NO TURNING BACK AGAIN

CIERRA

For the hundredth time today,Cole yells at me.Again.My co-workers give me the pitiful look.A look mainly reserved for me.Mainly because I'm the only person who gets to be at the receiving end of Cole's anger.

"What was it this time?"Paul,a skimpy looking guy asks.

"Just the usual battering.It's nothing that serious."

"His behaviour is getting out of hand lately.You should report him to HR,".

"I don't really mind about it.Reporting him will just make things worse for me,".

"I still can't believe that you guys were once friends,".

"Some friendships don't last long.That's the way life is,".

Looking back, our friendship started going down the drain because of that promotion.Cole and I ended up getting shortlisted for the managerial position in our department.We've always been rivals but only during working hours.Outside working hours we were just two innocent friends but everything changed with the managerial position Infront of us.

Cole changed completely.It was as if I never knew him.

When the board had given the matter enough thought,Cole ended up having the position.In mind,I thought we'd finally patch things up and that everything would go back to the way it once was.But the position got into Cole's head.Maybe a little too deep.

"Cierra!Get yourself here right this moment!"

Here we go again.

The pitiful eyes follow me as I make my way towards Cole's office.I knock three times before getting inside.The room isn't as exquisite as the other managers offices but it's splendid in it's own way.

"Do you know why I called you here?"

"Is it about the earlier proposal? I've already amended it."

"I bet you have.For now, let's put the proposal behind us.I'd like to ask you a question Cierra.Between you and I, which one of us is the manager?"

"You are."

"And who are you answerable to?"

"You sir."

"Since you know all that,I want you to explain this,"he says pointing at a nearby document.

I pick up the document and skim through it.So far,I don't see any problem with it.

"With all due respect sir, I don't see any problem here."

"I didn't think you would.Let me spell it out for you

Comment from the administrator,

I'm pleased to inform you that your sample has been approved by the judges.Due to various reasons, the award will be delayed but in due time, you'll soon receive it.The judges were greatly pleased that they would like to meet you in person.If possible, I hope you'll be able to free up sometime for them.

Cole looks up at me after reading the last bit of the document.

"I've always respected you as my subordinate Cierra but this _____this is truancy.I expected better from you".

Wait.What did he just say?

"Excuse me sir, how I'm I being a truant?

"You joined a competition based on perfume making, didn't you?"

"Yes."

"And you don't see the problem in that?Did you ever think of consulting me before joining the competition?"

"That regards my personal life.I didn't see any need of consulting you,".

"What if that sample could be a suitable proposal? Don't you think that you should be informing me of such things?"

"My personal life isn't something that I should be informing you about.That sample was just something that I cooked for the competition."

I can't hold myself any longer.

I don't deserve to be treated like this.I won't tolerate it.Not anymore.

"You know what Cole,I know you hate me soo much.I don't know what it is I've done wrong to you but I won't ask.We used to be friends but now I don't know who you are.You've changed soo much and it's not for the better.You've gotten bitter towards me to the extent that I can't take it anymore.I used to think that if I swallowed everything you'd stop being hostile to me but instead it made things worse.I can't be around you like this.Not anymore.I truly wish that you'd go back to the way you used to be.For the sake of things.