Chapter 13 : The Aftermath of Defiance

“What did she say to you?” Michael asked, his eyes on Evlyn as she walked down the hallway with her assistant and bodyguards. 

“Just a warning, sir.” He watched as Michael turned to leave them and added, “Thanks for having my back earlier, sir. I am grateful.”

“You had your back yourself before I came to stop Evelyn. You stood up for yourself and that's how it should be. Employees are also humans and they don't deserve to be treated like shit.” He retorted calmly. 

“Thank you again, sir.”

“It is fine. You did well in the conference room. You should keep it up.” He answered, his back still turned to him, and then he continued, “You should head back to work. I will send the compensation to your account details.” 

“Alright, sir.” Luca let out softly and watched as he went away. He could not help but admire his courage and aura. But what about Evelyn’s warning? He shook the thoughts off immediately, She can't harm him, probably she was still angry about how Michael commanded her to apologize to them. She deserved it and he did not feel any remorse. 

He removed his phone and stared down at the screen. It was lunchtime and they had spent an hour in the meeting room unknowingly. He had been feeling thirsty since the meeting began but he waited till they finished. He headed to the café quietly and found most of the employees eating. 

Most of them were almost done with their meal as he walked in. He whispered to another as they pointed at him. He maintained his quiet stance and took his food until a female employee came up to him.

“You must be the new Secretary who embarrassed Miss Evelyn.”

“Umm..yes…

“I am the HR manager.” She cut in secretly as she stretched her hand forward and Luca took it reluctantly. “You should come to our table, the others have been talking about you non-stop on the group chat.” 

“Ohh, I'm glad to meet you, ma’am. The group talking about me is not something I expected but, I have some work to finish before lunchtime ends. I can't risk getting Mr Micheal upset.” He retorted politely. He felt a tap at his shoulder and he looked over his shoulder to see who the tapper was. “Laura.”

“Hey, Luca!” She let out as she stepped forward. “I see you are having a conversation with Mrs Evergreen.”

“You should also join us, Laura.” The HR manager replied as she smiled lightly. “It will be fun.”

Luca paused. He had no intention of getting along with others, what he wanted was to work for Michael diligently but on second thought, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

“Let me just grab this real quick.” He said as he took the small tray which had a bowl and plates containing chicken and vegetable stir-fry with rice. 

“Great! Follow me.” Mrs Evergreen let out as she turned and walked to a table in the corner while Luca and Laura followed her. 

“Did you really humiliate Miss Evelyn? Or is it just rumours?” Laura whispered as she hit Luca’s shoulder with hers’ gently.

“I only defended myself,” Luca answered back nonchalantly and Laura gasped.

“OMG! It was not a rumor. I should have seen her face when it happened, she must have been boiling with rage.” She said in a low tone then giggled softly. “She looked terrible when she went out of the lobby, I was wondering if she and Mr Micheal had an argument but unexpectedly, you showed her your place and everyone is so proud of you!”

“She has always been that way?” Luca inquired as Mrs Evergreen stooped by a table that was occupied by a few employees who were chatting and eating away happily. 

“Hi guys. Here is our new secretary. The one who defeated ‘the witch’.” Mr Evergreen announced as they raised and turned their heads to look at Luca. 

“Hey, Luca!” They said in unison.

“Hi, everyone!” Luca replied calmly and sat down, placing his tray on the table as Laura sat beside him.

“Hey, Luca. I'm Edward.” A young man with curly hair in a casual fit stretched his hand forward and Luca took it. 

“It is nice to meet you.”

“I am Julia. Mrs Evergreen's assistant.” A lady with brunette hair, sitting beside Edward, waved at him as she smiled sweetly. 

“Hi Julia.”

The other two Ernest and Aurora introduced themselves and they continued eating.

“What do you mean by the witch? Is that Miss Evelyn?” Luca questioned curiously. 

“You are new here so you must still be confused by the names we give most of our clients,” Edward said in a low tone then left forward. “Yes, it is Evelyn!”

“Leave the young man, Edward. He is just still learning.” Mrs Evergreen let out as she sipped a coffee. 

“How did Mr Micheal reprimand her? It must have been an interesting sight to watch.” Aurora said as she fixed her gaze on Luca then continued. “Can you share what happened with us?” 

“Umm…A mistake happened and the other employee and I apologized but she disregarded us and slapped her…

“That is so mean of her!” Julia interrupted as she dropped her spoon. “That is the reason why Mr Micheal dislikes her, she is too prideful.” 

“She must have annoyed you guys a lot,” Luca said as he ate the chicken carefully. 

“She is a terror! No one in the building has ever stood up to her whenever she's furious or pissed. I'm pleased she got a taste of her medicine. You know she's wealthy but some people claim that she’s dangerous.” Julia replied in a low tone. 

“She must have learnt her lesson.” Laura let out softly.

“So, Luca. Tell us, how does it feel working with Mr Michael?" Aurora asked, her tone laced with longing. The others looked at her and Ernest pinched her back gently. “What?”

“Luca has just resumed his job and you're already asking him unnecessary questions,” Ernest replied in his baritone voice then turned his gaze to him swiftly. “Hope you're enjoying it here?”

Luca nodded his head. “I am enjoying it.”

“Do you think the boss will invite us to his wedding?” Edward inquired curiously and they all shifted their gazes to him. “What? I only asked an important question.”

“Mr Micheal loves to do things in private. You think he will invite all his staff to his wedding?” Mrs Evergreen said as she crossed her legs. 

“You all know I follow his fianceé on the net.” Julia let out and they all nodded solemnly. “She posted a video on her page yesterday and you won't believe what I saw.”

“What is it?” Laura inquired curiously as they all fixed their gazes on her. 

“She made a video with Mr Beaufort!”

Their expressions remained neutral. 

“Yeah, what do you expect? He is her fiancé after all.” Aurora answered back wryly. 

“No…Not Mr Micheal. I'm talking about his father!” Julia let out in a low tone and they all gasped in amazement. 

“Are you serious? I gotta check the net.” Laura retorted and removed her phone from her pocket swiftly. The others instantly reached for their phones and scrolled on their screen while Luca continued eating peacefully.

“I’ve seen it!”