When I got back to the office, Clyde had his assistant march straight into the Design Department with a stack of files and plopped right next to Rachel. “If you won’t come up, I’ll come down. Either way works for me.”
“What would you like for our afternoon snack? I’ve ordered cherries and strawberries. You love strawberry yogurt, don’t you? Got that for you too.”
Clyde, going out of his way to be nice, left everyone around us utterly gobsmacked.
Especially when he mentioned Rachel’s favorite treats, all eyes turned to me.
Everyone knew I had a soft spot for those “girly” snacks, something Lina once said showed my childlike spirit.
Back in college, it was the same, and Clyde never missed a chance to tease me about never growing up.
But whenever he made a little extra from his part-time jobs, he’d always remember to treat me to some dessert, a habit I ended up holding onto.
Especially before the cancer came back, I would treat everyone to afternoon tea, almost always picking something with a strawberry twist.
Seeing the bandage at the back of Clyde’s head, our colleagues immediately started speculating in the group chat.
[Did Mr. Patterson hit his head? Everything he ordered is Melanie’s favorite.]
[Maybe, maybe, I’ve read novels like this. Amnesiac CEO, chasing his wife to the crematorium.]
[Really? Do his orders still count then? Could he be legally irresponsible?]
As my colleagues edged closer to the truth, panic set in.
If people found out the CEO of Patterson Group was experiencing memory issues, it would definitely affect the company. Clyde’s presence in the Design Department stirred up whispers.
Finally, Lina couldn’t hold back.
“Mr. Patterson, if you’re trying to woo someone, do you have to do it right out of the office? You’re disrupting our work.” “And all these flowers, and snacks, why don’t you two go out to eat and not disturb the working atmosphere, huh?”
With Lina breaking the ice, everyone else began to grumble.
“Yeah, who are you showing off your lovey-dovey act to?”
“Work is hard enough without having to watch the boss and his little sweetheart spread their love around.” “Some people’s intentions really make you wonder, wasn’t she supposed to be Melanie’s good friend?”
murs continued, leaving
The Clyde
–
à a sour look on his act
he also knew he was in the
wrong, as he offered no explanation.
But Rachel couldn’t sit still any longer. She slammed her hand on the table and glared at Clyde.
“Just go!” Her eyes were teeming with tears, as if she was deeply wronged.
I had just finished discussing a partnership and rushed out to smooth things over.
“Alright, everyone, cut it out. This has nothing to do with Rachel.”
“And you’re the saint, huh? Why didn’t you speak up earlier?”
Clyde lashed out at me again, but before I could retort, he was already standing in front of me.
“Melanie, don’t think I don’t know
what you’re up to. You’ve been trying to seduce me since college! It’s me and Rackel who are the item here. 1 could never be interested in you, so stop playing your games in front of met Let me tell you, Melanie, back in school you…”
“Clyde, that’s enough!” Rachel’s voice cracked with a sob, her tears nearly unstoppable.
“Do you think I’m not embarrassed
me
Is it because you wanted
to be your assistant? Fine, fl move my stuff right now.”
Rachel cleaned her tears fiercely, then bent down to hurriedly gather her files from the desk.
Clyde and I tried to help, but she refused us both.
Finally, she stood at the door with a box in her hands, turning back to Clyde.
“Mr. Patterson, aren’t you going back? Planning to stay in the Design Department?”
“Fine, I’m going back now, let’s go!”
Clyde didn’t even glance at me, following her out immediately.
The office finally fell silent.