Chapter 2

Rose Greyson

Mom spared me a glance and nodded her head slightly, silently telling me to behave. A middle-aged woman welcomed us with a smile. “Good morning, Mrs. Greyson,” she greeted my mom.

“Good morning to you too, Mrs. Elizabeth. I’m finally here,” Mom replied, shaking the woman’s hand. They seemed to know each other.

I was standing there, my eyes darting from left to right, and they had completely forgotten about me. “Oh, sorry, I haven’t introduced my daughter. Rose,” Mom said, her voice filled with pride.

“Good morning, ma’am,” I said, throwing my greeting.

“Morning, dear. It’s good to see you. Your mother finally brought you to my school,” the woman said, turning to Mom and flashing her a smile.

“I’ve already made all the necessary preparations. Department of Human Resources, right?” Mrs. Elizabeth asked.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“All right. Your first lecture starts in the next fifteen minutes or so. You can go to the lecture. Your mom and I will finish the rest.”

“Here,” she handed me a leaflet. “This will help you find your way to the department. It consists of all the departments, and if you get lost, you can ask anyone. It won’t be hard to locate.”

“Thank you, ma’am. So, I will get going.”

“Take care, dear. Remember what I told you,” she said.

I only forced out a smile before walking out of the office. I released a sigh as soon as I was outside, checking the leaflet the woman gave me. From which direction should I start looking for the department of human resources? I’m not that good with locations. I might get lost on the way. However, it’s not bad to try.

I followed my instincts and went toward the right side. I was surprised to see the surroundings quiet. Maybe everyone was in class. As I walked a few miles, I began to see the department in view. A sigh left my lips.

“You made it, Rose!” I muttered to myself, letting out a grin.

“You’re new here?”

I literally flinched at the unfamiliar female voice behind me. I would say she looked around my height. Her blonde hair was done in two buns on the side. She blew out her bubble gum as she stared at me.

“Um… Yeah,” I let out, composing myself.

“I’m Nora, by the way.” She offered her hand out.

I was undoubtedly surprised at her action. My eyes lingered on her outstretched hand for a while, then back to her. She raised her brows, urging me.

“I’m Rose, Rose Greyson.” I don’t even know why I told her my full name. I bet I’m used to it; whenever someone asked for my name, I told them my full name.

She shook my hand, which lasted for a few seconds. “Heading to that department?” she asked, gesturing to the department a few steps away from us.

“Yes, I was actually on my way there.”

“I’m also heading there.”

As we made our way toward the department, Nora began telling me about the school, the department, and her life. She told me everything about herself in less than ten minutes. I’m not usually the talkative one, especially when I’m in a new environment.

Nora pushed the entrance door open, and we almost bumped into someone. She didn’t even check what she had done and continued with her never-ending story. I managed to apologize to the person, forming my lips into a thin line.

“As I was saying, you will enjoy this school. Our department is known for intelligent and brilliant students. And you look like an intelligent person to me,” she said, walking while I followed her lead.

We stopped in front of a door with “Lecture Hall” written on top.

Nora turned to me. “Are you ready to start your new journey in the Human Resources Department?” she said.

Whether I’m ready or not, there’s no going back. I’m destined to be part of it.

“Yes,” was the only thing I let out of my mouth.

Nora pushed the door open, and my eyes were graced with a considerable number of people in the hall. It was quiet, and everyone was concentrating on the lecture. No one seemed to notice us. But then, that changed when the lecturer’s voice resonated out of the microphone, and all eyes turned to us.

“You are late again, Nora,” his voice echoed throughout the room.

I was nervous as hell and couldn’t look around. My face was fixed straight ahead.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Andrews. It won’t happen again,” Nora said.

“Of course, that’s what you always say. Very soon, I will suspend you from coming to my class.”

“I’m—”

“I don’t want to hear any more apologies from you. Go get a seat.”

Nora pulled me by the wrist, and we grabbed the empty seats at the far end. Thank God for the projector and microphone the lecturer was using. Without them, I wouldn’t have been able to see or hear anything.

The lecture ended in an unpleasant way. Nora wouldn’t allow me to concentrate, whispering to me every now and then. She literally knew half of the guys in the class. Why must she be the first person I met?

“We have twenty minutes before our next class. Do you want to go grab a coffee?” Nora asked as we exited the lecture hall.

“Actually, I’m heading to the Dean’s office. I have to sign some papers,” I lied.

“It’s all right then. See you later.” Before I could reply, she sprinted away.

I heaved a sigh of relief as I watched her disappear. “God saved you, Rose,” I muttered, finding my way out. I needed to get some fresh air. Just a few hours into school, yet I felt like I had spent ten hours.

I fished out my phone while I descended the three blocks of stairs outside the entrance. My mom had messaged me earlier, and I didn’t get to answer. I did that while walking.

“Ouch!” I hissed when a sharp pain shot through my chest. I rubbed the area smoothly. I barely took two more steps when the pain came again, this time feeling like a knife had been pierced into my heart. I tried to walk toward a bench, yet my legs were too weak to move.

“Argh!” I muffled out a not-so-loud shout when something struck my head like a lightning bolt. My hand was still secured on my heart area as I went down on my knees.

“Hello?”

“Are you okay?” I heard faint unknown voices atop my head.

However, I was in so much pain I couldn’t look around my surroundings. My vision began turning blurry, and before I knew it, darkness engulfed me.

***

I opened my eyes to a blank, white ceiling, which was unfamiliar to me. I shifted my gaze to the side.

“You’re finally awake,” an unfamiliar guy said, smiling.

“Where am I? Who are you?” I bombarded him with questions all at once, trying to sit up.

“No, don’t. Your body is still weak,” he said, gently pushing me back. And as he said, I was still weak and felt a little pain in my chest.

“Who are you?” I repeated, assessing him. He looked calm and composed yet alarming to me.

“You don’t have to worry about who I am. Just rest, Miss Rose Greyson McCarthy.”

Like someone whose mind was being controlled, I listened to the stranger as he gave me instructions and closed my eyes, falling into yet another darkness of mine.