ONE NIGHT MISTAKE

Chapter 5: Heartless

I was exhausted when I went to my table. It's been a few months since I started working. Mr. Harrison was too strict about my work, he didn't even let me rest for a minute. If he didn't eat, I won't eat too because wherever he is, I am there too!

“Did I hire you to sleep here, Charity? Have you forgotten that you are here to work as my secretary?” As soon as I heard Mr. Harrison, I nearly fell out of my chair.

Since Georgie requested a leave of absence a few days ago, I have been left alone in Harrison's Corporation.

"Did you notice that I was pressing the intercom a while ago?”

"Mr. Harrison, I apologize—”

"I don't need an explanation, so shut up. You have to get prepared because we'll be leaving the country, so please hurry! I had a five-day meeting in a different country. Why aren't you ready for all our needs? instead of napping at your desk!”

“Mr. Harrison, did you forget that you approved my leave of absence for tomorrow? Georgie will accompany you there because I need to attend my son's family meeting.”

“Oh really? Are you honest to me? When did I give my consent regarding your absence? Miss Valderama, I don't even remember it!”

"Mr. Harrison—--”

"Miss Valderrama, shut up. I disagree for whatever your reasons. I am your employer here, and I pay you highly! I don't want you to act foolishly in my company. Have you forgotten that you're lucky to be hired in my company?"

Tears started to build in my eyes. To halt the tears that were trying to escape, I looked up.

“Do you understand that we will proceed with the meeting regardless of what happens, or do you want to lose your job?”

Mr. Harrison is heartless! He didn't think that I was only a human. My cheast tightened at what I heard, I'm tired of everything that Mr. Harrison's doing.

"Damn it, I should be in a meeting, but instead I'm lecturing you. Don't you realize how valuable my time is? Prepare everything quickly!” I had been trying to hold back my tears, but they began to flow as soon as he started moving away from me.

In order to stop crying, I took a big breath. Because this will influence Charles' future, I can't be weak.

I'm sorry, Charles. It looks that I won't be able to fulfill my promise to you.

Charles is sympathetic, but I often notice him to be depressed. I am sure that he is trying his best to understand that since I am at work, only grandma Esme is available to him at all occasions. But he was most excited about this family day.

I grabbed a tissue and cleaned my face. I got ready before taking the items I would need for the meeting with Mr. Harrison.

“Charity! Where are you? "

I accelerated my walk to catch up with Mr. Harrison after seeing that his appearance had become more unpleasant; perhaps Mrs. Margaret Harisson had been extremely stressed while bearing Mr. Harisson.

"Why the f**k do you move so slowly?"

"I sincerely apologise, Mr. Harrison.”

I pressed the floor we were supposed to go to as soon as we got into the elevator. I hadn't eaten, and that is why I felt a pain in my stomach. Mr. Harrison has a very hectic schedule and now that I'm by myself, I'm the only one who can fulfill his demands.

I walked Mr. Harrison outside after the elevator stopped. I ignored my feeling of being lightheaded.

I ushered Mr. Harrison into the meeting room and said, "This way, Mr. Harrison."

I winced as I left the meeting since I've barely eaten in a few days and I've practically lost weight, and now my stomach hurts more.

"Do we still have a meeting here?” Mr. Harrison enquired.

"We don't have any meeting, Mr. Harrison," I answered.

We soon stepped into the elevator to return to the top floor. I grabbed my stomach because it hurt more and more, I feel even more unsteady like I'm going to pass out at any moment. He nodded at me and then stared at me, I heard his loud sigh.

"Do you understand that I don't want this to happen again, Charity? I don't want you to be unprepared for everything.”

“I will automatically fire you from your job as my secretary if this happens again.”

Actually I felt cold, so I swallowed. I was slowly and badly sweating.

“Are you not paying attention to me? I keep talking here, but you aren't listening to me. Who do you think you are?”

Mr. Harrison and I headed in the opposite direction of his office as we exited the elevator. I was walking slowly, so he turned to look at me. My knees are shaking.

“What the hell, Charity!” But because I was exhausted and famished, I didn't even hear Mr. Harisson's yell or sense his anger.

"f**k! Charity!” I gradually closed my eyes and did not notice what Mr. was saying. Harrison to me. I can't take it anymore, I'm going to resign from work!

I woke up feeling weak but I smelled the smell of the hospital. I stared at the white ceiling, and then gradually began to cry. I'm very tired. I know that I want to secure Charles's future, but if my work is going to be like this, don't do it.

I held my chest because I couldn't stop my sobbing. I will resign tomorrow, it will be up to Mr. Harrison to find his secretary while Georgie is away.

Can't he see that I'm struggling? I haven't been able to eat properly for a few days because of his very busy schedule. I have been working overtime for several hours because he is also working overtime!

‘Mr. Harrison, you are really bad! I think you are the worst person I have ever met. You have no mercy! Yes, I'm your secretary but I'm still human!'

"Why are you crying?" I was stunned when Mr. Harrison spoke by my side. I didn't notice that he was watching over me. His hair and necktie is too messy.

He came to me to check on me so I bit my lip to stop crying but my tears were traitors.

"W-What hurts you? What do you feel?"

I couldn't answer him because of the difficulty of my breathing while sobbing. I just felt him caressing my back as if he was comforting me.

Comfort? He is the cause of my suffering! He is the reason why I am in the hospital today!

"Charity..." He called my name tenderly. I almost stopped crying. His forehead was furrowed as if he was wondering why I was crying.

He sighed again then looked away from me.

"I'll be back. I'll buy you some food first." My eyes widened because of what he said. He doesn't need to buy me because he's my boss!

“You don't have to do this, Mr. Harrison. I will just call my grandmother to come here.”

"Does your Grandma take care of your son? Where will you leave your child? Please, let me do this, my mother found out that you were rushed to this hospital because of me!”

I was suddenly afraid. Is he angry because his mommy found out how he treated me?

"Mr. Harrison, there is no need to do that. I can handle myself!”

"Why are you so resistant? Why are you in the hospital right now if you are capable of caring for yourself? According to the doctor, you passed out because of stress, exhaustion and improper eating.”

I was silent because of what he said. Why doesn't he feel guilty that he is the reason why I am in the hospital today!? He's heartless!

“Then what if your grandmother went here, don't you feel guilty that they will worry about you? What about your son? My mother is on her way here, she will watch and take care of you here.” Mr. Harrison added.

"Mr. Harrison—”

“I am your boss, what happened to you is my responsibility. But don't think that I will watch over you because I have an important meeting.”

I couldn't say anything anymore, maybe because he said something else that hurt me. Did he think I wanted him to watch over me? He has no conscience!

I don't know why Mr.'s face became more irritable. Harrison. Whenever he gets angry I see my son throwing tantrums. I went because I felt sorry for myself.

"Don't you need anything? What do you want to eat?" I glanced at Mr. Harrison because of his question. If he asks or talks like this every day, I won't be down.

He couldn't seem to keep his eyes off of my face as he continued to stare at me. He averted his gaze as if he were recalling something about my face.

“Oh, Charity!” It's unimaginable to me that Mrs. Harrison will look after me in the hospital. I was astounded to see Ma'am Margaret give Mr. Harrison a horrible expression while pinching his ears.

“Mom, ouch–”

"You, cold-blooded man! What authority do you have to behave this way toward your secretary? After all, because of what you're doing, Charity can condemn you!”

"Ma'am, it's not Mr. Harisson—” Ma'am Margaret lifted her hand as if to stop me, so I was unable to finish what I was about to say.

“I'm sure you're a good person, Charity. Please allow me to educate my son so that he will learn to respect others!”

"But Mrs. Harrison, Mr. Harrison brought me to the hospital, so you don't need to do that."

"Oh, and you were hospitalized because of him as well."

I simply bit my lip and remained silent. I covered my eyes so I wouldn't know Ma'am Margaret's conversation with Mr. Harrison.

"Charity, I apologize for what Harold did to you. I don't think the torture he caused was harsh." Ma'am Margaret whispered sweetly to me. She held my hand before stroking my hair.

"I'm totally fine, Ma'am Margaret."

“Tsk!” Mr. Harisson.

Ma'am Margaret shot Mr. Harrison a stern look.

Despite his shock, Mr. Harrison glared fiercely at me as if I were to blame for making Ma'am Margaret upset with him right now.

"Don't you have to go to an important meeting? I will take care of Charity here."

"Mom, I'm not concerned about my secretary!" Mr. Harisson sounds defensive.

“Obviously, you're not. Do you honestly think you can fool me?” Ma'am Margaret had a sarcastic tone while rolling her eyes.

Mr. Harrison went to his meeting a few hours ago. Ma'am Margaret and I were left alone in the hospital. I turned to face Ma'am Margaret, who was reading a magazine article. I took my phone in my backpack and dialed Grandma Esme's number to tell her what had happened.

I looked for Grandma Esme's phone number to call and tell her I couldn't make it home. She didn't pick up my call for five rings.

“Oh, my sweetheart! How are you doing? Charles was already expecting you even for now."

"Sorry, grandma, but I have to stay in the hospital right now and I can't go home."

"W-What happened? Who is with you at the moment?"

"When I come home, I'll just tell you, Grandma. Please inform Charles.”

"Of course. You better get healthy. Would you like me to go there?”

"I'm fine here, Grandma. I simply need to take some time to rest, and Ma'am Margaret is here to assist me with everything I need."

"Charles! Your mother is on the line!” Grandma's screaming caused me to wince. Charles appeared to be waiting for me at this time, and I overheard him make a noise.

"What's going on, Mom? You should head home right away.” The sadness in Charles' voice was visible to me, and it made my heart break.