Middle Child Syndrome - Chapter 259

Chapter 259: Ch 259: Listen to the Rumours
Rika had gone out to clear her mind, but she ended up with more questions than she had answers for tonight.

Her head swam with questions, and Rika forcefully quieted it down so she could fall asleep. She was just too tired to deal with it all.

The following day, Rika woke up a few seconds before her alarm rang, and the noise made Rika’s ears sting.

It had not even been ten minutes since she woke up, and the day was already off to an awful start.

Things would only get worse from this point on.

“Ugh, I don’t want to go to work! Should I just stay in? It’s not like anyone would have anything to do for me anyway.”

Rika complained through her morning routine. She even turned around a few times while on her way to work but reached the office anyway.

Everyone looked at Rika and pointed at her. But this time, Rika knew what they were pointing at her for, which made her feel awkward and annoyed.

All these whispers also reminded me of Rika’s conversation with Charon yesterday and what Charon had told her.

‘I cannot believe that these people think that Mark is interested in me in a romantic way! God! What kind of bullshit goes through these people’s minds?’

Rika sighed and was about to head out when the front desk last made an awkward face and looked at Rika.

“Alpha Goodwill is calling you for a solo meeting, so go to her office before you go to your work desk. It is not a wise decision to keep our alpha waiting.”

The front desk worker looked like she had swallowed a lemon when she told Rika this. Everyone else glared at Rika as well, their gazes telling Rika to mind her own business and not go after a married alpha.

‘I have no intention of going after my mother either, you dimwits! Ugh, I cannot believe I am being looked at in such a negative light! This is all mother’s fault.’

Rika wanted to say ‘no’ to her mother so badly, but she knew she had no right to do that, especially not in her current situation as a low-level worker.

So, Rika sighed and decided to head up.

Of course, the situation had the potential to worsen, and it did worsen. It all happened when Mark walked inside and spotted Rika.

He immediately walked toward her and placed his hand around Rika’s shoulder to pull her into a half-hug.

“Rika, I arrived early today to catch you before you run away. I heard what happened to your system yesterday. You should come to my office when these kinds of incidents happen. I will keep you entertained.”

Mark promised, and the office sighed sharply before looking at Rika harshly.

‘Shit! These people are already making assumptions about what is happening between me and Mark! What a nightmare. It will be best if I stay quiet right now.’

Rika did not intend to make this situation any more complicated, but Mark did not seem to understand her message.

His arms felt like shackles around Rika’s shoulder, and she could only awkwardly stand there and do what Mark wanted.

*cough*

“I am afraid your ‘fun time’ would have to wait, Young Alpha Goodwill. Your mother has asked our new employee to come to her office immediately. Keeping our alpha waiting like this is not a good idea.”

The front desk worker informed Mark, making the young alpha groan in irritation. But it made him leave Rika alone, which was all that mattered.

“Fine! What a bummer! Mother always finds a way to make me feel annoyed with her. But I guess this is fine! If she wants to meet us, then we should hurry. Right, Rika?”

Mark grabbed Rika’s hand to pull her toward where their mother awaited them.

His behaviour made everyone look at him with shocked eyes. Rika could instantly tell there would be more rumours about her and her family after what happened.

So, she allowed Mark to pull her along and waited for him to drag her somewhere alone.

That place was the elevator, which no one else was using.

“Finally! Some peace. These people sure are getting on my nerves these days. What about you? How do you feel about working at this company? I am sure Mother called us to discuss this as well.”

Rika gave Mark a blank look, but the man did not notice.

“Mother called for me, not you. So, you do not need to accompany me to our mother’s office, Mark. Also, can you keep a little distance from me starting today? I don’t want the rumours to get any worse than they already are.”

The older alpha looked confused and taken aback by Rika’s request. He blinked a few times to clear his mind, but he could still not comprehend what Rika meant by her words.

‘This idiot! I am sure he did not pay attention to any gossip around him. He truly has a one-track mind when it comes to people! What am I going to do with him?’

Rika felt exhausted but knew she needed to inform Mark of what was happening in the office.

“Mark, once we leave Mother’s Office, pay attention to what people say. I am sure that you will be in for a huge surprise.”

Rika assured her brother before placing a hand on his shoulder as reassurance.

The elevator door chose to open at that moment, and many people stood in front of the door to get in.

Rika pulled her hand back at the last second, but the damage had already been done. People had seen her place a hand on Mark’s shoulder, and she was sure many ‘new’ rumours would emerge.

“Why did you stop talking? I thought you wanted to tell me something more. Rika, hey! Wait a minute. We were still talking here. You can’t just stop in the middle.”

Mark complained, but that was what Rika did. It was unfortunate, but she knew she would be subjected to an annoying time today.