Chapter 43

SILVANA

I sighed loudly as I stared at my blank computer screen, my body stretched with fatigue. The article about James and me leaving the hotel together with today's workload took a strong toll on me. My head was distorted with how to stop the online bantering which seems to be becoming more and more heated with each passing minute. It made me wonder if the netizen attacking me had no job or it was their job.

Chuckling at that thought, I stood up, taking my bag before heading to the door. I was about to open it when it opened.

"Oh, you are still here." I said when I saw Mr Greg.

"Yes, you need to sign this. It's from Hardin's Construction."

"What's it for?" I asked as I collected the document he stretched out to me.

"It's the cost of the construction materials." He replied.

"Hmm..." I nodded, reaching for a pen In my bag. I signed the needed place before handing it back to him.

"I will leave now." I said, and he nodded, opening the door. We walked out together and I started heading to the elevator, but Mr Greg was also following. I was about to ask why he was doing that when he spoke up.

"Don't think about all that's going on and have a good night's rest, young miss." He said, and I smiled spread across my face, knowing that he was trying to comfort me.

"Thank you, and goodnight." I replied, and he nodded. I walked into the elevator, waving at him till the door closed, a loud sigh escaping my lips after.

My shoulders slumped down as the elevator began moving, and when it finally opened, I walked out, dragging my feet all the way to the car. I drove out of the company, heading straight to my house. But, the moment I got home, rain started falling.

I pursed my lips, watching from my car as the rain intensified, and James came to my mind. I wonder how he is doing. From what I remember, he seems to dislike it, because the look on his face when we were at the hotel was surely not one of happiness.

I continued staring at the rain. The sound of the raindrops against the windowpane was like a drumbeat, echoing loudly in my ears. I remained in the car for several minutes, lost in thoughts of the recent happenings James. Somehow, I was worried for James even when I don't know why.

I must be crazy. Chuckling, I finally decided to make a dash for the door. As I stepped out into the downpour, the rain soaked through my clothes, leaving me drenched even though I only had to run a few distance to reach my doorstep.

As I walked into the house, I was met with an eerie silence. The living room was empty and the stillness was obvious.

"Cynthia!" I called out, but my voice was met with silence. I furrowed my brows and called out again, but there was no response. Shrugging, I headed towards the cellar but stopped when I heard my name being called. I turned to see Cynthia walking out of the room with sleepy eyes.

"Where are you sleeping?" I asked, feel

"Yes." She nodded and an apologetic look crossed my face.

"So sorry, you can go back to sleep. I just wanted to know if you were around."

"Okay miss. I made your dinner already." She motioned at the dining table, but I waved my hand, telling her to go back to bed. I really had no appetite for food, but I felt like having a drink. So, I went to the cellar, settling down on a stool. I took a bottle of Merlot and poured it in a wine glass before drinking from it.

As I savored the rich flavor, I nodded in approval. "Nice." I thought to myself and proceeded to drink the entire glass. I refilled it, enjoying the comfort the wine surprisingly brought to me. This went on for a while, I drank till my eyes started to feel heavy.

Taking my hand to my forehead, I let out a burp and sighed, feeling the effects of the wine I had been drinking. My gaze wandered to my bag on the counter, and I reached for it, taking my phone out.

A notification of another article concerning me popped up but I just ignored it and searched for James' number. When I finally found it, I let out a dry chuckle, "How could he not even call once!" I exclaimed, pouting my lips as I dialed his number, my hands wiggling from my drunkenness as I waited for him to answer.

The phone rang twice before he picked up. "Hello." His voice came through the line, and I swallowed hard, but couldn't bring myself to speak.

"Vana?" He called out again, but I hung up instead. I dropped my phone and placed my head on the counter, staring at it with a mix of emotion. I couldn't muster up the courage to talk to him, but still, I expected him to call back, but nothing happened. I ended up falling asleep while staring at it.

The next time I woke up, the day was already bright indicating it was morning already. Groggily, I tried to move, thinking I was in my bed, but instead, I fell to the ground in a loud thud.

"Ouch!" A loud yelp left my lips as my butt hit the floor hard. I slowly stood up, rubbing my sore bottom, I looked around and my eyes widened when I realized I was still in the cellar. Did I sleep here last night?

"You are awake? Good morning." I looked in the direction of the voice to see Cynthia standing by the door. Nodding my head slowly, I returned the good morning before taking my gaze to the counter. My phone and bag were still there. I can't believe I slept here.

"Why didn't you wake me?" I whipped my head to Cynthia's direction who had a confused look on. "I tried to, but you insisted on staying here."

"Oh," I blinked

I trudged out of the cellar, my head pounding. "Get me a cup of coffee." I told her to settle in the living room. She left for the kitchen and in a few minutes, she was back with a warm cup of coffee.

"Urrgh!!" I groaned as I sipped from it, my head aching badly. Sigh. I shouldn't have drunk so much. I heaved and drank the rest of the coffee before leaving for my room.

As I walked in, I took off my clothes immediately and made my way into the bathroom. Settling in the warm bath I made, I sighed loudly. It was just what I needed. My eyelashes hugged each other as I leaned back. The water worked its magic, warming up my chilled body because of the cold the rain brought.

As I lay there, the events from yesterday slowly crept into my mind. The attack, the scoldings from the meeting and the insults - It brought the anger I couldn't feel yesterday. Why was everyone against me when I did nothing wrong? How could a date with James cause all this ruckus and slandering. My blood was beginning to boil but I held it in. Today is a new day - I will face whatever it brings head-on. I won't let some scandal define my character.

Bathing took some minutes and when I finally left the tub, I was feeling refreshed. I left the bathroom for the closet, and started picking out my clothes. I picked a dark pink shirt and a blue maxi skirt. I put it on and a smile appeared on my face when I stared at my reflection in the mirror. I was looking nice and I liked it. I picked out a small blue bag before leaving the room.

I had my breakfast before heading out of the house and to the company. Once I got into the company, I stepped in with my head held high. The workers greeted me as usual and I replied to them cheerfully. Some of them passed me surprised looks because of that but I ignored them and went up to my office. I was shut settled in when Mr Greg walked in after knocking.

"There is something you need to see." He pointed his phone at me. I rolled my eyes, collecting it. What's there to see? It's probably another post slandering but I was shocked when I saw an official post made by Starlight Group.

The post stated that I and James had nothing to do with each other except being business partners. It also stated that we had to spend a night in the hotel because we were stranded.

As I read, instead of feeling happy that everything has been cleared, I felt the opposite. Why do I feel like he is drawing a line?