"I never betrayed you, and I never will. I understand fully that I'm married to you, and I will always be on your side. I didn't seduce Jacob. What happened was that Sophia pushed me the other day, and Jacob caught me just when I was about to fall over. Sophia took a photo and..." She sneezed again as she explained. She sounded weak and shivered in his embrace.
"As long as I'm your wife, I will never betray you..." she continued.
Scott looked at her into her eyes for a while, then put her back down on the sofa. "Alright, I will believe you this time. Go get ready. It's almost time to go to work. Kevin will drive you to the company in twenty minutes."
Brianna nodded and watched him walk out into the garden. She heaved a sigh and dragged herself into her room for a quick shower.
On the way to work, she couldn't stop sneezing and started coughing now and then. Kevin felt sorry for her. "Mrs. Anderson, shall I take you to the hospital first?" he suggested.
"Thanks, Kevin, but I'm ok. I don't want to be late for work. He will be mad at me."
Kevin nodded. He understood Scott well enough not to challenge him.
Just as Brianna got out of the car and said goodbye to Kevin, someone shouted after her from behind. "Bitch! Aren't you the great Mrs. Anderson now? Why are you being so hard on yourself and working here as a secretary?"
Brianna found the voice familiar, but she was too exhausted to think. She turned around and was surprised to see Zara Berry.
"Zara Berry! What are you doing here?" Brianna exclaimed.
With disdain, Zara mocked, "It's none of your business. Look at you, the great Mrs. Anderson is nothing but a toy purchased by Scott Anderson and works as a secretary in his company. Ha-ha."
"At least I can work for The Anderson Corporation while you won't even have a chance to get a job here." Brianna retorted.
"Ha! Guess what, I'm starting my job at The Anderson Corporation today!" Zara said proudly.
"I don't believe you." Brianna stared at her in disbelief. "Who hired you? Who helped you?"
"It's none of your business. Bitch, I'm telling you you'd better show me some respect from now on, or your life won't be easy." Zara threatened.
Brianna chuckled. "Ha-ha. Thanks for your warning. By the way, don't forget how Scott treated you at your café last time. I wonder what he will do when he finds out that you actually work in his company."
Enraged, Zara stomped her feet and retorted, "Don't be smug! I will get revenge for sure!"
She glared at Brianna and turned around to leave. Brianna shook her head, heaved a sigh, and composed herself. Stay awake, Brianna. She told herself, bearing the pain and heaviness in her head, and walked into the company.
Brianna sat down by her desk, having no energy to do anything at all. She couldn’t stop sneezing, and soon the bin by her desk was filled with tissue.
People wouldn’t usually talk to her anyway, and now that they knew she had a terrible cold, they made sure to keep a distance from her.
They found her pathetic, that she had to come to work sick, that she wasn’t loved, and at the same time, they were jealous that she was Mrs. Anderson after all.
Jodie called her around mid-noon and asked her to go for lunch together. Brianna had been sleeping, and she awakened with an even heavier head. “Sorry, Jodie. I don’t feel like eating today, but I enjoy lunch.” Brianna said weakly.
“What’s the matter, Brianna? You sound like you have a cold.” Jodie asked anxiously.
“Ye...” Brianna sneezed. “Yes. I do, but I will be fine. Don’t worry.”
“I will see you in a bit,” Jodie said and hung up. She ran out of the company and drove to the nearest pharmacy to get some tablets for Brianna.
Just before she got into the pharmacy, Sean rang her. “Meet me at the same place for lunch in twenty minutes.” He said plainly.
“Uncle Sean, I can’t today, but tomorrow for sure.”
“What’s your excuse this time?” Sean sounded displeased. “Are you seeing someone? You seem to be avoiding me lately.”
“No, not at all.”
“Then come and have lunch with me.”
“I’m at the pharmacy at the moment, getting some tablets.”
“What’s the matter? Are you sick?” Sean asked worriedly.
“No. I’m fine. It’s for Brianna. She has a cold.”
Doesn’t Scott know? Or does he simply not care?
Sean went silent for a second, thinking she’s a replacement after all. I guess Scott has no feelings for her. “Alright. You have my permission.”
Jodie bought some tablets and rushed back to the company. When she saw how pale and weak Brianna was, she was even more worried. “Oh, Brianna, I should take you to see a doctor. You look awful.” She said anxiously.
“Don’t worry. The tablets will do.” Brianna assured Jodie while thinking I might not be able to get back to work on time if I go to the hospital. God knows when Scott Anderson will call for me.
Jodie got Brianna a glass of water and handed her two tablets. “Here.” She said gently, but when she touched Brianna’s hand and felt how hot it was, she frowned and wanted to feel Brianna’s forehead. “Brianna, you have a fever?”
However, Brianna stopped her and said, “I don’t think so. I’m just feeling a bit dizzy. I will have a nap, and I will be fine. Go and get lunch. You must be hungry.” She gave her an assuring smile.
Reluctantly, Jodie nodded, “Alright. I will get some takeaway for you then. What would you like?”
“Thanks, but I’m not hungry.”
“Just give me a call whenever you need anything, ok?” Jodie said sincerely.
“I will. Thanks, Jodie.”
Fortunately, Scott didn’t ask for her in the afternoon, no tea-making nor massages. Brianna had pretty much slept through the whole day. Just a few minutes before clocking out time, Levi called Brianna to inform her that Scott would not be going home together with her, but the driver was waiting for her.