Venus

01: The accident

AE Holdings, Singapore.

"So, this is the standard that you are giving me? "

A cold voice came out of the office, as a crowd gathered around at the door, whispering.

"Please, Adele, give me another chance-" "Another chance? When you work here, I have already told you that I do not tolerate any mistakes. "

"I am so sorry, Adele. Please, don't fire me, I have a family to feed-" "I don't want to listen to your pitiful excuses. Get out of my office. Now."

"Poor Julius... ""Yeah, that Tigress is so scary... " "Tell me about it... This is the third time she fired someone in the week... " "But you got to admit, the work pay is good. " "True... "

"What are you all whispering about?" The crowd jumped. A man in a blue suit questioned, and the crowd quickly disperse.

Leo sipped on his coffee, took a deep breath, and entered the room. A serious looking middle aged woman frowned. "Leo. Why are you here? "

"Look, Julius, why don't you help me take this to the pantry, thank you... " He look after Julius, who nodded. "Now, Adele, why don't you reconsider the whole thing about firing Julius?"

"And why should I do that? " Adele asked. Leo smiled at her. "Personally, I wanted to ask you to transfer him from your department to my department. "

"And this is the third person you had asked me,  Leo. " Adele said coldly, and Leo shrugged. "Just give Julius a second chance, Adele. On my account. "

Adele looked at him, holding his gaze for a while.

"Fine. Alright. Now, what are you doing here? "

Leo winked at her. "That's the spirit. Now, the model show <Down the Runway> is starting. Do you want to visit the set? "

Adele tapped the table rhythmically. "Sure. I'll drive there on my own. "

"Alright. " Leo nodded. "See you, then. "

*

"Can you please hurry, uncle? " Venus said, checking her reflection in the mirror. The taxi driver scowled at her. "This is the fastest I can go, miss. I don't want to get fined for speeding."

"Alright, but please, go faster... " Venus urged, as adding another layer of lipstick. The taxi driver muttered under his breath, as he slightly speed out.

"Here, we're here! "

The taxi driver stepped on the brake immediately, and Venus grabbed her luggage, handing the driver a fifty dollar note. "Keep the change, uncle! "

It was horrible - she had woke up late, forgotten her favourite lipstick, and - what is it? Missed several taxis.

The taxi sped off, as soon as Venus close the boot of the car. Pulling the luggage, Venus break off at a run, rushing through a road of house-

A white car came by, and...

*

Adele opened her eyes.

"What the... " She sat up, looking around her. She was on the road, and something warm and sticky was flowing down the side of her face.

Blood.

But how did she end up on the road?

Wait a minute.

She look at her hands. It was not full with wrinkles, as she had known. It was, however, young and soft.

Those weren't hers.

Her car, was smoking, herself, was covered with blood-

She paused.

Yes, herself, her own body, was sitting in the car, on her seat.

Pedestrians gathered around her.

And Adele fainted.