A Journey from Bitterness to Truth (Matilda and Yvan) novel Chapter 182

Orson had no inkling that his first day at the new job would be so dramatic. The rookie in the cubicle next to him, with tears streaming down her face, looked at him with a mixture of disbelief and sorrow.

Pointing at himself, Orson asked, "Do I know you from somewhere?"

"No," came the tearful reply.

Yet, that face... Matilda's hands shook ever so slightly as she faced the uncanny resemblance. She had always thought fate to be cruel, but at this moment, she felt like she was being given a second chance.

She wiped away her tears and took the coffee mug Orson was offering. "You look just like a relative of mine who passed away."

Orson paused, his voice laced with a hint of annoyance. "So, you're saying I remind you of someone who's dead?"

Baxter and Yoshi tried to diffuse the tension, with Baxter chiding, "C'mon, big boy, why the long face? Our gal Matilda's just feeling a bit sentimental, that's all. No offense meant."

Orson shot a glare at Yoshi. "Yoshi, for the last time, stop calling me 'big boy'!"

Yoshi, unperturbed by Orson's irritation, kept up his teasing. "Chill out, T-Rex, don't scare off our leading lady! Hey Matilda, check me out. I'm pretty easy on the eyes, too, right?"

Yoshi had a knack for lightening the mood. Orson, ever the stoic type, huffed and started sorting through his desk, booting up his computer for work, while Matilda sneaked another glance at his profile. He was the spitting image of her brother Gideon.

Curiosity got the better of her, and she asked, "How old are you, Orson?"

Orson stiffened and turned to face her with his strikingly pale face and piercing eyes that could give any runway model a run for their money. "Is this your latest pickup line?" he retorted coolly.