This must be the most unluckiest day in Kelly Smith's life.
"Kelly, the director wants you to come to his office," Teresa said to her with a smug look as she knocked on Kelly's desk.
Kelly ignored her. Every time Teresa showed up, it was never for something good. Kelly had no clue why she had offended this so-called "big shot". She had been giving her trouble for the past few days.
Teresa was a relative of Kelly's boss, allegedly some distant cousin. She claimed to everyone that she was the boss's relative, but the exact nature of their relationship became a questionable topic.
A month ago, Teresa joined the company. The girl was particularly strange and arrogant, ignoring everyone. That would still be fine since she probably had given up her youth for her career. Having a do-nothing in such a big company would not be a big issue. The key issue was that she might be a bit crazy, thinking herself as highly capable and excellent at her job. She believed that she did everything better than anyone else, hence she often bossed around in the company. Given her status, everyone tolerated her, simply turning a blind eye to her actions whenever possible, just putting up with it.
Life is tough, this is reality.
However, Kelly was different from others. She didn't care if you were the boss's relative or not. She simply focused on her work and had no intention of sucking up to Teresa. Probably, that's why Teresa bore a grudge against Kelly, feeling that she was ignored and disrespected. People like Teresa are typical snobs; they flatter those in power and step on those who are beneath them.
Such people, in fact, are quite pitiful; they need others' flattery to boost their fragile self-esteem and to hide their inferiority. But this aligns with an old saying, there's something despicable about every pitiful person.
Last time a big contract came in. For such a big case, the company naturally wouldn't let Teresa mess around and ultimately used Kelly's project proposal. This incident was like a spark igniting Teresa's resentment towards her. Teresa always preferred to deliberately create trouble and set traps for her.
In reality, it had little to do with Kelly since the client specifically requested her to take up the project. But Teresa was clueless about it. All she knew was that something that should have been her own glory was snatched away by Kelly.
What the hell is going on? Kelly thought to herself.
"I advise you to better go home. Otherwise, you might find it hard to save face," Teresa taunted.
Kelly simply ignored her and walked past into the director's office. With such people, the best method is to ignore them because they can't jump around by themselves for too long.
"Kelly!"
Kelly stared in puzzlement at Jerald Wilson, who was banging on the table as soon as he entered.
"Do you know where you went wrong?"
Kelly shook her head in confusion.
"I don't know. How would I know what you mean when you bang the table the moment you come in?" Kelly muttered to herself.
Jerald just stared at her silently, passing her a file. He motioned her to open it and take a look.
Kelly took out the paper from the file and found a plan that was identical to her own.
"I did not betray the company."
"I know you wouldn't, but the evidence is right here in front of us. What good is it if only I trust you? So, what are you going to do next?" Jerald carried on talking as Kelly kept her silence.
Kelly had been a long-term employee of the company, and Jerald was well aware of her character. So, he was not worried at all that Kelly would betray the company.
"I will resign. Once I resign, this incident will have nothing to do with the company. I will take all the responsibility myself.”
Having worked with Jerald for so long, Kelly had an inkling of what he was thinking. He simply wanted to use this opportunity to thoroughly crush their opponent, catching them unawares. The so-called mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind it. While Kelly had been through a lot in business, she had no interest in using such means. It was the reason why she, despite her strong capabilities, still remained a low-level employee.
"What if I tell you there's another way out?" Director Jerald looked at her somewhat exasperatedly.
"I did not copy, and I will not admit to copying. I will not apologize to some people with ulterior motives." Kelly didn't need to guess how Jerald would resolve this. He would pretend to appease others by acting as if she plagiarized the proposal, apologize to them privately and then turn the tables when they let down their guard.
"You..."
"This wouldn't have happened if it weren't for me. So, I will bear all the responsibility."
Kelly spoke and prepared to leave. "By the way, Director Wilson. You better think about who leaked this plan. If something happens again, our company won't have someone as nice as me. Don't let one rotten apple spoil the whole barrel."
Being framed in her company was something she could have resolved by just coordinating with Jerald. But Kelly was stubborn. If it was not her fault, she would never admit it. No one would tolerate her audacious challenge to authority.
And so, she was fired.
Kelly aimlessly walked on the street, carrying a cardboard box. She didn't know where to go. Her lease had just expired the day before. She was planning to use this month's salary to pay for the rent, now it seemed she might end up homeless again.
Should she go home? Since Neal, her father married that woman, home was not 'home' anymore.
Her good friend Arlene was preparing for her wedding, surely she couldn't disturb her at this moment.
Just then, two excited girls walked past Kelly, discussing something fervently.
"Do you know? Zade Alston just announced his relationship."
"What? My darling husband, just like that, flew away with someone else?"
Kelly didn't quite catch what they were saying afterwards. But upon hearing that Zade announced his relationship, her world began to spin. It felt as if the world was no longer beautiful. Her heart ached. So, you too found your happiness? That's really nice.
With melancholy, Kelly stood on the street and wept.
She hadn't cried when she was framed by others. She hadn't cried when she was unceremoniously kicked out of her job. But, when she heard about Zade's relationship, Kelly completely collapsed.
Many people might not understand the obsession of fans. Why would they adore someone they can never touch? Buying all magazines he is featured in, even if it's just a mere mention of his name. Searching all around for his merchandise, joining every single fan club related to him, endeavoring to attend every one of his concerts, smiling like a fool at just a glimpse of his photo. Wholeheartedly loving him even though he has no idea that a girl like her exists in this world. Simply loving him in this stubborn way. When she had once predicted how she would feel at the announcement of his relationship, she had not expected the reality to be so harsh. The more she loved, the more her heart ached. Maybe for Kelly, it was more than just idol admiration, it was like a maiden's secret crush on her senior.
To Kelly, he was a god. Had she not fallen for his warm smile, she may have left with her mom when her dad remarried.
Kelly's mother died in a car accident. It was at this dark time when she needed company, her father, Neal, brought home a woman and introduced her as Kelly's mom. Her real mom had barely been dead a month. During that time, Kelly hoped that it was just a dream, that everything would return to normal when she wakes up. So she hovered between life and death, even contemplating suicide. That's when Zade came into her life.
Standing on stage singing songs, facing a sea of crowd below. Even when eliminated, he continued to smile. That young boy looked remarkably tenacious. His final smile and deep bow entered Kelly's heart and since then, she continued to follow him. Over the past few years, Kelly observed him growing and becoming better. More people began to like him, and he excelled more and more. He was now a sought-after star in the entertainment industry.
Being lost in thought, Kelly didn't notice a van coming towards her from the opposite direction.
The pain engulfed her in a moment, which surprisingly gave Kelly some relief. Whatever, this was sort of good. Anyway, she had lost her fondness for this world. Neal wouldn't shed a single tear for her, that woman had just bore him a son after all. Whenever she went home, Kelly always felt like a stranger. As for Zade, he had a girlfriend looking after him now, he should be happy. Only, her promise to serve as Arlene's bridesmaid could not be fulfilled. Thinking of Arlene in her white wedding gown, Kelly closed her eyes.
Goodbye, world.
