And then we met again

Chapter 10

Ira POV - 7am the next day

I was a complete mess. I don't know who did this to me but I do know I've lost all the faith in myself which I had. I wasn't able to see who did it but maybe it's better not knowing the face of your attempted killer. And of course it was on the day of the presentation which would start in less than an hour. 

I was currently still in the park which now had media people interviewing the head of the case. 8 people had died. All women in their late 20's. They were all sexually assaulted. Who had families to go back to, except me. I was the attempted 9th. I had two stab wounds on my stomach and gashes that went up my arms. Even after submitting all of my side of the paperwork I was still not given permission to leave. I hadn't gotten proper treatment either because this was a serious case the EMT crew already had a lot on their plate so they didn't ask me if I needed help. Which I didn't. I think? And it wasn't like my blouse hadn't been torn or my hands and face were bruised. 

My boss was going to definitely kill me if I showed up like this but I didn't see any other option. Andd I would only be able to do anything if I was actually able to leave. It was strange though.. I thought Jackson would be the head of the case since he called me. But it was some guy I hadn't even worked with before. Not to mention he hated my guts which was odd because we hadn't even met before. Or have we? At this point I really needed another cup of coffee. 

I turned around to see him shooing off the media. So I headed over to my car and took out my makeup palate to fix my face. I even added some on my arms to cover the different colors that splotched over my caramel skin. Thank god it was chilly weather so I could cover my blouse with my jacket. And then I realized I had left it at home. How stupid of me, I thought and banged my hand against my car.

I yelped as my forearm came in contact with the hard surface. I started blowing on it like an idiot to make the pain go away. I started pacing back and forth while cradling my arm. 

"Are you done yet?" a sharp voice said behind me. 

I whipped around and came in contact with Mr. Carter's scrutinizing gaze. His dark grey eyes glared at me while he was probably calculating the numerous flaws I had just been making. Even after the long period of time we were here he still managed to keep his suit neat and crisp and his black hair intact. 

I opened my mouth to apologize but his voice beat me to it. 

"I don't even want to see you right now so what makes you think I would want to hear your voice, Ms. Arora? You are a criminologist for gods sake! Grow up and get used to the pain! You have not lost your arm! It is just a couple of bruises which should be common for you by now! Your acting as if it is going to get amputated... Now get out of here before I have to waste more time on you." he calmly said as if he wasn't just screaming at me a sentence before. And then speed-walked away towards the forensics crew. 

I quietly got back into my car. I have heard this speech from many other people so it was nothing new to me. But that feeling of being a "nobody" and "useless" never stops poisoning my mentality. I put my fingers underneath my eye to swipe away the tears that had formed. I picked up my phone and saw the overflow of texts and missed calls that were left. I ignored them and dialed Kiara's number.  

"IRA IF YOU DONT GET YOUR AS-" 

"Shhh! I'm heading there right now. Can you please meet me at the parking lot with one of your spare coats? Will be there in 10 minutes. I'll explain everything to you after-"

"Yeah, I'll be there. But what happened!? Do you know how stressed we are? Everyone is already here! Sid here is going to pass out from anxiety---Johnson said if you don't show up he's going to have to handle two of them! And oh my god Ira, those people you guys are going to present to are here too! We are so screwedd they all look like they are some sort of in disguise killers who have come here to destroy us all-- who's going to save mee? By the way I'm going to have to send the coat over to the receptionist because I just saw Jonny's face and its very unpleasant. So chances of me heading down have gone to 0. Sorry!" she hurriedly said and ended the call. 

I massaged my temples as I stopped at another red light. Why did I forget to remember the morning traffic would delay the time I reached?? I slowly started inhaling and exhaling to stop myself from doing something stupid. Which wasn't helping because neither had I ate something or taken my meds. 

After 50 minutes I had finally reached the building. I rushed inside and took the coat from the receptionist and put it on in the elevator. I was 40 minutes late. My palms were sweating and perspiration was building around my neck. I felt liquid trickling down my stomach and I completely forgot about the wounds there. Maybe this leading to an infection and the wrath of Mr. Johnson combined would kill me today?

I heard the "ding" of the elevator as I reached my level. As my heels came in contact with the tiles I heard loud sobs coming from a distance. 

My eyes widened as I saw Johnson on the floor holding someone's legs. 

"Please, Mr. Ahmed! I apologize on her behalf. We all have worked really hard to bring this firm-"

I dropped all the files I was holding and covered my mouth as I gasped. 

It was him. It was him. It was him. It was him. It was him. It was him. It was him.

How was I able to be so careless? I was so stupid. I hadn't been careful enough. I could feel heat rushing up to my face as my anxiety kicked me as forcefully as it could. There's no way I can do this. Or maybe I can just leave and act as if nothing happened? Yeah, I'll do that- I thought. 

I crouched down and lowered my gaze to the tiles while gathering all the files and I could feel dozens of eyes glued to me. As I picked up the last file I saw a pair of black shoes coming closer towards where I stood. 

Without thinking I looked up to meet his gaze. And I dreaded it the second my eyes met his expression. His green eyes held so much hatred and disgust that I felt like killing myself that instant. I was never enough for him and never would be either. I am such a waste of oxygen for this world.. The dark brown hair that lay on his head was disheveled, probably from him running his hands all over it. From anger, maybe? I tried opening my mouth but his bold voice spoke first. 

"Is this how you welcome your new boss? By showing up late? The nerve you have to disrespect me in front of the whole office, Mrs. Arora. If I didn't respect your previous boss, I would have thought he pitied people like you to hand over any position in this firm."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Ahmed. I-"

"The only apology I would need from you is to apologize for your existence, Mrs. Arora. Now go to my office before you humiliate the name of this firm any further." 

Before he could add anything else I turned around and left the room. Did he just say "new boss"? How much had I missed while I was gone? Where would I go now? What would happen to the others? Would he fire me now knowing who that "women" was? I had let down the whole department! Guilt started swallowing up my insides as I walked towards the previous bosses room. 

Should I really go in? I put my files in my purse and felt heard a "riip" as I then started feeling a gush of liquid pour down my stomach. Oh great my bandage somehow managed to tear.

This really couldn't be happening right noww. I groaned and tightly held my purse against my stomach and walked quickly towards the elevator. 

I couldn't face anyone right now.