Chapter 3: Rules
389 Words
The email arrived at 9:03 a.m.
Subject: Office Guidelines
I stared at my screen longer than necessary before opening it.
It wasn’t long.
Three bullet points.
Clear.
Precise.
Professional.
• All reports must be sent directly to me.
• Meetings are mandatory unless otherwise stated.
• Availability after hours may be required.
Nothing unusual.
And yet my chest felt tight.
I felt his presence before I saw him.
“Did you receive my email?”
I turned slowly.
He stood behind me, close enough that I could smell his cologne.
Clean.
Subtle.
“Yes,” I said.
“It’s clear.”
“Good.”
He didn’t move away.
“You’re adjusting well,” he continued.
“I value reliability.”
I nodded.
“You stayed late yesterday,” he added.
“I wanted to finish my work.”
His gaze lingered.
“Dedication,” he said softly.
“It matters to me.”
At lunch, my phone vibrated.
Unknown number: Don’t skip meals.
I frowned.
A second message followed.
You tend to forget when you’re stressed.
My fingers hovered over the screen.
Me: Is this work-related?
The reply came instantly.
Everything that affects your performance is.
I locked my phone.
My appetite disappeared.
Later that afternoon, he called me into his office.
He didn’t look up when I entered.
“Sit,” he said.
I did.
“You seem distracted today.”
“I’m fine.”
He finally raised his eyes.
“That’s what you said the first night.”
Silence stretched between us.
“I don’t want misunderstandings,” he continued calmly.
“We have roles here.”
“Yes,” I said quickly.
“Good,” he replied.
“Then we’ll respect them.”
He paused.
“And outside of work…”
My breath caught.
“…I expect honesty.”
I stood up, my hands shaking slightly.
“This is crossing a line.”
He leaned back, unbothered.
“I’m setting boundaries,” he said.
“You’re free to say no.”
He watched me carefully.
“Are you saying no?”
I opened my mouth.
Nothing came out.
When I left his office, my phone vibrated again.
Unknown number: You forgot your jacket this morning.
I stopped walking.
I was wearing my jacket.
I turned slowly.
He was standing at the end of the hallway.
Watching.
- Writer
