Kill for Me

Chapter Two: How's My Life

The next few days went by as normally as possible, despite the fact that the other employees still stared at her. Usually, people stopped staring after the first two days, but the fact that she continuously felt their eyes on her made her feel rather paranoid. She was certain that even if she hadn't received that strange phone call she would still feel paranoid from all the stares. To make things even worse, whenever she entered the staff room, their talking died down, as if they had been talking about her.

Jumin had asked her to work more on the wine project that she had proposed, and she gladly spent her time at work on that assignment. She was glad that work kept her busy because she was terrified when she went home. Terrified that whoever had called her would do it again and that she would find out what he had meant. On top of that, she was always looking over her shoulder, scared that someone was following her, watching her every move.

On Friday, once everyone had gone home for the day except for Ella, Jaehee, and Jumin, Jaehee had gone over to Ella's desk to talk.

"Ms. Song?" Jaehee began. Ella looked up at Jaehee with tired eyes, glad for the short reprieve from the glare of the computer. "I've noticed that you are always the last one to leave," Jaehee said. Ella nodded her head.

"I prefer working here than at home," Ella replied. It was the truth. As much as she loved the comfort of home, she hated bringing work with her. Now that she had this unknown person to worry about, she would prefer sleeping at work.

"I can understand that," Jaehee sympathized. Ella wondered why Jaehee preferred working here than her own home but refrained from asking. Her temples were beginning to throb from all the stress she was under.

"I wanted to talk to you in private, if I may," Jaehee began. Ella nodded her head, resting her hands in her lap. "There's no delicate way of putting this." 

Oh, God. Was she going to fire her? Her heart started racing in her chest as dread filled her. "I've noticed the other employees whispering about you. I was just wondering if you've noticed?"

"Yes, but I have more important things to worry about than what everyone thinks of me."

"That's a good attitude to have, and I'm glad that their whispering hasn't deterred you from working hard. I just wanted to let you know. If things get out of hand, Mr. Han will have to have a talk with them." 

Ella cringed. That was the last thing she needed. This wasn't high school.

"Has it affected my work at all?" Ella asked.

"No, not in the slightest. In fact, Mr. Han was praising your efficiency and attention to detail in your reports. Mr. Han is not one to compliment so freely."

Ella let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank God. I thought you were going to fire me," Ella admitted. Jaehee looked taken aback.

"I'm sorry if I gave you that impression," she apologized. "I just hate gossip in the workplace."

"Thank you for telling me. Do you know what they've been saying about me?"

"Are you sure you want to know?" Jaehee asked, surprised. 

Ella nodded her head and Jaehee let out a small sigh. She then pulled over a chair from the cubicle beside hers and sat on it, crossing her ankles and tucking her legs over to the side.

"Very well. They seem quite angry that someone who's not even Korean is working on this floor. Usually new employees start on the first floor and work their way up through hard work and dedication to the company. They are also quite perturbed that Mr. Han asks more of you than of them and that he never sends back a report with a yellow post-it on your folder."