Paula's gaze turned cold and sharp and she took a step back and smirked. She couldn't believe how dirty this woman played. She wanted to hurt her, so that she wouldn't be able to come back to work.
''Be careful, your hand might get burn if you keep pushing the pan towards my body'' Paula said to Amara whose hands stiffened. She quivered and let off the pan and it almost fell but Paula held it swiftly and leaned closer to her ears and said to her, ''I don't mind it if you spread rumours about me, but if you try to hurt me physically, I will show you that I really have a closed relationship with the CEO. Let's see who will still be here at the long run?''
Paula said and stepped aside and the pan fell right on Amara's hand and she screamed drawing the attention of everyone. They turned and saw the scene and rushed forward. At the far end, an unknown person smirked after taking a video of the scene that just transpired before leaving.
''Miss Paula, how could you be so ruthless towards me merely because I said some things about you?'' Amara said as she hissed in pain. One of the chefs pulled Amara to the sink and opened the tap, letting the running water flow over her hand.
Paula stood at the same spot calmly, revealing no emotions. She didn't also say anything to defend herself. She simply stood there quietly.
''Miss Paula, did you really push the frying pan on Chef Amara?'' one of the chefs asked the question that was on everyone's lips.
Paula turned to the one who asked and said to him, ''well, even I don't know whether I was the one who did it or not''
''What kind of answer is that. You clearly stepped closer to her. I saw you but I thought you two were having a discussion, so I didn't pay attention to you. You were the only one close to her. If you didn't do it, then, are you saying that chef Amara hurt herself?''
''Well, I don't know about that either. You are all looking at me with such accusatory gazes. No matter what I say, you wouldn't believe me. You only believe what your eyes saw. After all, against so many people, I can't vindicate myself. If you all agree and say that I did it, then, everyone else would believe that I did it. So, why should I explain myself when you won't even believe me?'' Paula looked at the woman who asked her that question.
''Miss Paula couldn't have done such a thing. I believe her'' the chef who previously saved Paula said.
''Alex, don't be deceived by her pretty face. If she could come here through the back door, what isn't she capable of. Amara only shared her grievances about losing to her this morning and now she is hurt. Who is the suspect if not her?''
''Ama, it is alright? Maybe I shouldn't have let out my grievances. Miss Paula must have felt hurt my words and she decided to take it out on me'' Amara returned and said to the woman.
''No, this isn't alright? She is just here for only today itself and she is already acting up just because she slept her way up''
''Did you see it?'' Paula asked her.
''What?'' Ama and everyone else was shocked by the question that Paula had asked but she was right in asking. None of them saw it happen. They had just assumed it because Amara said it first.
''You said I slept with the CEO. Which eye of yours saw it? If you are going to rely on rumours to malign me on my first day at work, then get your facts right at least. Make sure you have evidence and don't just follow what others say blindly. I don't deserve the position I have? Well, you could say I came in through the CEO but what makes you think I don't have the qualifications for the job? I finished my service five months ago and I have my certification licence which I scored all my assessment records, so get your facts right before you say I don't deserve my position. Rumours can hurt. It is not just physical pain alone that is pain because there is evidence to show. Emotion pain and mental distress are all pain too''
Paula turned to Amara, ''you claim that I hurt you, right? if you have evidence to prove that I was the one who hurt you, then go ahead and report me to the disciplinary committee, let them decide what kind of punishment to give me. Blackmailing people using their sense of empathy is rather low of you'' she finished and turned about the leave when she saw Godiva and Andy at the door. She flushed and lowered her gaze.
''This place really is lively. This used to be the dullest part of the hotel because everyone minded their own business and did their work well, but suddenly today, it has become the busiest place in the hotel. Why don't you just take it out to the streets?'' Godiva said and they all lowered their heads.
''Manager Godiva, CEO, the new nutritionist just pushed a pan of hot oil over chef Amara's hand and wouldn't admit it'' Ama said and looked at Amara sympathetically.
''Did you see it?'' Andy asked and they all looked at him. Why did that statement seem similar?
''Yes?'' Ama was left speechless.
''You said she pushed a pan of oil liquid over her hand. Did you see it?'' Andy asked.
''I…''
''Yes or no. That is the response I need'' Andy interrupted her.
''Chef Lucius, can you explain the situation?'' Manager Godiva asked Chef Lu who stood behind all of the chefs.
''I didn't see anything. I was busy when I heard Miss Amara scream and then I turned and saw that she was hurt. Miss Paula was standing a distant away. I didn't see her close to Miss Amara so I can't decide whether she was hurt by Miss Paula or not'' Chef Lu said.
''How many of you saw that Miss Paula hurt Miss Amara?'' Manager Godiva asked and the kitchen turned silent. She turned to Amara, ''you said Miss Paula hurt you, right? we will launch an investigation and get justice for you if she really did hurt you, but if you are lying, then you know the punishment for that, right?''
''Actually, it was a mistake. Miss Paula didn't hurt me intentionally. She might not have seen the location of the handle well and pushed it as she walked.
Translation: Paula did it but she Amara is under pressure so she would suck it up and accept it because Paula is backed by the CEO!!
Paula chuckled and looked at her, ''let's get the facts straight. It wasn't a mistake and I didn't hurt you even if it was intentionally Miss Amara. I didn't touch you so don't make it sound as if you are covering it up for me. I am innocent. I did not do anything to you. Let's start from there''
Andy smirked subtly as he looked at Paula. Godiva was right after all. She didn't even need his help. She could handle the situation well on her own.
''It's that not the same thing Miss Amara said. Why are you being so difficult to handle?'' Ama said. She felt that Paula was being unnecessary difficult and was putting Amara in a thick spot.
''This is about my image and reputation. What if someone goes out of this place and says that I used my connection to the CEO and bullied Miss Amara into keeping silent when she got hurt by me?''
Ama pursed her lips. She had nothing to counter against Paula's statement. Paula smirked and tapped herself internally saying ''yeah!! take that bitch!!!' she smirked.
''What is it going to be, Miss Amara? Should I proceed with the investigations?'' Manager Godiva asked and Amara shook her head.
''No, there is no need for that. I am fine'' Amara said.
''Good, Miss Ama, take over Miss Amara's spot while she visits the hotel's emergency room. Miss Paula come with me'' Manager Godiva said and turned out with Andy.
As they walked out of the kitchen, Andy received a call. he turned to Godiva and whispered to her, ''please go easy on her'' before he looked at Paula and walked away.
Paula walked ever so slowly behind Manager Godiva. The woman turned and saw Paula lurking behind her and she asked, ''I didn't think you were a snail? Why are you walking as if you don't have energy in you? earlier on, you seemed to have a lot of fighting spirit in you''
Paula hurried to her side and walked with her towards her office.
Back at the kitchen, Ama looked at Amara and said, ''that Miss Paula is a bitch. Did you see the way she took advantage of the CEO's presence to push you to the wall? I hate that woman''
''That's enough'' Amara screamed at her and walked out. She was angry as it was and didn't need Ama to say anymore to worsen her mood. As she left for the emergency ward, she swore in her heart to make Paula pay for messing with her.