Ignoring Maria's taunts, she turned to Jenny. "The year-end project, what is it?"
Jenny stopped what she was doing, and answered her. "At the end of the year, the company will hold an event to celebrate its tenth anniversary with an outdoor wine party, which will take place two days after Christmas."
Jenny continued after pausing for a few seconds. "The general manager assigned this project to Maria, so the next few days she is very busy, that day she will be the host of the program."
Ella leaned back in her chair, thinking. 'A person as talented as Maria is naturally given great responsibilities.'
She is not jealous of Maria. She still doesn't believe Maria is behind the shooting. Anyway, Maria is a good employee in the company.
At the ceremony that day, there will certainly be many partners to sign the contract and of course, there is no shortage of food and drink. Not sure what the company's chef will serve. Ella's monthly income is just enough for her to live on, with some leftovers, she sends back to her father. Although she is the CEO's wife, she is not dependent on David's salary. She always shopped with her paycheck.
"Ella, I think the event that day, it's better if you don't go." Maria suddenly said.
"Why?" Ella asked.
"A poor, country girl like you going to such places will make other people lose face. You want David to lose face?"
Ella bit her lip, feeling her face heat up. She reminded herself not to get angry, and to stay calm. She inhaled and exhaled, concentrating on her work, not arguing with Maria.
Jenny told Ella. "If you wear makeup and dresses, you are beautiful too. So don't worry."
Ella felt warm as Jenny comforted her.
The phone rings to notify you of a new message. She opened it to read. "After work, can I meet you for a moment, on the terrace?"
Ella replies to David's text. "Wazzup?"
The reply was less than five minutes. Today is my birthday.
After reading it, she was dazed for a moment and then replied. "OK."
After working hours, all employees in the company go home. Ella went to the rooftop. When she got to the rooftop, she found David waiting there, his hands in his pockets. The cold winter breeze blew his hair. Casual outfit. For some reason, from behind, Ella saw how lonely he looked.
Ella stepped closer, clearing her throat instead of speaking.
David turned around, smiling softly. "Have you arrived?"
That smile was friendly and warm like the sun. A smile that soothes the cold winter. Ella stared blankly at that smile.
David pulled her close to him, kissing her lightly on the lips. "I miss you."
"Today is your birthday, I thought you had to have a grand celebration."
The terrace only had a set of stone tables and chairs, on the table was a small box, and she guessed inside the box was a birthday cake. David said as he opened the box. "I'm not in the habit of celebrating birthdays."
Ella was surprised. "Why?"
"Don't be surprised, the media only knows about me about my work, but about my private life, they don't know. Leaving the company, I like other men, like to read, like to listen to music, like to date..." David laughed.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner, I'm going to celebrate your birthday, just like last time you celebrated mine," Ella suggested.
David shook his head. "I don't want you to go to the trouble of celebrating my birthday. I just want to celebrate my birthday with you in a high place like a terrace. And one more special thing, this year I have friends."
"Is this why you just celebrated your birthday?" Ella raised her eyebrows.
"You're right." David laughed.
"Wish you a happy birthday," Ella said.
David took out a knife and cut the cake into small pieces. The two of them ate while talking about work and upcoming events. The party that day will certainly be crowded and bustling with people of the nobility. That place is not suitable for someone like her. Recalling the sentence that Maria sarcastically said, she was a bit self-deprecating. Maria's right, she'll embarrass David.
"Maybe I... don't go." Ella faltered.
"Why? Are you also a member of the company? Moreover, you are my wife, you can't help but go." David looked at her in surprise.
Ella was confused. "Those places don't suit me, I'm afraid I'll embarrass you."
David curled his lips. "This is not your first time going to important parties. Why are you self-deprecating? Just be yourself, don't listen to people, I don't care about these petty issues."
With David's encouragement, Ella felt better. The birthday party simply passed in joyful laughter. It wasn't until she woke up that she realized they were still in the company. Nightfall. The sky was dotted with stars. Ella ran to the terrace door and found it locked. They were so busy talking that they forgot all the time. She looked at David, who was also surprised that the terrace door was closed. She also saw him shouting and banging on the door but still no one opened the door. They forgot that by this time all the security guards had returned.
"What should we do?" Ella said while looking at David.
"We have to sleep here."
David spoke softly, but she heard a gunshot in her ear. "What? Sleep here? No pillow, no blanket, how do we sleep?"
"So, do you have a way?" David looked at Ella, she could only scratch her head, she thought for a long time but still couldn't think of an appropriate solution.
The last time they got stuck in the elevator, this time they were locked up on the rooftop, they were attacked while on a business trip abroad, and David almost died. Bad luck happens in a row and the one who suffers with her is always David. Are these things random or fate-arranged? If it was fate that made them a couple, Ella wouldn't hide anymore. She will protect her love, by all means.
"Sit down here." David pulled Ella's hand and sat down in a corner.
They leaned back against the wall, gazing at the stars in the sky. The wind blew softly and coldly. Ella covered her mouth to yawn, listening to David whisper. "Each star in the sky represents a life, which two stars are you and I?"
Drowsiness came, and Ella closed her eyes, not hearing what he said. In her dream, she dreamed that someone gently pressed her head on a soft shoulder. Ella fell into a deep sleep. All around them, only the sound of the wind mingled with the thick darkness.
...
Ella moved her body, and something soft brushed against her lips. Ella opened her eyes and saw David kissing her. Ella unconsciously hugged his waist. She snuggled into his lap, the two of them getting closer.