"Damn it!!!" I cursed while hitting the steering wheel. Ignoring the slightly painful and definitely reddening hand, I quickly removed the car freshener as soon as my stomach started acting up. I threw it away in a rush, feeling confused about how I would get to the office now.
Should I hang a eucalyptus oil bottle here? Ugh, so inconvenient!!!
I massaged the bridge of my nose, trying to regulate my breathing and occasionally inhaling the scent of eucalyptus oil. I desperately tried to keep my stomach from acting up in the basement. I was sure I'd pass out if I vomited again.
"Miss Anya? Miss... are you okay?"
When I turned around, I found one of the building security guards looking at me with concern. Before I could answer his question, my phone rang loudly. I nodded briefly at him, prioritizing the phone call over his question.
"Yes, ma'am?"
I blinked, hearing the familiar voice on the other end.
"Alright, ma'am. I'm on the way."
Now I was in a dilemma about how to get to the office. There's no way I could take my car with such a strong scent lingering. I might not even make it to the office. And what about using a ride-hailing service? Would I need to use the car freshener again? I'd just be bothering someone else, right?
Shit! Shit! Shit!
Alright, instead of getting yelled at by a Krystal-like tigress, I chose to book a ride-hailing service. I ignored the fact that my tight skirt would make it difficult to move around.
I reminded the driver multiple times to drive carefully. What can I do? In this situation, I was contemplating death. There's no such thing as a friendly road in Washington DC, right? Honking everywhere, not to mention other motorcycles swerving all over the place. Not to mention the cars that stopped abruptly, making me anxious.
The solution was to buy eucalyptus oil in bulk and douse myself with it when I got home. Let it be. I didn't want to risk getting into an accident because of a ride-hailing service.
Arriving in the lobby, it seemed like the universe was still playing with my life. Let me list them. First, instead of waking up fresh, I was vomiting heavily. Even warm tea didn't alleviate the nausea in my growing stomach. But I started ignoring it when I remembered that I had a busy schedule this morning. Second, my car was still filled with the lingering scent of a car freshener, making me even more nauseous, dizzy, and wanting to throw up. Third, I had to use a ride-hailing service while sitting awkwardly. I didn't want to waste time changing my outfit at that moment.
This time, the last bit of misfortune. I crossed paths with Cedric. The thing that came to my mind this time was my appearance. Usually, I always looked neat and tidy. But this time, there was no guarantee, right? When I glanced at the mirrors along the lobby corridor, I felt like burying my face in the sink!
I was a mess!
As if that wasn't enough, a familiar voice echoed through the lobby. Kelvin.
"Next time, ask me to pick you up, Anya." Kelvin said again, there in the elevator! I knew I was being approached by him, but his approach was a bit too direct, and I, myself, wasn't very responsive from the beginning. What could I say? I wasn't feeling it. You can't force the heart, right?
Inside the elevator, Cedric was there too, carrying the same paper bag as yesterday. That meant it was breakfast for Krystal. Some other staff members from the finance department were also there, whom I recognized by name but didn't really know personally. So when they exchanged some small talk, I just smiled in response.
Dona said it had become public knowledge that Kelvin was getting close to me. However, I often set boundaries. That's why I ended up with the label of "playing hard to get." So, what should I do now? Should I respond to Kelvin's words just now?
"Sure?"
I closed my eyes for a moment. Kelvin wasn't the type to give up easily in getting an answer, for example, now.
"Yeah, next time if I need a ride. Thanks for the offer, Kelvin."
As I waited for the elevator, he commented on me. He said I didn't seem like myself. Maybe it was because my hair was no longer neatly arranged, or maybe because I was foolish not to wear a jacket to cover my shirt and avoid the pollution smell on the road. Oh, damn it, this morning! If Naomi weren't on leave today, I'm sure I'd be free from this situation.
Fortunately, Kelvin didn't say much more. At least I could breathe a sigh of relief. My mind could start working to organize what I needed to do. And when the elevator stopped at Kelvin's and the other staff members' floor, I just smiled a little in response to their greetings. The elevator doors closed, leaving me and Cedric.
This time, I felt something different about the guy. But so what? It didn't matter. So I just ignored him, whether he remained silent or suddenly became chatty. It wasn't my concern. My concern here was working. Just like him.
After making sure I looked as usual, I sat back at my desk and organized the things I had scattered around earlier. The most important thing was that I had already signed in, and my boss knew I had arrived. But as I was about to start by turning on the computer, two sandwiches with chocolate filling were laid out. Along with lemon tea, which I knew who had prepared.
The difference this time was that there were no notes.