The woman's back was facing Lorena, so she hadn't noticed her. From their position, one could easily tell that they were kissing. Quite passionately too. Lorena thought that she heard her heartbreak into a million pieces. She couldn't breathe.
Was the room getting smaller? Is it hot in here for anyone else? Why does my chest feel so hollow?
Where her heart was supposed to be, felt like a big hole. She had to touch the left side of her chest to make sure it was still there. She slowly backed away, slowly shaking her head.
Zachary sensed something. He moved the woman aside to reveal... Lorena. She looked like someone had just ripped her heart out and showed it to her. She was backing away and tears started to swell up in her eyes. His heart ached. That wasn't supposed to be on her face. Frowns and tears were forbidden. Only smiles should be on her face.
He hurriedly pushed the woman off of his lap and rushed over to Lorena. She slammed the door and he could hear the faint sound of her footsteps. He quickly chased after her.
Lorena saw Zachary coming closer and couldn't take it anymore. She slammed the door closed and ran. She ran through the annoying halls that she used to get lost in, she ran through the public room where the mafia members hung out, and she ran straight out the front door. She just couldn't right now. There was too much going on. She was feeling too much. She had to ground herself, sort it out.
The whole way through, Zachary was trying to catch up with her. She had always been faster than him, he was always stronger though. The Mafia members were shocked silly. When had been the last time they'd seen the boss so flustered? The boss in their minds was always composed and never showed his true feelings. He had a carefully put together facade, one that was thoroughly broken right now.
They saw he was chasing after Lorena, and understood immediately when a woman was trying to get Zachary's attention. Man, their boss really messed up now! All Zachary felt were their pitying gazes. They made him feel like a little kid again.
"What are you all doing? I don't believe I pay you to sit on your asses all of the time! There's work you all could be doing! Move!"
His words came like a whip and scared all of the members into complying. They ran out of the room like their asses were on fire. They quickly found a job to occupy their times with and were, overall, pretty productive. They were secretly crying on the inside though.
Please come back Ms. Lorena! Boss is really scary without you!
Lorena sat down under her tree. She looked far from the smiling beauty before she left. She was sweating, her makeup was smeared, and her hair was disheveled. She didn't want to be found in her state right now, so she threw her hair up into a bun and cleaned off all of her makeup. This didn't fix her puffy red eyes though.
Subordinates wouldn't feel that hurt seeing their boss kissing another woman. Maybe... maybe she... No. That was dangerous. What if she did though? It certainly made sense...
Lorena remembered Elizabeth's note. She didn't have time to comprehend the words, but she felt like there was something there that would help her. She pulled the envelope out of her breast pocket. The envelope had fallen on the floor when she was packing the rest of the papers in her bag, so she ended up sticking it in her pocket. She was glad she did.
Lorena opened the envelope and re-read the letter. She skipped through the introduction because it wasn't what she was looking for. She stopped when she read a line, however.
How about you, Ms. White? Are you in love like I am?
In love... Is that what she felt? She didn't want to admit it, but she did feel like she was in... lo-. No, she felt... affection for her boss.
He makes me feel giddy inside. Whenever I see him, I feel safe, wanted. It's really a pleasant feeling. When he gets close or whispers things in my ear, I positively blush ear to ear. Do you know? I want to be with him all of the time. I want to be the one he thinks about when he wakes up, does his work, and goes to sleep.
Lorena thought. Did she want to be Zachary's first thought when he woke up, when he works, and when he goes to sleep? Thinking about it put a big smile on her face that she couldn't seem to wipe off. A flashback to the bitch on his lap earlier erased it immediately, however.
I believe I am, and that makes me so happy. What about you, Ms. White? Have you found someone like that yet? I hope you do or have. I don't want to take up too much of your time, so I'll leave you now. Goodbye!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth
Lorena sat there, under her tree, thinking for a long while. She was in love. She could no longer deny it, but she did not intend to act out on it. He obviously didn't feel the same way about her. She was a subordinate, nothing more, but certainly something less. The bitch she found on his lap, kissing him, was proof enough.
Would her feelings get in the way with their relationship? Would she let her emotions rule her? Would she not be able to complete her tasks properly because of her feelings?
No. That could not happen. Since she came to this world, she vowed to herself that she would save Zachary from his fate. Oh, and the bitch female lead. Had to save him from her too.
Lorena made a promise to herself. She would serve Zachary to the best of her abilities. If she messed up because of her feelings, she would leave. It was as simple as that. No exceptions. Even if her mistake didn't lead to disastrous consequences.
With newfound determination, Lorena went back to her dorm to complete her task to the utmost of her abilities.