The Shadow of the Blue Topaz

By Michelle Melinda

This book is about Celine, a journalist. One day, she was delegated to report a death at Frank’s office. However, she felt that the facts must have been faked by Frank. She insisted to investigate the truth. Along the way, she must deal with a lot of problems. However, she was lucky that she had a lot of people who supported her, especially her boss and her mother.

After she did a lot of effort to find the truth, she found out something that was very surprising to her, but she never regretted what she had done.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing Singapore
• Release date: Apr 5, 2019
• ISBN: 9781543750430

Michelle Melinda

My name is Michelle Melinda. I am currently studying commerce. Actually, I dreamt to be a writer once I was little. Earlier, I did a personal skill test and they convinced me that I have the ability to write. However, I did not get confident and I chose to work in either finance or accounting field. I have written some short stories before. My parents, teacher, and friends have always supported me all of these times to write. Therefore, I am so grateful that I could publish a book in the future with Partridge help and their supports.

Book preview

CHAPTER I

THE STORY OF CELINE

C eline was a senior reporter in a big company, The Winston News Pte Ltd. Celine had the dark brown eyes, and long straight black hair. She owned two children, Pete and Ross, but her body was still slim.

Celine’s family was consisted of four people, including her mother, Kim. She has lost her father since she was kid. Kim said Celine’s father was dead because of a car accident. Until Celine grew up adult, she had not ever seen her father’s face.

Mom… Why can’t I see daddy’s face? I want to know him. What does he look like? Do we look alike? What is his name?

You do not need to know the answers all of those questions. Your dad had died since you were born. Do not ask any further about your father. I don’t want to hear any words from you regarding your father, we should have forgotten him.

Celine was an obedient child. She then had never asked about her father anymore. She heard what Kim said and followed her for everything she said.

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One day, Celine was awarded to be the most diligent student at her school. The teacher gave her an applause and gave her a trophy in front of the class.

Kim, you are so lucky to have that child! She was beautiful, and smart, and it seemed that she will do whatever you said, one of Kim’s friend gave a compliment to Celine.

Celine then grew up to be a feminism woman who liked to learn, she was one of the most active students at her school. Never a day she skipped the opportunity to ask a question to her teacher.

Because of her diligence and both emotion and cognitive intelligence, she then got the scholarship from the university that everybody wished to be there. The university was in Manchester, United Kingdom. She got the highest test score among the other hundreds of participants, both in science and language tests. She then became a lot of lecturers’ favorite. No wonder, she always answered the questions from the lecturers correctly. However, that behavior made some of her friends disliked her because they were jealous of the lecturers’ treat to Celine. In fact, Celine was still studying hard and being active in the university to accomplish her goal. Kim had always supported her daughter.

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One day, Celine went home from the university.

Mom, why do you come home late?

I got a lot of things to do in the office. How did the school, Celine?

"Quite well. But, some of my friends mocked me because I answered the teachers a lot. They told me that I was apple polishing.

You answered the teacher for the questions correctly?

Yes. But my friends seemed not to like it. In fact, I like to answer all of those questions as they were all interesting for me, mom. And… It was all correct. Why don’t they answer the teacher too instead of mocking me?

Listen to me, darling. As long as you do the right thing, do not care about the others. Be like your father, he will always do good. If he was here, he will support you for what you have done.

Wait, you’ve talked about father, mom? You said that you don’t want to hear anything about father? Tell me more, mom. I want to know more about father.

Forget it. I should not say that earlier.

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After 3 years living in the university life, Celine then took a photo studio with her mother after graduating. She used the shawl, printed with the word ‘congratulation’. She was so proud that she was graduated with an excellent performance from Manchester University of Journalism.

Even before Celine applied for the job, a company had asked an offer for her to be the senior reporter directly, without some stages that the ordinary person should go through. Celine did an interview and was successfully hired by The Winston Daily News Pte Ltd. Her answers were smart, and met the company’s expectation. The company was the biggest media company in the nation that time. It was an honor for anyone to be hired there.

CHAPTER II

WHEN A MAN WAS FALLING IN LOVE

I n Celine’s life, there were a lot of people who liked Celine because of her character, and this was not just happened when she was still learning at any education centers. Celine was a hardworking and smart woman, which led her to also become the boss’ favorite.

Actually, her CEO was so strict and rarely compromising his employees’ delay or any other fault. He preferred all people to do what he wanted and nobody could argue against him. However, the strict CEO, Trev Henderson would not fire Celine for whatever she did, although sometimes Celine came to the office late.

A lot of her colleagues assumed that the CEO had a special feeling toward Celine. They assumed that Celine and Henderson were in a relationship. But they had always tried to alter their colleague’s mind about their relationship, especially Celine. Celine did not feel convenient if the colleagues assumed that way, as he was a wife of a man. She was afraid if her husband found out, then there would be such a big problem because of the misunderstanding.

"Celine, what kind of relationship do you have with Mr. Henderson? One of her nosy friends asked.

It’s just a relationship between an employees with her boss.

Umm… but, I thought there were something there. I could not see the border between a boss and his employee if I see you two together.

Come, on, that’s just your opinion. Don’t spread such gossip here.

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On one morning, there was a heavy rain. The trees were falling. It was a blustery day. As usual, Celine prepared breakfast for her mother and her children. She then proceeded to walk to the nearest bus station. She arrived at the office after half an hour.

Oh my! Where’s the bus! I’m in a hurry… Ah! There it comes!

At 10 am, Henderson was walking back and forth and checking on his watch. Finally, the person that he had been waiting for came. He then finally saw Celine.

Good morning, umm… I’m sorry I’m late, there was a traffic, Celine entered the staff room.

It’s okay, take it easy. Oh my God, why are you so wet? Henderson replied.

Umm… yea, the bus was so late so I run from the nearest bus stop to here.

Next time, do not do this. It is so dangerous for a woman to run by using a high heel on a slippery pavement.

All right, sir.

Celine’s colleagues were gossiping about them. Celine then avoided them and went to the washroom to change her wet clothes.

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In the middle of the working hours, Celine accidentally dropped her picture with his husband. The glass was broken. Henderson quickly approached her as the sound was attracted many people attention.

What happened? Are you okay?

I am fine, I’m fine, Celine then hunched over to pick up the broken photo frame.

No, don’t do that. There were pieces of glass. Just leave it, I’ll ask the other to pick it up. It was too dangerous for you to pick it up by yourself, Henderson took both of Celine’s hands.

Celine was so silent since then. She was thinking about her man, Lesley.

Don’t worry, everything will be all right. Why don’t you call for him? Henderson tried to comfort her.

Celine tried to call her husband but the calls were not picked up. She then saw the message notification from the airport.

Dear Mrs. Celine Lesley,

We would like to express a deep condolence to you and your family. Mr. Lesley, who was in the BOEING 787 of Western Churchill Airplane with the number of AM776, with the route Wisconsin to Mississippi was separated into two at 9 am, after 10 minutes of flight. We do apologize for what had happened. All passengers were suspected to be dead after the explosion.

Yours,

The Management of Churchill Airways Pte Ltd

Celine dropped her phone. The whole office then finally knew the news from the reporters’ main screen. Celine then went to the airport to know the further news and Henderson decided to accompany her. Celine’s mom with her two grandchildren came to the airport and cried a lot. It was a really chaotic situation in Celine’s family.

Lesley was not supposed to do that business, mom. I am the one who allowed him. I should not allow him to go.

Do not blame yourself. It was not your fault, Celine’s mom hugged her child tightly.

In the middle of that pathetic situation, the speculation that Henderson loved Celine became warmer after the death of Celine’s spouse. Everybody was watching Henderson’s behavior if he was near Celine.

Henderson became more bravely express what he wanted to do to Celine in front of the other employees. In that situation, Henderson tried to take the benefit of the situation by comforting Celine, to take over Celine’s heart. He wanted to make Celine realized that he was the one who will be always by her side since then.

On the other hand, Celine seemed not to be in a long sadness, as she was pretended to be a strong woman in front of her colleagues and everyone. She even still worked part-timely after she heard the news and kept on smiling if she greeted anybody. It was her decision to do so, in which she could bear her sadness.

Henderson then tried to put some efforts to comfort Celine whenever possible as he assumed Celine actually needed such attention. On the other hand, the cold Celine seemed not to care much about the any efforts that Henderson made. She did not even care about any facts or gossips that were coming, regarding her CEO had a special feeling toward her. Celine’s focus after the death of her spouse was just her career, to support her children.

Celine, I allowed you not to work, you can still take care of your children at your home. I believe they were still sad and they need you to comfort then.

Why? No problem, sir. I got a bundle of work to do.

Isn’t that you need to prepare your husband’s funeral and other things that you should have done?

No, no. It’s all done by my family. You don’t have to be worried.

Good to hear that. By the way, this lunch, can we go to Pandora Café? I need to discuss something with you.

Celine agreed and said, Wait for a moment. I’ll get myself ready.

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The olden wood clock rang at the noon. Celine then tidied up her papers. She knocked at her CEO’s room. Henderson then came out of his office after he heard the knocking sound.

Let’s go!

Henderson drove his Lexus car slowly while Celine were listening to her earphone. They were both in a silent situation and not even talking to each other for a single word.

Finally, after around 10 minutes, they reached that Hollandaise style café.

I have booked a table for Ms. Celine.

Sure, come in, the waiter guided them to the round white table number 7.

What do you want to talk about?

Can we just order the food first? Henderson replied and the waiter then gave two menu books toward them.

Can I have two tenderloin steak? Medium well, and I want to have grilled potato with cheese for the side dish, the waiter took a note and repeated their order to make sure that her handwriting was reliable. She then left the table and put the order at the chef’s desk.

How do you know that I like that particular dish? Celine asked.

Umm… I know it as all of these times, every time there were any employees’ event, you had always ordered that in the western restaurant. Am I right?

Wow, you know too much about me. You should not care too much about me like this. I feel uncomfortable. If you don’t know the story, I’ll tell you then. Since I was studying at the elementary school, I have been a beloved student. My teacher treated me differently, they were too kind to me. That of course made me feel somehow uncomfortable because my friends then did not want to be my friend because they were jealous me.

Any of the employees discriminate you? Who did that to you? I’ll fire them now!

See… I meant that I don’t want you to do such things. The jealous feeling will be bigger and bigger. Obviously, that made me hard to find such best friend in the company. Thus, I beg you not to differ me with the employees, do not take care of me too much. I know that some of my colleagues did not like it and I feel it.

I understand. Sorry to make you feel that way. I’ll try to change. I’ll treat you as what it supposes to be. But you know, in my opinion, you shall not consider about that insignificant little thing. The one who will stick with you for whoever you are, you should keep him as a real friend, like me.

You’re such an overconfident guy! Celine then laughed.

After around 20 minutes waiting,