章 29: Pre-Wedding Party
"Knock knock!" Daniel playfully interrupted, teasing Sarah who appeared lost in her own thoughts.
"Yes, Mr. Daniel," Sarah quickly stood up. "Is there something I can assist you with?"
Sarah's immediate response brought a disbelieving chuckle from Daniel. "Nope, it's already lunchtime, and you're the only one remaining. Let's go grab lunch together, my treat," he said with a smile.
"Oh no," Sarah hastily waved her hands, declining Daniel's offer. "Thank you, Mr. Daniel, but I'm not hungry." Her lips formed a smile, but her eyes failed to reflect the same sentiment. Despite her attempt to hide it, the signs of her swollen eyes from crying the previous night were noticeable to Daniel's observant gaze.
"Oh, really?" Daniel leaned against the cubicle, resting his arms on it. "Same here. I don't really feel like eating either. How about we have some dessert instead?" he suggested, determined to lift her spirits.
"No thanks, Mr. Daniel. I don't have much of an appetite right now," Sarah replied, her attempt at a forced smile betraying her awkwardness. Daniel's expression turned to a frown, sensing something was amiss.
"Are you okay?" Daniel couldn't suppress his curiosity any longer. Initially, he had considered pretending not to notice, but he couldn't ignore the fact that she didn't seem alright.
Sarah's lips formed another forced smile, attempting to curve upward. She consciously widened her eyes, hoping to convey a brighter expression. "I'm perfectly fine, Mr. Daniel," she exclaimed with exaggerated enthusiasm. "I've never felt better! Maybe it's because I indulged in some midnight instant noodles. My face might look a bit puffy, don't you think?" She let out a giggle, holding onto her cheeks while trying to mask her underlying unease.
Sensing Sarah's discomfort, Daniel decided not to press further and dropped the subject. "Alright then, I'll step out and grab a snack. If you happen to feel like eating anything later, just shoot me a text, okay?" He winked playfully and scrunching his nose, trying to lighten the mood.
Sarah nodded, her smile now sincere and genuine. "Sure, thanks for your offer, Mr. Daniel," she said gratefully as she settled back into her seat once Daniel left the office.
About twenty minutes later, Sarah's phone rang, and her voice filled with excitement as she answered the call from her best friend, Weyna. "Hello? Have you been discharged?"
"Hmm, just arrived home," Weyna responded briefly, her voice reflecting her lingering weakness. "Where are you?"
"Still at work, of course," Sarah replied. "Are you feeling alright?"
Weyna replied with a light hum. "I have to be okay, right?" She let out a giggle, attempting to conceal the sadness that was welling up inside her.
"I'll come over after work, alright?" Sarah reassured, sensing Weyna's struggle to hold back her tears.
"Sarah!" Maya's voice called out from the reception counter. "You received a package."
"Weyna, I'll call you back later," Sarah quickly ended the call.
Making her way to the counter, Sarah paused in front of a box placed on top. "Who is it from?" she asked Maya, turning towards her.
"I don't know, I just arrived and it was already here," Maya replied. She then handed Sarah a small paper bag. "I got some bread from the bakery across the road," she said with a smile.
Sarah's lips curved into a pout, feeling touched by Maya's thoughtful gesture. "Thank you so much," she expressed her gratitude.
"You're welcome!" Maya cheerfully walked back into the office space, leaving Sarah to examine the box.
Sarah inspected the box, searching for any sender information, but found it empty. Frowning, she double-checked her name to ensure it was indeed intended for her.
Carefully carried the box to her seat, her curiosity piqued by its contents. With caution, she opened the box, peering inside to see what was within. To her surprise, she found a plain white dress neatly tucked inside. She lifted the dress out of the box, examining it with curiosity.
"What's with the white dress? Are you getting married?" Maya's voice came from the neighbouring cubicle, filled with curiosity.
Sarah shook her head in confusion, her gaze still fixed on the white satin dress. "I don't know," she replied, contemplating her next steps. "Should I return it?"
"Check for more, maybe there's something else inside," Maya suggested, offering a possible solution to the mystery.
Following Maya's advice, Sarah carefully examined the contents of the box once again. To her surprise, she discovered an invitation card beneath the dress. As she read the words written on the card, Sarah's expression changed.
In frustration, she tossed the card back into the box alongside the dress. Closing her eyes, she let out a scoff, feeling annoyed by what she had just read.
"What is it?" Maya stood up, her curiosity aroused as she observed Sarah's sudden action.
Sarah let out a heavy sigh, her frustration clear in her voice. "Nothing, someone is just messing with me," she replied, feeling exasperated by the situation.
The office hour drew to a close, Sarah's gaze shifted towards the box she had set aside on the floor. The card she had read earlier turned out to be an invitation to Noah and Grace's pre-wedding party. Sarah's emotions surged within her as she recalled the contents of the note that had accompanied the invitation.
"I wish to introduce you to everyone," the words were etched beneath Noah's name, and they sparked a mix of anger and confusion within her. It became evident to Sarah that Noah had been using her as a means to escape his impending marriage to Grace.
A sense of defiance welled up within Sarah as she contemplated her options. She no longer wanted to be a part of Noah's life or his plans, but the contract they had signed still bound her to their arrangement. The thought of breaking free and running away crossed her mind.
"Should I just run?" she pondered, her heart beating faster with the exhilarating possibility of escaping the confines of the contract.
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