He had backed her into a corner, the space becoming to small for them, but he didn't back away, he stood there for seconds but it felt like hours.
CLICK!!!....The room filled with silence was immediately broken with the sharp sound that came from the door locking behind her. He locked the door.!!
Stella's eyes widened as her heart beat quickened. She looked up to face him , panic flickering on her face as her imagination went wild .Her lips parted but she couldn't say a word. James seemed to find the situation amusing ,noticing the look on her face , he could tell what she was thinking.
James brow lifted slightly with a smirk plastered on his face." Don't look at me like that, James voice was low almost like a whisper but firm. "Whatever it is you are thinking, you are wrong.'
After hearing what he had just said, Stella quickly looked away, filled with embarrassment as color rushed to her cheeks. "Of course, what was I even thinking, who would ever be interested in a nerd ." She thought.
James turned around and headed back to his desk and Stella stood in place as she watched him pull out something from the bottom drawer before calling her over. When she got closer she realized he had pulled out a First Aid box, he didn't say a word but gently reached for her hand- the one Michael had held unto earlier.
He rolled up her sleeve to reveal ,the bruise around her wrist, she flinched at the touch of his hand around the wrist. She could notice how patient and gentle he was while attending to her almost like he cared, she never imagined he could appear this way...she had realized the reason he locked the door was to tend to her injury, obviously if he had treated her wound with the prying eyes of other employees it would've looked like they had a personal relationship. But Stella found it weird and confusing ,why didn't he just send her over to the Medic, why was he paying her attention , since when was he this considerate of others.
Stella couldn't help but ask why. "Why didn't you just send me to the medic"?? James didn't look up but there was brief pause before he answered the question.
"It's nothing, you don't need to dwell on it??" He said as he taped the last bandage and let go of her wrist. Stella tugged her sleeve back down , taking one more look at James before leaving the office, unsure of what to say.....I'm sure it's nothing, she thought to her self.
"Thank you sir". I'd be leaving now, she said ,receiving a nod as a response from James, before she turned to leave the office.
.....Unaware of how James eyes lingered on her until she left the office.
Stella made her way out of the office trying not to think much of what had just happened as she made her way back to her desk, quickly stuffing her bag with what she had brought to work.
From the corner of her eye she could notice Michael and Rachel approaching her but all she wanted to do was get away from them, she couldn't bare looking at them.
"Stella I was waiting for you, we need to talk, Michael said in a Commanding tone, which made Stella's blood boil. She chose not to say anything ,so not to cause a scene. Quickly carrying her bag, she walked past Rachel and Michael.
Michael's jaw clenched, feeling insulted by Stella ignoring him. "Stella I'm talking to you!!didn't you hear--"
"It's ok, I'll talk to her, Rachel said with a soft smile as she placed her hand on his chest, anyone that saw them would think they were the couple.
" Let me talk to her" Rachel said before rushing after Stella who had already reached the elevator.
"Stella, please wait" Rachel called out of breathe" You have being acting weird all morning." Stella didn't answer, she wished the elevator would open up quickly.
"Michael is really worried about you, but you didn't even care and you spoke to him rudely, you really shouldn't treat him like that."Rachel said...always trying to look like the peacemaker and saint. How pathetic.
" You have really made him upset, why can't you just be nicer to him, you hurt his feelings by how you spoke to him earlier, You should really apologize. I'm sure he would forgive you. Rachel said with a soft smile plastered on her innocent looking face.
That was it, the final straw.
Stella turned her head to face Rachel, her eyes filled with rage and disbelief. "I didn't know you two had become so close, that you would stand up for him like this." "Aren't you suppose to be my bestfriend. Stella continued, "But yet. look at you, almost as if you are defending your boyfriend."
Rachel starred at her blankly, she opened her mouth but nothing came out. she could only stand there stunned and shocked, Stella had never spoken to her like that, from the way she looked at her, to her tone, to the energy she gave off. Everything had changed.
The Stella she knew was always so timid and easy to manipulate , she was a pushover and she could never talk back no matter what. So how dare she talk to me like this, what had gotten into her.
_Ding. The elevator doors opened.
Stella stepped in, she pressed a button without sparing Rachel a second glance as the doors began to close.
Leaving Rachel stunned in place ,her face twisting with rage and panic.
She turned on her heels ,walking back towards her desk, her jaw clenched as she couldn't hide her disgust an anger.
"Rachel", a voice suddenly called out , pulling her out of her anger. She looked up to see it was Michael.
He was working towards her, concern written all over his face. "Did you manage to talk to Stella, What did she say??"
The anger on her face vanished almost instantly and was immediately replaced with a soft smile. " Oh ,Mr. Michael, she said , her voice sounding so sweet and comforting. " I think we should give her some space, I'm sure she would come around eventually. She just seems to be having a bad day. I think she just need to rest."
Hmmm, I tried calling her earlier but she cut the call on me, I guess she is really in a bad mood. Michael added.
"Rachel smiled. Hmmm I have an idea, why don't we get some stir fried rice to-go from the place in front? Stella will love that....You know that's her favorite spot and we can go after work.
"Oh that's a good idea, you always come up with the best ideas". Michael praised. Why don't we get off work at the same time then"-
"Mr. Michael."......... James sharp voice called out.
"I am sure you are aware that, you are still in the office and it is still working hours, I could hear your loud voice from the other side of the room. Please get back to work. I wouldn't want to repeat myself.
"Yes sir I apologize,' Michael quickly said." Sorry sir", Rachel said with a soft smile.
"I hate him so much, always picking on me. What's his deal anyway??Arrogant asshole, no manners what so ever, and who does he even think he is, acting like everyone should bow to him because he is the managing director" . Michael muttered under his breathe as he glared at James.
Rachel patted his arm lightly. "It's okay. He's probably jus in a bad mood because of earlier, Don't let him get to you. We should head back to work so he doesn't call us out again.
Once they headed back to their desk and Rachel sat down, she pulled out her phone and called Stella again. It rang multiple times but there was no answer.
Rachel starred at her screen in disbelief and annoyance. How could she hang up on me.??Her grip on her phone tightened.
"How dare you not answer my calls, what gives you the audacity....... you would regret this. Rachel said in an almost whisper which only she could hear.