"Girl, just take the money we're offering you," Chloe said.
They were stopping me from getting out of Alora's car so I wouldn't enter the Laurent Corporation.
"Guys, calm down! I need to get that wallet. I have to get it because all my ATMs and IDs are inside. It's important to me."
"You're just going to get hurt again, Bebs," Samira gently said. "You'll see him in there, and it's impossible that you two won't end up talking."
"Bebs, whether I see him or not, I'll still end up hurting."
"Do you want us to come with you?"
I shook my head. Seeing him won't change the fact that he already broke me.
My friends could do nothing more as I finally made it inside the company. Whatever happens—if I see Marvin or not—I'll just accept it.
"Miss, can I ask something?" I said to the woman who saw me the other day when I came here—the secretary.
"Miss, it's you again?"
I gave her a nervous smile. "Don't worry. I'm not here to cause trouble. I just really need to ask something."
"Ahm, okay…"
"Um, you were downstairs the other day when I dropped my stuff, right?" She nodded. "I just wanted to ask if you saw a wallet lying around. It was mine."
"I'm sorry, ma'am, but I didn't see any wallet." My shoulders slumped at her reply.
My wallet can't be gone! My ID's inside. My nursing license is in there. This company's huge—do I have to search every corner just to find it?
"I see. Thanks anyway," I whispered and turned away from her.
I closed my eyes again, unsure of what to do next. I kept thinking about that wallet. I hope whoever found it is kind enough to contact me… That wallet means a lot to me—it has value, both personal and practical.
I was deep in thought, trying to figure out how I'd find the wallet, when I suddenly stumbled again—because I bumped into someone. Again.
Seriously? Do I have to fall every time I come here?
"Oh, f*ck! I'm sorry, Miss," the guy I ran into apologized.
I froze a bit—his voice sounded familiar. A guy again? Slowly, I looked up… and I wasn't wrong. It was a guy.
"You? Again?"
My brow furrowed when he said that. Me? Again? What did he mean by that? I dusted off my clothes as he helped me up. When our hands touched, I pulled away instantly—it felt like an electric shock.
What is he, a socket? A live wire? Why does his touch feel so… electric?
"Me?" I asked in confusion, pointing to myself.
"Yes, you…"
I raised a brow, trying to figure out what he meant. Me? What was he trying to say? Why does it feel like we've met before? Is this the second time we've bumped into each other?
Where have I seen him?
"Pardon? What do you mean by you?" I asked, still confused.
"Do I know you?"
"I mean…" He licked his lips, making them appear even more red and… glowy? "You came back."
I came back? Do I know him? But I don't remember meeting someone like him…
He kept staring at me as if I were the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. "You're the girl who bumped into me that day when you came here."
My mouth parted slightly. So that's why he seemed familiar. The scent, the posture, the way he dressed, his voice… it all clicked. He was the one I bumped into before. He probably saw the wallet.
"Great!" For some reason, I breathed a little easier and felt a bit more calm. Weird. "In that case… did you see a wallet? I dropped it that day. Maybe you have it?"
"Wallet?" he asked, walking ahead.
I didn't know why, but I followed him. My feet just moved on their own.
"Yes, my wallet," I softly said.
I really hoped he picked it up. If someone else did, chances were slim I'd get it back. But this guy in front of me… he looked trustworthy. Maybe? I wasn't sure. There are plenty of pretty-faced deceivers out there these days.
Just like Marvin. Handsome… but a liar.
What about this guy? Is he like Marvin too? He's good-looking… I pity the girl who falls for him.
"Describe your wallet. What does it look like?"
"The one with a stethoscope pendant, pink in color, and has 'Rana' embroidered on it." He nodded like he understood, and I started to hope it was with him. "D-Did you pick it up?"
"Nope," he replied, and my stomach dropped.
Ugh! He made me describe it only to say he didn't pick it up?! Should I pull his hair out?!
"Why do you think you lost your wallet here? Do you work here?"
He had a point. But this was the only place where I dropped my stuff—so this is where I'm searching.
"See? You can't even answer. That means you don't work here," he added. "You're trespassing."
My eyes widened at the accusation.
"Huh? No, you saw me here yesterday, right? You even remembered me. That means my wallet is here."
His brow rose even higher—almost challenging mine. Why is he being rude all of a sudden? He does look like an employee here. But he better stop acting like this or I'll unload all my anger on him instead of his boss!
"If I were Marvin, I'd fire this arrogant man on the spot." But I'm not Marvin. Because I'm not a liar.
"It's better if you leave now."
"No! I haven't found my wallet yet." Who does he think he is, trying to kick me out? The boss? What nerve!
"If you won't leave on your own, I'll call security to escort you out."
All the rage I was saving for Marvin, this guy wants me to unleash it on him. "Who even are you to tell me to leave, huh!? Are you the boss? The nerve!"
Because of my yelling, people started turning their heads to look at us, but I didn't care. This guy pissed me off. The whispers around us grew louder.
"You're causing a scan—"
"What scandal?! I'm just looking for my wallet, and you're suddenly trying to throw me out!"
"Because you're a nuisanc—"
"In what way?!"
I didn't know why, but this guy just made my blood boil. I was praising him just moments ago, and now I want to curse him forever. And the ending? He called a guard and had me dragged out… meaning I still didn't find my wallet.
I swear, I will curse that jerk for life! May he never get a girlfriend, and if he does have one, may she break his heart! May he never find his so-called forever!