Chapter 49 Go and See Your Lover?
Chapter 49 Go and See Your Lover?
Eliza spent these two days cooped up in her bedroom.
Tanner would come back every night, so she'd still have to go down for her meals. How high of a horse
she'd be riding if she didn't.
As usual, the two would be silent the entire dinner, probably the quietest dinner the world had ever
seen.
Eliza dared not look at him, only focusing on her plate.
Only someone more intimidating could withstand the massive oppression Tanner exuded when he
pulled a straight face and said nothing. Evidently, Eliza wasn't that someone.
If she could, she really didn't want to come down for dinner.
Tanner ate gracefully and swiftly, every action emanating the manners of an affluent family. Ignoring
that aloof face, watching him eat was a sight to behold.
Tanner still minded that she went out for dinner with another man behind his back, so he never spared
her even a glance the entire dinner, going to his study to continue with work after he was done.
Eliza was more than happy to have a good meal with what was served, but with Tanner next to her, she
only wished it would end sooner. Not long after Tanner went up, she put down her cutleries.
The lights in the study would still be on whenever she retired. After washing up, she went to bed.
Her eyes were wide open in the dark. She didn't know why but she had been having trouble falling
asleep.
Tanner still hadn't come to bed when it was late at night, and the lights in the study had dimmed. Eliza,
on the other hand, was starting to feel sleepy.
Though the two rooms were connected, the two people inside weren't, as though neither could see
each other.
Two days of leave passed by quickly; Eliza had long recovered; however, the bruises on her were still
noticeable at a careful glance though they had faded.
She picked out a high collar blouse and a professional blazer and put on some light makeup.
She then tied her hair up into a messy bun, making her look lively and playful.
By the time she went downstairs, Tanner was already sitting there.
It was still early in the morning, and birds were chirping outside, indicating a wonderful morning for
Eliza.
Tanner, however, thought otherwise.
Compared to her gaunt look in the past two days, she looked much alive now that she had dressed up.
Especially that subtle lift on the corners of her mouth; they really affected his mood.
Was she really that happy to see another man?
As Eliza sat down, Tanner sneered.
"Are you happy because you can finally go and see your lover?"
That was the first thing he said to her in the past two days.
As though struck by lightning, Eliza froze, and her face evidently paled despite the makeup.
The faces of the surrounding servants paled along with her as well.
"Mrs. Deleon is having an affair? Shut up; Mr. Deleon is so nice. How… taking for granted!" They all
thought.
"Why so quiet? Did I hit the nail on the head?"
His words were harsh, and his expression was cynical.
Eliza looked at him with incredulity. So she was a fickle woman to him. Funny, what led him to think so?
Her shock and disappointment weren't lost on him, and they helped ignite his anger.
Did she realize her aggrieved look would have him full of himself, thinking he was the only one in her
heart?
Huh, full of himself; who would've thought there would be a day it'd be used on him. How ironic.
Grabbing her neck, he ripped the top of her blouse open, revealing the fair skin underneath, and of
course, the marks he left.
"A word of reminder, you're mine."
And these hickeys were proof.
Eliza felt a tingling sensation as he caressed the crook of her neck. However, it was not enough to
strum her broken heartstrings.
She stayed silent the entire time, her lips pursed.
Tanner only grabbed for a while before he released her. Her originally smooth collar was now full of
wrinkles.
Having had enough, he got up and left.
It wasn't until he was gone that she gasped like a drowning person who had just climbed ashore.
Her thoughts, like her actions, froze when he was next to her, unresponsive, unable to refute.
Her heart was beginning to hurt again, but she couldn't care less anymore.
Having lost her appetite, she went back up to change and touch up her makeup before heading to her
new job.
……
It was seven-thirty when she reached the company.
Surprisingly, Nicholas was at the entrance.
"Good morning, beautiful Ms. Eliza."
Unlike the other day, he stood straight in a full suit.
Surprised, she wondered why he was standing there?
However, she didn't voice out her question. They weren't that close.
"Good morning." Nicholas's warm smile influenced her mood.
She smiled back at him.
"Seeing it's your first day today, why don't I take you upstairs."
He was clearly waiting for someone with how he stood straight there. Nicholas had also decided not to
make any witty remarks to tease her. It was her first day at work, and he wanted to show her around.
"Okay, thank you."
With that, he brought her inside.
The company was massive. The first floor was opened to the public, having some branded apparel for
sale.
The second floor was reserved for VIPs. The limited-editioned apparels were all kept there, even
providing tailoring; the haute couture were drafted there.
The third floor was where the designers worked. Emerald was San Francisco's best-known apparel
company despite its small team of designers. The Abbotts believed in quality over quantity.
Their interviews were enough to prove. One round, one hire.
So, correspondingly, the conditions here were naturally good. Every designer had ample space to work
in; lighting was good too. It was evident Emerald's designers were treated well. Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.
However, this wasn't where she'd be working.
"This is the designer's work space. You are the student designer I hand-selected, so your office won't
be here. Come with me."
Fourth floor, Nicholas's office.
Seeing the plaque 'President's office' on the door, Eliza was flabbergasted.
She had thought he was a manager of the sorts, never actually asking him, seeing that he showed her
around. Who would've thought he was the President of Emerald.
Come to think of it; Emerald seemed to be founded by an Abbott...
How had she never made that connection? How stupid of her!
No wonder all the female staff looked envious and unbelieving, eyes ablaze as though they wanted to
burn her with them when he showed her the way!
Perhaps scarred by Tanner, she had the impression all CEOs were unpredictable. Following behind
him, she suddenly shuddered.
Seeing how wary she was, not knowing what was on her mind, he gave her forehead a light flick.
Eliza stared wide-eyed at him in bafflement, not knowing why he had done what he did as she rubbed
her forehead.
However, her drifting gaze proved that she was to cover up her inner grumbles.
Sure enough… presidents whatnot were all weirdos.
However, she'd never had thought her countenance struck Nicholas right in the heart, attracted by the
woman right before his eyes.
Nicholas rubbed his nose, self-conscious. "Let's go."
His office didn't fill up the entire fourth floor. There was also a meeting room and a reception area.
There was someone else on the floor too. Nicholas's assistant, Amy.
"Amy, this is Ms. Eliza Stone, the student designer under my wing."
Amy, in professional attire, looked diligent and capable.
She was good-looking as well, her eyes turning into crescents when she smiled.
"Hi, Ms. Stone; I'm Amy, president's assistant. I'm responsible for managing his schedule and
administrative support. If you need anything, you can let me know, and I'll arrange it for you."
Her salutation startled Eliza.
She was just a student designer while she was the president's assistant. The ranking didn't seem
right…
"Hi, I'm Eliza..."
She stuttered a little, nervous. Moving her lips, she didn't know how to bring the topic up but seeing that
she'd be called Ms. Stone every day, which she didn't deserve… She decided just to say it.
"Umm, I'm just a student designer, and you're my senior here, so please don't call me Miss… Eliza will
do."
Eliza was a little stiff, fiddling with the strap of her handbag as she spoke.
Amy's gaze drifted between her boss and Eliza, hearing that; him, then her, then back at him again.
She was someone the president personally showed around. So many designers; all started off as
trainees, but who has ever had such privilege? Dared she not call her Ms. Stone…
Nicholas, on the other hand, chuckled. "Just call her that if she insists." He said to Amy.
Amy nodded. "Well then, Mr. Abbott, Ms. Eliza, would you like a drink?"
"Latte, please. You?" Nicholas spoke up, not forgetting to ask Eliza as well.
She shouldn't drink coffee with an empty stomach, right… Eliza thought for a moment.
"I… Can I please have a glass of milk?"
"What rare specimen is this? It seems like an atypical young woman has joined their company," Amy
thought.
However, her request had put her in a tight spot. The refreshments were all freshly prepared, usually
stocked with coffee and fruits. She'd have to run to the shops to get milk, and it might cause a delay.
"We usually keep coffee and juice here. Is juice okay?" Nicholas treated his staff well, stepping in,
knowing Amy was put in a tight spot.
Eliza blushed a little; she had never been offered refreshments before, so she didn't know.
"Yes, sorry to trouble you." Her voice was barely audible, like a mere mosquito buzzing.
Helping her feel less awkward, Nicholas brought her further in, explaining as they walked, "You'll be
under my guidance. After your internship, you'll be working as my assistant designer."
"No need to take the stairs when you come to work. Feel free to use the private elevators here."
As he brought her to his office, a young lady trotted toward them, exclaiming coyly, "Nicky!"