Chapter Eight

When they finally reached the 16th floor and the elevator doors opened, Rachel quickly staggered out of it and gulped in air through her mouth while holding unto a pillar in the hallway for some balance.

“Rachel, you’re as white as paper,” said Derek, his voice filled with concern for her. “Should I call a doctor or an ambulance?”

“No,” she said weakly. “I need to sit down.”

He put an arm around her and gently led her toward his office. “Please, get me some water for her to drink,” he said to his secretary as he passed by her desk.

“Uh, sure,” said the secretary who couldn’t understand what was going on with her boss and the sickly lady.

He led her to the Chester couch in his office and helped her to settle down. The secretary came in just then with a tray containing a jug of water and a tumbler. She poured the water into the glass and offered it to Rachel.

“Thank you,” said Rachel, accepting the tumbler of water and taking a few sips. “I feel better, thanks,” she said with a shaky sm