After Escaping From Wedding Night

Chapter 29: Out in the Open

The hotel foyer, which was bustling with noise and panic just a few seconds ago, was now filled with pin-drop silence. All eyes were in shock as they stared at Jessica hugging Roger. Jessica Brown, the cleaner at the hotel dared to hug the owner, their boss – Roger Richard!? And to everyone's surprise, Roger Richard was not shoving her away, in fact, he was hugging her back!? What was this!? How had their relationship changed from one of hate to caring for one another? And so quickly!

Jessica raised her head from Roger's shoulder and felt a blush rising through her face. She had never been brave enough to do this before and with now everyone watching her, it was even more embarrassing.

She shuffled back and mumbled out quietly, "Sorry," with her head towards the floor.   

The moment was ruined by a loud yell from the man who had attacked Roger. He was being dragged out by the security and was making a big fuss, yelling, and trying to free himself. Jessica watched in horror at the aggressiveness of the man. He could have killed Roger! She swallowed the lump in her throat as she imagined the horrific scenarios playing out in her head. If only she had gone to Security when she saw him or at least gone back to Roger! This would have been prevented.

Jessica let the nurses look over Roger and treat his injuries. Her mind was turning; there was no way this man was acting alone; he must have an accomplice. She inconspicuously looked through the crowd to try and identify any suspicious person. But to Jessica, everyone looked suspicious right now and there was no way she could spot someone when she was at the center of attention right now.

Lves quickly broke up the crowd to not draw any negative attention and herded the people away back to their jobs.

"Come on everyone, get going! Nothing inter here! Shoo, shoo!" Jessica snickered into her sleeve; he was treating them like they were school kids.

He then ushered Roger, and the police into a private office. Jessica was about to turn around and leave as well when Roger grabbed her cuff and easily pulled her back. "Where are you going?"

Jessica felt excitement in her chest; did Roger want her here with him?

"Um…I need to go back to work, there are several rooms that have not been cleaned yet. And…" 

Roger cut her off. "Come with me."

Jessica blanched and stared at Roger. What? Come with him? But why?

She looked around and saw Lves and the officers patiently waiting; however, she could already feel the burning glares of her co-workers on her back.

Therefore, Jessica refused firmly. She did not want to give them a reason to talk about something else.

"No!" She shook her head vehemently. "I really have a lot of work to do." 

"You were the last to see me before this happened," Roger gestured. "You need to come as well," Roger urged.

Jessica sighed and looked back. She was thankful to notice that most of her colleagues were minding their own business. As she looked towards the supervisor, she cringed when she saw him glaring at her.

"Look, Roger, I can't. I really have to go!" As much as it hurt Jessica to deny Roger like that, especially when he asked oh so kindly for her to stay with him, she was unwilling to jeopardize her job any more than she already had.     

Roger watched her running away, intrigued, and confused at her actions. Just a few seconds ago, she hugged him in front of everyone and now she was not able to accompany him for a few minutes. He sighed and shook his head. Jessica Brown was an enigma – one which he could not understand.

The police dealt with the matter very quickly for which Roger was thankful for since his head was starting to ache now. Apparently the man in black admitted to not having any accomplice, but he was detected as a long-term drug addict and someone who had encountered the police before which Roger found odd. Why would someone hire a man who was known to the police? He had confessed that he just had an illusion when he tried to attack Roger.

There was no way that Roger believed his confession; of course, he would try to pull the 'mental illness' card; however he wanted to settle this, at least temporarily.

Once he got finished with the interrogation and statement, Roger left the private office leaving Lves and the officers to wrap everything up. As soon as he stepped out of the office, his two bodyguards came to him in a hurry. They almost frightened Roger who was still in the same state of mind as before. He immediately got on the defensive side but relaxed once he saw the familiar faces. They escorted Roger back to his room.

_____

Rumors were flying in the hotel because of the elevator incident. The employees who had always disliked Jessica were all in a panic.

Some people were whispering, "God, why was Jessica hugging the boss? Do you think they are together?"

"Nah, I don't think so!" 

"But just imagine if they are, she's going to take revenge on us!"

"Of course, do you remember some of the staff in housekeeping who were bugging Jessica? They were dismissed for some reason!"

"You know what I heard?" Carol could not help but butt in the conversation. All ears immediately perked up since they knew Carol was close friends with Jessica.

"I heard they have been married for a long time."

"How long?" they asked together curiously. "How is that even possible?"

Carol shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know, but apparently their families knew each other. But then something happened to both their families and business and they were left with nothing…"

It was quiet as the group absorbed the information. Could it be true? They were married!?

Who really was Jessica Brown?

The staff started to feel regret. They had been bullying the possible girlfriend of their boss. Was it too late to flatter her now?

_______

Jessica immediately turned cautious when she walked into the lunchroom. Usually, the other co-workers would leave her alone while they sat together and ate lunch. But today, they had already grabbed Jessica's lunch bag and situated it between their group. She walked cautiously towards the table.

"Um, hi? Why is my lunch bag here…" She questioned.

"Oh, Jessica, eat with us today!"

"Yes, please. Here, sit here!"  

Jessica frowned and sat down, understanding starting to dawn on her. She sat down gingerly and started to eat feeling downright uncomfortable at the newfound attention being directed towards her. She knew this was all an act; they were only being nice to her because she could possibly be a connection for them.