Learning to Love Again

*WARNING: Chapter contains sensitive topics.*

A light knock on her door pulls Su Lian out of her daydream.

"Come in."

Bella enters with a stack of files and she places them neatly on her desk.

"This is all the summarized information and company losses resulting from the former president, Jim Silva's corruption scandal for you to revise."

"You also have your first meeting with the high ranking managers and employees of Infinity Corp China in an hour."

"Would you like me to start on the Perfume endorsement?"

"No. You'll be going with me to the meeting. Ryan can't come because I assigned him to another task."

Bella nodded her head stiffly. What she hated most was human interaction. Apart from Ryan and her boss, she speaks to no one else.

Su Lian feels bad for her. Bella has worked under her as a secretary for six months, and she has noticed that she isn't comfortable around people. It's like she built a wall around herself that isolates her from everyone else.

She shows no emotions and never complains about any task Su Lian gives her. Although being subservient is normal in an employee-boss relationship, Bella's submission and lack of a social life seems alarming.

During the background checks on her close and frequently used workers, Su Lian found out that Bella is an orphan. She had grown up in foster care since she was three, moving from home to home.

When she was fourteen, her foster father was arrested for child molestation and sexual assault. He had committed these crimes against Bella and the two girls who were also in his care along with her. Florence and Susanne, both of them were only fifteen, a year older than Bella.

Apparently, the man had a wife who was aware of everything he was doing to the girls but she did nothing to stop it. Consequently, she was also charged.

The man was convicted and sent to prison but the trial had been a traumatizing experience for them. They had to recount everything that they had experienced, it did nothing but put a mental strain on these already broken girls.

Once it ended, they were taken out of the foster care system and moved to orphanages. Although they were given counseling at the orphanage, Florence committed suicide two years after and Susanne became a heroin addict. The two girls had lived with the man much longer than Bella had, she was in his care for only about three months before he got charged.

Bella left the orphanage when she turned seventeen and worked several part-time jobs to get herself through college.

Throughout that time she was reserved. Now at twenty-five, she has no friends and has never been in a relationship.

Su Lian likes her efficiency and strong work habits, but she wants her to have fun and get exposed to the world to improve her social skills.

"I understand. I will go prepare for the meeting. Is there anything else?"

"Yes, there is. After work today, we'll go shopping and I'll take you on a tour of all my favorite places."

"You won't get paid overtime."

Su Lian flashes her sweetest smile and Bella manages to smile back.

"I'll make sure to prepare for that as well."