"Don't put it that way. We know you gave up the first prize yourself!"
"Yeah, you're now a legend in the fashion world. What're you thinking of, baby? The first prize means more than a large sum of money, but also a good way to the fashion design industry!" Another designer said regretfully.
"For some personal reasons…" Savannah mumbled, forcing a smile.
After a few more words, her colleagues went back to their seats.
Savannah took a breath and knocked on the door of the director's office.
"Savannah, this's the third time you come to my office to offer your resignation, right?" Jenkins laughed.
"I'm sorry," Savannah was a little embarrassed.
"I know the main purpose of your return is to participate in the designer competition. Now that it's over, you have to go back. Well, I won't stop you if you really want to resign this time. But you have to finish your work before you leave." Jenkins said kindly.
"Yeah, that's what I wanted to say. Don't worry, I will finish my work for My Girl before I officially quit." Savannah was relieved that Jenkins didn't stop her.
Jenkins nodded.
With that, Savannah walked out of the office.
Jenkins watched her back and heaved a sigh. When the door was closed, he picked up the phone.
"Mr. Sterling. Miss Schultz has come to resign again... Yeah, she said she would leave after the work for My Girl is finished."
***
In the CEO's office, Dylan hung up the phone and didn't move for a long time.
Garwood overheard Jenkins' conversation with him. He looked at his boss and asked carefully, "Sir, does Miss Schultz decide to go back to Italy?"
Dylan didn't answer, his eyes darkened.
"Is there anything I can do? We can't just watch Miss Schultz leaving with Mr. Wills again…" Garwood took a deep breath.
Dylan walked to the French window, looking into the distance silently.
***
Savannah did her best to get the rest of her work done well so that she would not leave any regrets. She also wanted to finish work early and quit her job as soon as possible.
Sometimes, she worked overtime and came home very late.
In the late afternoon of this Sunday, all her colleagues who worked today got off work just after six. After working hard for a whole week, it was time to have some fun for a good rest.
The office area for the design department was almost empty when Fiona walked over.
She patted the shoulder of Savannah, who was crouching in front of the computer.
"What a hard-working employee! If I were the boss of the company, I don't think I would let you go. Working overtime every day after you decided to quit? Come on, put down your work, and go with me. There's a party in a nice bar tonight." Fiona said as she looked at the time on her phone.
"No, thanks," Savannah said and stretched herself. "There are some problems with the costumes of the actress in My Girl. They want me to settle the problems tonight. Go and have fun."
"Okay," Fiona waved a good-bye to her as she went to the elevator. "Call me if you want to join us later."
Savannah smiled and nodded, watching the elevator door open and close again. Then she realized that she was the only one in the empty office now.
She stood up and slowly walked to the window, looking at the night scene of the city.
The design department was on the thirtieth floor. From the height where she stood, she had a good and comprehensive view of the city.
Outside the window, the night had come, and the sky was set with countless stars.
With so many kind colleagues and such a good working environment, Savannah really didn't want to quit the job.
No, no, no. What was she thinking about?
She had promised Kevin that she would go back to Italy with him as soon as her work was done.
Was there anything that made her reluctant to leave? Or any people?
She took a breath and went back to her place. After having a sandwich, she continued her work.
When Savannah looked up again, the night outside the window had deepened. She rubbed her eyes and then looked at the time on the screen of the computer. It was already more than ten.
The empty office was as quiet as the forest at night.
The horror movies she'd watched, especially the ones that took place in the office, kept coming to her mind.
A little scared, Savannah got up and cleared up her desk quickly.
She shut down the computer and then turned off the light before she rushed to the elevator.
She pressed the Down button, but the digital number on the small LED screen didn't move at all. After a pause, she pressed the button several times again. All of a sudden, the LED screen flashed and then darkened.
The whole office became pitch-dark now.
Savannah gasped and quickly took out her cell phone and dialed the number of the Property Management Office.
"Haven't you left yet?" The man on duty asked in surprise, "the elevator is being repaired tonight. It's out of service after ten in the evening. We've sent an email to all of you, I guess. Didn't you see it? Oh, you have to walk down the stairs..."
"Oh, okay, thank you..." Savannah had been busy all night, and she didn't notice any service email from them. She hung up the phone and sighed.
At the stairway, she looked into the long dark stairs and gave another sigh helplessly. How she wished there was someone who could accompany her down.
Thirty stories...
Come on!
Savannah screwed up her nerve and began to go down.
The corridor was unlighted and dark. She stamped her feet, but the sensor lights didn't come on.
Maybe the stairway lights were being repaired too.
It seemed that no one worked so late night on Sunday. She could hear nothing but her frantic footsteps and nervous breathing.
With the dim light of her cell phone, she walked down slowly. The outline of her shadow cast by the screen upon the wall followed her quietly.
For a moment, all the office horror stories and movies were wandering around in her mind. The cold sweat soaked her back.