Chapter 8

When they saw me, they were all taken aback. It was as if a dead woman had risen from the pit. When my phone started buzzing again, I stared at them one by one. I took it from my bag and answer when I heard Randall's voice. "Wh-" I hadn't finished my sentence when he greeted me on the other line with a sigh of irritation. "Didn't I tell you I'm going home early?" "What? You never told me," I defended. I suddenly remembered that he had said something earlier but the line was cut. "I'm on my way up. Don't leave where you are," I heard him walking fast. I hung up the phone and approached the three people who imitated stumps. Aunt Helena was the first to approach me when I finally moved closer. "Winter. How long have you been standing here?" she inquired, casting a glance at Director Park and Archer. I was about to respond when I heard a loud voice call my name. When I turned around, I saw Randall gasping, bending down, and holding both knees. Is he running just to meet me here? After a few seconds of chasing his breath, he marched towards me with a heavy step. He grabbed my arm and yanked it away from Aunt Helena. I raised an eyebrow in perplexity. "Why did you come here?" Randall asked as his jaw clenched. "That is something I should express concerns about. Why did you decide to follow me here?" "I... I'm-" He couldn't finish what he was saying, so aunt Helena was the one who finished it. "After Director Park informed me, I notified Randall that you were coming here." "For what?" They couldn't both respond, so I kept talking, "Is there something I didn't know and should know about?" They both raised their heads at the same time as if they were alarmed about my question. "N-no! Nothing. Of course, you're not feeling well yet, so you should rest some more. We are only concerned." Aunt Helena promptly replied. While Director Park remained motionless. Archer, who had only been listening, stood up. "They're just worried about you, Winter," Archer said as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder and grinned. "I've been able to rest for a long time. That's all. I can handle the business because I've been studying it for a while. Don't worry, I'm not going to ruin the company." I couldn't remember a single one. Archer and Aunt Helena assisted me at the hospital. They told me about Randall when I regained my little strength. They told me that I had already planned the wedding and that it could not be canceled because it had already cost a lot of money. I did not object... I wasn't sure if I trusted Randall until now because all I knew was that when he was with me, I felt happy and secure. I discovered Aunt Helena was my father's mistress through one of our maids at the mansion. My parents' mansion. I let them help me because I mistook them as my parents' cousins or siblings. Archer laughed and ruffled my hair. Both hands were raised as if surrendering to the cops. "You're still quite stubborn. We can't stop you if that's what you want." He pointed to the vacant office next to his. That's the area I was looking at before. "I made them clean your office. It's already dusty because of long being out of use. I also checked your computer, and it appears that there is no problem." He looked at Randall after saying that. "Randall, may we speak? I have something to say about the upcoming merger of companies." Randall nodded and wrapped his hand around my waist. My height was only up to his shoulders because he was tall. Even in stilettos, we are not still unequal. Archer and he are probably the same height. "Would you like me to drive you home or will you wait for me in your office while Archer and I talk?" I yanked his hand away from my waist and gave him a cold stare. "I'm just going to sit in my office and wait." I'm not acting like this for no reason. I've become like this to him as a result of his actions. What he does only serves to raise doubts and concerns about him. I ignored them the first few times I doubted him, but now I seemed to have proven that I shouldn't fully trust him yet. Director Park came out, so I did as well. When I pushed the door into my office, a hand stopped me. I first noticed the heirloom ring on the hand. I stared at it intently because it was familiar before the owner spoke. "Winter. You didn't tell Randall about the medicine I gave you, did you? " My brow furrowed as I awkwardly removed the hand that was holding me. "Why are you so concerned that Randall will find out about medicine?" "It's not like that. You know about your parents' past with me. I was worried that Randall might be mad at me for that. He might forbid you to accept anything from me," she said with a nervous smile. "I don't think Randall will be angry with you for such a trivial thing. He won't answer your call if that's the case? I guess. " I saw the shock in her eyes when I said that. I went in and left her standing, but her shocked expression did not fade. When I walked inside, I observed the computer, picture frame, and nameplate on the office table. President Winter Harris. Perhaps they haven't changed the nameplate since I was gone. I sat in the swivel chair and wiped away some of the dust that had accumulated on the picture frame. That photo of my parents, smiling and hugging. I repositioned it and turned on my computer. It is secured with a password. I tried entering my birthday or name, but it didn't work. I opened the drawer when I couldn't think of another password. I noticed a male thumb ring. When I took it out of the drawer, I discovered small letters engraved on it. "Nunc scio quid sit amor." When I touched what was written, the words that I hadn't said since the accident came out of my mouth. "Now I know what love is." I'm not familiar with that line. Amid my awe, Ava's name appears on my phone. The person who claimed to be my best friend. "Shall we go? Have fun! " I grabbed my bag and was about to leave when I witnessed Randall clutching Archer's collar. I yelled and dashed towards them. Even though Archer and Randall are the same height, they have very different body shapes. "Fuck you! Don't tell me what to do because I know what I'm doing!" Randall punched Archer in the face after he laughed out loud as if teasing him. His lip bled, so he wiped it and pushed Randall, who didn't even move. When Archer turned to face me, I grabbed Randall's arm. "Enough already, Randall! I'd like to go home and rest." Because of what is going on, my head begins to hurt. I believe Randall was plotting with Helena and Archer about my parents' accident, the company, and what happened to me, but now that I see them fighting, I'm not sure what to believe or do. Randall yanked on Archer's collar and grabbed me out. He still doesn't talk to me in the elevator, possibly because he hasn't let go of his rage at Archer. It was still the same in the car; no one was speaking to us when my phone buzz. "Reply, fucker." "I'll skip today. I'll just let you know when I'm free." I looked at Randall sitting next to me, without uttering a word. Why did everyone try not to tell me what happened?