Janitor's Love

Episode 2

The view outside is beautiful. There is heavy traffic to demarcate the spaces between the high-rise buildings. Paul Tyler sips in his liquor to chill off from the day's stress. He is happy to have found a new secretary. One who might be able to overturn the company's declining profits and shoot them back on top.

"My college junior in the music band is now my secretary. How wonderful is that?" Paul muttered under his breath. "It's those charming eyes for me. She still got them even after many years apart. It pierced my soul and gave me that comfort I needed at that time to ease off my stress. She'll be of help both to the company and me" He jested.

Later that day…

The sun begins to fade away into the western horizon as the evening time approaches. The day gradually begins to roll away, giving way to the night. The evening time is a very cool moment of the day. A time when people get back to their closets and get settled off the day's stress.

It's Sylvia's first day at work. She leaves the office by 5.30 pm to catch the evening train going downtown to her humble family bungalow where she and her father live.

Sylvia proceeded to the train station, paid for her ticket, and boarded the last train for the day going downtown. A few moments later, the train begins to move. Sylvia plugs in her hands-free as she listens to New York's best podcast station, The Orleans.

But, that scene was short-lived as her mind drifted into a shallow state of resonance. Sylvia's mind sailed into her experience at the Billionaire's office. "I met my college senior in the music band I was, in today. He seems to be quite successful." Sylvia thought.

"He looks domineering, rude and uncouth. I could see the way he spoke to Mrs. Mary Jane, the company's Receptionist in a very harsh manner. Jeez. She's old enough to be his mom, if not so." She further reasoned.

"I guess it's due to the stress he's been through, holding the company together since the last secretary resigned. Maybe that's the reason for his aggressive nature. Well, I'm here now. It all changes." She mutters under her breath as she smiles.

Sylvia arrives at her humble abode. She walks in to find her dad who's been suffering from a stroke sitting on the old rusty couch. He's been nursing the ailment since Sylvia was 7. Paralyzed in his feet and left hand, waking to see the next day is like another chance of survival given to him.

"Hello, Dad. How have you been?" She asked. Unfortunately, Sylvia's dad can't talk that much, only on rare occasions. The only way of communicating to those around him is by moving his eyes and sometimes, making efforts to move his right hand.

"I got the job and it happened to be my college senior from the same music band who is the CEO of that company." She said, Mr. Matt remained silent as he struggled to make efforts to speak.

"You don't need to say anything pops. I know you're happy for me. I'm optimistic that this new job is going to bring us every good thing we've ever imagined for ourselves." Sylvia responded.

Some days later…

Sylvia usually gets to work earlier than everyone, including the company's receptionist. But recently, she seems to be getting to work a bit late.

Held up by traffic on the road, she finally finds her way into the office. All dressed up, her face beams with a little glimpse of a smile. She is familiar with almost everyone at the office and they seemed to love her kind of person.

Moments later, Paul is in his office, fuming with fury. "Sylvia, come here immediately!" He ordered, looking very unhappy as his eyes read every word in the file he was holding.

"Give me a moment, Mr. Paul." Said Sylvia as she seemed busy with her work. She could hardly answer anyone's call at that instance. In a short while, she appears before him in his office.

"Really? Sylvia!" Paul banged the file he was holding. "Let's gloss over the fact you've been consistently late in the last few days. What about our investors?! Paul said as he stood up, pacing around his office in utmost anger. Sylvia was silent then he hit his hand on the desk again, so loud enough to attract other workers in their offices.

Sylvia, stuttering…"Err, Err.." "Answer me!" Paul cuts in.

"Is this how you want to bring down this company I built with my sweat over the years?" He shook his left hand into his pocket and paces around again. "Information got to me that you've refused to sign meetings with our investors for the last two weeks! Do you know what advantage these people bring to the table?" Paul said.

Paul would've been a little patient with his subordinates but that's the typical rude, aggressive, and arrogant Paul. At this stage, no one could call him to order, not to talk of correcting him. Once he starts to flare, it's best to remain low till he's done.

While that was ongoing, it seemed as if Sylvia was touched by the way he yelled at her. Tears began to form around her eyes, she adjusted her glasses to wipe them off.

"Mr. Paul, I apologize for the lag in my output. Not signing those documents wasn't intentional as I got to understand most of these letters have been piled up and left unattended by the last secretary. I just came to meet a backlog of work." She explained.

Paul, beginning to realize how true her explanation is, calmly retires back to his seat. "Have a seat, Ms." He said in a calm tone. Sylvia takes a seat in front of him.

"You'll have to forgive me, Sylvia. I never thought in that direction." Paul said. "I reacted that way because of the gain we receive from the partnership with these investors. Losing one of them is drawing the company backward. I apologize for the way I might've spoken to you rashly." He said.

Sylvia is in a state of shock at what just happened. Paul Tyler, a renowned business guru, known for his arrogant nature and rude approach towards his underlings, apologizing to his newly found secretary? What went wrong?

While he was speaking, a lady walked in…