No Room For Romance

Chapter 16: Pretending Nothing Ever happened

<Anaïs' POV>
I hurried back to my home as soon as I woke up. It was a long night, the longest I had ever witnessed awake. My mother wasn't at home. She left me a message in my phone saying that she kept the breakfast in the fridge if I ever felt like eating. 'Her daughter wasn't home the whole night. Couldn't she at least even bother to worry?'

My body ached from the continuous run I did. Thankfully that Liam guy lent me his clothes and didn't report to the police. Otherwise, I'd be in a much bigger trouble.

I tried to forget whatever had happened, but I couldn't bring myself to. The words which struck her mind the most were what Cedric had said.

"However, that was not the first time we met each other Ms Anaïs..." He said.
"What do you mean that wasn't? I don't remember ever seeing you before that!"
"Very well... Think deeply and also show some regrets after you've got your punishments well."

There's no way I would ever forget meeting him. His presence itself changes the atmosphere of everything around and doesn't allow me to breathe in properly! How could I ever forget meeting a person like that.

My phone buzzed and I checked it, it was Dane.

What should I do now...? Whatever happened last night, will it repeat again?

My body trembled as the flashbacks from the night haunted me. Surely, Dane had come to save me... But, why did he have to see a scene like that? That view was so wrong at so many levels. He must be disgusted at me.

No, I don't love him... He's nobody to me now. I shouldn't bother what he thinks of me.

I cut the call and cleared my mind. I dropped the clothes I had borrowed and got in the shower. The water soaked my whole body as I cleared my mind a little.

Cedric, what does he even want from me? Certainly, he isn't a sexual predator... But does he enjoy tormenting others? What about that guy named Evander? Is he a sex maniac?

And why does it have to be me...!!!? I cried as I kept overthinking about everything.

Is it normal for things like this to happen? I mean, if they wanted... They could just get tons of ladies by paying them, why do they even want to get a woman like me...?

My head was getting heavier and my knees gave up. I sat on the slippery floor and the water from the shower mixed with my tears.

I got another phone call, and this time... It was from my mom. At least she got the time to call me, I'd have thought she forgot I even existed. My brows frowned slightly.

"Hello, mom?"

"Anaïs dear, how's your new job going on? Is everything okay?" Asked my mother.

I didn't know how to respond. No, nothing is okay! I don't want to work there anymore! They're a bunch of jerks and they torment me, they might even kill me some day!

Surely, that was not the answer she expected.

"Everything is fine, mom!" I lied. "I came very late last night and I'm getting ready to move out again. Don't worry too much about me!"

"I'm glad everything is fine... Alfred and I are going to watch a movie tonight, so I won't be home. Take care of yourself. And eat something from the nearby restaurants! Wait, you're in a big company, they must be giving free food at least for lunch!"

<POV end>

*******

Anaïs continued with her job normally, pretending that nothing ever happened. However, she always felt like someone was watching her. As she walked to print out some documents, she turned around, but uh— there was no one?

As she designed the presentation for the next meeting, her mind was continuously getting distracted. Although she never actually saw anyone behind her or even looking at her, she subconsciously always felt like being stalked.

Cedric slightly pouted and told himself, 'why am I even hiding? The heck—'

Anaïs knocked at the door of Cedric's office room. "Come in." he said as he flipped his document open hastily.

"Sir, these are a list of clients waiting for an appointment with you. The most important person, being the President of S.S. Group, Mr Jacobs Smith."
Cedric held the document and nodded slightly. "Fix the appointment with him on next Friday." He directed.

"But, your schedule is totally clear for the following Monday—" she stopped before she could complete her sentence.
"I do have a meeting fixed with a certain someone on that day." His eyes bored onto hers.

Anaïs flinched and excused herself. "A-alright then, I'll fix this appointment with him." She rushed towards the door.

"Wait, I haven't told you about my schedule on the following Monday yet."

"Oh, it must be something concerning your personal life— I'd rather you not let me know about it." She smiled uncannily.
Cedric however persisted on telling her and letting her know. "Well, it'd be a waste if the person I'm having a meeting with doesn't come up on the day itself."
Her forehead became a little sweaty and she wrought up. "I... I see. I'll let the person know about it. Please let me know who you wish to meet."

"I'm pretty sure her name is Ms Giselle Leolla." He informed.
"O-okay." It suddenly struck her mind. "Wait, isn't she the candidate for the upcoming election?"

"Yes, and of course you're accompanying me in this meeting with her." He grinned.
"Hu-huh?!" She felt afraid and embarrassed. "B-but, why me?"

Cedric crossed his legs and leaned on the back of the chair. "Well, no particular reason. You're a girl and she's a woman. Both of you will understand each other better and make things easier for me."
He clearly didn't mean what he just said. Anaïs was totally not buying the reason he had given, but... What could she even say to him?

"...and yes, this is an unofficial meeting. I'd hope that my personal assistant won't mention it in the records."

"Ah, yes. Absolutely." She had said it, but why would Cedric ever request for an unofficial meeting with an election candidate? Either way, Anaïs had a little plan. She had decided to take help from a politician. And since she knew about the female candidate a lot, she somehow believed that if this meeting is fixed, she could get a chance to relay her troubles to her.

'She will understand me, right?'

*******
(TBC)