CHAPTER 11- WITHOUT A SHIELD
871 Words
Abbey stepped into the building earlier than usual.
The lobby was already active, but she didn’t slow down to take it in this time. Her steps were steady, her focus clear.
Today was different.
Daniel wasn’t coming in.
His vacation had started.
Which meant....There was no buffer.
No middle ground.
No one between her and Ethan Lawson.
The elevator ride felt shorter.
Or maybe she just didn’t notice it.
By the time the doors opened to the executive floor, Abbey had already straightened her shoulders and adjusted her grip on her bag.
She stepped out.
Same floor.
Same atmosphere.
But it felt different.
More direct.
She walked into the office and paused briefly.
Daniel’s desk.....now hers.....felt quieter without him.
No second voice.
No quick instructions.
No one to double-check behind her.
Just her.
Abbey placed her bag down and powered on the system immediately.
Emails had already started coming in.
Notifications.
Updates.
Requests.
She sat down and began sorting through them one by one.
No delay.
No hesitation.
The intercom buzzed.
She picked it up instantly. “Yes, sir?”
“Come in.”
Abbey stood.
Picked up her notebook.
And walked out.
She knocked once.
“Come in.”
Ethan sat behind his desk, already reviewing a document.
He didn’t look up right away.
Abbey stepped in and stood in her usual position.
Waiting.
He finished reading, signed something, then set it aside.
“Daniel is unavailable,” he said.
“Yes, sir.”
“You’ll handle scheduling directly.”
“Yes, sir.”
He reached for another file and slid it slightly across the desk.
“Review this and prepare it for a meeting at noon.”
Abbey stepped forward, taking it. “Understood.”
“Confirm attendance with everyone listed,” he added.
“I will.”
He nodded once.
“That will be all.”
Abbey turned and walked out.
Back at the desk, she opened the file immediately and got to work.
The morning moved quickly.
Calls.
Emails.
Confirmations.
Adjustments.
Abbey handled everything as it came.
all by herself...in the quite office.
Around mid-morning, she stood up.
“Restroom,” she said quietly to no one in particular, already stepping out.
The restroom was quiet when she entered.
Clean.
Empty.
She walked to the sink, washing her hands slowly, letting the cool water steady her for a second.
Then.....
Voices.
The door opened.
Two women walked in.
Abbey didn’t turn immediately.
She stayed where she was, drying her hands.
“She’s the new one, right?” one of them said.
“Yeah,” the other replied. “Daniel’s replacement.”
Abbey stilled.
Her back still turned.
“I saw her yesterday,” the first one continued. “She doesn’t look like much.”
A small pause.
“Exactly,” the second added. “And now she’s working directly with him?”
Abbey’s fingers tightened slightly around the paper towel.
“That position isn’t for just anyone,” the first said. “You need experience for that.”
“And presence,” the other added. “Not… whatever that is.”
A quiet laugh followed.
Abbey didn’t move.
Didn’t interrupt.
Didn’t react.
She dropped the towel neatly into the bin.
“She won’t last,” one of them said.
“Give her a week,” the other replied. “Maybe less.”
Another small laugh.
Abbey turned then.
Calm.
Composed.
Her expression unchanged.
The two women froze immediately.
“Oh.....” one of them started. “We didn’t know you were......”
“In here?” Abbey finished for her.
A brief silence.
“Yes,” the other said quickly. “We were just.....”
“Talking,” Abbey said simply.
They exchanged a quick glance.
“Look, we didn’t mean.....”
Abbey stepped forward slightly, meeting their eyes without hesitation.
“You don’t need to explain,” she said.
Her tone wasn’t harsh.
But it wasn’t soft either.
Just clear.
“I have work to do,” she added.
That was it.
No argument.
No raised voice.
No need.
She walked past them.
Steady.
Unaffected.
The door opened.
Then closed behind her.
Back on the executive floor, nothing had changed.
Work continued.
People moved.
Phones rang.
Abbey returned to her desk and sat down.
Opened the file again.
Picked up exactly where she left off.
No pause.
No distraction.
The intercom buzzed again.
She picked it up immediately. “Yes, sir?”
“Status on the meeting?”
“Confirmed,” she replied. “All attendees have been notified.”
A brief pause.
“Good.”
The line went dead.
Abbey set the receiver down and continued working.
Minutes later, she stood, gathering the prepared documents.
Checked them once.
Then again and again
No errors.
No gaps.
She walked down the hall.
Knocked.
“Come in.”
Ethan looked up this time.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Yes, sir.”
She placed the documents on his desk.
“Everything has been confirmed. Files are updated.”
He took them, scanning briefly.
Then nodded.
“Let’s go.”
Abbey stepped aside as he stood.
They walked out together.
No conversation......
The meeting room doors opened.
And Abbey stepped in.
No Daniel, just her and the job.
- Writer
