Running Gossip Machines
1005 Words
Emma’s POV
I exhaled slowly as my Uber dropped me in front of the company. It was a long ride, and I could feel the muscles in my legs crying for a stretch. God forbid I have to spend this much to get to work during emergencies.
To think this is Mr Steele's everyday routine, another reason I don't consider him human. But power makes people do crazy things, like building a mansion in an almost deserted place all in the name of standard. I'd rather maintain my average peaceful life with family.
The elevator doors opened, and the moment I took my first step out. I felt it. The atmosphere was different.
The looks on their faces, like I wasn’t supposed to be here. Like they were seeing me for the first time. I immediately knew something was up, but I chose to ignore it and headed towards my office.
People whispered as I walked past, and they quickly changed the topic when I looked their way.
Of course, I can hear them.
"The new secretary went to the boss’s house. Are they having an affair? Could she be his mistress? Is that why she got the job?"
Like seriously? The last thing they could come up with is that I'm sleeping with that devil? Gross...
How satisfying it would be to drive my fists on their throats so the words would just be stuck in there, but I'd hate to get into trouble because it could cost me my job and there's no way I'm letting a baseless rumor disrupt my plans. Not when I'm this close to the man who ruined my family.
Let them look, whisper, and assume the wrong things.
It's better than the main truth getting out.
Getting to my office was a relief. I was finally away from all those running gossip machines that called themselves employees.
I set my bag on my desk and switched on my laptop to begin work for the day. I had to cross-check Mr. Steele's schedule for the day before his arrival and make preparations, plus the reports I got from him this morning. I had a whole lot to do.
"Good Morning, Emma," I heard a familiar feminine voice call closely.
I looked up from my laptop. Sasha Lane. What does she want again? She sashayed towards my desk in quick immaculate strides. The only thing I admire in other ladies is their effortless feminism. It's a great struggle on my end.
"Morning, Sasha," I answered, shifting my gaze back to my screen and hoping to avoid any office gossip or more drama this morning.
"There's a big rumor in the air. Sure you must have heard when you walked in this morning."
She didn't sound like she believed it or wanted to get clarity. It was as if she saw through me, that I hated Dominic as much as one would hate an enemy, because he is an enemy after all.
"Yeahhhh, I heard some colleagues whispering when I passed by the Production Management office this morning. It's crazy, I know, right?" I voiced out before I could stop myself.
I was close to being frustrated, and her manner of approach this morning is just too soothing that I feel I've known her for a long time.
"I'm really sorry about that, this place is just filled with so many foolish people that they believe whatever they hear without even properly thinking it over." She stopped for a while as if she was reading my thoughts or just observing my reaction.
Our eyes met and I could sense the worry in her words, her eyes. Maybe Sasha is not as sassy as my first impression of her.
"I don't know... I just can't deal with it, not at the moment." I said sincerely, giving in to her intimidating look.
"Well, the issue is that Mr Steele has never invited any of the employees except Cynthia to his mansion. We don't even know where he lives. But this morning someone in the Sales team heard some of the managers saying you were at Mr Steele's mansion this morning and since then. It has been the talk of the office."
I took a deep breath and sank into my chair. It was unprofessional, but my head was about to explode, and I wasn't ready for all of the drama at all.
It's still my first week for heaven's sake.
"Trust me, I know what you're feeling right now, but I just came here to tell you that you shouldn't let all the talk get to you. Just give it a day and everyone will be back to their businesses when they realize their idiocy."
Her last statement stirred a strange feeling in me that somehow turned into laughter. If anything, Sasha was good with her words, I see why she holds such a high position. Beauty with brains indeed.
"Good Morning Sir." I heard Sasha say and looked up only to see Mr Steele approaching, clad in a black tailored suit as usual, being the devil he is, Burberry suede shoes, and a matching suitcase in hand.
I immediately straightened my dress, called my composure back to order, and bowed.
"Good morning, sir," I greeted. What was the need to say good morning again anyway when I had already greeted him at his mansion? But I was not putting my job at stake because of my freaking thoughts.
My former boss would say that if our opinion is not accompanied by money or power, it can't have dominion. Scratch that!
"Morning Miss Lane." Mr Steele replied, smiling, and shifted his gaze to me. His countenance changed.
"See me in my office Miss Grey." He ordered and left.
"I guess I'll see you later then," Sasha said, ready to take her leave as I had to get back to work.
"Thank you very much, Sasha, this means a lot," I replied watching her leave before heading towards the door to Mr Steele's office.
- Writer
