Chapter 5 Everything Connect to Be A Dot

The sound of running tap water echoed in the bathroom. In front of the full-length mirror, Patricia looked at her own reflection. It had been five minutes since the break bell rang that Patricia had been here. For five minutes Patricia washed her hands without stopping.

The coldness that should have pierced the skin had no effect on Patricia's skin at that moment. Her mind had been wandering all over the place since her head became a broken record. She repeatedly shook her head and closed her eyes, trying to get rid of the memory loop.

But things in life often don't go our way.

When one of her eyes was accidentally splashed with water, Patricia realized that she had taken too long to wash her hands. She finished washing her hands as she hissed and wiped her eyes, turned off the tap, let out a long breath as if releasing something stuck in her chest.

'Shut up, Patricia, shut up,' Patricia said to herself. She looked back at her own face in the mirror. But all she saw was someone else. There was another look in the pair of eyes in front of her, the look of someone she didn't want to meet.

Patricia quickly looked away, regulating her messy breathing rhythm, before finally stepping out of the bathroom.

Break time had the hallway full of employees. Patricia looked around, occasionally stepping out of the way because she was almost hit by an employee who was rushing around trying to figure out what to do.

But this time, I don't know what wind made her descend to the lobby floor to find several employees looking at her sarcastically. They all knew that Patricia had been brought by Bram-the CEO.

Stupid you, Patricia! Stupid indeed, she thought as she walked along, grimacing. Her behavior of tapping her forehead unconsciously made the other employees around her look at her strangely.

"Stupid, Patricia. Bo-"

"Hey, you Patricia-" Someone's voice turned into a surprised shout along with Patricia's surprised reaction.

Patricia stopped walking. She and the person in front of her, whom she already recognized as Bram's personal secretary, aka Yoshua.

They widened their eyes at each other, and soon Patricia breathed a sigh of relief.

"Oh my, I... was surprised by your reaction," said Yoshua, who had suddenly appeared in front of Patricia with an unexpected expression and a chuckle.

Patricia smiled awkwardly. "Sorry, Mr. Yoshua, I was startled earlier."

Laughing, the man with the tag name Yoshua said, "Take it easy. It's also my fault for appearing suddenly like a ghost. By the way, I was being very serious, I was looking for you earlier."

Patricia's eyebrows raised, as if asking what he meant.

"There was a call from Mrs. Rossy earlier. You were told to go to the Creative Division Head's room. There was an order from Mr. Bram that was handed over to Mrs. Rossy for you."

"Teacher's room?" Patricia wondered if she had done anything wrong or anything else that would warrant her being called to the Creative Division Head's Room.

Usually, the head of the division only called the older employees because they were more familiar with the jobdesk. At least they were also more used to the pressure. But now-

"What... did I do wrong?"

Joshua smiled. "No, Patricia. There's something, but I can't tell you here. Let's go to Mrs. Rossy's office."

"Eh, eh," Patricia glared as Yoshua walked up next to her and grabbed her by both shoulders to turn her around in the direction of Mrs. Rossy's office.

"Wait a minute, I really didn't make a mistake?" asked Patricia again, trying to look back and turn around but Yoshua, who was standing behind her, held Patricia's body that was about to turn around.

Is there really no mistake?

***

"A New York International Fashion Week Competition?"

Patricia was stunned as Mrs. Rossy explained the purpose of summoning her to this room. Patricia's gaze was a mixture of disbelief and wonder. In front of her, Mrs. Rossy looked at her with a sweet curved smile and both hands folded on the table. Mrs. Rossy's eyes looked at Patricia expectantly. Patricia, however, grimaced unpleasantly as she shook her head.

"But I'm only a new employee, Mrs. Rossy, I doubt I can do that," Patricia said in a hesitant tone. She still couldn't believe what Mrs. Rossy had said a moment ago.

After sighing, Patricia repeated, "S-I'm a representative of this company?"

In her heart, Patricia was hoping that Mrs. Rossy would say no and change her mind. Instead, Mrs. Rossy smiled, nodding her head. Patricia's chest felt heavy. Her breath came out. Patricia began to imagine that she was the only representative from the language department.

For some reason, worry creeps into her heart when she remembers some names. How would they react if I became the representative?

After all, who would support Patricia if she had no one?

"I can't, Mrs. Rossy," Patricia whispered. "I'm not the right one."

Mrs. Rossy watched Patricia more intensely. Within seconds, she noticed the worried look on Patricia's face. Indecision was evident in those dark eyes. Not knowing what Patricia was thinking, Mrs. Rossy again said calmly.

"Patricia. I usually choose employees who are very experienced in this company. But Mr. Bram chose you, and he has already shown me your portfolio as a writer for the AlbyFashion company magazine."

A pause for Patricia. The feeling of indignation did not stay in her heart for long. She looked at Mrs. Rossy as if to assure her that she was not the one. Instead, Mrs. Rossy gave her a single nod and a serious look. Patricia should have remembered that Mrs. Rossy never changed her mind because Mrs. Rossy had her reasons.

What if the expectations placed on her shoulders ended up not matching the actual events?

"My writing was even rejected by the media, Mrs. Rossy."

Mrs. Rossy chuckled. "Maybe they can't judge what's good yet," joked the woman with small-rimmed glasses on the bridge of her nose. Knowing her joke did not affect Patricia, Mrs. Rossy continued-now serious, "I believe you, Patricia. So does Mr. Bram. After all, you'll be teaming up with experienced employees. Why are you so hesitant?"

"Did Mrs. Rossy not make the wrong choice?"

"Hm..." Mrs. Rossy looked thoughtful. "Isn't right or wrong a matter for later, Patricia? All you know now is that I trust you."

And that's the problem. So thought Patricia. For someone who had enough of her own expectations, she really disliked being given expectations from others. The realization that expectations would lead to disappointment would only give Patricia room to blame herself. Patricia wondered what if Mrs. Rossy would be burdened with disappointment?

"I've said enough of what you wanted to talk about. You can go back to class, Patricia."

Patricia smiled slightly. After nodding and greeting, Patricia left Mrs. Rossy's presence-Yoshua was still here on business, she said. But before reaching the door, Patricia's steps were halted when someone suddenly appeared from behind the door in the opposite direction to Patricia, about to enter this room. Patricia, who was looking down, jerked back two steps.

Looking at the man who had almost hit her, Patricia was wide-eyed. Patricia's body moved stiffly. A tall man with sharp eyes and an unfriendly look on his face. Patricia recognized the man in front of her now. She blinked repeatedly, trying to wake herself up. Maybe this was a dream or Patricia was just imagining things. But how could Patricia suddenly fantasize about this man?

Patricia shook her head, turning her gaze in another direction. Her lips chanted a prayer. Who knew that what was in front of her right now was just a genie incarnate-

"Have you spoken to Mrs. Rossy?"

Hearing that heavy, somewhat sarcastic voice, Patricia gasped a second time. Recognizing the irritation on the man's face-even though it was covered by a flat expression, Patricia quickly stepped aside. In her heart, Patricia cursed her stupidity that instead of giving way, she remained there.

Staring straight at Patricia, he sighed. Before the man actually entered this room, he had stopped stepping right next to Patricia. Patricia's body did not move at all, did not turn her head. The man's heavy voice began to whisper something.

"Why did you come here too, Mr. Bram?"

"My question has not yet been answered."

"I spoke to Mrs. Rossy," Patricia replied.

"Then you agree?"

Patricia frowned at that.

"If you agree, you will be a team under my leadership," Bram said firmly with no hesitation on his face.

Patricia was shocked, she didn't have time to answer, she just looked up until he was out of sight, until her sense of smell picked up the scent of men's perfume.

The scent lingered even though Bram was already a few steps ahead. Only then, Patricia turned her gaze to follow the direction of the man's steps which ended up approaching Mrs. Rossy. Handing over a document containing papers of some kind.

After squinting her eyes in curiosity, Patricia then realized one thing. The woman's eyes were bulging.

Wait. So Patricia was going to team up with that man?!