Luna's Cousin

Lorraine walked to Alice's desk with firm steps and a look of anger on her face. The woman with long wavy hair wore a short white flower-patterned skirt and a long-sleeved maroon plain blouse.

The look in her eyes was so sharp, she stepped while catching her breath and was trying to control her emotions.

She hoped that Alice would listen to what she had to say and then helped Lorraine rebuked her subordinates. She should have reported them to the HR Manager, but Lorraine used to tell Luna everything that happened in the designer division because Arthur's daughter was Lorraine's cousin.

Alice was talking to a client on the phone at the time, her tone serious and a little high. After Luna and Andy's engagement ceremony was held, Luna had not returned to the office, so her secretary had a lot of work to do. Arriving in front of the secretary, Lorraine pulled up a chair and sat on it.

Lorraine piled her right foot on top of her left as she looked at Alice with an unusual look. She waited for Alice to finish patiently even though she was annoyed, a moment later Alice hung up the phone and turned her head at Luna's cousin.

"What's the matter, Lorraine? Why is your face so wrinkled?" Alice asked frowning.

Lorraine took a deep breath and leaned forward. "Alice, I came to see you because I have something important to tell you."

"What's important?" Alice asked again.

"It's about the staff working under my leadership ... can you help me rebuke them? I don't know anymore how to rebuke Ivanka as well as the others, these few days they haven't been working well." Lorraine explained, she snorted in annoyance.

"What do you mean they don't work well? Usually you always complain to Luna, don't you?" Alice looked seriously at Lorraine.

Lorraine nodded slowly, "You are right, usually I always complain to my cousin, but until now she hasn't returned to work. What actually happened to Luna? Is she sick?"

Alice shrugged her shoulders, then she answered Lorraine's question, "I don't know, Lorraine. You are her cousin, you should know what really happened to Luna. After all, our relationship is only limited to employees and bosses, I don't want to interfere in her personal affairs.

"Ermm ... looks like after she got engaged, she became lazy and became a closed person," Lorraine replied guessing.

"Lorraine, you can't say that. After all she is your cousin, you don't think negatively about Luna," said Alice.

"Alright, Miss Alice. I won't think negatively and say something bad about Luna," Lorraine pursed her lips.

"So, what do you want to tell me? Quickly, I am very busy today," Alice said, glancing at her watch.

"I have said before that I asked for your help to reprimand Ivanka and her friends. They don't see me as their manager and don't pay any attention to my warning to them. This morning Ivanka was just lounging at her desk and wouldn't even talk to me. Ashley was gossiping with Tracy too, while Eva and Arriana have nowhere to go. Both of them disappear during work hours, really annoying." Lorraine grumbled in front of Alice, then she leaned back in the chair.

"Oh my! It turns out that they can do something like that at the company? I thought they were good employees and worked hard, but apparently I was wrong. They did it when Luna wasn't in the office," Alice shook her head, "I will rebuke them, Lorraine."

"It's best that it is," concluded Lorraine.

"You go back to your room and wait for me there," Alice ordered.

"Alright, Miss Alice. Thanks for your help," Lorraine said with a wry smile, "Then I will excuse myself."

"Alright," Alice smiled back at the elegant looking woman, then Lorraine stood up from her seat and stepped out into the designer's room.

"Hufftt ... Luna, I am very busy to finish all the affairs and problems at the office." Alice complained.

Then Alice cleaned up the files piled up on her desk, put them in a drawer, turned off the computer, then stood up from her seat. After that, she walked out of the secretarial room located in front of the CEO's room, locked the door, and stepped into the fashion designer staff on the 2nd floor.

At that time one of the designer team, namely Arriana had returned from the pantry, while Eva didn't see the bridge of her nose at all. Ivanka and Tracy were also doing their own thing. A few moments later, Alice entered Lorraine's room and watched them one by one before rebuking them.

Ivanka drew a long-sleeved shirt but the drawing was not good, so she was annoyed and threw the paper in the trash while grumbling. At that time Alice heard her voice very clearly, she approached Ivanka and reprimanded her in front of all the staff in the room. Ivanka didn't realize that Alice was watching her.

"Ivanka, so you work like this when Mrs. Luna is not in the office?!" Alice rolled her eyes.

Knowing Alice was nearby, she suddenly lifted her head up and looked at Alice. "Miss Alice?? I don't--"

"Do you want to avoid me?! It turns out that what Lorraine said was true if you didn't work really hard," said Alice, looking at Ivanka with sharp eyes.

"You don't usually behave like this, as far as I know you are the most diligent employee among your colleagues," Alice continued.

"I am sorry, Miss." Ivanka lowered her head to avoid the gaze of the secretary who wore a stern look.

"If Mrs. Jessica and Miss Luna knew what you and your friends were doing when Miss Luna wasn't in the office, of course they would fire you," said Alice, she stood next to Ivanka while folding her arms across her chest.

"Please don't fire me, I don't know where to work other than Aurora Fashion. I didn't mean to throw that paper away, but my shirt designs aren't as good as the others," Ivanka whispered.

"Good or bad your drawing is determined by the great thoughts, feelings, and intentions in your heart. It's not just based on the talent you have, understand?!" Alice insisted.

Ivanka nodded, "I—I understand."

"Now do your job with all your heart and respect Miss Lorraine as your manager." Alice advised Ivanka who looked nervous in front of the secretary.

"Alright, Miss."

After reprimanding Ivanka, Alice walked over to Eva's empty desk and called Lorraine who was looking at some of the clothes hanging in a row in the corner of the designer's room.

"Lorraine, come here." Alice turned to Luna's cousin, she waved her right hand.

Lorraine stopped what she was doing for a moment and rushed over to Alice at the table near the door of the room.

"What is it, Miss?" Lorraine asked confused because Alice suddenly called out to her.

"Do you know where Miss Eva usually goes during work hours or during breaks?" Alice frowned.

"Usually she goes to the cafeteria to buy food and drink," Lorraine replied.

"She bought food for lunch?" Alice asked again.

"Yes," replied Lorraine nodding, "Eva and the others always eat in the pantry during recess."

"Then why isn't she here now? Where has she gone?"

"I already told you, I don't know where Eva went."

"Could she be sleeping in the pantry or could she be on a date?" Alice raised an eyebrow.

"Oh! Who's on a date?? Does Eva have a boyfriend here?" Lorraine covered her mouth with both hands.

Alice shrugged her shoulders, "Maybe."

The atmosphere in the office didn't work like when Luna was there, they felt free to do anything when the CEO who was known to be very strict and disciplined didn't come to the company. When Alice and Lorraine were about to look for Eva, suddenly Lorraine's cell phone rang. She rushed to her desk and answered the call which turned out to be from Jessica.

"Hello, Auntie. How are you?" Lorraine asked kindly and politely.

"Lorraine, Uncle Arthur and Luna are in the hospital. Can you meet Aunt at Queenland Hospital??" Jessica asked, her voice shaking.

"What?? Uncle Arthur and Luna are in the hospital?? What happened to them??" Lorraine was surprised.

"I will tell you later when you come here. Hurry, Auntie wants to talk to you about something. It's important."

"Yes, Auntie," said Lorraine.

******