CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN

"What did Mr. King say? " Ellie asked.
"He gave Mr. Black some time off" Lia lied.
"Thank goodness. But for how long?"
" I don't know but it looks like it's going to take a while before he comes back"
"Oh, I will miss him. But none of that matters as long as he comes back safe"
" He will definitely come back safe, don't worry too much," Lia said trying to convince herself and Ellie.
" Get back to work you two, and stop slacking off. We don't pay you to gossip all day" The leader rudely interrupted their moment.
" Actually it's already time for our lunch break and I don't have anything left to do for today," Lia said to which Ellie also agreed.
" Oh really. Just wait here" The leader left and came back with a bunch of files.
She struggled to carry them with her short frame and chubby hands. She successfully dropped it on Lia's table and began to breathe heavily.
" Arrange these files according to their dates"
"What? We can't do this all by ourselves. Look around we are not the only ones not doing anything" Ellie said.
"Not you, only her. And I want it done in an hour"
"You can't be serious. This could take hours to finish"
"Well too bad"
"Fine I will do it but after I have lunch"
"No I want you to start doing it right now," The leader said.
"I'm sorry if I did anything to you, that could possibly make you hate me, but I can't do it now. sorry"
" Arrogant bitch. You wouldn't even listen to me when I give you an order. Is it because you sleep around, that's why you have your head in the clouds" the leader said.
" I don't sleep around, I'm not you," Lia said and the leader gasped.
"How dare you...you insolent brat. I will file a complaint against you about how lazy you are, and you even dare to disrespect me"
"I think that's enough now" Ellie tried to step In.
The leader harshly glared at her, which made Ellie step back and raise her hands in submission.
"I will suspend you from work"
"You can't do that," Lia said.
"Yes I can, just watch me. Maybe when you come back, you would have learned your lesson and you would know how to behave"
"Fine then, do whatever pleases you," Lia said.
"I am suspending you, Ameliana Anderson, for two weeks and it will be deducted from your paycheck," The leader said loud enough for everyone in the office to hear.
Lia rolled her eyes.
"I'm sure the money wouldn't even bother you. After all, you are a whore, you can sleep with those sugar daddies of yours" The leader said finally before leaving.
" Sorry Lia" Ellie apologized as if she was blaming herself for what just happened.
" It's ok. Although I don't get why she hates me and where she got the crazy idea that I sleep around from"
" She is really picky as to who she likes. She always carefully picks her victims and sadly they always give in to her bullying. I hope that you don't"
"Don't worry about that, I'm pretty sure that she wouldn't be able to bring me down so easily, in fact, I will come to work tomorrow. Let's see what she is going to do about that"
" Yeah, that's the spirit" Ellie cheered.
" Anyways, I'm going out for lunch right now, I'm really hungry and I need some food quickly"
" I won't delay you any further," Ellie said and stepped aside for Lia to go.
" Thanks"
Lia went to the ground floor and saw her father standing by the receptionist's desk.
" Dad" Lia called out.
" Lia"
" Why didn't you call me to tell me that you have arrived?"
" I didn't think of that. How is my little girl doing?"
" I'm good. What about you? Are you good? Is your health deteriorating? Are you eating your vitamins?"
" You ask me those question everyday" Ben said frowning at the headache that was now forming.
" I just have to make sure, especially because I don't live with you so I can't monitor you"
" Why don't you just come and live with me, it would be like the old times just me and you"
" The old times didn't just have me and you in it, it also had Mabel and besides you know that I can't live with you because I am married to Leo"
" That brat is trying to keep you away from me, can't you see that?"
" Don't over exaggerate dad, it is completely normal for a wife to live with her husband, you should know that. Now let's go, I'm sure Leo is waiting for me"
Lia took her father to the parking lot where Leo was already waiting by the car.
"What is he doing here?" Leo asked with a frown.
"I hope you don't mind, I forgot to tell you that my father is going to join us for lunch"
" There is no problem with that. Someone from my side is also joining us for lunch. Let's go now, I don't want us to be late"
" Ok"
Lia made her way to the front seat, but her father stopped her before she could enter.
"Go sit at the back, I will accompany him at the front"
"Ok," Lia said gladly. She wished more than anything that her father and Leo would get along with each other.
However, the ride was disappointingly silent. Lia could feel the tension in the car between Ben and Leo.
"We have arrived," Leo said.
"Finally", Lia said under her breath.
"Who is the person that would be joining us for lunch?"
"You will see when we go inside. She is already waiting for us"
"Okay"
Lia walked by her father's side as Leo Led the way through the murmuring of others and the sound of cutleries clicking together.
They finally arrived at their table. A woman was already seated there, but she had her back to Lia.
Leo took the seat beside the woman, to which Lia frowned. She wondered why Leo would take the seat next to another woman other than herself.
She brushed away the thought once she saw who it was. It was Mrs. Giovanni.
Lia helped her father sit before taking her seat. She then extended her hand to Cynthia and greeted her.
Cynthia smiled at her in return and didn't take Lia's hand. Ben scoffed at her.
"Cynthia Giovanni, still as arrogant as ever"