My Psychotic Boss

One Sided Games

Back at the office, Rowan had returned for work. He glanced at Seren who was just nearby at her desk. Malrick was pointing at her screen, actively helping her understand something she didn't understand. Then his eyes shifted directly at Rowan. Their eyes met for what felt like an eternity.

Malrick grinned at Rowan, how could a person have such dead eyes but smile the way he did... "Hey! don't do that." Seren swatted at Malrick, like how a child would swat a fly away. Rowan watched as Malrick kissed the top of Seren's head; his eyes deadlocked straight at Rowan. It was like a game, a game Malrick was trying to force him to play. A game that was completely one sided. How long had Malrick waited for this one-sided competition to start. When did this start? Rowan's mind flooded. It wasn't fear. It was irritation.

An unknown bird had entered the nest and was now attempting to push Rowan out of the nest. All while the mother bird wasn't watching. Malrick was a parasite in Rowan's eyes. An imposter. A Narcissist. "Okay, I get it now. You can go now." Seren shifted to her screen, dismissing Malrick's help.

"Ask me again when you can't figure something out." Malrick patted her head like a child before walking off, the corner of his eye shifted toward Rowan for a spilt second. Rowan clenched his fists at his side. His rage boiling over. He didn't know what to do...

Later that day, his shift ended, he packed his bag up and that's when he noticed Seren alone at her desk. Malrick wasn't lingering around. He was going to finally speak with her for once. Rowan approached her desk, "Hey... " he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, shifting uncomfortably, he didn't know he would feel this out of place trying to talk with her.

She looked up, "What do you need... " Her voice flat and unamused.

"We, need to talk. It's not about us.... so, you don't have to worry."

She gave a puzzled look, "If it's about work, I'm busy, go ask someone else who's still here."

"No, it's not that... Delancey is in danger... something weird is happening. Malrick-"

Seren quickly interrupted, "What about him?"

"He's acting strangely, dangerously. Would you know anything about that?"

"Malrick may seem cold and rude on the outside. He's, our boss. He has work to do. He doesn't need to be on everyone's good grace." Her tone seemed mocking.

"That's not it. He threatened Delancey! He cut his hand on purpose back there, because I was trying to talk to you. He doesn't want anybody talking to you!" Rowan blurted out.

"What?" her tone softened this time...

"Spreading rumors about me, I thought you were better than that. Seren's right... why would I do that, when I'm stacked up on reports and paperwork." Malrick suddenly entered the room. Rowan hadn't even seen him enter.

"Oh, Malrick." Seren looked up at him, surprised.

"Hey there, is Rowan bothering you?" he asked, casually, almost cheerful in his voice.

"Not really, he was just trying to understand something is all." She spoke clearly, she didn't exactly hate how Rowan confronted her. Rowan was saying something interesting, she wanted to know more about why Delancey had left the company.

"Well... if that's the case. Rowan... I'd rather you ask me directly about your concerns, rather than to bother Seren while she's clearly busy." Malrick's eyes flickered at Rowan and Seren.

Rowan's hands clenched into fists at his sides. "My business is with her, not with you."

Malrick smirked slightly, noticing Rowan's pent-up irritation. "Speak with me, it seems we have things to discuss. let's not disturb Seren. I'm ordering you. Not asking you. As your boss." His voice felt light, but his words carried a heavy stain.

Malrick stepped into his office, closing the door behind Rowan as he stepped inside. With a single motion, Malrick closed the blinds, dimming his office. He gestured to Rowan to sit in the tiny wooden chair, clearly Rowan was too big for it. Rowan's eyes flickered at the tiny chair then at Malrick. "Why are you doing this to me... "

"Just... sit."

"My weight will break that chair. I will not be dehumanized by you." He stepped back.

"If it breaks, you'll pay for it, but I guarantee that chair will not break."

Rowan crossed his arms dismissively. "What do you have to say to me... "

Suddenly in one quick swift motion that felt overly aggressive, Malrick hurled the chair at the wall. The chair took the impact and stayed intact. "I told you that chair won't break. Just. f*****g. Sit. In. It." This was the first time he had witnessed Malrick's aggression. He had seen Malrick order and mouth off other employes for little mishaps, but this? This wasn't just words... This was control, a method. "Grab the f*****g chair and sit in it."

Rowan hesitated before he walked over to pick up the chair, placing it upright. He stood beside the chair glaring at Malrick.

"Are you mental? does that look like sitting to you."

"This isn't right... just talk to me, man to man." Rowan spoke sternly now. He was irritated, but he was aware Malrick is impulsive. Malrick could attempt anything if pushed enough.

"Give me a reason, Why I shouldn't bash that wooden chair right into your skull." Malrick's foot was tapping against the floor... Rowan could feel his limit was about to reach. With a sigh Rowan sat in the tiny wooden chair, his knees bending severely, he shifted uncomfortable and embarrassed.

This scenario reminded him of his childhood, where his dad would order him to sit down. Rowan's dad was a narcissist, one of the main reasons his mom had a hard time divorcing him. Nowadays Rowan only keeps contact with his mom. They both share a traumatic understanding bond now that his father is out of the picture. Now Malrick is treating him this same way...