Workplace Drama
She watched him lowered his head in shame, from behind the window. He was a new employee, one that, despite having no experience, would’ve been considered talented. But, she enjoyed making him feel otherwise. Sooner or later, he’d become hers. Just like in the old days.
This time, she’d put him under her mercy. She could already picture it. The way he’d grovel at her knees, begging for release. The way he’d squirm under her watch, writhing for her approval. A grin stretched across her face. She couldn’t wait.
After how he’d treated her in the past, she’d been itching to see him suffer. Now that he sought her out on his own accord, voluntarily delivering himself at her doorstep, she was going to do just that.
“Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!” Her voice echoed in his head. It’s been over an hour since she’d left, yet the internal nagging continued.
He sucked in a breath, calming himself. If not for his desperate need of a job and lack of experence, he would’ve quit long ago. His supervisor definitely had something against him. Whether it was an idea that he suggested or merely the way that he stapled his papers, she’d always find a reason to openly criticize him.
Who did she think she was? So what if she was his boss? That didn’t give her the right to set unrealistic standards. If not for his family’s recent financial problems, he would’ve personally taught her that lesson. Leaving a company and bringing its staff with him on a mass exodus was hardly beneath him. And, with his family’s previous status, wealth, and power, it wasn’t just possible, but likely hundreds of volunteers for the task.
After all, it was common knowledge that, with his family’s old status and power, employing a few hundred people would’ve been as easy for him as batting an eye. Even having legally separated from them, flashing his id was usually enough to scare people into submission. But then, he wouldn’t have been in this situation if it weren’t for his family, in the first place.
Had they been just a bit more open… just a bit more accepting… He let out a sigh. There was no use thinking about it now. What’s done was done. The only thing he could do now was pray he wasn’t too late to fix it.
He ran a hand through his hair as he turned his attention back to his screen.
“That’s not how you do it!” Her voice echoed in his head again.
There was no way that he could concentrate like this. He sighed, locking his computer and standing. No reason to stay. His supervisor probably gone home already. Like everyone else.
He turned to find his reflection staring back at him. It was already so dark outside. He stared at the stars that lit up the darkness beyond the window. Did she still have that habit of looking up at the stars every night? He placed a hand against the glass. Would she be looking at the same stars, right now?
He closed his eyes and took a breath before looking away. He needed to head home. He needed to continue his search. Sighing, he packed away his pens and notepad away into his bag. Throwing it over his shoulder, he turned toward the door.
As he walked, a brightly lit office caught his eye. Approaching, he realized that the door was left open. Someone must’ve forgotten to turn off the lights before leaving. He peeked in, intending to find a light switch, before quickly backing out into the hallway. A woman stood at the window, looking up into the sky.
He knew he should’ve left then, but something about her kept him staring, standing there as if stuck in a trance. Her stance, the way she held herself, was too familiar. He knitted his eyebrows, watching her draw her hands together, interlacing her fingers and resting her chin over them. It couldn’t be.
He leaned forward to get a better view, when she clapped her hands and swiveled. His supervisor. No, it couldn’t be. Their eyes locked, and he was certain that he caught a glimpse of bewilderment in them, before they returned to the contemptuous look that he’d grown accustomed to.
“What are you doing here?” She asked.
Without answering, he walked up to her. Her facade slipped for a moment as she bit her lip. An old nervous habit. So it was her. How did he not realize before?
“Alice.” He said, wrapping his arms around her. “My Alice.”
“Let go of me. I’m not your Alice.” She answered, struggling in his arms. “I’m your supervisor.”
But he didn’t want to let go. Not after he finally found her.
“If you don’t let go of me, I’ll report you for workplace assault.” She threatened.
In spite of her words, he could feel her resistance waning. There was still a part of her that still remembered him. Still remembered them. Still remembered what they once were.
“Alice.” He said again, feeling tears slip out of his eyes. “I’m sorry.”
She didn’t know what was wrong with herself. She’d been so ready to torment him, so ready to humiliate him, so determined to make him pay. But, when his arms wrapped around her, she felt her will drain away. When she heard sincerity in his voice, she actually considered forgiving him. Why did his actions have such an effect on her, when she tried so hard to hate him?
“Give me another chance.” He begged. “Please.”
The pain in his words. She nodded, returning his embrace, finally giving in.
“Thank you.” He whispered.
His tone told him all she needed to know. She wasn’t going to regret her decision.
This story was inspired by a writing prompt from the “Microcosm” Publication.
From PostSecret.com
The Why is up to you, the How and the To Whom it may concern.
