Simply because I wasn’t dating Jeremy, I thought that we could do anything because we didn’t have any dirty secret to hide from the world. It felt very different from when I was dating Kyle in secret. Back then, he made sure that I was more than extra careful about how I interacted with him at the company and around the area. Looking back, that was probably more to keep our relationship a secret for the sake of protecting his relationship with Elizabeth rather than saving his career and his job.
I should have paid more attention to Richard’s warning, and I should have been more careful. I should have realized that although I didn’t think of it as anything special each time that I went out for lunch or even dinner with Jeremy that other people may have perceived it otherwise. Always having to be careful and watchful was very stressful for me but it seemed like I couldn’t just do whatever I wanted to. A heavy feeling filled my heart and I quickly realized that it was something very similar to regret.
“I understand. I am very sorry for all the trouble and all the rumors that have circulated because I wasn’t careful and thoughtful about my actions,” I apologized solemnly.
“Well, if you’re regretful of your actions then I think we can end the session here with just an official warning,” the same man from the committee said and I didn’t miss the way that he stressed the word ‘official warning’. ????????????????????????????????.????????????
I stiffened a little in my seat at his words. Apparently, this matter wasn’t just going to pass with just a brief verbal warning. I would be getting an official written warning and that would go down in my employee record at this company. Of course, it wouldn’t mean anything if I moved to another company, but it still hurt a little to have a blotch like that on my work records and it was all for something so minor.
“Thank you…” I said while not feeling thankful for anything at all.
For a split second, I wondered if Ace would step in to get me out of this situation had he been here. My eyes returned once again to the seat that Ace occupied the last time that I was here. Back then, being brought here was such a terrifying experience but now it has somehow turned into a wonderful and warm memory. I didn’t remember all the nasty details of what happened that day or how rotten I felt. All I could recall was the kindness that Ace showed and the way that he managed to convince everyone to somehow agree with him just to save my ass.
If only he were here…
I have to admit that I did imagine Ace suddenly opening the door with a loud bang and bursting into the room to save me like some superhero. The thought alone could bring a small smile to my lips even in the dire situation that I was in. After all is said and done, nothing is going to ever be worse than these people finding about my relationship with Ace.
“An official warning letter will be sent to you, and you can sign it and return it to HR according to the procedures,” the woman said to conclude the meeting. I think you should take a look at
“Thank you…” I repeated again while keeping my eyes cast down to my hands that were folded on my lap.
Without the need for them to invite me out of the room, I quickly got up from my seat before nodding my head slightly to show my respect. I could feel their eyes on my back as I silently made my way out of the room. When I was alone in the hallway, I recalled that they mentioned that they had a session with Jeremy as well. I hoped that they were not too harsh on him and that he was feeling fine. What happened felt extremely unfair to us, but I had to be content that we got off without any severe form of punishment.
I let out a loud sigh as another fear started developing at the back of my mind. It would be a huge disaster if Ace found out about this. With the position that he held and the fact that I was his secretary, naturally he would find out about what happened sooner or later. I heaved a louder sigh when I thought of the face that he would make when he finally learns about this. Instead of making him hear about this from someone else, I thought that he might as well hear it from me first so that I could explain myself, not that there was much to explain. It was all just a misunderstanding and that was it.
I reached for my phone before I started to hesitate. Ace was busy and I wasn’t sure if he had time for something like this. It may seem serious for me but in the end, nothing happened, and rumors are just rumors. I didn’t get punished for anything although I would have to sign an official warning letter. I was still hesitating about whether or not to give Ace a call to let him know what just happened with my phone clenched in my hand when I arrived at the exit of the building.
I should give him a call and as soon as possible…
“Karina…”
It felt like my beating heart had sunk all the way down to my ankles when I heard a familiar voice calling my name. The owner of the voice stepped out and stood in front of me like he had been waiting for me to exit the building. Although nothing should have changed between us and I knew that we were just unlucky victims of the situation that we found ourselves in, I couldn’t stop the awkwardness that I felt. It became impossible for me to act like normal or like how we once were.
“Hi…Jeremy…” I said in very little more than a whisper.
--To be continued…
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