Mysterious CEO

Chapter 6 - Second day

Rose's POV

Helen literally cried after hearing my story. Martin stayed silent for a long time. It seemed as if he was not with us. He was immersed in some deep thought that he didn't even notice Helen sniffle. 

"Martin, are you alright?" I asked but he didn't respond. Helen shook his shoulders and brought him back.

"I am sorry, I just zoned out." He said.

"Rose, I am really sorry you have to go through so much. If I were in your place, I would have given way before. You really are a hero." Helen stood up and came to my side and gave me a hug.

"Thank you Rose. Thank you for making me realise the importance of my parents in my life. I have never given them any significance in my life while they always lived for me. Dad wanted me to join his business after my graduation but I didn't try to understand him. I just wanted to live my life according to my rules. My parents always wanted to see me happy and they agreed when I wanted to stay back in California. I am their only son but I never thought about that. Helen, now I understand what you always tried to make me realise. I want to see my parents. I am going back. Helen, will you come with me?" Martin asked in a pleading voice.

"I will definitely come honey. But only when you prove to be capable of earning your bread. It's just three more months, dear. We will go together after your probation period. For now you go and see them during the weekend. They will be really happy." Helen said with a smile and Martin agreed. 

They dropped me at my apartment. I invited them to my apartment but they politely declined and promised to come on another day. Before getting down, I got both of their numbers and gave them mine. I got down and Martin helped me get all my bags from the trunk. He offered to carry the bags to my apartment but I refused. It's just a four storey building with four apartments on each floor. There is no lift and so I had to take the stairs to the fourth floor. That's one of the reasons I got the apartment at such a low price. I slowly climbed the stairs and it took fifteen minutes to reach my apartment. I usually take just five minutes but today I am laden with bags. I dropped all the bags on the floor once I entered the apartment. I have never enjoyed this much before and I really felt tired. I went straight to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator to drink some water. That's when I remembered that I am out of all the groceries. I don't have anything for tomorrow morning. 

I checked the time and it's nearing ten. The small grocery store near the apartment will be open till eleven. I took my bag from the floor and rushed down to get some groceries. There were just two other customers in the shop. I quickly went through the racks of the small shop and filled my basket. I wanted to buy all the groceries I needed but then went against it as it will become really hard for me to get them to the fourth floor. I always bought groceries for two to three days as I would be running out of my savings. I always tried to live for a week with the groceries for two days mostly by skipping a meal or reducing the quantity. 

I finally settled on a carton of milk, juice, cornflakes and some fruits. That would be enough for tomorrow morning. I can buy other items tomorrow while coming back from the office. After paying for the items I walked back to the apartment. This time I climbed the stairs two at a time and so reached the apartment quickly. After keeping the groceries in the kitchen, I removed the jacket and hung it on the nail on the wall which I had nailed to hang such things. I didn't have such money to afford a hanger or coat stand. 

There is only a very few furniture in my apartment, most of which is given by Mrs. Collins. The only thing I bought is a single bed and mattress. Other than the bed the only new furniture is the couch in the living area. It was given by Mrs. Collins as a present for my housewarming. The small four seater table and chairs were from her restaurant. She was renovating the restaurant and all the furniture was put for sale. I bought it way before I planned to shift from her place. Then there is an old kitchen stool again from Mrs. Cooper's house. Besides this there is just a dressing table and a wardrobe. I got it from a second hand goods market. Mrs. Cooper helped me to pay for it. I have to pay her back once I get my paycheck. Actually I am debtor now. I am liable to pay Mr. Dumont a sum of 1000 dollars.

I first went and took a warm shower and wore one of my old night dresses. Then came back to the hall and carried the bags to the room. It took me an hour to arrange everything in place. I won't be able to sleep without completing all my work. I looked at the time and it's already 12.00. I once again checked the wardrobe which is now full. I have bought ten formal wear and three casual wear. I had also bought two bags for the office, a sling bag and a clutch. I checked my bank balance which is now less than five hundred dollars. For the first time in my life I spent this much on my wardrobe. I chose a grey suit with white shirt for the next day before going to bed. Before falling asleep I made sure to check my alarm. 

I woke up with a buzzing sound and when I looked at the time it's already 7.00. OMG, I am late. I didn't hear the alarm at 6.00, 6.15 and 6.30. I ran to the washroom and quickly did my essentials. I took a shower before going to bed, so I quickly changed and ran to the kitchen. I put the cornflakes in a bowl and poured milk over it and poured some juice in a glass. Then ran back to the room and filled the new bag with my essentials including my phone and wallet. Then again went back to the kitchen and had my breakfast. After tying my hair in a loose bun I did simple makeup and finished it with lip gloss. I put the gloss in the bag and hurried out of the apartment. After locking the apartment I climbed down the stairs two at a time. I looked at my watch and it's already 7.40. I won't get the bus towards the Dumont enterprise. I decided to hire a cab but after waiting for more than ten minutes, I didn't get one. I got on the next bus so that I could get down somewhere I could get a cab. I got a cab from the next stop and reached the office on time.

I met Ryan in the elevator. He got on the elevator from the tenth floor while our office is on the twelfth floor. 

"Good morning Rose. All set to start your job." He asked.

"Good morning Ryan. More ready than ever. By the way, what were you doing on the tenth floor?" I asked.

"My friend works at the human resource department which is on the tenth floor. I went to see and thank him for telling me about this job." Ryan replied and the elevator stopped on our floor. We both got down and walked towards our desks. Martin was already on his desk as were two other guys. I didn't see Fiona on her chair. I wish I won't see her again. Thinking about the devil and the devil appeared opening the door of Michael's office.

"Good morning Ryan." She just ignored me and walked past me but didn't forget to wish Ryan. I avoided her and concentrated on my work. I was assigned to assist one of the marketing executives who was working on the promotion of a new dairy product. It was a lady named Kelly and she was in a really bad mood as Michael had already declined her project proposal three times. She wasn't in a mood to give me instructions. I found some files in her dustbin. They were the proposals she had submitted earlier. I went through the three proposals that Michael had declined. I found out the flaws in each proposal and made corrections and by lunch time I had made an outline of the proposal. I wanted to finish the work but Martin pulled me with him and said.

"It's not good to skip your meals for your work. Only a healthy body will have a healthy mind and only a healthy mind can produce healthy results." I smiled and put my work aside and went with Martin. I saw Ryan following us. 

After getting my lunch I went to an empty table followed by Martin and Ryan. Martin and I talked while eating and all the time Ryan sat silent having his lunch. Martin was the first to get up. I was about to get up when Ryan said.

"What's so special about him that I don't have?" 

"What do you mean?" I was puzzled.

"Well you can be friends with him and not me." He complained which made me laugh.

"I am sorry, I didn't laugh at you. Actually you looked so cute when you pouted. By the way, who said that I declined your friend request. I have kept it under consideration." I said.

"Then why didn't Martin have to wait for so long?" He asked again.

"Well, I met him yesterday at the mall with his girlfriend. We got to know each other, especially his girlfriend Helen. For the first time I made two friends. I hope I will be able to make another one soon." I said.

"Oh, so he has a girlfriend and that's the reason you made him your friend. I am sorry, but I don't have a girlfriend to introduce to you." Ryan said and I saw his dimples. Did he smile? Is he just making fun of me? Should I accept his friendship this soon or should I wait for a few more days? It would be better if I got to know him before being his friend.