Chapter 32: Ansel complained to Nika
Ansel had thought that he would never meet Erica again. However, fate seemed to play a trick on him. After their encounter in the men’s restroom, Ansel ran into Erica a few more times in different places within the company. A typical example was when Erica came to clean Ansel’s private workspace.
Erica, who was working, began to feel restless and finally spoke up:
“Do you feel any abnormal signs in your body?” Erica timidly asked, “Something like dizziness, lightheadedness, headache…?”
Ansel, who was reading a report, stopped and turned his gaze toward Erica. Ansel’s gaze was not friendly at all. He seemed uncomfortable with Erica’s presence.
“What if I do? What if I don’t? What does it have to do with you?” Ansel responded with challenging questions, his tone filled with arrogance.
“If yes, you should go to the hospital for a check-up,” Erica immediately reiterated.
Ansel felt exasperation wash over him. He wanted to scream in the face of Erica’s stubbornness and recalcitrance.
“Listen to me…”
“Stay quiet and focus on your work,” Ansel interrupted loudly, startling Erica.
“If you dare say another word, I will personally guarantee your immediate dismissal from the company without a dime of compensation,” Ansel said sharply, his eyes burning so fiercely that he had a really scary look.
Erica flinched for a moment, involuntarily swallowing hard, and then complied with Ansel’s words. She focused on her tasks, avoiding any further glances at her boss.
…
Throughout the day, Erica kept trying to convince Ansel. Erica’s persistence drove Ansel to the point of going insane.
“What’s wrong? You look like you’re sulking the whole world.” Nika curiously asked Ansel At this moment, they were sitting in the company’s café on the ground floor.
“I’m being stalked,” Ansel revealed with frustration.
“What’s the story? Is it a person stalking you, or is it a ghost or a demon?” Nika asked excitedly, eager to delve deeper into the situation.
“A crazy woman.” Ansel sighed, speaking with exasperation.
“Who has made you like this?” Nika suddenly became excited, wanting to understand the situation clearly. His eyes lit up as he stared intently at Ansel.
“You probably know her too,” Ansel replied nonchalantly. “There won’t be any surprises.”
“Oh, do I know that person too? Who is it?” Nika exclaimed in surprise.
“It’s the girl who chased after our car a few days ago,” Ansel replied with annoyance, continuing to sigh. He had never felt as exhausted as he did today. Avoiding Erica drained a lot of Ansel’s energy.
“It’s that girl, huh?” Nika exclaimed as memories of Erica suddenly rushed back. Then he looked bored, his voice a little regretful: “Too bad I don’t remember her name or what she looks like.”
“Would you like me to help you remember?” Ansel proposed, his tone slightly sinister. “In less than three seconds, her detestable face will appear vividly in your mind.”
“‘How is that?” Nika asked innocently.
With a smirk of arrogance, Ansel raised his thumb and swiftly pointed it behind him, saying in a mocking tone, “Just look behind me.”
“What for?” Nika looked at Ansel intently with a puzzled expression.
“Just do as I say,” Ansel urged, and Nika obediently followed Ansel’s instruction. After a while of observing and repeatedly shifting his gaze, Nika didn’t notice anything and felt a bit uncomfortable.
“What are you trying to say, Ansel? I did as you asked, but I didn’t see anything.”
Nika was in the middle of complaining when Ansel cut him off.
“Just look closely, and you’ll see a crazy woman right in front of us.”
Nika followed Ansel’s instructions and continued to look. Then he was taken aback as he saw Erica-the woman was indeed peeking from behind a flower pot. She was looking directly at him. Looking towards Ansel, to be exact.
“What is she doing here? Don’t tell me…” Nika expressed his suspicion but suddenly stopped as he noticed the uniform Erica was wearing. “Is she a cleaning staff member for AB Company?”
“I doubt her motives for coming here.” Ansel made a blunt comment: “It is unusual for an employee like her to dare to pursue the boss so persistently. It is even more strange when she is a cleaning worker.”
“You mean that girl has bad intentions?” Nika concluded, “She could be an insider or a spy.”
“I don’t know. But there’s a possibility. Ansel said it nonchalantly. He is not sure of the answer.
“So what happened? What did that girl do to you? Have you talked to her yet?” Nika asked rapidly with a worried expression, rather than being curious as before.
“I was quite surprised when I encountered her at the company,” Ansel admitted. “And it happened in a rather absurd situation.”
“How did it happen?
“We coincidentally bumped into each other in front of the men’s restroom,” Ansel recounted the incident, feeling it was best not to provide too many specific details. Furthermore, he decided to adjust the narrative to minimize annoyance.
“What happened next?”
“You won’t be surprised. She started spouting nonsensical things, making me furious,” Ansel replied, his frustration evident.
“Nonsensical things about your death?” Nika asked: “Have you been to the hospital yet?”
“That’s right,” Ansel confirmed, her tone indignant: “And it doesn’t end there. What really infuriates me is that it’s not just a one-time encounter with her, but three times. Every time she comes across me, she incessantly harasses and bothers me.”
Hearing Ansel’s account and seeing his irritated expression, Nika couldn’t help but burst into laughter, thoroughly amused.
“Oh, Ansel, I can imagine how uncomfortable you must feel.”
“Even worse,” Ansel grumbled, admitting Seeing that, Nika laughed louder. He felt extremely refreshed when Ansel was in trouble.
“What are you laughing at? I’m upset here.” Ansel retorted.
“It’s just funny,” Nika gleefully replied. “I never thought I’d see the day when Ansel Brown feels helpless.”
“To laugh at the suffering of others is too much.” Ansel criticized.
“I think it’s normal; it’s not too much. Thanks for your compliment.” Nika seemed to be deliberately teasing Ansel even more.
“I wasn’t complimenting you. You’re just crazy.” Seeing Nika still gloating, Ansel lamented, “Oh my, it’s so annoying.”
“Hey, Ansel. She’s headed our way.” Nika suddenly stopped laughing, and there was an announcement to Ansel.
“What? How dare she?” Ansel was taken aback, then he angrily scolded Erica, “She is more stubborn than a bloodthirsty leech. I’ve been trying to drive her away, but she won’t leave. She’s something, not human.”
“Calm down, Ansel,” Nika reassured him. “Let’s take it slowly and find a solution.”
“I don’t want her to haunt me anymore,” Ansel said fiercely.
As Ansel completed his speech, he felt fueled by his determination not to let Erica bother him any longer. He suddenly stood up, intending to leave the restaurant. Unfortunately, as soon as he rose, Erica was already near him.
“Watch out!” Nika exclaimed in alarm, but it was too late. The inevitable happened.
A momentary silence fell upon the scene; everything froze for a moment, including Erica and Ansel.