My Psychotic Boss

The Red Door

For weeks now, Delancey had been practicing her act in the mirror of her bedroom. It was going to be difficult to walk into that door, that door had only allowed Seren...

From Delancey's knowledge, Seren was calm, composed. She spoke confidently yet quietly with silence, which was the complete opposite of Delancey who was care-free, happy, bold in nature. Delancey had to perfect an act, an act similar to Seren. Delancey wanted to ad her own little twist. She was going to act depressed, like her life was hanging only by a thread. Trying to match Malrick and his life problems. Opposites attract sure, but similarity brings sympathy, and sympathy can be manipulated. If only she could take Seren's place. Delancey would end her engagement with Rowan in a heartbeat.

In the following days, Delancey had worn muted colors, less flashy outfits, she did her makeup ever so slightly to make herself look more pale, sickly. Delancey acted shy, quiet. Isolated herself. She started going to work early, and leaving late just the same as Seren.

Seren never noticed any of Delancey's changes. Seren was over it.

Then, it was time. For the greatest act of all. The final stunt. Instead of having Rowan drive her home, Delancey stayed late... Seren had already left for home while Malrick, stayed later than usual. This was a billion-dollar chance. She'll probably never get the chance again.

Delancey sat at her desk, pretending to work... her eyes kept darting over at Malrick's office until she noticed him turn off the light and walk out. It was showtime. Delancey turned her desk lamp off and slowly followed Malrick to the elevator. Right before the elevator closed, she jammed a hand in, causing the doors to reopen again. Delancey was at the door, which was slightly cracked open. Malrick's money was just on the other side of it. Delancey smirked slightly as she walked into the elevator with Malrick, she leaned against the wall with a preformed sigh.

Malrick's eye turned to eyeball Delancey, she felt his eyes... it didn't feel right. She was starting to feel hot... that familiar fear she felt before begun to creep into her bones. She knew he was staring at her, his body wasn't even turned to her. Does Seren feel this way all the time? is that why she had tried to reject his gifts, Delancey thought to herself, the elevator felt dark. If forming a small friendship with him gets you brand names, Delancey had to try...

The light in the elevator begun to flicker, it felt like a horror movie. Delancey's heart was sinking into her chest, this elevator ride was so slow. She had yet to make her move. She cleared her throat, "I-I'm sorry, did I disturb you... " She hadn't mean to stutter but she was afraid of him, her sentence lingered longer at the end than she had planned.

"Would you say you're a good person... Delancey?" his voice was dark and ominous, she felt his eyes splitting through her soul.

She flinched when he begun to speak. It was a random question. The same question he had asked her so many times before. "I-in a way I believe I'm a good person." She stuttered in the beginning but spoke confidently as she finished.

"You know, I've been feeling kind of bad these people of day's... would you mind giving me hug... Delancey, since you're so nice... " Malrick had finally turned to face her, his eyes were dead locked on her.

Delancey looked up to meet his eyes, his eyes were dull. They looked dead, almost like nobody was behind them... "I-I... " Delancey stuttered, unable to form a proper sentence as she stared into his eyes. None of this felt right.

"It's alright... give me a hug, it's only me and you... "

"I-I don't want to!" Delancey suddenly blurted backing herself into the corner of the elevator.

"I'm trying to... find a way to feel good about myself," he took a pause before starting again, "Because no matter how hard I try to fix myself or be, I don't know... someone better than I am. I always fail, just like right now, Delancey... I wanted you to give me a hug, yet I got rejected. Seen as a f*****g joke. Am I a joke to you Delancey." Malrick's voice subtly got harsher, meaner, aggressive. He stepped closer cornering her in the elevator.

"N-no you're not a joke!"

"Yeah, whatever." He paused before her. His eyebrows furrowed as he leaned closer to her. He started again, his voice was calmer now, yet creepier. "Let's say, you said no but I said yes. And you said no, and I said yes, and you said no, no, no, no... " His voice lingered at the end as he finished.

To be continued...