Joanna

I'm going to be freaking late at work today.

Not late, late, but late as in Seira's going to be the first one to arrive at the office today.

I can't believe Ed decided to send me a voice message saying that he can't drive for me just this morning.

"Hey Ana? Something came up. I'm sorry, I can't drive for you today. Uhm, take care and just—yeah, that's it. Bye."

I called him several times but it just goes straight to his answering machine.

In the seven years that he worked for me, there wasn't a single situation where he didn't tell me beforehand that he wanted a day-off.

I'd deny it but I can't help but feel worried.

I sighed.

"Well, he'll be alright. And it's time for me to drive myself to work for the first time in forever," I told myself in the mirror.

My other self reflected a 'really?' look, "Or I'll just call an Uber."

This is the first time I felt the intense traffic in this city.

Eddie is such a good driver I don't know how he gets me to work everyday without breaking a sweat.

Just as I predicted, Seira arrived first and waited for me outside the office.

Suddenly just by seeing her tired face I remembered the errand I let her do.

Because of her, I had to do a lot of work yesterday because of her sudden ditching.

She opened her mouth but I stopped her by speaking first.

"Remind me to decrease your salary for ditching work yesterday without a reason."

"I'm sorry. Something came up and—."

I interrupted her, "Did you and Eddie rehearse that excuse? Because it sounds so similar."

Her eyes went wide.

"What did he tell you?"

I narrowed my eyes in confusion, "Is there something you need to tell me? What happened to the errand I asked you to do? What did you guys do yesterday that you neglected to deliver my daily coffee addiction?"

"I would suggest we talk about it in your office Joanna," a voice joined in the conversation and I faced him.

I raised my eyebrows but agreed to do it anyway.

Once inside my office, we placed ourselves in my mini lounge area.

"Seira tell Joanna what happened yesterday," Leo nodded at Seira.

I raised my arms, "Wait, wait, is this really that important that we have to speak inside my office?"

Seira leaned forward, "Yes. You already know how I suddenly went missing during the Summer Gala right?"

I scoffed, "Your version and Leo's version. You didn't trust to tell me you had someone with you. But yes, I already know you basically lied to me about that and what about it?"

"The thing is, I—we, Scott and I, were witnesses in a murder case," Seira admitted, rather uncomfortably.

My jaws parted in shock, "No. You're kidding me right?"

Leo shook his head.

"What! Why the heck did you leave that information out! Is there someone out to kill you?"

Seira and Leo pressed their index fingers to their lips to tell me to keep my voice down.

"Did that killer do something to you yesterday?" I gasped. "What happened to Eddie, is he okay?"

Seira looked at me with sympathetic eyes, "I guess he didn't drive you to work then."

"W-which hospital is he in? Oh my God, that's why he didn't drive me to work today! That bastard! I wonder why he thinks it's not important for me to know."

"He's not injured," Seira confirmed.

I sighed in relief.

"Good. Well, tell me what happened yesterday," I paused. "Do you know the reason why he's not working today? He isn't picking up my calls."

"That's the problem Joanna. He isn't working because he knows we're onto him."

"What are you talking about?"

Seira reached for my hands and held them in hers, "Miss Joanna, Mr. Green's a murderer."

I stared at her for almost half a minute and I laughed.

"Good one. Okay Leo, I fell for your prank but my birthday is still a week away. So stop this bullshit already and let's get back to—," Leo cut me off.

"This is not a joke Joanna! Seira found the killers hoodie and knife inside his car."

I scoffed and decided to go along with their prank, "Well okay. Somebody must have put that in there because I've known Eddie for 7 years. I swear on my coffee addiction that he didn't do it. Do you guys have a better back story to tell me than that?"

"No! Look miss, Mr. Green wasn't at the Summer Gala and if he is really innocent as he said he is, he would have been here to defend himself."

"O-okay that's enough, both of you get out of my office. I have lots of work to do and you're wasting my time," I gestured for them to go out.

Leo stood up first, "Look Joanna, what we told you must sound crazy to you and we understand where you're coming from. As of now we don't have anything more to prove he's guilty but please stay away from him for the time being."

"Well, he's not here is he?" I sarcastically said and rolled my eyes.

"But—," Seira started but Leo guided her to the door.

After they left, I forced my mind to block the thoughts brought by the lies my earlier visitors brought me.

I delved myself into piles of work nonstop until the moon started to appear on he horizon.

My thoughts and feelings tell me there is no way Eddie would do such a thing.

Murder someone?

The thought sent a chill down my spine.

No, he's too kind. A man that would patiently wait in the car, let me fall asleep in the backseat, and even help me with my groceries would not be capable of doing something like that.

I shook my head to erase my thoughts.

There's no need to doubt Eddie. Leo is just being an asshole and dragged Seira on his early birthday prank

My cellphone buzzed on the table.

I answered it when I saw the caller I.D, "Leo what is it this time?"

"Is Seira in there with you?"

I checked her area, "No, I think she already went home an hour ago. Why? Were you guys supposed to meet?"

He cursed, "No. Their nanny called me. Please ask the security guard if he has seen her. I'll be on my way. Call me if you find her."

"Yes. Yes, I'll do that," I replied and he hanged up.

What. The. Total. Fuck?