12 CHAPTER 12: DOES HE HATES ME THAT MUCH?

"Master Ethan, Miss Stacy is about to start working as a saleslady in the White Lotus Department. She was task to be the opening as well as the closing since she is a novice.She will start on Monday from 8:30am to 9:30pm." Larry reported.

"Okay. Continue watching her,'' Ethan answered.

"Yes master. But are you really sure about this? Miss Stacy will surely have a hard time standing all they long".

"It was her who ask this. Let her experience the lowest position first. It's also good for her to learn new things at the same time. She can't become the Chief Manager of WL if she won't learn the basic." He stated.

Aisha was getting bored staying at home doing nothing. She hates being idle at home so she decided to work. She remembered that Stacy was the chief manager of White Lotus Department so she tried to ask Ethan about it. At first Ethan refused because he knew that Stacy doesn't know the workarounds of being the Chief manger. He also reiterated that Stacy doesn't have the basic knowledge about the company that's why Ethan rejected the idea. However, Aisha spend her time in the library learning about the company's concept. She even seeks the help of Larry who manages the department for the time being. Her determination reached Ethan and he was surprised to know that Stacy is working hard to learn about the company.

One night, Aisha waited for Ethan purposely. He came home at around 12 midnight and was surprise to find Stacy outside waiting for him. After serving him a cup of tea, she once again asked him about working in the White Lotus Department. Every night, she waited for Ethan to come home, prepare a hot bath and a cup of tea as she keeps pleading him. After a week, Ethan finally agreed. She was so happy that she hugged him tight while sipping his tea. He almost drops the tea. Good thing he drunk almost half of it already. However, he made a condition; she has to start working as a saleslady. If she does her job well then she will be promoted into a higher position until she reaches the managerial position. She rejected the idea at first but Ethan explained that she has to learn from the basic if she wants to succeed as the chief manager. She then agreed.

"watch over her and make sure to report all her daily activities to me at the end of the day." he told Larry.

"Yes Sir."

Aisha started her training as a saleslady. Everything is going well except their uniform. Aisha was not used to wearing skirts nor dresses even wear sandals with heels. She never tried them before except for special occasions. She only wore a dress during her college graduation, that's why she was so disappointed when she saw their uniform. It was a black pencil cut skirt 2 inches above the knee and a close black heels.

Her first week was a hellish one, not because she cannot do the job but because her feet was aching with the heels that she was wearing. she was also pulling down her skirt from time to time hoping it will cover her knees. She felt as if she was naked especially when she has to reach stuffs for her customer. Aisha usually goes home at around 10:30. With her tiredness, she can't even have a proper meal, missing dinner most of the time. Every now and then, when she gets home from work, Ethan was already fast asleep. But sometimes, she sleeps without Ethan by her side. Her strict schedule inflicts more pain and sacrifices so much than what she expected.

"Miss Stacy, are you okay?" Larry asked her while she's on break. She ordered her food but she doesn't have the appetite to eat. She was just leaning on the cafeteria's barricade.

"Emmm", She answered while her eyes are closed. She looks so tired. Larry pitied her but he cannot do anything unless Ethan ordered him.

"I'm sorry miss Stacy, I wish I could help, but---''

"It's no one's fault Larry. Don't blame yourself…" then she opened her eyes and look at her untouched food. "Does he hates me that much?" she asked with a frail voice. Larry didn't know what to say.

"Miss Stacy, please don't say th------''

"Don't mind me Larry. I'm just a little tired. I'm going back, it's almost the end of my break now.'' she smiled at him as she stood up and went back to the White Lotus Department.

The branch supervisor dismissed the staffs early. It was a rare chance so they grabbed all their things before the supervisor change her mind and they all hurried outside the mall. Everyone was laughing at their silly reactions. While everyone's laughing, they didn't notice a Black Bugatti car parked 2 blocks away from the entrance. The man inside was watching them closely.

"Guys, since the night is still young, do you want to go and have a party instead?" one of her workmate suggested. The others agreed while Aisha was just smiling. Kian, one of the salesman, approached her,

"Stacy, you'll go with us right?" Stacy smiled half-heartedly. When Ethan saw him talking to the guy, he clenched his fist. Larry noticed it so he asked Ethan, "Sir, do you want me to go and get Miss Stacy?" Ethan didn't answer.then they heard her answered.

"I'm sorry Kian, I can't. my son is waiting for me." She declined politely. She took her phone and dialed his son's number while waiting for taxi.

"Hi sweetheart, are you still awake? Mommy's coming home early tonight. Did you eat your dinner? Ah, That's my boy. read you a story? Yes of course, mommy will read you a story then. Okay, wait for me then. bye sweetheart.!" She was smiling while talking to his son from time to time. Ethan loosen his grip when he heard her spoke with Eli. They are looking at her waiting for a taxi to arrive. She kept looking at her wristwatch from time to time. Larry is about to go out to call Stacy when a Gray SUV suddenly appeared in front of her. He halted.

"Stacy," Kian got off from his car.

"Kian! I thought you went with the others?"

"Ah nah, I remembered I have something to do tonight. If you want, I can give you a ride ..." he offered.

"Oh no I'm okay. I don't want to bother you Kian. You can just go ahead."

"Don't worry, I don't mind being bothered if it is you. Beside your son is waiting for you."

"Ah yeah your right." Stacy knew that's there's no point of declining him because he is very persistent so she agreed. Kian opened the door for her and he rushed to the driver seat.

Ethan was grinding his teeth when Stacy went in the man's car. He's trying to calm himself but it is still pretty obvious that he was so upset. Is he being jealous?

"Follow them!" he ordered.

Aisha asked Kian to drop her off at the main gate of the subdivision. The mansion is at the edge of the road but she doesn't want Kian to know where she lives. It will definitely create a havoc. After dropping her at the main gate he went home. Aisha sighed defeated when she realized the slope that she has to climb. She didn't bring her sneakers because she never thought Kian to send her home.

Aisha felt her feet staggered many times as she continued walking the elevated road ahead of her. She didn't notice the car behind her so she removed her sandals and walked barefoot instead. Suddenly, she was blinded by a black car ascending. It was Ethan! But he only bypassed her.

"hmm… what am I even expecting? She hated me that much for him to even care," she was saddened with the thought. She may deny it but she's hurt. A tear escaped from her eyes. "Ahh, maybe I'm just too tired for the whole day", she encouraged herself.

"S-sir Ethan, are you sure about leaving Miss Stacy behind?" Larry asked for a second time.

"that's the second time you asked me Larry. If you pity her that much then you can get off the car and accompany her instead,'' he said coldly. Larry averted his gaze and look at the road instead. He didn't asked Ethan anymore.

Aisha arrived home after 20 minutes. It should only take her 10 minutes to reach home but her feet went numb so she rested for a while. Ethan watch her as she entered the mansion's gate limping with her heels on. she wore them back when she's nearing the mansion gate, they can't see her like that. Ethan averted his gaze. He can't stand to see her pain. He felt a pang of guilt within, but whenever he remembers how she smiled ear to ear with Kian, his heart throbs in anger.

As soon as Aisha reached home, she changed her sandals into the house slipper. She sat at the couch feeling her feet for a while then she went directly to Eli's room. She found Eli half-awake so she went near him and laid beside him.

"I-I'm sorry sweetheart, mom is a little bit late today.'' She cuddled him.

"It's okay mom, I understand", Eli answered sleepily. He snuggled closer to her mom and went back to sleep. After a while, Aisha dozed off to sleep.

On the other side of the subdivision complex, a gray SUV was parked in a corner. A man lighted his third cigarrete while talking to someone over the phone.

"Yes, I already met her. I know where she's staying now. Seems like his husband doesn't even care about her at all." He snoozed mockingly.

"Good job Kian, just continue to watch her. Her time is coming to an end." The person on the other line laughed as if there's no tomorrow.