouldn’t have guessed this to be underground.

Everywhere was sophisticated and the lighting was excellent. It looked as though I was inside the movie ‘Charlie and the chocolate factory’ only that this was a fashion industry.

“And this is the shoe section.” she pointed and walked inside. There were so many people working there and each person had a designated job. I could almost swear that I was in a movie. Who would have guessed that there were some people underground this company?

Somehow, I was glad that I didn’t get the job of an intern. Working underground wasn’t something I wanted because I was scared of earthquakes and collapsing buildings.

There was something I noticed as we walked through the factory. All the materials that CSG used were not of good quality but the designs were outstanding.

I thought this was only in the clothing section but the shoes had the same problem. I had thought that the quality of products is what makes the customers more interested in the brand.

I kept quiet about it and just enjoyed the view. Finally, we got to the bag and Jewelry section. They were all pleasing to the eye but from touching the material, I could tell that they were of substandard quality.

After getting to the end, she turned and looked at me. “So what do you think?” she asked and I smiled. I only got this job and I wasn’t willing to lose it because of what I noticed.

“Fantastic don’t you think?” she smiled and raised her hands as though feeling the grace that exuded from the factory.

I nodded and she smiled then began to walk away, back to the elevator. I sighed and followed behind her. I had taken note of all the details in my book and I was sure that I’ll be able to locate this place successfully if I was ever sent down here alone.

We got to the elevator and Lisa gasped. “I forgot my purse in the shoe section. Could you get it for me?” she asked politely and I nodded. “Don’t stay long because we have a meeting with the CEO in…” she looked at her watch, “Seven minutes. And he doesn’t like late employees” she concluded.

I rushed to the shoe section but when I returned with the purse, I realized that she was already gone.

I sighed. I pressed the button on the elevator but it wouldn’t open. ‘I guess it’s occupied. What do I do now?’ I wondered worriedly.

My eyes landed on the sign that wrote stairs and ran using that way. The meeting was in the next five minutes and I was sure that I wouldn’t make it even if I had superpowers.

I ran up the stairs as though my life depended on it constantly checking my wristwatch. I looked at the door and realized I was still on the third floor. I looked up and saw the many more stairs I had to climb.

I kept running up and this time, I didn’t even bother to check the time anymore because I was already late.

When I finally got to the tenth floor, I was panting as though I had just come from a marathon. I ran to the desk where my bag was and Zee followed.

“Why are you panting like that?” she asked but I couldn’t give her a response.

“Where… Is ma’am Lisa?” I asked worried that I would get scolded on my first day.

“She came a few minutes ago but went out again. I think she’s done for today.” Zee explained and I almost wanted to cry.

“Aish… She must have gone for the meeting with the CEO. What do I do now?” I wanted to curse but didn’t have the balls to.

“Meeting? I don’t think there is any meeting planned out for now. It’s almost time to go home and the CEO is still in his office.” Zee explained.

My shoulders dropped when I heard her. The CEO was still in his office and there was no meeting? Then why did she make me run like that? I would have waited for the elevator but she made me suffer.

“Anyway, would you like to grab a snack before heading home? The company staff closes around 7 pm it’s already 6:15 pm,” she suggested but I shook my head in denial.

I was too exhausted and all I could think about at that moment was to sit and grab my breath. I couldn’t even give her a proper response and just sat on the chair tiredly.

Zee chuckled, “Alright then if you need any help, don’t hesitate to tell me.” I nodded and she walked away.

“Aish…” I lay on the desk and closed my eyes to relax a bit. It was a cubicle desk and I didn’t have to worry about anyone seeing me resting at work.

I didn’t know when I succumbed to nature’s call and fell asleep. I heard a knock on my desk and opened my eyes. There was silence everywhere and the lights were turned off.

My eyes flew open. ‘How long has it been?’ I wondered. I looked at the person who knocked on my desk and saw a tall man with spectacles. His hair was gelled neatly and just by looking at his tuxedo, I could tell it was very expensive.

I stood up abruptly and fixed my hair. “Good day sir. I’m sorry I…” I wanted to explain but he cut me off.

“Go home.” was his short dismissive response. I blinked twice before coming to my senses.

“Ah… Yes.” I nodded and took my bag. He didn’t have a card around his neck and I couldn’t tell if he was of a higher rank.

I rushed out seeing that everyone was already gone. When I checked the time, I realized it was already 7:50 pm.

Gerard would be worried. It wasn’t my curfew yet but the sun was already down and I didn’t respond to his message since.

I tried to stop a taxi but no one was stopping for me. I guess that’s what happens when it’s already getting late.

As I struggled to get a ride home, someone held my shoulder startling me. I turned around swiftly with surprised eyes and found the man from earlier standing there.

“It’s quite late. Come, I’ll drop you off.” he offered. His gaze was cold and his voice was the same.

I smiled and shook my head politely. “Never mind. I’m sure I will get a ride soon.” I turned down his offer politely.

“It’s not safe to be out at this time,” he explained and I thought for a while.

Just then, someone ran up to us. “Maam…” I looked over and saw Gerard’s driver. This was the one he used whenever he didn’t want to auth drive.

“Oh hi.” I greeted. I turned to the man and smiled thankfully..  “My ride is here.”