Chapter 33: Going through Menopause

Vera Wave gripped the contract in her hand, her fingers tightening, her small teeth gnashing audibly. After a moment, she composed herself, her smile returning. "Alright, the Kade Building, huh? I’ll make sure to have a double seat reserved for you." This time, it was Kris Cooper’s turn to be astonished. He had initially thought the young girl would fly into a rage. He never imagined she would accept this contract so calmly. Vera Wave clasped the contract, then gave him a little wave. "See you at noon, Manager Cooper!" Kris Cooper watched in bemusement as Vera turned and left his office, cheerily shutting the door behind her. The moment the door closed, the smile on Vera’s face instantly vanished, replaced by furious anger. She clenched her small fists, punched the air forcefully a few times, then gritted her teeth and muttered, "Damn you, Kris Cooper! Just you wait!" She had already signed the contract; what was done was done. Nothing she could say now would change a thing. However, she wasn’t about to take this lying down. "Fulfill all his requirements?" HMPH! He thought a contract would make her obedient? Well, she’d just see how long he could tolerate her! She stuffed the contract into her bag and headed for the Administration Department. She had just stepped inside, intending to ask for directions, when someone called out her name in an excited, pleasant voice. "Vera!" Isla Hawskin ran up to her excitedly. "Did you pass your interview?" After receiving the call yesterday, Vera had updated Isla Hawskin on her interview progress. Isla, naturally, hadn’t expected Kris Cooper to assign Vera to the Administration Department; she had assumed Vera was just dropping by for a visit. Before Vera could respond, Isla, already glancing nervously from side to side, pulled her towards the main entrance of the Administration Department. "Let’s talk over here so Emily Baker doesn’t see us. Otherwise, she’ll find an excuse to make a fuss." Isla shook Vera’s arm. "So, how did the interview go?" Vera looked exasperated. "You have to give me a chance to speak!" "Okay, okay! Spill it!" Vera smiled. "I passed. And I’m in the same department as you—the Administration Department." "No way!" Isla was so excited she nearly jumped. "That’s fantastic! But... weren’t you interviewing for a graphic designer position? How did you end up in the Administration Department?" "When I went to the Design Department, they told me they didn’t have any such positions open this year. They sent me to the Publicity Department, and somehow I ended up here." Vera briefly explained the situation, omitting any mention of Kris Cooper. She rarely discussed her personal affairs with others, and hiring an escort wasn’t exactly something to broadcast. "I see. So, it doesn’t quite match your major, but that’s normal. Not many people these days get to work in their field of study. Besides, now we can work together every day. That’s not bad." Vera smiled. "Indeed. By the way, the interviewer told me to report here. Who should I look for?" "Emily Baker. She’s the supervisor of the Administration Department. You’ll need to find her." Isla leaned in closer. "That woman is going through menopause, and her husband just left her for a mistress a few days ago. She despises pretty girls, so you’d better watch out." AHEM! As soon as Isla finished speaking, a sharp, somewhat shrill female voice sounded from behind them. "It’s working hours. What do you think you’re doing, loitering around?" Isla discreetly pursed her lips, but when she turned around, her face was wreathed in smiles. "Manager Baker, this is our department’s new employee. She didn’t know who to report to, so I was just explaining it to her." At this, Vera had also turned around.