She suddenly asked me a shocking question.

"How about you, Stella? Where is your father working?"

What she asked me made me sweat. I almost swallowed the rice in my mouth without chewing. It took a few seconds before I stuttered to speak. I need to be very careful otherwise I'll be caught in my own lies.

"My... my... my father left us since I was a kid so my mother raised me alone!" I really tried to cry to bring him to my emotions. Fortunately I really cried in front of her.

She held my hand and looked me in the eyes with pity. It seems I am a best actress as of this moment.

She gave me an apologetic grimace. "Sorry if I brought such painful past. But I'm sure that you and your mother went through a lot and she breathed a sigh of relief when you graduated!"

I agreed with what Hailey told me. "Well, I can't deny that what you told me was true. When she presented me with the award, our stage was almost flooded with tears!"

"Too bad, I am certain that your father regrets leaving you behind. He has no balls at all!"

Before a lie could slipped in my mouth again, I asked her a question to divert the topic. "You, I'm sure your father was proud of you when he attended your graduation!"

Hailey's face seemed to be entwined with heaven and earth at what I said and I was surprised by what he said.

"Actually, my father did not attend my graduation because he was very busy at that time. So I was all by myself. Although I knew that was just an excuse. He was obviously not interested in attending because maybe he regretted that he just adopted me!"

I feel so sorry for Hailey. Who would have thought that her father treated her like that?

"Well, now is the time to prove yourself to sir Joseph!"

Hailey gave me a serious look. "Look, I am doing my best to be a good boss but my father's standards are so high that I don't know if I will resign or what. Especially now, he wants to have to create new products for our big event. Investors will come so we have to prepare!"

"I see, you are launching new sets of brands, is that correct?" I asked her in wonder.

"You know, we need to go with the flow. We have to set a new trends so we can boost our sales!"

"I see. But I'm sure you'll ace this project since you came from a very prestige school!"

Hailey turned pale when I praised her.

"Really sis? Thank you, but I would like to Make me and Nick the models since we are perfectly match, won't you agree!?" she asked, then rested her hand on her chin. "Honestly, I think that guy has a crush on me. Only if he is as rich as I am, he would have a chance to become my boyfriend!"

My eyes widened again at Hailey's words. It seems that I have hope in getting Nick's heart. But the problem is, my sister will be my rival. However, I wasn't going to just agree to let them get closer so I volunteered participating. 

"Sis, I would also like to participate in the event. Maybe it's possible even if I'm not beautiful, right?"

Hailey suddenly smiled. "You can join but I will think of a better way to give you a position!"

I told her about my ability to create business concept. "I don't want to brag or anything of that nature but I have wide knowledge in creating concepts to ace the market. Would you like to try?"

Hailey smiled. "Of course I want. Let us talk about it in the office!" 

"Okay, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed, when is the exact date of the event though?"

"It's still next month but right now, we need are being pressured as it takes lots of preparation for this event. Can I ask you one favor?"

I grinned. "Sure what is that?"

"I'm still a girl so I am too shy to ask Nick about this, can you ask him to do accept it?"

I felt jealous but I know that nothing should be personal when it comes to work.

"Yes Ma'am Hailey, I don't have a problem with that thing. I will chat him later!"

"Thank you sis! When we're out of the office, you don't have to be formal. Just call me sis. After all, we are just like sisters having a nice time together!"

"It's fine with me, but I just want to ask, do you have a boyfriend, sis?"

Hailey leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest. "Believe it or not, I have two boyfriends in the past and my father did not know about them. They are not as handsome as Nick but they have strong sex appeal!"

Now, I realize that Hailey is really a liberated girl despite her beautiful face.

"By the way, tomorrow after work shift, I will go to the gym so I will keep my fit body. Wanna come?"

I agreed immediately. I can definitely hang out with Hailey to learn more about my father.

"Sure, why not! Honestly, I really want to be fit as well but I don't know how to start!"

"Don't worry, the gym instructor will teach us everything to do. You seemed to be inspired to go to the gym. Do you have a boyfriend?"

I grinned, as expected she would return the awkward question to me. I replied quickly. "I'm only focusing on my career first. But in fact, I really want to have a boyfriend since I feel like I am already left behind!"

Suddenly a waiter came by and accidentally spilled the Juice on Stella's clothes and the waiter immediately apologized to her.

"Sorry Ma'am, I didn't mean it!"

Stella suddenly stood up and looked at the waiter in a mocking way. It looked like she was really fucked up with what happened.

"Fuck, are you stupid? Out of all the people who eat here, you're going to bump into me?"

The waiter was on the verge of panic and looked like he was about to faint from nervousness. I tried defending him from Stella's rants.

"Sis, I am sorry on behalf of the waiter. Maybe he was tired!" I said with a firmed voice.

I really hate people who think they are above other people. It really annoys me!

Stella suddenly pointed at me. "Stop defending him, he should be punished for what he did. As customers, we don't tolerate like this to happen!"

I was surprised that she refused to listen to me. I became quiet again. She turned back to the waiter who spoke again while keeping his head down.

"Ma'am, I'll just pay for your clothes if you want!"

Stella grinned as if he was insulted by what she heard. "Are you kidding? Do you know how much this dress costs? Even if you work forever, you will never pay me back!" she yelled at the waiter.

The manager of the restaurant suddenly came out because Stella was causing an embarrassing scene that even I could not imagine she was capable of.

"What happened Ma'am?" asked the manager who smiled at Stella.

Stella let out her frustration to the manager. "Why hire someone who's not experienced enough for this kind of work? He accidentally spilled the fucking juice on my coat that I bought in France for half a million. Even if you two combine your income, you won't be able to pay for my coat!"

This time, I have no other choice but to stand up. It hurts to see someone being stepped on and as a sister, I want Stella to learn how to have breeding.

"Sis, I think it's inappropriate to say such horrible things against someone who's working to feed their families!"

Stella glared at me but I was not intimidated. "Please sis, it's none of your business. I'll do what I want to do. Do you know that the money I bought here is my savings? How can I disregard this accident like it was nothing?"

"Because at any time, we don't have the right to step on other people. Please, don't try to despise and belittle any of them because if you don't, I will be forced to report you to your father, Stella!"

Stella calmed down. She seemed terrified with what I just told her. Damn! I can't believe that it was quite effective!

"You cannot take back words that you said but at least, try to say sorry!" I dare to tell her.

Stella took a deep breath and politely apologized to the waiter and manager.

"Alright, I sincerely apologized with the rude attitude. I'm just not in a good mood today!"

"It's okay Ma'am, I will make sure it won't happen again!" said the manager.

After we ate, we walked back to the office. I was surprised when Stella suddenly apologized to me.

"Sis, I am sorry for what I did earlier. I know you felt ashamed to be with someone like me who is arrogant. Honestly, I don't know that I have adopted my father's behavior. He often embarrasses people so I definitely absorbed it.

"I understand sis, I'm also sorry if I forgot that I'm just your employee. I hope it doesn't get in the way of us being friends!"

She smiled. "Of course!"

"But I'm serious, I can't believe that your coat costs half a million. Do you want me to wash it?"

"Don't mention it," she said. "This dress is very important to me, but I realized that what you said earlier was right. As they say, if you give something personal to another person, that only means that you value your relationship with them!"

My forehead knitted in confusion. "What do you mean, sis? I cannot fathom your words?"

"What I mean is I'd like to give this corporate attire to you as a symbol of our flourishing friendship!" she said. "You can wash it now and please take care of it!"

I accepted her offer with no hesitation since I like the coat. I agreed even though I know that such expensive clothing is not suitable for my earthly body.

"Thank you very much, in return do you want to drink later or the next day? There is a bar in this area where we can hangout. I know you have a high standard, but the easiest way for you to adapt to the way of living in this country is to explore!"

"I can't understand what you mean," she said with a hesitant voice.

"Sorry sis, I mean I'd like to invite you to a bar so you experience the life of a poor person like me. Although, I am not forcing you if you don't want to!"

She curled her lips to smile. "That's cool. I'd like to experience that. It's been a while since my friends and I had a drink at Harvard. Because after graduation, I went straight to my dad's company so I've got to release my stress. I shall email you after the work!"

I put my arm around Stella and whispered. "Please don't tell your father about this!"

"Oh come on, I won't tell him about this because I might get suspended to work if I do so. I know him from head to toe. He is a very conservative man who hates going to the bar or hanging out with other people unless they've got business to work on!"

"Yes, I know that very well. Anyway, are you a heavy drinker?"

"I won't say I am but we will definitely have fun for sure. Of course, I was a party girl when I was in France so night party is a must. School is boring without leisure!"

When we returned to the office, it was only 12:40 p.m. Almost all the lights in the departments were turned off, even my colleagues at work were al asleep. I slowly went to my seat and was about to sit down when Nick woke up. This guy has a sharp 

I immediately smiled at her and sat in my seat.

"Hey, how's your walk going, sir? Are you full?" he asked, smiling at me.

I belched suddenly and looked around, luckily no one woke up. Andrea suddenly laughed at me.

"Hahahaha, don't answer. I already know!" he answered lamely, followed by another question, "Is Hailey a nice person to you?"

The way that he asked this question, as if he really knows Hailey from the very start. 

"She's so much fun to be around!" I answered. "And believe it or not, we treated each other like sisters!"

I wasn't able to detail the whole thing, especially when Hailey showed her bad side. That incident was really bad and I think it will be imprinted on my mind forever.

"Well," Nick said as he seemed not impressed with my answer. Suddenly, he lowered his voice. "Didn't she yell at the waiter or manager? That brat has got some bad attitude especially when her clothes got even a tiny stain!"

I suddenly sweat. As I thought, he really knows a lot about Hailey's personality. Of course, even though I want to admit the truth, I still have to cover up for Hailey to avoid staining our flourishing friendship.

"Nothing like that happened earlier. But do you know she would like to invite you to become a model for the upcoming launch of their new products. Willing to join?"

Nick's eyes widened in shock and I could tell from his serious face that he became more interested in our topic.

"Really? Maybe you're just referring to other Nick? As far as I know, there are many Nick here in the office!"

I stood by what I told him. "I'm sure she's talking about you?"

"Wow! Is that true? I've dreamed of becoming a model for a long time!"

I could see the excitement on his reddened face. 

"I'll chat with Hailey later so I can find out other details. By the way, thank you for that news Stella!"

I was so shocked to learn about this. "Hold on a sec, are you chatting with her?" I asked in wonder.

"Yes, we used to be close that is why I chatted with her before. Why did you ask?"

"No, nothing!" I replied.

"Why don't we go out together? I'd like to talk to you for a longer period of time!"

As much as I'd like to accept Nick's offer, I am hanging out with Hailey today so I declined it. 

"Actually, Hailey and I will hangout later. I am not trying to get her attention but we just want to know each other!"

"Going to a bar?" he asked.

"In fact, Hailey and I are going to have a drink later. I invited him and he didn't refuse! Please don't tell anyone about this!"

"Okay. Please enjoy, you seem to be at ease with each other. I feel like you're treating each other like sisters already!"

Deep inside, what Nick said was true. But I've got a feeling that Hailey will become my rival with Nick's heart soon.

"Of course, although I can't keep up with her English that is why I don't say that much when she asked me something!"

"You can do it, Stella! You'll get used to it soon. At least you'll be able to improve your English speaking. The fact that you're an honored student means doing such thing is a piece of cake for you!"

"Thank you Nick, you are so supportive!"

"By the way, what else did you two talk about?"

Suddenly the lights turned on. Nick and I didn't even notice that it was already 1 in the afternoon because we were enjoying our conversation. And like Nick, the rest of our colleagues also asked me same question that's why I'm like a broken machine repeating the story over and over again.

This day has passed and it's time to go home. I was about to turn off my computer when Hailey suddenly sent me an email. Maybe she got it from Sir Michael but I never asked her about it. I read the email in my mind.

"Hello Stella, please wait at the parking lot. I just need to finish my reports then we'll leave later!"

Nick looked at my computer and got curious about my email.

"It looks like you and Hailey have constant communication already!"

I smiled at Nick. "Yes hehe!" I said.

Nick arranged his things as he spoke. "But I hope you and Hailey enjoy your bonding. I will going now, stay safe?"

"Take care, you too!"

Our other work colleagues have also went their way and I am the only one left in the office. I turned off my pc and I went comfort room for a while. As I entered the toilet, there were two women who entered, gossiping about someone. 

I put my ears on the wall to listen to them. I guess they are gossiping about me.

"Cathy, do you know the new girl in the marketing department?"

"Is that the arrogant one? I have a feeling that woman is a whore!"

I was really offended with what I heard. I could not accept that they called me something I am not. I guess, you really can't please anyone. 

"It looks like She's going to steal Nick and used Hailey to be promoted!"

"You know, I don't care if she become close with the arrogant boss. But just try to flirt with Nick, I'll show her my bad side!"

"Didn't Nick rejected you?"

"If Nick couldn't be with me, I don't want him to be with anyone else. Especially with that woman. What's her name again?"

"I've heard her name is Stella. She became quite famous because she saved the President who had a heart attack!"

I've heard their footsteps weakening, an indication that they were no longer in the comfort room. I came out and admitted that I was hurt by what I heard.