Chapter One
1385 Words
"You're getting assigned the role of Administrative Assistant."
My smile immediately drops the moment those words leave Mr. Mullen's mouth. For a while, I'm just blinking and trying to process it.
Administrative Assistant? ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT?! That's an obvious demotion no matter who looks at it. I'm the Strategic Projects Manager, how could they just make me some…GOFER?! This can't be right. Just the other day, Mr. Mullen had said, 'You've been doing so well. A raise is definitely in order.'
So it HAS to be a mistake.
"Sir…there has to be some sort of mix-up—"
"There's no 'mix-up', Ms. Brooks," he harshly drops the files in his hands on the table. "Have you seen the news?"
"W-what news?"
He pulls out his phone, scrolls a bit, then hands it to me. I take it. It's a news article, headed, 'CEO of Alive International, Griffin Sandlers, Reveals Groundbreaking Technology'. It's as if my soul leaves me the further down I read.
"It's our tech…the one we had in development…"
"Yeah, no shit."
I flinch at his cold tone, and when I look up at those hostile eyes behind his glasses, my confusion only doubles.
"What does any of this have to do with me?" The confusion in my voice is palpable. He only scoffs.
"Who was it again that last had access to those files? Who was it that always took copies home to 'work on it further' on her personal computer?"
I can't even find the words to speak. He can't possibly think that I—
"You did, Ms. Brooks," he glares at me. "So the chances you're the one who leaked the information are quite high."
"I didn't—"
"I don't want to hear it," he cuts me off with a gesture of his hand. "We're still investigating, but all evidence already points directly to you. Since you were such a hard worker, I thought it best to just lower your rank a bit."
So I can never have access to anything important again.
"Higher-ups really wanted the person plain fired. You should be thankful."
Thankful? Oh, please… I'm just a glorified errand girl now…
I feel my eyes sting as it all sets in.
I had risen so high… From small town Grass Valley, all the way to San Mateo, California. I had a good degree, I got a job that some people only ever dream of, got promotions up until here, and was even expecting another. I'm supposed to be Director of Strategic Planning, Ana Brooks, not Administrative Assistant, Ana Brooks!
Before I can even try to argue my case some more, Mr. Mullen has me escorted out.
When I'm back in the office area, I can feel the glares and the hostility swimming in the air.
"Looks like Miss Perfect was a devil in disguise," a person mutters, making the sting in my eyes stronger. But I refuse to cry. Even when more people pass comments and give me nasty looks, I refuse to lower my head.
My eyes lock with Sophie's and Jake's; they look surprised, but more sympathetic than anything. But I don't want their pity right now. So I make my way to the cafeteria. I need to see Tyler right now.
On my way there, I bump into the last person I want to see right now. Preston Clarke. With a quick apology, I try to continue on my way. But OF COURSE, he stops me.
"That's no way to talk to your superiors, Ms. Brooks. Guess they didn't teach you respect in Grass Valley," he spits with venom.
Wait, superior?
I look back at his grinning face in absolute horror.
"I was promoted to Strategic Projects Manager. And you're my assistant~" He looks all too satisfied at that.
Slowly, I step back, before continuing my march to the cafeteria, ignoring the way my ears ring and the muffled calls of Preston behind me. This can't be happening.
Not only have I been demoted, but they made that DIPSHIT my boss? God, I just want to vent to someone. And luckily, the moment I step into the cafeteria, I see just the person I was looking for. My face lights up. Even though he's not all that tall, he's easy to spot in the crowd because of the fiery head of fluffy hair he has.
"Tyler!" My boyfriend.
I pace to him, ignoring the looks I get around the room. But the grin on my face slowly dims when his smile drops the moment he sees me. He excuses himself from his friends and walks forward.
"What do you want?" he asks far too flippantly for my liking. But I just ignore it.
"I'm here to see you, silly~" I nudge his arm, but he shrugs me off, even brushing his arm like I had dirtied it.
My face falls. No, not him too. Anyone but Tyler.
But when he looks back at me, once-warm amber eyes now look at me the coldest I've ever seen them.
"Don't tell me you actually believe this too?"
"I'm just disappointed, Anastasia," I wince when he uses my full name, "You used to be somebody. Now?" He gestures at my whole form, "You're this. A liar, a traitor, and a little errand girl. I don't need you of all people talking to me now," he glares at me, "You'll only ruin my reputation."
With that, he walks back to his friends, and like a flip was switched, smiles brightly and bubbly like usual. Right after he just insulted me too.
How could this have happened? I didn't do anything! Why can't someone just believe me? Why…why couldn't Tyler just believe me?
I'm not sure when I ran to the bathroom, but I'm sobbing into my hand when I realize I'm there. The tears that pooled in my eyes fall freely as I fall to my knees on the cold tiles. The only words that ring in my mind are 'How'.
How? How? How?!
Someone must have stolen my files and framed me…but who? Who could possibly do that? Don't they know that they wouldn't just be hurting me, but the company too?
All those thoughts fill my head as I spend my lunch break weeping my eyes out. By the time I'm done, my body's numb all over. I drag myself up so I can look at my reflection in the mirror.
Messy brown hair, messed up makeup, smeared lipstick and reddened eyes. I glare, and my hazel eyes glare back at me.
Whoever it is, I'm going to make them pay. But first, I have to prove I'm innocent.
"Yeah, the b***h's in there. She's been crying for like 30 minutes. What a drama queen."
"The only b***h I see here is you. f**k off."
"f**k YOU."
After those muffled words, I hear the toilet door open. I don't have to look to know it's Sophie. She comes up beside me.
"Hey…"
I take a deep breath through my nose. "Hey."
It's quiet for a while, with Sophie rubbing my shoulder soothingly. But I don't want the atmosphere to continue, for fear I'll come off even more pitiful than I feel, so I break the silence.
"Linda?"
I hear the "Ugh," and see her roll her eyes through the mirror. "You know how she is. She's just jealous you managed to get promotions without spreading your legs for the VP."
I laugh at that, shaking my head. "There's no proof they're screwing."
"Yeah, because we haven't found it."
We both laugh, and I find myself feeling a bit better. I lean my head on her shoulder. As she strokes my hair, I let out a breath. "Thanks, Soph. For being here."
"Hey, I'm your friend, so that's my job. Jake too." She lifts my face to look her in the eye; those intense monolid eyes. "Trust us more."
I sniffle, hugging her. "Okay...I'll try…" My voice cracks as I feel like just crying all over again. Some leader I am…
"If it makes you feel any better, at least we still have the company retreat this weekend. It's to some fancy resort in Napa." She leans to whisper closer to my ear. "And I hear we might get Monday off~"
I chuckle lightly. "That'd be nice."
- Writer
