Tabitha's POV
In fact, deep down, everyone knew I had nothing to do with the failure of the proposal.
Yet I refused to cooperate, which annoyed Sonia.
She'd give me a hard time if I didn't quit.
I was just a newcomer, whereas my colleague had worked here for years. Of course, they wouldn't offend Sonia because of me. So, they tacitly isolated me.
They wanted to force me to quit in this way.
Since they weren't gonna treat me as a friend, of course, they wouldn't be nice to me.
"My, my. Tabitha, still water runs deep indeed. You're so good at pretending. I thought you were meek, yet it turns out you've got some balls to mess with Ms. Mendoza."
"Think about it. She gets to be part of us by pulling strings. Of course, someone's backing her up. We're nothing in her eyes."
I looked at Emma slowly. "You know that? Then who gave you the nerve to disrespect me? Aren't you worried there'll be consequences?"
In the next second, everyone in the office fell silent.
Emma was stunned.
Soon, the shock on her face was replaced by fury. Her pale face turned red as she said angrily, "What did you say?"
"You talk too loud. It's annoying. Don't do that again."
I patted her shoulder and returned to my seat.
Then I said, checking the time, "Time to get off work. I'm leaving. Guys, work hard and try to come up with as many proposals as you can. See ya."
After that, I picked up my bag and swaggered away.
They didn't want my participation, so why bother?
Sonia kicked the trash can angrily and gritted her teeth as she called out my name, "Tabitha, did I say you could leave?"
I glanced down at my watch. "It's time to get off work."
"Why are the others still here?"
"They're working overtime."
"Why aren't you?"
I spread my hands. "I don't want to."
After that, I patted her shoulder as well. "I have faith in you. I bet you can nail it tomorrow."
Thinking about her gloomy face, I hummed and was in an excellent mood.
Even today's heavy rain didn't ruin my happiness. I had told Gloria to come pick me up, and it was about time.
As I looked up, I happened to meet a pair of eyes in the black limo on the opposite side of the road.
Apparently, Derek was waiting for me.
I nodded as my way of saying hi to him.
After a while, Derek's car started.
I was relieved.
Figuring that Gloria'd be here at any minute, I stood by the roadside.
To my surprise, the black limo made a U-turn and suddenly accelerated as it passed by me.
There was a puddle on the roadside.
I got splashed all over while the limo vanished into the distance without stopping at all.
Gloria's car stopped, and she tilted her head to look at me. "Hey, girl. You took a shower?"
Pissed off, I pulled open Gloria's car door.
In the passenger seat, I gritted my teeth and cursed Derek non-stop.
Gloria couldn't stop laughing at all. "If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed he could be this childish. He got mud all over you simply because you didn't get in his car? How bad!"
I wiped the muddy water with a dry towel.
"He's a revengeful jerk! What was I thinking? How could I fall for him back then? Was I stupid?"
"Very likely." Gloria nodded.
She sized me up and continued, "It's been a while since we met. How have you been?"
I didn't tell her the thing that annoyed me so much these days. "Good."
She smiled, "You're a lot livelier than before. Are you having some new purpose?"
"I wanna live longer. At least I've gotta know who that person is."
"That person?"
I shook my head and said, "Nothing."
Even if I went to hell, I'd drag the main culprit down with me.
The next morning, I showed up in the office, pumped.
My colleagues, with red eyes and haggard faces, and I stood in stark contrast.
I greeted Emma politely as if I had totally forgotten how they mocked me yesterday.
"Morning."
Emma picked up a cup of coffee while saying sarcastically, "Someone's idle."
I said, looking innocent, "I wanted to participate at first. But you thought I was a rookie and were afraid that I'd leak the proposal, so you wouldn't even let me in. Then why are you bitching now?"
Emma threw the documents in her hand onto the desk. "Tabitha, what are you saying?"
I shrugged. "Nothing but that you're a poser."
"Tabitha, watch your mouth! Who the fuck do you think you are? You don't get to disrespect me!"
Sonia interrupted our conversation, "It's early in the morning. What's going on? I heard your voices from afar. Do you think this is some outdoor market?"
Emma hurriedly ran to Sonia and complained, "Ms. Mendoza, Tabitha was defiant, and she insulted me."
"Enough! You wanna be a laughingstock for other groups?" Sonia glared fiercely at Emma.
Still dissatisfied, Emma wanted to say something more whereas Sonia's expression had already returned to normal. "Tabitha, stay after work tonight. I want you to come with me to see a business partner."
She paused and added, "It's work."
She didn't give me a chance to say no at all. Seeing that the others were gloating, I had a bad feeling.
Sure enough, in the afternoon, I heard someone giggling in the bathroom. "Mr. Watson is notorious for being a lecher. It's gonna be a long night for Tabitha."