New Life : A Second Chance

Curious, Yan pushed the keyboard aside after making sure Sarah had long gone.

Her eyes widened at the pictures and she gasped, putting her hand over her mouth.

There were two pictures there. Both were of Sarah, and … and … their CEO?!

One picture was of them walking hand-in-hand at a public park somewhere, with the CEO looking at her lovingly. The second picture had her and the CEO sitting at the beach, with Sarah inbetween the CEO's legs while he hugged her. It was a side profile picture, but their features could clearly be seen.

Yan's mind felt like it had exploded.

Never before had she seen such a loving gaze from the CEO. It was obvious that this was a very loving relationship.

The rumour flashed in her mind and she gasped again.

Sarah was A?!

Yan hurriedly covered the photographs again with the keyboard.

The fact that Sarah hid it meant that she was not going to reveal her past relationship with the CEO. The only way to find out was to dig it out of her. 

"I'm ready!" Sarah said as she came back with a smile, "Sorry to keep you waiting."

"Ah? No no," Yan said, a bit flustered, "Let's go!"

As they sat eating at the cafeteria, Yan casually brought up the question, "Sarah, you're so young and capable. Pretty, too. Don't you have a boyfriend?"

Yan noted the flash of pain that hit Sarah, who then looked down at her food as she shook her head, "No."

"Come on, I can't believe that," Yan prodded.

"No, it's true," Sarah said.

"Not even one?" Yan continued to press on, "That's so hard to believe."

Sarah gave a rueful smile and looked up at Yan, "Why the twenty questions? Planning to set me up or something?"

"Ye-ess…" Yan could only say, wondering how else to bring up the subject without arousing her suspicion.

"Don't bother," Sarah said, "I thank you, but I'm not really looking."

"But why not?" 

"If you must know, I was in a relationship before. We almost got married even. He had proposed and all," Sarah said, putting down her fork. She clasped her hands together, gripping them tightly.

"What happened?" Yan had to ask, her curiosity at its peak.

"Life," Sarah said, "Fate. Whatever you call it. He was on a business trip, and had taken a bit too much to drink I suppose. I don't know. He doesn't either. All I know is that he woke up after one drinking session with a naked woman beside him."

"NO!" gasped out Yan, "He cheated on you?!"

Sarah gave a sad smile, "That's the worst part. He can't remember a thing. He doesn't know what happened and he didn't think he drank so much. He felt so guilty that he confessed to me the very next day. He called me up all the way from Country M, apologizing while crying so much."

Sarah's voice quivered, "I forgave him, of course. I knew and trusted him. But who knew? That one-night stand resulted in her getting pregnant."

"GOSH!" Yan exclaimed and then closed her mouth, "That's terrible!"

Sarah took a deep breath, "Him being him, he had to take responsibility. So, we broke up."

A tear fell from Sarah's eyes and she quickly wiped it.

"Oh, Sarah, I'm so sorry," Yan said, completely apologetic for dredging up the sad past but yet, at the same time, completely excited over this news.

Sarah gave a sad smile, "So you see, I'm not quite ready to move on yet. I couldn't hold him back because that sense of responsibility is one of the reasons why I love him so much. I wish him all the happiness."

Yan nodded, and didn't ask more as she continued to eat while her mind was churning.

It was true! Sarah was A!

The rumour was true! B was Kyle, and C was Sayuri. The whole thing fit so much!

Their CEO had gone to Country M for some business trip … and Ms. Sayuri had gone along as well. It was obvious what had happened. But why was the CEO … an idea formed in her mind.

Her impression of Sayuri dropped as she looked at the sweet, kind and gentle woman who was obviously nursing a broken heart.

One thing still bothered her though so she asked, "What made you choose Smith Industries to work? With your qualifications, you could have worked anywhere."

"Isn't Smith Industries the best?" Sarah countered, "Of course I would want to work here because of it."

Yan could have hit herself on the forehead with such a stupid question. How else could she ask then, without revealing that she knew Sarah had been in a relationship with their CEO?

Why would Sarah work here and subject herself to such torture?

"Silly me," Yan said with a laugh, "It's just that, after your story, I thought you came here to get away from your ex."

"The opposite, actually," Sarah replied.

Yan was surprised. Was Sarah going to confess that her ex was Kyle? 

"You mean, your ex works here?" Yan said, feigning disbelief and shock.

Sarah forced out a laugh, "Let's just say, nearby. I feel that the best way to heal is to see him in his new life. I don't want to stand in his way and would never be the third wheel or home wrecker. I just need to see him happy. He doesn't even know I'm here."

"Oh, gosh, Sarah, why are you torturing yourself like this? Isn't it better to just go somewhere else, far far away?"

"Smith Industries is the best," Sarah repeated, "Why should I stifle my future and career, just because I had a failed relationship?"

Yan had no answer to that. Sarah had a point. The rest of the meal was finished in an awkward silence.

When they went back to their respective cubicles, Yan couldn't help but think that Sarah was really a strong and virtuous girl.