Chapter 46 - Runaway (1/2)

”You're sure you're ok?” asked Demos for the thousand's time when we got on the Transfer. Since this letter episode, both of my mates have been concerned. Even if I hate to admit it, I left bad for them. I never wanted to drag them in this mess. Like I was sure I could take it to my grave.

”I'm fine,” I answered dryly. He peeked at me then went back to the speeding scenery.

”It's just that the sudden news of your mother's illness should...”

”I don't want to talk about it,” I cut in and face away.

”You're not going to visit her?” he inquired. His twenty questions were getting on my nerves. I had no plans of telling him anything about my past. It was dead to me, so why did he had to keep poking around?

”No! I'm not,” I exhaled. There was a silence but I was expecting for his next assault.

”Why?” I rubbed my forehead in a sign of irritation. Clearly, he didn't understand the first time I told him I didn't want to talk about it.

-Please, I want to understand

I took a deep breath and faced him. He won't let go unless I spit it.

”Demos, my family and I aren't on good terms... If you can call it that,” he nodded as he listened.

-And?

”What do you mean And?” I narrow my eyes at him.

-Tell me what happened?

-I also want to know

Those two were giving me a headache. A beeped notify that the Transfer will soon reach my stop. I sighed in relief to Demos' dismay.

”Oh, look at that! We are already here,” I smiled at him.

-Liliane, you can't run away from us. You know you can't lie to us.

”I'll see you tonight,” I quickly moved to the door and waved him goodbye before stepping off. He nodded with a frown. What the hell was I doing?

-Liliane, I don't like when you shove me away

Sorry, Demos. Right now I needed so alone time to think. I strode down the tunnel happy that I escaped from his interrogation. Instead came face to face with Anna waiting by the front door. I completely forgot about that issue. Her head sprung up when she caught sight of me in the crowd. Shit! There's no running away. I gave her a crooked smile and pressed on to meet her at the top of the stairs. Demos messed things up between us now I have to make it right.

-What? This is your own mess. You lied to the poor girl. Clean your own shit. The way you keep running from your responsibilities is the reason you have drama in your life.

”Shut up!” I muttered under my breath before turning to Anna.

”Hi, Liliane,” she bounced on her feet. I quickly shoved Demos away and gave her my brightest smile. I just hope it didn't look fake.

-Your mask will crack and it will be your own damn fault!

”Hi,” I answered her ignoring Demos' comment. We marched inside with the other employees in silence. Mr. Ramdin stood in front of our office with a grave face. What now? Demos already pissed me off, Anna won't speak to me without that awkward thing between us and now Mr. Ramdin has bad news. My life's awesome. I was already tired this early in the morning.

”Girls, Davis from administration called me today. He had that the quality control section didn't once make an error this week. After the mess from last time they kinda woke up from their hibernation,” actually that was good news. So why was he pulling the long face? He cleared his throat eyes darting from me to Anna. ”They love it so much, that they think of transferring you both to our branch in Telson,” I mouth dropped open.

”But...I can't,” I whispered. Mr. Ramdin sighed and shook his head.

”I know, I'm not happy either. Now I'll have to find someone to replace you and it will be hard to get such a good employee. Apart from the recent events, we never had issues with you,” he kept shaking his head.

”Will we get a raise and lodging?” Anna rubbed her hands together. My head sprung in her direction, was she already considering the offer? I couldn't, not when Demos was working in Level twenty and Grant had so many friends here. Moving away will mean I have to start all over. I couldn't. Mr. Ramdin consulted this bracelet and scrolled down his mails.

”There no lodging but there will be a significant raise,” he sighed. ”I would understand if you take the offer. However, please stay,” he said with pleading eyes. ”Note that I can't offer any raise or rent. I can only offer a friendly workplace,” he smiled to help swallow the pill. I gave a glance as she nodded.

”I'll think about it,” she answered and went to the door leaving me to deal with Mr. Ramdin. He turned to me. I shifted nervously.

”I'll think about it?” I copied Anna's response.