Chapter 28

Ava's pov

Last night Richmond, Mr. Morgan's driver dropped me off at my apartment.

Mr. Morgan got out of the car wanting to help and to also ensure I was in my apartment safely. It was rather strange having my own boss in my home.

I consistently offering him food to eat but he kept reassuring me he wasn't hungry. He stayed for a while but left soon after since he had to be in the office early for the next day.

He did inform me that he would be at my place to check up on me today. Aiden also made it clear that I will not be returning to work this week.

Currently I'm in bed, watching Netflix on my laptop. Since I was home Mr. Morgan also thought it would be good not to send me any work to truly allow me to rest.

Being his personal assistant, I knew exactly what he had this week in advance. From what I recall today is an extremely busy day for him but somehow, he still had the time to call.

I honestly don't know how he finds the time he has a load of work he missed yesterday on top of today's work.

I told Damien last night what had happened to me. It was late in the night when I had texted him, so I wasn't able to reply last night as I had falling asleep.

I did however check my messages this morning and the only message I saw was on from Aiden. Damien hasn't replied so I am assuming he's extremely busy with his business.

'I need to take a shower' I thought pausing the documentary I was watching and slowly getting out of bed.

The pain in my lower abdomen had decreased significantly so has the headache I had. I have been taken the medicine that I was given by the nurse so I'm guessing that is what has been helping with the pain.

Unfortunately, I still can't pinpoint exactly where I got food poisoning, but my instinct is telling me it was the coffee I drank.

Perhaps it was a bad batch, or it was negligence by the coffee shop workers.

I don't know where the place is since Susan never told me, but I do remember there was a name on the cup.

If only I could remember what the name was. I think it began with a le. Le coffee? No that's not it. Le café? I don't think that's it either.

Come on think Ava. What is the name you saw? I closed my eyes trying to visualize the cup I held in my hand.

Le cofè? No. Le cafea? Yes, that's it, I think. Let me google to see if it comes up.

I walked over to my undressed bed and picked up my phone that I left beside my laptop.

I used my fingerprint to open up my phone.

Since I'm not entirely sure how to pronounce the name. I decided it would be best to type it onto google search.

Once it loaded, I saw that it was only twenty minutes' walk away from my apartment. I decided it would be best to walk to it and get some fresh air.

I dropped my phone once more and made my way to the shower.

I undressed quickly, putting my clothes in the hamper and then reaching my hand out to turn off the shower.

I stepped in and let out a sign as soon as the water hit my skin. I'm the type of person to overthink in the shower normally.

Since I started working for Mr. Morgan I hadn't had anytime to truly stay in the shower and relax.

I'm always rushing to work or too tired from work. I stayed in the shower for what felt like hours just thinking and rethinking the whole incident.

I am definitely going to see where the place is and possibly complain or at least make them aware of what had happened to me in order avoid it from happening to anyone else in the future.

I stepped out of the shower and reached out to get my towel. I looked in the mirror to see my hair wet with water dripping down on to my shoulders.

I used the towel to path myself dry then wrapped it around my body and left the toilet.

When I got into my room. I went into my wardrobe and took out some clothes. I placed potential outfits on my bed. I walked over to where my lower drawer was and pulled out my aveeno body cream. Pressing the bottle I slowly and removing the cap I watched as the creamy substance came out, I lathered it onto my skin slowly and evenly.

Once I was content with the level of moisture on my skin. I took way bra and panties from my bottom drawer and wore it.

I hoovered over my bed looking down at the clothes laid on the undressed bed.

I'm not sure whether I should go, with a casual or somewhat sophisticated look. I want them to take me seriously, so I think I'll pick the more sophisticated outfit.

Which consisted of a black suit trousers with a white blouse. I put on my flat black shoes and grabbed my handbag.

I was about to leave when I remembered I didn't have my phone with me. Realizing this I walked over to my nightstand and took my phone.

I turned to my side and saw that I had not dressed my bed. I reached out to grab my laptop while using my other hand to pull the covers over and placed my laptop back on the now covered bed.

I walked towards my front door making sure to grab my keys on my way out. I made my way towards the corridor. There was no one walking probably because everyone was at work after all it was three in the afternoon on a Tuesday.

I made my way out of the building and into the car park. I took out my phone and opened the directions for the cafe I was planning on visiting.

I walked out of my apartment area following the opposite way I usually took to work. Since it was walking distance there was no need for a bus.

I took out the water bottle that was in my handbag from last night and took a sip from. I continued to observe my surroundings as well as follow the direction.

Each step I took, took me closer to an area I wasn't familiar with. There were a few shops and here and there but as I walked, they were less.

From what I can see so far, the only residential area was my apartment complex and that is ten minutes' walk away from where I currently was but there could be more when I walk closer to my destination.

As I walked cars drove by as well as buses. School children were walking by their selves or some were accompanied with an adult.

I started to feel the soles of my feet start to hurt after a while of walking but luckily, I had reached my destination as I saw the sign 'Les Cafea'

I looked around me and saw no apartments in site, Susan had previously informed me that she lived in an apartment and the cafe was bedside her.

Unsure of what to think I decided to go into the shop. I looked through the glass door to see that the place wasn't that busy with very little customers.

I pushed the door open with my hand to let myself in. The bell rang signaling someone had walked in.

Everyone that was in the café turned their heads curious to see who had walked in.

I tried to ignore the stares of the few people who were in the café and made my way towards the lady at the cash register.

'Hello, how may I help you?' the beautiful woman asked who looked to be the same age as me.

'Can I speak to the manager please' I stated looking at her as her expression changed slightly but she still held her composure.

'Yes, you may, wait for a minute I will call her right away' the waitress exclaimed as she walked to the back of the room and pushed open a door that was labelled 'staff only'.

I turned my attention to the register only to see another woman coming from behind to stand at the register in front of me.

She stood tall behind the counter and asked 'will you be needing anything'

'I am okay for now thank you' I replied patently waiting for the return of the other waitress and the manager.

Soon after a woman who looked similar to the other two ladies came out and made her way over to my direction.

She mustered up a smile and said ' I was informed that you are looking for me'

'Hello. Yes, I wanted to speak to you about an incident that occurred yesterday'

'Let's have a seat over there shall we'

She guided me to the back of the cafe where no one else could hear us since they were not in close proximity to us.

'You were saying?' the woman spoke her voice deep and her eyes staring into my soul in an effort to intimidate me.

'I was given a cup of coffee from my friend who I know from work. She told me she stopped by your cafe yesterday morning and bought coffee from here'

'I did not have any signs of a stomach-ache beforehand. I drank the coffee, and nothing happened at first but after a few hours I started noticing some changes and I started developing symptoms' I continued

'Are you sure you didn't eat something else while you had the coffee or between drinking the coffee?' She asked after listening to my explanation.

'No, I remember being so engrossed in my work and not even having the time to have something proper to eat'

'Did your friend buy coffee for herself also?'

The woman asked with a raised eyebrow.

I took a moment to truly think back to the events of last night. I did recall her not drinking any coffee while I walked into the office and stood infront of her desk.

Now that I think of it, I do remember smelling coffee on her breath when she came into my office several times.

I recall smelling it just after I left her at her desk and about thirty minutes later, she came into my office. Bringing the visitors chair close to me so we could gossip out nothing of true significance. I remember smelling a whiff of it for the first time.

'Yes, I believe she did buy coffee from here for herself' I spoke out after a few moments of analyzing yesterdays events in my head.

'Then miss you did not get food poisoning from this cafe. In this establishment we ensure that the coffee maker and everything in this place is constantly sterilized. You will be the first complaint we have ever had in over five years and from the sound of it, it does not sound much like a compliment that was caused by this place' the woman spoke looking like she was ready to get up from her seat.

Not knowing what to say or do I followed suit. Making sure I had my bag with me.

'Miss I would advise you to look into another reason on why you fell ill because it was certainly not from here'

'I must be going I have places to be' she excused herself quickly leaving me dumbfounded.

Once I was able to regain myself from the slight shock, I began to quickly make my way out of the cafe.

I noticed that the waitresses from earlier were watching my every move as I left the premise.

I pulled the door open again which caused the bell to ring once more. I made my way out fast. I walked at a record breaking speed to get away from the gaze of the people that were in the cafe.

Once I was in a place, I felt they couldn't see me I let out the breath I was holding.

Why did I feel like a criminal even though I did nothing wrong or at least I think I didn't.

Why would Susan deliberately add a substance that would make me feel ill masking it as a favor.

It seems like were a few clues I had previously missed and not realized

Am I over thinking it or is this truly her real colors slowly revealing itself. If she had coffee breath in the morning when she came into my office that means she most have bought coffee for herself also.

I thought she was genuine.

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Hello everyone, Another chapter for today. I managedto make this chapter since I've been slacking with writing later. I hope youenjoy it. Ava is starting to see cracks in her short friendship with Susan. Doyou think Susan would do such a thing of do you think it's the café trying tonot take responsibility. I hope to have another chapter up soon, I've been slowbecause I have been trying to make some Youtube content. If you haven't alreadysubscribed, please do so my channel is Ìfy_E. If you type it and can't get it on YouTube I have a link on my profile. Thank you. The next chapter will be up soon.