Wonderings: Prologue

“Congratulations Ms. Young. Welcome to DRIVEA.” After saying my thanks, I hung up the phone. I can’t believe it, I got accepted. I couldn’t sit still. I jumped on my bed over and over again. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. I pinched myself multiple times and I didn’t wake up. It’s not a dream. I couldn’t contain my excitement. I’ll be starting on Monday. I should be prepared.

I am Amelia Young. 22 years old. I recently graduated from Tokyo University and I’ll be starting my job at DRIVEA on Monday. DRIVEA has always been my dream company to work for. I’m a car lover although my family can’t afford to buy them. Now I get the chance to work at this prestigious company. Not to mention that I have a huge crush on the President, Kael Pearce. Believe it or not, he’s my childhood friend but I doubt he remembers me. He used to be our neighbor in Kyoto when we lived there. We used to play together with my cousins until they moved and we never heard from them again.

When I was in high school I found out that Kael was the new President in DRIVEA. I never realized that he was a Pearce. But hearing this news, my admiration for him grew stronger. I was determined to get into his company and work for him.

I placed my phone down on top of the dresser. I picked out my clothes for my first day at work. I’m not the kind of girl to wear such revealing outfits. I chose something simple yet elegant. After choosing my clothes, I went to the kitchen to prepare for dinner.

I live alone. My parents died when I was in high school. I have no other siblings. My father bought this house before he died. We used to live in an apartment. We had no house to our name but my father strived hard to buy this one. Before he died, my father had saved money under my name for when I went to college. Even though he left me enough for my education, I still had to work part-time jobs to pay for my bills in this house. This is the only thing that reminds me of my parents. So I had to take care of it. 

After making dinner, I sat on the table and ate in silence. 

I was always alone. I’m used to eating alone in this house. The silence was deafening but I had gotten used to it. I wonder when things will change… 

After dinner, I cleaned up and went to bed. Today is Saturday which means I have one more day before I start at DRIVEA. 

I woke up bright and early on Monday. I was too excited to start at DRIVEA that I had hardly fallen asleep. I put on the outfit I had prepared and some light makeup. After I was sure that I was ready, I went out and locked the house. I didn’t have a car so I take the train. I arrived in DRIVEA on time. I proceeded to the President’s office on the top floor as instructed of me. I knocked on the door 3 times out of habit. 

“Come in.” I pushed the door open and saw Kael. He’s just as handsome as he was when we were kids. His jet black hair perfectly styled, his green eyes glimmering in the sunlight. Everything about him radiates perfection. 

“Good morning, sir. I am Amelia Young, your personal assistant.” I introduced myself and bowed before him. Although I have a crush on him, I prefer to keep things professional. I still have to put a roof above my head.

“Welcome to DRIVEA, Amelia. For your first task, I need you to deliver these papers to the HR department. I also would like to request a cup of coffee with no cream.” I nodded and left to go do my job.

I’ve been in DRIVEA for almost 5 months now. My job was what I expected it to be. I ran a lot of errands not just from Kael but also from the COO. One afternoon, I was at my desk outside Kael’s office when a girl made her way to me. I looked up at her. She was pretty and sexy. She must be a model or something. 

“May I help you?’ I asked. I’ve seen most of the people that meet with Kael but this is the first time I’ve seen her. She stared at me for a long time. She kind of looks familiar to me… Just then it hit the both of us.

“Natalia?”

“Amelia?” We spoke at the same time. I stood up from my desk and went over to her to give her a hug.

“I can’t believe it. It’s been so long since I last saw you.” I told her. She hugged me back and laughed. After hugging, she looked at me.

“I was in London for a while to study. I just came back. What about you? How have you been?” 

“I’m fine. What are you doing here?” I asked. I forgot I was still at work.

“Oh I’m here to see my boyfriend.” Boyfriend? Does she mean…? 

“Boyfriend?” I asked. 

“Yes, his name is Kael Pearce.” I felt as if my heart fell to the floor. But I quickly regained my composure.

“Oh you mean my boss? I’ll go tell him.” Even though it hurt, I have nothing to be sad about. He wasn’t even mine to begin with.

“Your boss? Are you his personal assistant?” She asked. I nodded.

“Wow! I can’t believe it. You’ve grown so much.” She exclaimed. I smiled at her. I excused myself from her and knocked on Kael’s door.

“Come in.” I opened the door and went in front of his desk. He was busy looking over some paperwork.

“Sir, Ms. Natalia Bradley is in the lobby.” His eyes darted to me.

“Let her in.” His voice held so much excitement. He must love her so much. I nodded and went back outside. I held the door open for Natalia. She smiled at me before turning her attention to Kael.

“Kael! I’ve missed you.” She ran to him and hugged him. They look so happy. I had no business staying inside the boss’ office so I left quietly. I went back to my desk. I took out my diary. As someone in my age, you’d think diaries would be outdated but I try to be traditional. I write my feelings in this diary. Everything I feel and experience is written here. I have no friends and family and this is the only way I could vent out my feelings. 

Natalia kept visiting every day. We share conversations together before she enters Kael's office. It was a slow day today. After my shift ended, I packed my stuff up and went home. When I was down in the main lobby, I suddenly remembered that I left my diary on one of the drawers on my desk. I have to get it back. I went back to the elevator and went up. When I arrived on the top floor I was surprised to see that Natalia was holding my diary.

“Natalia?” I called out to her. She looked up and when she saw me, she closed my diary.

“Oh Amelia. I’m sorry I was being nosy. I found this by your desk and thought it was a book.” She handed it to me and I took it.

“How much have you read?” I asked. She looked down, embarrassed.

“I didn’t mean to. I promise I won’t tell anyone what I read.” I suddenly felt embarrassed. I shouldn’t have left this in the first place. 

“So you like him?” Natalia asked. I looked at her and shook my head.

“You shouldn’t take it seriously. I don’t want to ruin what you have.” I hid the diary in my bag and was ready to leave.

“I should be going.” I bid farewell to Natalia. I’m such an idiot. 

A few days had passed since that day and Natalia hadn't visited Kael yet. Did my feelings affect their relationship? I dare not think that way. I decided to continue with my work. 

A week later, I was delivering some papers to Kael when I noticed something was wrong. He has been acting strange since this morning. Maybe he’s in a bad mood. 

“Here are the documents you asked for. Is there anything else?” I set the stack of folders on his desk. He looked at me menacingly. As if he had the desire to kill me. 

“Yes, lock the door.” I was surprised by his request but I still did it. Suddenly, he pinned me by the door. I looked at him and he had an evil grin on his face. 

“How does it feel to ruin a relationship? I didn’t think you were that kind of girl, Ms. Young.” My eyes widened. Natalia did tell him. How do I tell him it was all a misunderstanding?

“Sir…” I was about to explain but he stopped me.

“No need to explain. Natalia told me everything. She decided to leave me because you wanted me, isn’t that right?” It couldn’t be more wrong. Suddenly, he started unbuttoning my shirt.

“W-Wait sir---.” I didn’t have time to talk. He crashed his lips on mine. He was being aggressive. He even bit my lip causing it to bleed.

“P-please d-don’t...” I begged but he didn’t listen.

“Isn’t this what you wanted? You ruined my relationship with Natalia just so you could have me, right? I’m giving you what you want. Stop being a bitch.” He carried me to his couch and proceeded to undress me. I struggled but it was no use. He violated me. I didn’t have the strength to fight. After what he did, he left me there, wincing in pain. He was being so rough and it was my first time. I looked over by the couch and noticed blood. 

“Get dressed and get out of my office. Call someone to throw away this couch while you’re at it.” I didn’t answer. I picked up my clothes and proceeded to wear them. Afterwards, the pain in between my legs was still fresh. I limped on my way out. Before I could leave his office, he spoke once again.

“That wasn’t enough of a punishment for what you’ve done. You are not allowed to leave this company unless I tell you to.” I couldn’t answer. My mind was blank and all I could think about was the pain and humiliation. When I got out of his office, I went to the bathroom and cried. After I pulled myself together, I called for someone to throw away the couch. I went back to work as if nothing happened.

Thankfully, I wasn’t needed in his office. After my shift, I decided to head back home immediately. While I was in the elevator, the other employees must’ve noticed something about me and they began to gossip. Not long after, rumors of me sleeping with the President spread throughout the company. I was labeled many things: slut, bitch, gold digger, etc. At first it hurts but the longer I hear them, the less it hurts. 

My torture wasn’t just that one time. He did it to me multiple times. I felt dirty. I wanted to scrub myself clean but I couldn’t. 

Why did this have to happen to me?