Chapter 2

Watching how careful and attentive Cassandra was with me only made me more certain that the floating text had to be fake.

I told myself every odd thing I'd noticed was just a symptom and shoved the terminal diagnosis report deeper into my pocket.

I wanted to tell Cassandra I was sick, but after thinking about it, I decided against it. I was afraid she would be devastated and that it might be a misdiagnosis.

I was about to ask for time off so I could go to a bigger hospital and get a more thorough check-up when a voice cut in.

"Cassie!"

Cassandra's newly hired assistant, Xavier Lynch, walked over. He reeked of alcohol, and his cheeks were flushed from being drunk.

I thought he was done for. Cassandra was always strict. Drinking at work was a serious violation.

The first time I accidentally broke one of her rules, she made me stand in a corner while she yanked my ear and chewed me out for five straight hours.

I was almost looking forward to watching her explode at Xavier, but she only scolded him with mild irritation, "Drinking is bad for your health. Don't do it so often."

That was it?

While I stood there, completely stunned, Xavier swayed and spoke in a cutesy tone right in front of everyone.

"Cassie, I just got promoted, and the pressure's been insane. I didn't have a choice, so I drank. If you approve a one-month beach vacation so I can reset, I'll quit drinking immediately."

Cassandra waved him off impatiently. "Get lost."

Xavier squealed like he'd just won the lottery. "Does that mean you agreed? Cassie, I love you so much."

The way he talked made my stomach churn.

I was about to ask why Cassandra wasn't punishing him when the lines of text drifted across my eyes again.

"Cassandra is seriously biased. The last time Harvey got an infection and a fever, he only wanted to rest for ten minutes, but Cassandra still wouldn't allow it. She made him work while he was on an IV drip."

"That's not true. Harvey just never complained. Only the squeaky wheel gets the grease. If Harvey had asked the way Xavier did, Cassandra would've agreed."

I had no idea why these texts kept appearing in front of me, but it hit exactly where it hurt.

I was still trying to decide whether I should do what it suggested when Cassandra checked the time, looked at me, and hardened her expression.

"Why are you still not back at your desk? You've already wasted 30 seconds. Life is short. How much time do you think you can afford to waste?"

Her tone toward me and her tone toward Xavier couldn't have been more different.

At that, I pressed my lips together. "Cassandra, I want to take some time off."

Cassandra's voice jumped sharply. "Time off? Why?"

In the past, I'd swallowed everything and never asked anyone for anything. But this time, I finally understood something.

It wasn't that Cassandra didn't care about me. It was that I was always trying to be strong, and I never showed her any vulnerability.

I took a deep breath and said, "I'm tired. I want to take half a day off."

For the past five years, I'd worked year-round without a break, running like a spinning top. It was only because I was human that I hadn't broken down. If I were a machine, I would've been scrapped a long time ago.

I waited, hoping she would soften and ask if I was okay.

But not only did she reject my request, she even berated me.

"You saw Xavier ask for time off, so now you're copying him? What is he, compared to you? He's lazy. He's a parasite. He's trash that even the dumpster wouldn't take. You're an elite I spent years shaping!

"Tired, you say? Elites don't get tired. Elites should feel better the more they work. They should get more energized, not less."

"Honey, tell me. What's our slogan?" she shouted.

My body reacted instinctively. I snapped into a rigid stance and shouted back. "Good, better, and best. I'm the greatest!"

Cassandra clapped, satisfied. "Good. Now, answer me. What are you going to do next?"

Just then, the people nearby turned to stare.