"Is it me or you're glowing these days?" Andriana blinked, realising her colleagues were talking about her.
"Me?"
They nodded.
"Is it because I have enough sleep these days?" she muttered.
"Really, it can't be only that ", one said.
"Maybe it's because that old ugly fool stopped bothering you and piling you with his work " another said.
"Or you have a boyfriend ?"
Andriana froze.
"Wait, is it Mr Lockhart ?" they all asked.
She shook her head denying it .
"No, we are not in that type of relationship. I only got to know him through my best friend ", she denied.
"Oh really, we thought that since he keeps giving you rides and defended you that last time that you both were .."
She stopped them noticing someone walking by.
"Please don't spread any rumours we are nothing like that. He only does that as a favour to my friend " she lied.
She rushed off, escaping their questions and still curious gazes.
"So all along you were nothing but a charity case to him "
Andriana flinched back, having bumped into Mr Worm, the ex-assistant manager ,they had just gossiped about.
"Mr Worm ", she exclaimed.
He scoffed, moving closer he raised the files he was holding hitting her head.
"And here I thought you were someone special, but you're nothing but a charity case, " he kept on hitting her.
She didn't move having been used to the treatment.
"Look at you seeking pity from those rich fellows. Do you think they see you as anything but a beggar? I lost my job cause of you " he yelled.
He bent closer to her face, his foul-smelling breath attacking her nostrils as he spoke.
"But I'm pretty sure it's not as you say ... You're opening those long, pretty legs for him, aren't you?" he smirked.
She moved back, "No am not, that is something you shouldn't be saying without evidence "
"Come on now, I know you are. But why don't you try it with me after all, I can treat you better than those rich fools " his hand slid down to her behind.
Andriana flinched away spilling her coffee on herself and his trousers.
"Ahh you stupid woman, look what you have done " he yelled
"I am sorry, but what you did was inappropriate",. she bit her lip, trying to stop her trembling lips .
"What did you say?" he yelled, raising his hand to slap her again, but stopped midway when her colleagues appeared .
He sneered, glared, and walked off.
Andriana felt her body heat up. She turned and ran to the washroom placing her bruised hand under the tap.
The water cooled the burning sensation, and she glanced in the mirror, noticing the held-back tears in her eyes.
She breathed, trying to control her feelings so she won't cry, but it seemed harder the more she did .
Her tears finally fell, she ran inside one of the empty toilets, covered her mouth and cried.
....
Andriana got home exhausted and dropped into her couch. She was glad she wasn't seeing Karlye that day, for he would have found out that she had cried.
He was away on a business trip.
Mr .Worm had started to mistreat her after she had stood up for her friend, whom he had been harassing. Since then, he moved his attention to her. At first, she had tried to report him, but nothing was done, which made the situation worse.
But it stopped after he had changed positions. Meeting him today had brought it all back, and his behaviour had gotten even worse.
She breathed, "Don't worry, you won't see him again he's not in the same department as you ", she said to herself.
A knock came to her door.
"Who is it?" she groaned, getting up.
"It's me " Karlye replied.
Andriana opened the door , "Karlye, what are you doing here ?"
He smiled passing the pink lilies to her.
"I heard you love them " he said.
She took them nodding, "thank you, they are beautiful ".
He watched her admire them and felt happy to have gotten them.
"Come in " she stepped back.
It was his first time in her place; his eyes explored the small, cosy space, which was filled with her scent.
"I know it's small compared to your house ".
"But it's more of a home compared to mine, it smells like you " he commented.
She blushed, "Alright, have a seat. Let me put these away "
"Wait ....what is that?" he moved closer, taking her hand. It was red with visible blisters. "What happened ?"
"Oh, I spilled coffee on myself by mistake at work ", she muttered.
He was quietly staring at her as she tried to avoid his gaze.
He took the flowers from her and placed them aside.
"Let's go to the hospital, you need to get it treated " he said.
"It's alright, I will apply some ice and it will be better by tomorrow "
"Andriana, you promised and that looks bad ", his voice sounded angry.
She bit her lip still not meeting his eyes.
"I tried to be careful, but it was an accident", she said.
"Look at me " he said.
Slowly, she raised her head, "I am sorry it won't happen again, so don't be angry ", she let out.
Her big green hazel eyes innocently looked at him.
He sighed, "I am not angry but you need to take care of yourself. And if you get hurt get proper treatment "
She nodded.
"Okay, now let's go get that treated ", he said, taking a step to the door.
She pulled him back, "Can I take my flowers with me ?"
....
Karlye was beside her as they treated her burn. She flinched in pain hiding her face in the bouquet that she was still holding onto.
But the moment they applied the bandage she turned to him tears in her eyes, "Can I burrow your hand "
He took the bouquet from her and held her hand.
"Better ?" he asked.
She sniffed burying her head in his chest, nodding.
He gestured to the doctor to continue.
Andriana was resting in the car while Karlye was on a call.
"Did you install the cameras I had asked for?" he asked.
"Yes, we had it done secretly " said David.
"Get me all the footage for the whole week" he said.
"Huh! why did something happen to her ?" asked David.
"Yes, and she says it's an accident, but I don't believe it. She is hiding something " he glanced back at the car.
Andriana was smelling the flowers.
"Okay, I will get to it right away ", assured David.
"Thank you ", he hung up.
Karlye walked back to the car.
"Does it still hurt ?" he asked getting in.
"A little " she uttered.
"Will some ice cream make it better ?" he asked.
She beamed nodding.
He chuckled as the car drove off.