The visitor
Upon hearing the workers’ words, Martha swiftly rose to her feet, assuming a defensive pose as she hurried over to Mia’s cubicle, spreading her hands in a protective gesture. “Guys, please. Leave her out of this.”
Everyone was surprised. Why was she suddenly being so protective?
“Mia has been through a lot; please, just leave her out of this. Please.”
The entire office scrutinized Mia. What was going on?
Just then, Veronica, who had been silent all this time, flared up. “Why? Why are you protecting her?” She snapped, sneering.
Facing everyone, she spat out venom, “Mia didn’t say anything because she’s jealous of Martha!”
“What?!” The entire office was thrown into a frenzy.
“Jealous in what sense?”
“As how?”
“They’re best friends, aren’t they?”
Scoffing, Veronica continued, “Yes, jealous. She once tried to steal Martha’s position by snatching Max from her. Thank goodness the heavens interven–”
Before she could finish, Martha swiftly shuffled over, clasping her hand over Veronica’s mouth.
But the words were already out, and everyone had heard her clearly.
“Veronica! You shouldn’t have-how could you say that here?” Martha whined.
She then turned to face the audience, “Guys, it’s not like that… it’s not…” Her words trailed off, her face revealing helplessness.
Upon hearing her words, everyone in the office became even more convinced that Veronica was telling the truth.
“How could she?”
“Oh my! What a backstabber!”
“How can someone be so desperate?”
“Your best friend’s man!”Property © of NôvelDrama.Org.
“Someone like her, how is she working here?”
They all criticized Mia, casting disapproving looks her way.
“Guys, please… Mia isn’t like that,” Martha pleaded, but her pleas only angered them further.
“You’re still supporting her, how?”
“You’ve been blinded by unconditional love!”
“If I were you, I’d stay away from such a person, ew!”
“So disgusting,” Veronica scorned.
She wouldn’t have said anything and would have just kept quiet about the matter.
But thinking about how she’d witnessed Mia throw herself into her uncle’s arms the previous night, Veronica couldn’t help but be enraged.
How dare she?!
If the wench was thinking about snatching her uncle too, she must be insane. That would never happen!
In the midst of the commotion, all of a sudden, someone’s voice cut through, “What’s going on here? Is this a marketplace?”
Upon seeing Mrs. Brown enter, the office went completely silent, and everyone quickly shuffled to their desks at once.
“If only you all put this much effort into your jobs…” The woman frowned.
A couple of seconds later, she turned to Mia, “Intern, come with me.”
With that, she exited the office.
As Mia quickly followed her superior, she received disapproving gazes as she left the office.
Martha silently watched the girl’s retreating form, a hidden glint in her eyes.
Walking down the corridor, Mrs. Brown eyed Mia skeptically from the corner of her eyes; the girl showed no signs of being fazed, yet a hint of sadness lingered on her face.
Standing behind the door, she had absorbed every word exchanged among the employees from the very beginning, before eventually stepping into the office and putting an end to their discussion.
Finally reaching BY Network’s studio, Mia’s eyes widened in amazement at the grand and beautiful sight before her. She had no idea this was where they were coming…
“Close your mouth; this is the smallest studio here,” Mrs. Brown commented.
What?! Mia couldn’t believe her ears. This enormous studio wasn’t even the main one? There was still others? “Wow.”
BY Network is indeed huge.
__
Mia soon realized that Mrs. Brown had called her to follow her, not to perform any duty, but to observe some renowned TV hosts gracefully performing their duties.
By the time the studio went off air, it was already lunch break.
“Good job, everyone,” the producer praised as the team dispersed, each person heading their separate way.
With Mrs. Brown having something to discuss with the producer, Mia found herself leaving the studio on her own.
She headed straight to the cafeteria, seeking a hidden corner to enjoy her lunch. However, just before she could dig in, someone appeared before her.
“Excuse me, are you Mia Thompson?” the lady inquired politely.
Confused, Mia nodded in response.
“Someone is at the entrance, waiting for you.” As soon as she finished saying this, the lady spun on her heels and left immediately.
Someone was outside waiting for her. Mia was taken aback. Who could it be? Jasper? But he was always around… Plus, he’d have called…
Shawn, perhaps? She wondered. It could be him, maybe coming to surprise her. Again.
That man.
She didn’t want anyone knowing about them…
“Aish!” Smiling cutely, she stood up and hastily exited the cafeteria. “He never listens.”
She was elated. She needed to clear her head after what happened in the morning. Although she’d spent enough time in the studio, the matter was still lingering in her mind.
Shawn was her escape. Her refuge. He’d cheer her up with his presence.
Just as Mia stepped out of the building, she surveyed the area, yet there was no trace of her husband in sight.
‘Huh? Did he park somewhere hidden from sight because of me?’ She pondered.
As she removed her phone from her pocket to call him, someone approached her from the side. “Hi.”
Looking up, Mia froze upon seeing the person before her.
“Can we talk for a moment?” Yvonne let out a small smile as she spoke calmly.
Mia immediately developed a bad feeling about the meeting. What was the woman there for? Why did she want to see her?
Yet, as the lady led the way to a nearby cafe, she found herself following her.
Upon entering the cafe, they found a table and settled down.
Yvonne ordered whipped coffee for both of them, even after Mia said she was okay. When their order arrived, she sipped her coffee, while Mia simply remained still, looking down at her hands that were fidgeting around on her lap.
Heaving a sigh, Yvonne placed her glass on the table and looked straight at the girl, “how much do you want?”