SILENCE IN WONDERLAND

'Give Me File 459M'

'Ms. Hayes...!'

'Ms. Hayes...!'

'Ms. Hayes!"

Cringing, I cracked open my eyes to see the face of my very own boss above me.

'Now is not the time to sleep.'

I massaged my head and looked at him with a scowl.

'I wasn't sleeping! I fell and hit my head!'

His gaze examined the upturned stool, drew it back to me and then to the awkward position I was in.

I saw a little bit of worry there. Just a little bit. It was quickly masked by his stony expression.

'Well, you should be careful next time. It's tiresome to find a replacement for you.'

He stood up, sighed and gingerly hit my ass with the pointy 
part of his boot..

I hissed.

'Oh, won't you be glad to get rid of me. No one will break your rules anymore.'

A little lift in the corner of his mouth happened to pass by quickly.

'On the contrary, I want you breaking my rules than following them.'

Still sitting, I stared at him, agape.

'Have you hit your head hard on the floor too?'

Despite where I was, I could hear the grinding of his teeth.

'Get up. Don't dally. Where's my File 459M?'

I groaned and rolled my eyes. 'Coming. Tsk.' Really. I just love to strangle this man.

'What's inside this file anyway? A secret military code? A last will perhaps? A battle strategy to win against another kingdom? Or simply, a love note?' I asked when I once again stood on top the stool.

Bad choice, I know. But how am I able to get the blasted file if I'm not going to use it?

Mr. Lancaster despite a six footer, hadn't bothered to offer a helping hand. He just stood there, watching me, but on second thought, I noticed his body was positioned facing me and his hands were obviously palm front and parted as if ready to catch me if I were to fall again.

Sweet.

'Open it if you want to know,' he told me.

Successfully, I pulled out the box from the shelf. He only allowed some distance away from me when my feet hit the floor.

I eyed him before opening the box and said, 'This isn't a resignation letter is it?'

His face, if he was just tricking me, never showed a sign.

'Just open it, Alyana.'

My heart skipped a beat when I heard him speak my name. Oh God. Could this man be an imposter?

I thinned my eyes at him, scrutinizing the facial expression on his face that would show a clue, but there was none. Not a line was misplaced.

I went on to opening the box and eventually the file folder.

Mr. Lancaster watched me like how a statue watches over its subjects - unmoving.

It was only then that I realized he had waited for my reaction when I finally read what was written on a piece of paper.

'What's this...'

My brows furrowed and my lips trembled.

What.

What?!

Written with his own handwriting, it said:

Ms. Alyana Hayes, will you....

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The End