Chapter 24：A Pang of Jealousy

On his way back he heard some employees chattering about something, and from the corner of his eyes he saw Wu Lina standing amongst them with her bag on her shoulders. She looked like a teenage girl. He stood in a corner near them where lots of shadow was cast on his profile so no one could notice him, to overhear their conversation.

"Sister Wu Lina, why were you absent for so many days? CEO Yang was very angry," said one of the girls. "We have to finish that project. The coding is becoming difficult everyday as the clients are changing their specifics every other day. We haven't seen such reckless clients! I hope this project gets terminated!" she lamented.

Wu Lina became slightly restless. "Sorry, I caught fever, but now that I am here I will make sure that I cover up for those three days. Please don't worry," she said with a smile.

All other boys in the group chimed in at the same time and started pampering her. "Wu Lina, how are you feeling now?" one of them asked.

"Do you want to have coffee?" Asked another one.

"I can drop you in my car today and pick you up tomorrow morning!" yet another one said taking her hand his hands.

Before Wu Lina could answer them, Yang Xinyu appeared from the shadows coughing loudly. His anger was apparent on his face. He wanted to choke each one of them. When he saw Wu Lina's hand in one of the boys' hand, he started walking towards him menacingly ready to punch him for touching his girl. His hand curled in his palms, his knuckles cracking, as he marched forward.

Wu Lina sensed it and immediately withdrew her hand. She didn't want to see any bloodshed in the office.

"Thank you Brother Zhang. But I am feeling better now," she replied.

As they saw Yang Xinyu approaching towards them, they greeted him. Half of them started leaving the area while the other half went back to their cubicle to show how long they worked.

Wu Lina was among those who were leaving and walking in the direction of the elevator. He caught up with her. They all waited in front of the elevator very quietly, conscious that their boss was standing with them.

Wu Lina entered the elevator first followed by Yang Xinyu, and then rest of them walked in, civilly, not wanting to bump into each other, trying to maintain utmost decorum.

When the elevator door closed, Wu Lina was standing at the last with Yang Xinyu in her close proximity. It was deja-vu. It was as if he wasn't letting her escape.

They came to the ground floor and everyone started exiting.

Yang Xinyu waited for the last person to leave before turning to face Wu Lina. She raced past him, but he was quick enough to hold her hand and pull her back in the elevator. He immediately pressed the button of the topmost floor, at the same time blocking her path. Wu Lina lost her balance and tripped over his feet. Since he had held her wrist, her hand twisted and she fell in front, on her face, banging on the elevator's wall.

She hurt her nose badly and winced in pain. Annoyingly she looked at him but there was no remorse on his face. Rather he frowned and became angrier. 'Why can't this girl manage a simple pull?'

Since her hand got twisted, Yang Xinyu's grasp was even more painful. The pain in her nose and hand were so sharp that her mind went blank for a few seconds. She closed her eyes and her ears became red as she experienced the agonizing pain. She waited for it to subside closing the world around her.