Novel-novel oleh Liora Eliel

Jane's head pressed against her palms as she took deep ragged breaths like she had been submerged in ice. She sank her head to her knees like she wanted the world to swallow her whole. Tears brimmed in her eyes.Why just why, first Marcus and now this? Ah…it’s official, I’m done for.Nancy and Heather exchanged anxious looks, unable to understand what was going on, and they each took turns to calm her down.“Jane, what’s wrong? Take deep breaths, in then out, in then out. That’s it.” Nancy held onto Jane, trying her best to comfort her as Heather shielded them from the confused and mocking looks of other workers leaving the conference room.“Heather, you head back to the office. If any news comes up, text me and if anyone asks about Jane, especially Marcus? Say a puppy died or something. Oh, and get my makeup from my purse.”“Got it,” Heather said, saluting.“Phew, now that you’ve calmed down a bit, we should leave. We can’t be the last ones here, especially when you’re like this.”Na

Monday came by fast as usual, except this time Jane was dreading it. The thought of explaining what happened on Friday night to Nancy made her head throb, she knew Nancy wasn’t going to let it go, and she would definitely drag Heather into it. Thinking of Marcus made it much worse.I hope I see him less today or not at all…Jane’s eyes caught a glance at the time as she grabbed her documents and bag, bolting out of the door, forsaking the idea of breakfast. This time, she couldn’t risk being late today of all days, knowing full well the announcement would be today.The subway was almost packed as she tried to squeeze herself between an elderly lady and a teenage boy wearing headphones who didn’t look pleased. Jane barely managed to grab onto a pole when she felt a sticky sensation on her palm.Please don’t be gum, please don’t be gum“Oh…” she mumbled, the sight of the orange, droopy thing sticking to her fingers irked her.It’s not gum, but it’s still grossBy the time she got to the

Jane called Nancy the moment she got home. Her hands frantically rummaged through her bag for her phone. Her fingers drummed on the counter as she waited for the call to connect. She couldn't stop assuming the worst after seeing Nancy’s text. she paced around her home at the thought of the announcement. She could hardly stay still.“Hello? Jane?”“Nancy! Thank goodness you picked up. What is it you were trying to say will happen on Monday? How did you find out? Who said…,” Jane’s breath shook between each word. The numerous possibilities she thought of spiralled out of control in her mind. “Calm down, will you? Sheesh,” Nancy cut off Jane before should ramble on. “I found out when I went out drinking with the others. It just so happens Tony from HR has a slightly loose tongue when drunk,” Nancy’s giggles rang through the phone. “I see, so what's the announcement being on Monday going to be about?” Jane held on to the kitchen counter to calm herself down, waiting for Nancy's response

Jane’s voice was stuck in her throat, her face was as white as a sheet of paper, and her eyes were glued on the hand that shot through the elevator doors. The grip was firm; its thick veins stood out as it forced the doors back open.Did Marcus send someone after me? Is he really planning to kill me here?Jane’s heart thumped rapidly, and the air refused to move down her throat when she gulped after setting her eyes on him, as if he had stolen all the air from the enclosed space.He was probably well over six feet; he seemed to take up more space than his share of the elevator. His towering height forced Jane to look up before she could stop herself. black hair ruffled like he had raked his hands through them all day, his black suit clung to him, making him look like a model that stepped out of a magazine, even with his loosened tie, jacket hanging from his arm, and the two undone buttons of his shirt that expressed a long day’s battle.His green, sharp eyes that could draw anyone in

Jane headed towards Marcus’s cubicle, the remaining files of the Hendersons’ report pressed against her chest. She placed the folder in the center of Marcus’s desk, where he wouldn’t miss it. Then she saw them, partially hidden by his keyboard; venders' vine- one of Vance Inc.'s competitors.She slid the papers out before she could stop herself. Her eyes scanned through each page that contained an invoice and numbers that didn’t match any project she knew. This is fucking messed up. This is all so wrong.“What do you think you’re doing?” Marcus’s voice rang in her ear moments before she could read the last page.Jane flinched. Marcus grabbed her hand, dragging her elsewhere before she could protest.“What were you doing on my desk?” demanded Marcus.“I was just dropping off the rest of the Hendersons’ report, then again. What were those documents on your desk?” she asked.“That’s none of your business.” Marcus snatched the rest off her hands.“But-” Marcus cut her off. His grip on he